American Airlines to partner with Uber
American Airlines will partner with Uber to improve transportation to and from the airport
American Airlines has announced a partnership with ride-sharing app Uber at 11 U.S. airports to ease "door-to-door" transportation to and from the airport. From today's announcement:
“American Airlines is partnering with Uber to create a door-to-door streamlined service to help customers get from home or work to the airport and back. The companies will work together to provide customers faster service, better airport navigation, rider promotions and mileage promotions.
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American’s customers can now set a reminder for an Uber ride at the push of a button with the help of Uber’s Ride Reminder. After booking their flights on aa.com, American will send the e-ticket confirmation via email, and the customer can click on the ‘Remind me to Uber’ icon to set a reminder for their ride.”
Added functionality in the American Airlines app will guide customers to the nearest Uber pickup location at the following airports:
- Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
- Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
- Los Angeles International (LAX)
- New York’s John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
- New York’s LaGuardia (LGA)
- Philadelphia International (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
- San Francisco International (SFO)
- San Jose International (SJC)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
Customers not currently signed up for Uber can use the code RIDEAA when setting up their Uber account to receive a $20 credit on their first ride. AAdvantage Executive Platinum members will receive a a code for $25 off their next Uber ride, regardless of whether they are an existing customer. From February 7 through July 31, customers who pay for their ride with the AAdvantage Aviator MasterCard "will earn two additional bonus miles for every $1 spent."
I have only used Uber once with a friend who was an existing customer. It was a good experience but a little weird climbing into a stranger's car who pulled up in the front of our hotel. I can't say I would not do it again, but I don't see myself becoming a big user of the service. However, for those of you who love Uber - and there are many - this could be a great benefit to seamlessly link your flight times with the ride-sharing service.
Also, I found it interesting that the only card that will receive bonus miles under the promotion is the Barclaycard AAdvantage Aviator MasterCard. I have always considered the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card to be the primary American Airlines credit card partner. After all, the Aviator card is the rebranded US Airways Premier World MasterCard. I am not sure that there is any significant meaning to this, but I do find it curious. Perhaps this is part of an effort to keep Aviator cardmembers from cancelling. I recently decided to keep my Aviator card and cancel my Citi/AAdvantage card due to a promotion where I can earn 15,000 bonus AAdvantage miles.