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American Airlines and Brazil’s GOL Airlines announce agreements
Jul 08, 2009 10:00 pm
Airlines
American Airlines has entered into a frequent flyer agreement with Brazil’s GOL Airlines, which will provide benefits to members of both American's AAdvantage and GOL's Smiles programmes.
The agreement makes it even more convenient for travellers to see more of Brazil, 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 programme.
Beginning August 1st, 2009, AAdvantage and Smiles members will be able to earn miles on all eligible GOL and American flights. Then, beginning later this year, 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 August 1st and October 31st, 2009.
The codeshare agreement between American and GOL, which is planned for later this year, will offer customers a 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.
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 travelling 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 US and Brazilian customs upon arrival.
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.
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