American Airlines and Alaska Airlines Team Up to Give Elite Frequent Flier Members More Benefits Than Ever Before

FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines and Alaska Airlines are expanding their long-standing relationship with the announcement today that provides elite status members of American's AAdvantage Program and Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan with the ability to enjoy reciprocal benefits designed to enhance their travel experience.

Under this new agreement, all American Airlines AAdvantage elite status members will be eligible for priority check-in and boarding as well as two checked bags at no charge (within current weight and size limitations) when traveling on Alaska Airlines.  In addition, AAdvantage Executive Platinum and AAdvantage Platinum members will have access to exclusive security screening lanes (where available) and preferred seating on Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP, Gold and Gold 75K members will be able to enjoy American's PriorityAAccess benefits, including priority check-in and boarding, and access to exclusive security screening lanes (where available) when traveling on American Airlines.  In addition, they will be eligible to check two bags at no charge (within current weight and size limitations) and receive complimentary access to Preferred Plus Seats and Preferred Seats.

Already, frequent flier members of both airlines can earn miles that count toward qualifying for elite status when traveling on the other carriers' flights.

To celebrate these new benefits for the carriers' elite status members, the airlines will launch a sweepstakes promotion that will allow each airline's customers to win AAdvantage miles or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles to take them on the vacation of their dreams.  Details are available at aa.com/celebratealaska and alaskaair.com.

"This agreement opens new doors for our AAdvantage elite status members to enjoy the benefits of their status when they travel on Alaska Airlines," said Maya Leibman – President of the AAdvantage Loyalty Program.  "Alaska Airlines' strong presence along the entire West Coast and its service to our cornerstone hubs in Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth make for fantastic new additions to our elite offering."

"Alaska Airlines' most loyal customers will enjoy additional elite benefits when flying on our long-standing partner American Airlines," said Caroline Boren, Alaska Airlines' Managing Director of Loyalty Marketing and Customer Advocacy. "From free checked bags to access to preferred seating, elite travelers on either carrier will have an enhanced experience at the airport and in the air."

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, 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® 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 and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 10,000 daily flights to 149 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

About Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together serve 90 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawai'i, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Network Carriers" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 North America Airline Satisfaction Studies(SM). For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

Current AMR Corp. news releases can be accessed at http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines