Bits: cheapest ever American Airlines ‘buy miles’ deal, Melia sale – Manchester from £41

News in brief:

American Airlines selling AA miles for cheapest price ever

American Airlines recently announced a major devaluation of its AAdvantage programme from March 2016.

What better time to launch the heaviest discounts on buying American Airlines miles that I can remember.

If you can get something booked before the devaluation kicks in on 22nd March then you could snag a good deal here.  AA has even raised the maximum amount of miles you can buy, pre bonus, to 150,000.

You could buy, from scratch, enough miles – 80,000 each – for two people to fly the amazing (review tomorrow) Etihad A380 First Class Apartment from London to Abu Dhabi for $3,200 including sales tax.  With tax, mainly APD and Heathrow charges, you’d be paying around £1,375 each return.

Note, though, that AA accounts need to be 30 days old before you can buy miles – you cannot open from scratch and jump in.

I ran through some of the ‘sweet spots’ for using AA miles in this article.  However, you need to read up on the forthcoming devaluation here and make sure you would be able to make your booking before this kicks in.

The link to buy AA miles is here.  The promotion ends on 4th January.

Melia Hotels launches winter sale

Melia Hotels has launched its winter sale with discounts of up to 45%.  You need to book by 31st January for stays by 31st March.

The special sale website is here.

Melia is also selling points at a big discount at the moment if you need to top up your account.  Full details are in this article.

PS.  If you need to go to Manchester in January, Melia’s INNSiDE Manchester hotel which I reviewed here has some astonishing rates.  From Monday 25th January, for example, a 3-night stay averages at £41 per night!  A suite is only £76 per night.  I have stayed at this hotel and I can tell you that, given its high quality, this is a steal.  The hotel website is here.

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How to get MeliaRewards Gold status from American Express (April 2025)

Do you know that holders of The Platinum Card from American Express receive FREE MeliaRewards Gold status for as long as they hold the card?  It also comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold and Radisson Rewards Premium status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here and you can apply here.

You can discover the benefits of MeliaRewards Gold status on the Melia website here. It includes three vouchers per year worth 20% off any booking.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Small business owners may want to consider American Express Business Platinum instead:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

(Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from the major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.)