5 US Frequent Flyer Programs That Let You Redeem Miles On An Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is one of the most iconic passenger aircraft ever. The fact that its production stopped doesn't take anything away from the range of the delectable services you can find from the various operators of this aircraft. Emirates runs the largest fleet of Airbus A380s and houses a coveted bar on this largest passenger aircraft ever built. However, no US carrier uses the Airbus A380.
Former Qatar Airways CEO, Akbar Al Baker, once called the Airbus A380 his biggest mistake. Airbus canceled the program without ever breaking even, but has recently suggested there is a tiny chance production could be restarted one day.
Nonetheless, there are frequent flyer programs in the US that let you redeem miles on flights operated by carriers from other nations on this aircraft. In this article, we will look at the 5 US frequent flyer programs that let you redeem miles on an Airbus A380.
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If you purchased your ticket from united.com directly, you can contact the United Customer Contact Center to redeem your miles on Singapore Airlines' Airbus A380. You could also contact the United Specialty desk such as:
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Alternatives include contacting the United ticket office or a United representative at the airport. The number of points you will earn will depend on your MileagePlus status.
Mileage Plus status |
Award miles earned (based on fare) |
---|---|
Member |
5 x fare |
Premier Silver |
7 x fare |
Premier Gold |
8 x fare |
Premier Platinum |
9 x fare |
Premier 1K |
11 x fare |
" MileagePlus members can earn award miles and Premier qualifying credits on eligible Singapore Airlines flights. To receive mileage credit, present your MileagePlus number when you make reservations and make sure that it appears on your boarding pass at check-in. Additionally, MileagePlus members receive the following benefits on Singapore Airlines-operated flights:
- Star Alliance Gold or Silver status recognition
- Use of Star Alliance Upgrade Awards
- Access to United Club locations"
You can also redeem Alaska Airlines miles on select Qantas flights operated with an Airbus A380. For this, you need to "sign in to your Mileage Plan™ account when purchasing your flight to earn Mileage Plan miles." You should book award travel online through Alaska if you have set your sights on redeeming your Mileage Plan miles for Qantas flights.
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Alaska Airlines states that you need to:
" Check your current Mileage Plan account to view your balance and purchase miles if you need a few more. For Qantas flights booked through Qantas or a third-party service provider, add your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan number to your reservation to earn miles."
Cabin 1 | Purchased fareclass | Total milesearned | Elite-qualifyingmiles |
First Class | F or A | 200% | 200% |
Business Class | J | 200% | 200% |
Business Class | C | 175% | 175% |
Business Class | D or I | 150% | 150% |
Premium Economy | W, P, or R | 150% | 150% |
Economy | Y or B | 150% | 150% |
Economy | H or K | 125% | 125% |
Economy | M, L, V, S, N, Q, O, or G | 100% | 100% |
Economy | X | 30% | 30% |
British Airways is one of the few airlines which chose to reinstate the A380s into its fleet after the pandemic. The twelve A380s operated by British Airways have some amazing features, and they fly to Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, California, and a few other places in the US. In order to earn the AAdvantage® miles while flying on A380s operated by British Airways, you need to:
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When you earn eligible AAdvantage® miles for travel on British Airways, you’ll also earn Loyalty Points that count toward qualifying for AAdvantage® status.
AAdvantage® status |
Award miles earned (based on fare) |
---|---|
AAdvantage® member |
5 miles for every U.S. dollar |
AAdvantage Gold® member |
40% bonus |
AAdvantage Platinum® member |
60% bonus |
AAdvantage Platinum Pro® member |
80% bonus |
AAdvantage Executive Platinum® member |
120% bonus |
American Airlines further states how you can qualify for AAdvantage Status when you fly on British Airways (Airbus A380):
" When you fly on British Airways and its eligible affiliate airlines, your trip counts toward qualifying for AAdvantage® status and receiving additional benefits when traveling. Systemwide upgrades issued by American may be used on transatlantic British Airways operated flights."
To cash in on the points of United Airlines on Lufthansa's A380s, you can contact the United Customer Contact Center as you would to redeem United Airlines points on Singapore Airlines, as discussed above. Lufthansa is the largest carrier in Europe. It was only last year that Lufthansa committed to more Airbus A380 reactivations after having initial concerns over the operations of this aircraft post-Covid-19.
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There are a few things one needs to keep in mind while redeeming United Airlines points on Delta Air Lines, though. Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa - Germany's flag carrier - "reserve the right to change the eligible fare classes at any time without notice." Further, Delta Air Lines states:
" Mileage accrual is subject to the rules of the United MileagePlus program and, as provided therein, mileage will be credited in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MileagePlus Program in effect at the time of travel, not at the time air travel is purchased, booked or reserved, and accordingly miles may not be awarded for some tickets or miles may be awarded in an amount fewer than shown. "
The airline also has a few other words of caution:
- "Flight distance is defined as the miles scheduled for a specific flight, as determined solely by United.
- MileagePlus award miles earned may vary depending on the Premier status of the customer."
Korean Air - the flag carrier of Korea - is one of the world's top 20 airlines. Together with Delta, whose SkyMiles you can redeem on Korean Air's Airbus A380, Korean Air is one of the founding members of the SkyTeam alliance. The two airlines operate out of the same terminal at Incheon International Airport.
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Korean Air currently has five active Airbus A380s. Despite removing flights to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on the A380s for a few months this year, Korean Air will operate to JFK on the A380 in 2025. Members of Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles program can use miles when flying on Korean Air's Airbus A380s. As a medallion member, you can enjoy benefits such as:
According to Delta, other benefits of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) on Korean Air include:
- Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) are used as a counter to determine SkyMiles Medallion status. Flights and itineraries eligible for MQMs will earn a minimum of 500 MQMs per segment.
- Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) apply to Medallion qualification. Flights marketed by the partner will earn MQDs based on a percentage of distance flown* as determined by the fare class paid.
This journey from Paris to Dubai on Emirates demonstrated not only the sophistication and comfort of the airline but also an exceptional service.
Here is how much mileage bonus one will likely earn depending upon their status.
Status |
Medallion Mileage Bonus |
---|---|
Diamond |
120% |
Platinum |
80% |
Gold |
60% |
Silver |