American Airlines, US Airways offer details on merging loyalty programs

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American Airlines offered details on how it will integrate the US Airways frequent-flier program.

American Airlines Group Inc. will merge its frequent-flier program with that of US Airways in the second quarter of 2015.

The new AAdvantage loyalty program will combine mileage balances and align elite levels between the two programs. It's another big step in the integration of the two airlines, a process that started in December. American already offers reciprocal benefits for both AAdvantage and Dividend Miles.

American said last week that it has completed the combination of its cargo operations, and a spokeswoman for the airline told the Charlotte Business Journal the company expects to receive a single operating certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in the second quarter as well. American (NASDAQ:AAL) and US Airways, which had its largest hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport prior to the merger, have been flying under separate banners while integration work continues.

In early 2015, members who have an account in both frequent-flier programs will have the chance to match their accounts, according to the new details released by American on Tuesday. The airline says that will make flying more seamless for customers.

"AAdvantage is the original frequent flyer program and is consistently recognized as best in class because it rewards our most loyal customers with opportunities to upgrade and redeem miles for travel on the world's largest airline," said Suzanne Rubin, president of the loyalty program.

American Airlines was the fifth-busiest airline serving Hawaii, while US Airways was the seventh-busiest airline in the Islands, according to PBN research.

Read more at the Charlotte Business Journal.

Nicholas covers the energy, manufacturing, aviation and transportation beats for the Dallas Business Journal. Subscribe the Energy Inc. newsletter

Jen Wilson coordinates the Charlotte Business Journal's online operations and social-media efforts, chronicles local events for CBJ Seen and takes photographs.