This award availability is on the Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to London Heathrow (LHR) route, departing April 20, 2026. Premium Economy offers a meaningful upgrade over standard economy—more legroom, better meals, and priority boarding—which makes this a solid option for families on longer transatlantic flights.
The typical AAdvantage redemption for Premium Economy on this route runs around 70,000 miles. At 40,000 miles, you're getting a significantly better rate, though you'll still need to budget for the $709 in taxes and fees that come with award tickets to the UK.
Availability is limited to just 2 seats, so this works best for solo travelers or couples. If you're traveling as a larger family, you may need to get creative with split bookings or keep searching for dates with more inventory.
One practical note: April is a pleasant time to visit London, with mild weather and fewer crowds than summer. It also falls outside most school spring breaks, which may help with scheduling.
How to book
Search and book directly through American Airlines at aa.com. Log into your AAdvantage account, select "Redeem miles," and enter the route and date to pull up this availability.