What adds significant value to MileagePlus miles is the carrier's generous routing policies that allow for a free stopover and open jaw on round -
trip international award flights.
American Airlines doesn't add them to its
own international award flights, but if you use AAdvantage miles to book a flight on partner British Airways, you'll get fuel - surcharged.
If you're new to the «travel rewards» world, booking cheap domestic award flights might be your way of getting your feet wet before you book
an international award flight or a first class flight that will require more miles.
This loophole was reliant upon United allowing a free stopover on
any international award flight.
International award flights are distance - based.
There are no first class seats, no confirmed seat assignments, no extra legroom seats, no meals,
no international award flights... I could go on but you get my point.
US Airways charges fees for international and partner awards but, all told, it rarely costs more than a couple hundred dollars to redeem
an international award flight.