American Airlines and GOL Enhance Frequent Flyer Relationship

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines AAdvantage® members now have the ability to redeem AAdvantage miles for flights on GOL, one of South America's largest airlines.

American and GOL began their relationship more than a year ago and have been expanding cooperative services for customers of both airlines ever since. The cooperation ranges from codesharing to a series of frequent flyer enhancements for American's AAdvantage program members as well as members of GOL's frequent flyer program, Smiles.

Some of the important milestones that have occurred since American and GOL initiated their relationship in August 2008 include:

• January 2009 – began selling tickets for combined itineraries
• August 2009 – began frequent flyer cooperation allowing members of the AAdvantage and Smiles programs to earn miles when flying on each other's flights
• November 2009 – expanded frequent flyer cooperation with Smiles members redeeming miles for travel on American's flights
• December 2009 – signed codeshare agreement
• Today – expanded frequent flyer cooperation with AAdvantage members redeeming miles for travel on GOL flights
• 2nd Quarter 2010 – expect to initiate codeshare service when all governmental approvals have been received

The codeshare agreement not only adds more cities to American's network in Brazil, but also will offer customers a smoother, more convenient travel experience. American, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, is the largest U.S. airline to Brazil, currently serving the five major Brazilian cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo  Horizonte, Recife, and Salvador nonstop from gateways in Miami, New York and Dallas/Fort Worth. GOL is one of South America's largest airlines offering service to 50 destinations in Brazil, more than any other airline. The new codeshare agreement will allow American to offer a level of accessibility in Brazil unequalled by any other U.S. airline.

American serves its five nonstop destinations in Brazil with 58 weekly flights to and from Miami International Airport, New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. GOL operates nearly 800 daily flights to 50 cities in Brazil and 10 destinations elsewhere in South America and the Caribbean.

American Airlines Brazil Service Summary

• Sao Paulo – Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York JFK
• Rio de Janeiro – Miami
• Belo Horizonte – Miami
• Recife – Miami
• Salvador – Miami

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, 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 serve nearly 700 destinations in more than 130 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, We know why you fly and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

About the AAdvantage Program

The AAdvantage program was the first frequent flyer program.  Established in 1981, the program now has more than 62 million members.  Members can earn miles at more than 1,000 participating companies, which include more than 30 hotel chains representing more than 60 brands, more than 20 airlines, eight car-rental companies, 10 financial companies, and over 350 brand name retailers.  In addition, members can earn miles when making purchases with one of more than 100 affinity card products in over 40 countries.  In 2009, AAdvantage members redeemed more than 150 billion miles to claim more than 6.9 million awards for flights, upgrades and car rentals. For more information and a listing of AAdvantage program participating companies, visit www.aa.com/aadvantage.

About GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A.

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4), the largest low-cost and low-fare airline in Latin America, offers around 800 daily flights to 50 destinations that connect all the important cities in Brazil and ten major destinations in South America and Caribbean. The Company operates a young, modern fleet of Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft, the safest and most comfortable of its class, with high aircraft utilization and efficiency levels. Fully committed to seeking innovative solutions through the use of cutting-edge technology, the Company - via its GOL, VARIG, GOLLOG, SMILES and VOE FACIL brands - offers its clients easy payment facilities, a wide range of complementary services and the best cost-benefit ratio in the market.

About Smiles

Available in over 200 countries with over 6 million participants, Smiles (www.smiles.com.br) is GOL's customer relationship program. Through the program, customers accumulate miles every time they fly on GOL, VARIG and airline partners, or when they purchase services and products from the program's 150 non-air partners. Additionally, some program rewards provide travel advantages, such as exclusive check-in counters, higher baggage allowances and access to Smiles VIP lounges in airports.

AmericanAirlines®  We know why you fly®

Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.

The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines