American Offers Bonus Miles for New Zealand Flights

When is a bonus generous enough to affect the choice of airline, or the timing of a trip? American’s new mileage offer for New Zealand flights is likely to leave you mulling over that question.

Offer Details

Between August 15 and October 31, American AAdvantage members can earn up to 30,000 bonus miles for American flights between Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand, as follows:

• 2,500 bonus miles for roundtrip economy class
• 15,000 bonus miles for roundtrip business class

Eligible economy-class fare types: Y, H, K, M, L, W, V, G, Q, N, O, and S. Eligible business-class fare types: J, R, D, and I.

The bonus may be earned a maximum of two times, for two qualifying roundtrip flights.

Registration is required, using promotion code AKL16.

Deal or No Deal

Late-August roundtrip flights to New Zealand currently price out at $1,428 for coach, and between $7,000 and $8,000 for business class. Flight distance is around 6,500 miles each way, so 13,000 miles roundtrip.

In context of either the airfare or the flight miles, the bonuses are decidedly modest—the economy-class bonus in particular is barely worth factoring into the purchase decision.

On the other hand, a bonus is a bonus, and if you’re headed for Auckland during the promotion period, a few extra miles never hurt.

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After 20 years working in the travel industry, and 15 years writing about it, Tim Winship knows a thing or two about travel. Follow him on Twitter @twinship.