• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

American Airlines and Brazil's GOL Airlines Announce Frequent Flyer Program and Codeshare Agreements

Posted on: Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 08:17 CDT

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines, which offers more flights to Brazil than any other U.S. airline, has entered into a frequent flyer agreement with GOL Airlines that will provide benefits to members of both American's AAdvantage(R) and GOL's Smiles programs.

The agreement makes it even more convenient for travelers to see more of Brazil, South America's largest country, as well as earn and redeem miles. Additionally, the two airlines intend to enter into a codeshare agreement in the near future.

The frequent flyer participation agreement will expand the opportunities to earn and redeem miles to new destinations for the more than 62 million members of American's AAdvantage program and the 6 million members of GOL's Smiles program. Beginning Aug. 1, 2009, AAdvantage and Smiles members will be able to earn miles on all eligible GOL and American flights.* Then, beginning in Fall 2009, AAdvantage and Smiles members will be able to redeem their miles for travel on GOL and American flights worldwide. To celebrate this agreement, AAdvantage members will be able to earn double miles when flying on eligible GOL flights between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31, 2009. For complete details, visit www.aa.com/offers.

The codeshare agreement between American and GOL, which is planned for later this year, will offer customers a smoother, more-convenient travel experience when flying to and from points in Brazil not served by American. With its service to five major Brazilian cities from the United States, combined with GOL's flights to 49 destinations within that country, American will soon be able to offer a level of accessibility to and from Brazil unequalled by any other airline.

"American's new frequent flyer and codeshare agreements with GOL significantly increase the flexibility, in terms of flight schedule and price, available to our passengers," said Peter J. Dolara, American's Senior Vice President - Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. "Our customers traveling to and from Brazil will now have an unparalleled choice of destinations and schedules. We are proud to be able to connect more people throughout the world through our new arrangement with GOL."

"This agreement adds additional value for each airline's customers. With this collaboration, GOL will now offer American Airlines customers access to South America's largest route network and the continent's fastest growing airline," said Constantino de Oliveira Junior, GOL's CEO. "Also, not only are we offering Smiles members service across the United States, but we're also providing access to destinations in all continents through a partner that offers a high-quality product."

Once the codeshare agreement is in effect, customers transferring from GOL to an American Airlines flight leaving Brazil or other points in South America will enjoy the convenience of being able to check their luggage to their ultimate American Airlines destination when they check in for their GOL flight. Similarly, customers traveling to Brazil on American and transferring to a GOL flight within Brazil or elsewhere in South America can purchase a single ticket for their journey, rather than multiple tickets, and check their luggage to their final destination. As always, customers will still have to clear U.S. and Brazilian customs upon arrival.

Along with convenient ticketing and luggage arrangements, American and GOL also offer affordable interline fares for both Premium Class and Economy Class travel. Interline tickets for travel between American and GOL can be purchased through AA and its appointed agencies around the world, using electronic ticketing. American serves five destinations in Brazil from Miami International Airport, New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, while GOL operates nearly 800 daily flights to 49 destinations connecting the most important cities in Brazil and nine major destinations in South America.

American has expanded its service levels to Brazil in recent months, adding both flight frequencies and new destinations to its worldwide network. In November 2008, American began service from its Miami hub to Belo Horizonte, Recife and Salvador. In all, American offers 58 weekly flights to and from Brazil.

Following is a summary of American's U.S. - Brazil routes, including the new destinations that began in November 2008:

American Airlines Brazil Service Summary Sao Paulo - Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York JFK Rio de Janeiro - Miami Belo Horizonte - Miami Recife - Miami Salvador - Miami *During the first month of our partnership, miles earned for flights may take up to three weeks to be posted to members' accounts on the Smiles program.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection(R) serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com(R), provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

About the AAdvantage Program

The AAdvantage program was the first frequent flyer program. Established in 1981, the program now has more than 60 million members. Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include more than 30 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 12 financial companies, and over 250 brand name retailers. In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries. In 2008, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 155 billion miles to claim more than 4.8 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.

About GOL

GOL, one of Brazil's largest airlines, offers nearly 800 daily flights to 49 destinations connecting the most important cities in Brazil and nine major destinations in South America. The Company operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, the safest and most comfortable aircraft of its class that provides high aircraft utilization and efficiency ratios. The Company's service, which includes the GOL and VARIG brands, is recognized as the best value proposition on the market.

About Smiles

Available in over 200 countries with over 6 million participants, Smiles (www.smiles.com.br) is GOL's customer relationship program. Through the program, customers accumulate miles every time they fly on GOL, VARIG and airline partners, or when they purchase services and products from the program's 150 non-air partners. Additionally, some program rewards provide travel advantages, such as exclusive check-in counters, higher baggage allowances and access to Smiles VIP lounges in airports.

AmericanAirlines(R) We know why you fly(R)

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.

The address is http://www.aa.com/content/amrcorp/pressReleases/main.jhtml

SOURCE American Airlines

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category