Overview

American Airlines is launching 2 new flights to Fairbanks Alaska this summer and has a targeted offer for double redeemable miles on the new routes:

• The flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Fairbanks will be daily starting May 7, 2020, and go through Oct. 6, 2020
• The flights from Chicago to Fairbanks will be daily starting May 7, 2020, and go through Oct. 6, 2020

Earning opportunity:

Elite Level	miles for every U.S. dollar
AAdvantage® member	5 base + 5 bonus = 10
Gold member	5 base + 5 bonus + 2 elite = 12
Platinum member	5 base + 5 bonus + 3 elite = 13
Platinum Pro member	5 base + 5 bonus + 4 elite = 14
Executive Platinum member	5 base + 5 bonus + 6 elite = 16

For example, if you book a roundtrip $1,000 ticket from Chicago to Fairbanks you’ll earn 5,000 bonus miles from this promotion. If you value AAdvantage miles at 1.7 cents per mile this bonus would be worth $85.

Check to see if you’ve been targeted

If targeted you should have received an e-mail from American, but you can also check by logging into your account and viewing the AA Promotions Page.

The fine print

• You must register by 11:59 p.m. CT on March 10, 2020, and before purchase and travel in order for your flights to count toward this promotion
• Eligible flights must be flown by October 6, 2020 – The seasonal flights end on October 6th so this makes sense
• Offer does not include connecting flights taken before or after a direct segment flight to and/or from FAI – For example if you travel from LGA-ORD-FAI, you’ll only get double miles on the ORD-FAI segment
• Bonus miles can only be earned for up to two flights
• Mileage earned will be calculated at 100% of base award miles earned for eligible flight activity. Double miles will not apply to any elite mileage bonus – only base award miles
• Bonus miles do not count toward elite status qualification or AAdvantage^® Million Miler status

Why go to Fairbanks Alaska?

Most giraffes haven’t thought about visiting Fairbanks, Alaska, but there’s really a lot to do there. Here are my top 10 ideas:

1. Watch for the northern lights
2. Visit the Arctic Circle
3. Go on a boat trip through the fjords of Prince William Sound or Columbia Glacier to see wildlife such as seals, sea otters, sea lions, whales, and porpoise
4. Go white water rafting at Denali National Park 
5. Visit the Chena Hot Springs Resort and soak in their thermal baths
6. Go to the Georgeson Botanical Garden and view beautiful far-north plants
7. Dog Mushing
8. Pan for gold
9. Eat some reindeer sausage or grilled Alaskan salmon
10. Visit craft breweries

Overall Verdict

First Class Giraffe Not Impressed

This isn’t the most lucrative promotion, but if you’re planning on flying to/from Fairbanks, Alaska this summer you should definitely register before booking your flights. After doing some research on the destination for this article I’m adding Fairbanks to my travel list.