Flyers with TLC Jet will be able to earn and burn AAdvantage miles through a partnership with American Airlines.
American Airlines, Inc. becomes the second major U.S. airline seeking to attract high-end flyers who switch between scheduled airlines and private jets.
The Fort Worth-based airline, part of the Oneworld alliance, has signed an agreement with Fort Lauderdale-based TLC Jet.
According to the announcement, “This collaboration integrates American’s award-winning AAdvantage program, enabling TLC Jet clients who are AAdvantage members to earn AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points when flying private with TLC Jet.”
American Airlines Vice Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer Steve Johnson said, “Today’s travelers are seeking more premium experiences.”
He added, “As a leading premium airline, we’re committed to exploring new ways we can elevate the journey for our customers both in the services we offer and those of our partners.”
TLC Jet Founder and President Justin Firestone says, “This partnership bridges two worlds—the flexibility and efficiency of flying private with TLC Jet and the global reach of an iconic airline.”
He added, “Our mutual clientele can now optimize every dollar spent, whether traveling privately or commercially, while enjoying an elevated travel experience.”
Per the press release:
‘American created the first airline loyalty program with the launch of AAdvantage and continues to expand the program with valuable partners like TLC Jet. By enhancing the award-winning AAdvantage program, American is creating more opportunities for members to earn miles through everyday activities or when flying private with TLC Jet, which they can then redeem later for experiences that matter most to them.’
Firestone tells Private Jet Card Comparisons that the announcement is the first step in what will be a more extensive partnership.
Spending with TLC Jet will accrue both miles and status with American Airlines.
TLC Jet clients earn on a 1-to-1 basis, with each dollar equaling one point and mile.
AAdvantage members accrue loyalty points that count towards status and miles they can redeem for free flights, hotel stays, and merchandise.
Spending $200,000 with TLC Jet or, in combination with other points-earning partnerships within a membership year, earns American’s Executive Platinum status.
The status translates to top tier in the Oneworld alliance.
That includes lounge access for flights and on partner airlines, higher earnings, and priority benefits.
Entry-level in the AAdvantage program – Gold status – comes with 40,000 loyalty points.
AAdvantage members can also redeem points for airline tickets on Oneworld airlines.
The alliance includes Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines, among others.
Points can also be redeemed for hotel stays and merchandise.
Within Oneworld, both Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways have private aviation initiatives; the latter operates its own fleet through Qatar Executive.
According to The Points Guy, American points are worth 1.6 cents each.
Last year, AAdvantage and its Executive Platinum status were tapped as best in class by the website.
A business-class ticket from New York to London costs as little as 57,500 miles and $5.60.
To fly first class from Miami to Buenos Aires, the price starts at 93,500 miles and $5.60 on select dates.
Firestone says private jet flyers who own businesses are often points collectors, using credit cards to cover corporate purchases, and using miles to pay for employee travel and buy goods and services.
“Now, every dollar our customers spend on charter flights with TLC Jet will accumulate miles and points in the AAdvantage program,” he says.
AAdvantage members can redeem miles for products from Amazon, Apple, Chopard, and even Prada.
Chopard aviator sunglasses are 110,000 miles.
TLC Jet launched last year as part of TLC Aviation, a company backed by 313 Equity Partners.
It has since expanded its MRO Toledo Jet and charter brokerage to a Part 135 operator through its acquisition of Privaira.
TLC Jet was founded by private aviation veteran Justin Firestone, who started in sports marketing at Sentient Jet before joining Marquis Jet Partners early on.
From there, he moved to Hong Kong, where he launched Asia Jet, before returning to the U.S. as a co-founder of Wheels Up.
American Airlines joins Delta Air Lines among U.S. carriers trying to bridge the gap between private aviation and scheduled airlines.
Delta Air Lines, with partners, control 95% of Wheels Up.
Delta had sold its Delta Private Jets unit to Wheels Up in 2019, taking a 28% stake in the company.
In 2023, when Wheels Up ran into financial problems following a SPAC IPO, Delta led a $500 million investment seeking to leverage its relationship with some 40,000 corporate accounts.
For American Airlines, it marks a return to private aviation.
It co-founded Flexjet with Bombardier, but exited in 1998.
At the time of the sale, then AMR Chairman and CEO Don Carty said, “We are not selling them because they are unsuccessful, but because their activities are not part of our strategic focus on the airline group and the Sabre group.”
It also owned a network of FBOs, which it sold to what is now Signature Aviation, also in 1998.
Qatar Airways operates a fleet of ultra-long-range Gulfstream jets via its Qatar Executive unit.
In 2024, Qatar Executive enabled flyers to earn four loyalty points in the airline’s frequent flyer program for each dollar spent on charter flights.
READ: A brief history of Airlines and Private Jet partnerships
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