GOL and American Airlines Launch Cooperation

American Airlines has entered into a frequent-flyer program agreement with Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes and the two carriers plan to begin a codeshare agreement later this year. American, which boasts that it offers more flights to Brazil than any other U.S. airline, says the frequent flyer participation agreement will give the more than 62 million members of American’s AAdvantage program and the 6 million members of GOL’s Smiles program more opportunities to earn and redeem miles to new destinations.

From August 1, AAdvantage and Smiles members will be able to earn miles on all eligible GOL and American flights, and starting in the fall AAdvantage and Smiles members will be able to redeem their miles for travel on GOL and American flights worldwide. As a bonus, AAdvantage members will be able to earn double miles when flying on eligible GOL flights between August 1 and October 31. For complete details, visit www.aa.com/offers.

Once the codeshare agreement is in effect, customers transferring from GOL to an American Airlines flight leaving Brazil or other points in South America will be able to check their luggage to their ultimate American Airlines destination when they check in for their GOL flight. Similarly, customers traveling to Brazil on American and transferring to a GOL flight within Brazil or elsewhere in South America can purchase a single ticket for their journey, rather than multiple tickets, and check their luggage to their final destination. (Customers will still have to clear U.S. and Brazilian customs upon arrival.)

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes and American Airlines have linked their frequent flyer programs and are planning to codeshare on flights

GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes and American Airlines have linked their frequent flyer programs and are planning to codeshare on flights

American and GOL will also offer interline fares for both Premium Class and Economy Class travel. American serves the Brazilian destinations Belo Horizonte, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo from Miami International Airport, and flies to Sao Paulo from Dallas/Fort Worth and New York John F. Kennedy. GOL operates nearly 800 daily flights to 49 destinations connecting the most important cities in Brazil and nine major destinations in South America.