Fly Deluxe for Fewer Bucks the World Over on American Airlines and Its 26 Partners

Up to 85% Off on First and Business Class through the airline’s loyalty program anomalies.

We already know what some of you might be thinking: I will never fly American. So why bother joining its frequent flyer program?

Because the point isn’t to fly American; it is to take advantage of its lucrative frequent-flyer-mile sales—whether or not you are a frequent flyer doesn’t matter. As with many FCF strategies, the value lies in the partner opportunities and the opportunity to buy into airline frequency schemes, often in a matter of minutes, such as the one American recently announced. Then the reward: Using the miles on American’s extensive partner network, which includes British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qantas—and 20 other carriers.