JetSMART Adopts American AAdvantage As Loyalty Program

JetSMART Adopts American AAdvantage As Loyalty Program

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In 2022, American Airlines invested in JetSMART, which is a South American ultra low cost carrier. There’s now a significant development when it comes to loyalty benefits, as JetSMART is essentially going to use American AAdvantage as its loyalty program.

Earn & redeem AAdvantage miles on JetSMART

JetSMART is adopting American AAdvantage as its loyalty program, effective immediately. JetSMART doesn’t have a traditional loyalty program, so JetSMART travelers will now be encouraged to sign-up for American AAdvantage in order to be rewarded for their flights.

It’s possible to earn AAdvantage miles for travel on JetSMART effective immediately. The mileage earning rates largely reflect what you’d earn if flying American:

AAdvantage mileage earning rates on JetSMART

As of later in 2024, it’ll be possible to redeem American AAdvantage miles for travel on JetSMART, but that functionality isn’t yet live.

Here’s how Scott Chandler, American’s SVP of Revenue Management and Loyalty, describes this development:

“We are excited to welcome JetSMART and their customers to the AAdvantage® program, the most valuable travel rewards program. This is a significant milestone in our partnership that offers customers more low fares and more travel options throughout South America.”

Meanwhile here’s what Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSMART, had to say:

“From the beginning, we have been innovators in South American aviation, offering ultra-low fares and an extensive route network, often connecting cities for the first time. By deepening our partnership with American, we are continuing to make history, furthering our mission of bringing air travel to every corner of the continent. Our customers will now be able to earn miles when they fly on the JetSMART network and connect to American’s global network. As the fastest-growing airline in South America, this alliance strengthens our position as we work toward our vision of reaching 100 million passengers and 100 aircraft by 2028.”

JetSMART is now using AAdvantage as its program

My take on this AAdvantage loyalty development

I have a few thoughts about this announcement. First of all, it’s nice to see some frequent flyer program benefits finally rolled out, given that American has now owned a stake in the airline for quite some time.

I do find the concept of having other airlines essentially adopt AAdvantage as their loyalty program to be a bit unusual. Fiji Airways plans to do the same thing in 2025, when it joins the oneworld alliance. On the one hand, I can understand that loyalty programs aren’t equally lucrative around the globe, and that they can be a cost center rather than a profit center. On the other hand, you completely lose your brand identity when you do this.

American is obviouly doing what it can to compete in Latin America. American used to be a powerhouse in Latin America, when it partnered with LATAM, but then Delta swooped in and bought a stake in the airline.

So that has forced American to get creative, and it’s why we’re now seeing American partner so closely with both GOL and JetSMART. Are these airlines the perfect fit? No. But they’re better than nothing, and options are limited. Some partnership is better than no partnership.

I do wish we’d see some actual elite perks rolled out for travel on these airlines, given what we’ve lost with LATAM. However, I get that this kind of cuts into the margins for regional low cost carriers like this, so that comes with its own challenges.

American also owns a stake in Brazil’s GOL

Bottom line

JetSMART will begin using American AAdvantage as its loyalty program. Effective immediately, it’s possible to earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points for all JetSMART flights. Then as of later this year, it’ll be possible to redeem AAdvantage miles on JetSMART.

It’s always nice to have more options for earning and redeeming miles, so I’m happy to see this. However, JetSMART isn’t exactly a global or aspirational airline.

What do you make of JetSMART adopting AAdvantage as its loyalty program?

Conversations (9)
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  1. G-Flyer Guest

    Have been poking around the JetSmart site - which isn't well updated yet about this development. (It still, in some of the FAQ, says that AA miles can only be earned on codeshares).

    What I'd really like to know is how Elite benefits work under the new arrangement, when flying JetSmart (booked directly, not on a codeshare). Would an EXP get free baggage, priority check-in, free seating selection, etc - even partner lounge access in...

    Have been poking around the JetSmart site - which isn't well updated yet about this development. (It still, in some of the FAQ, says that AA miles can only be earned on codeshares).

    What I'd really like to know is how Elite benefits work under the new arrangement, when flying JetSmart (booked directly, not on a codeshare). Would an EXP get free baggage, priority check-in, free seating selection, etc - even partner lounge access in Santiago? I'd think they would - on all counts - since those are elite status benefits of the AAdvantage program, and AAdvantage is now the program of JetSmart; but their website is silent on this.

    Do you have any way to find out and update this post?

  2. BenjaminGuttery Diamond

    I for one think this is cool development. AA's loyalty program now will have airlines using their currency on 3 continents (NA, SA, Oceania/Australia). I was thinking when IAG started getting airlines to use AVIOS that AA better do something, and quickly. I hope that Qantas and another "major airline" also joins soon. I could even see GOL joining as there has been talk for years of a co-brand CC deal. Happy to hear good American Airlines news lately!

  3. Sam Guest

    Thanks for the heads up. Just submitted a mileage request on AA for a JetSmart flight I took earlier this month.

  4. OhioExile Guest

    I miss the days when COPA used MileagePlus/OnePass. Great upgrading on COPA for a gold and you got Million Miler credit too...

  5. World Traveler Guest

    Last I checked, you did get elite perks on Gol as a AADvantage elite member:

    https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/partner-airlines/gol-airlines.jsp

  6. Jason Guest

    That means you can get Oneworld Emerald just by flying ULCCs? Wow......

    1. RichM Diamond

      You already could. Qantas give status credits on Jetstar flights, if you buy the appropriate bundle.

  7. Kiwi Guest

    This isn’t all that different than Kenya Airlines and air Mauritius using Flying blue as their FFP

    1. Levi Diamond

      KQ left Flying Blue (creating Asante) during the pandemic (with a generous status match offer).

      MK has had its own program (Kestrelflyer) for many years now.

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World Traveler Guest

Last I checked, you did get elite perks on Gol as a AADvantage elite member: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/partner-airlines/gol-airlines.jsp

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G-Flyer Guest

Have been poking around the JetSmart site - which isn't well updated yet about this development. (It still, in some of the FAQ, says that AA miles can only be earned on codeshares). What I'd really like to know is how Elite benefits work under the new arrangement, when flying JetSmart (booked directly, not on a codeshare). Would an EXP get free baggage, priority check-in, free seating selection, etc - even partner lounge access in Santiago? I'd think they would - on all counts - since those are elite status benefits of the AAdvantage program, and AAdvantage is now the program of JetSmart; but their website is silent on this. Do you have any way to find out and update this post?

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BenjaminGuttery Diamond

I for one think this is cool development. AA's loyalty program now will have airlines using their currency on 3 continents (NA, SA, Oceania/Australia). I was thinking when IAG started getting airlines to use AVIOS that AA better do something, and quickly. I hope that Qantas and another "major airline" also joins soon. I could even see GOL joining as there has been talk for years of a co-brand CC deal. Happy to hear good American Airlines news lately!

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