How to Earn & Redeem American Airlines Miles

Frequent flyers can easily earn miles by flying with American Airlines. It is a classic method of accumulating travel rewards with American-operated flights. 

The number of miles you earn depends on factors like cabin class, fare type, elite status level, and distance flown.

For example, flying in economy class from New York to Los Angeles might earn you 2,500 miles, while the same flight in business class could earn you 5,000 miles or more.

Members without elite status earn a base rate of 5 miles per dollar, except for basic economy tickets, which earn 2 miles per dollar.

To get started, just sign up for an AAdvantage account to receive your unique AAdvantage number. Remember to add this number when booking flights with American Airlines, Oneworld partners, or other participating airlines to ensure you earn miles.

American Airlines offers several co-branded credit cards issued by CitiBank and Barclaysvari. 

When you start using these cards and meet the spending requirements within the specified timeframe, you’ll receive a welcome bonus in the form of miles. 

For instance, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® currently allows you to Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles plus travel benefits after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Earning miles through credit card’s welcome offers presents an excellent opportunity to boost your mileage balance.

You can choose a card that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences, from options for those new to credit cards, frequent travelers, and business owners.

Travelers also have the opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles not just on regular spending but also through bonus categories tailored to specific expenses.

American Airlines credit cards typically offer miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases, but you can also accumulate miles on other bonus rewards categories.

Each card also provides bonus miles for spending in specific categories like gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, office supply stores, and more. 

By strategically using these cards, you can earn extra miles on everyday purchases, significantly boosting your mileage balance over time and helping you reach your travel goals faster.

American Airlines has numerous airline partners with the Oneworld alliance and other partnerships.

It offers the opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles by flying with approximately two dozen major carriers, including the following American Airlines airline partners:

The number of miles earned is typically based on the partner airline and fare class. For instance, when flying with British Airways, AAdvantage miles are earned based on the ticket price rather than the distance flown – elite status provides additional mileage boosts.

You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to various travel partners, including American Airlines.

This allows you to convert your Marriott hotel points into American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a ratio of 3:1 (3 Marriott Bonvoy points = 1 American Airlines mile). 

Transferring 60,000 Marriott points will yield 20,000 AAdvantage miles.

Additionally, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred, you will receive a bonus of 5,000 miles, resulting in 25,000 AA miles in total.  

It provides flexibility to travelers, especially for those who prefer earning airline miles instead of hotel points.

Consider transferring Marriott points to American Airlines for specific redemption needs like for an AAdvantage award ticket.

Earn American Airlines AAdvantage Miles effortlessly by shopping online at over 1,200 merchants through the AAdvantage eShopping mall.

Simply log in to your AAdvantage account, select a participating retailer, and shop as usual. 

It is an online marketplace where members can shop and earn bonus miles on qualifying purchases without any additional cost.

You can earn anywhere from 1X to thousands of bonus miles per dollar spent or spending thresholds depending on the retailer’s offerings.

This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to maximize their mileage earnings beyond just flying or using their credit cards.

Stay updated by checking the eShopping mall for ongoing promotions and bonuses throughout the year.

Achieving elite status with American Airlines can help you earn American Airlines miles fast, which offers five tiers of status, including a prestigious invite-only tier called Concierge Key. 

Each tier comes with more benefits, including enhanced mileage earning rates on American Airlines and select Oneworld flights:

• AAdvantage Members : Earn 5 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent.
• Gold Status : Earn 7 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent.
• Platinum Status : Earn 8 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent.
• Platinum Pro Status: Earn 9 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent.
• Executive Platinum Status: Earn 11 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent.

For instance, a Basic member purchasing a $141 Main Cabin fare ticket would earn 705 AAdvantage miles (5 miles per dollar).

There’s no longer a cap on miles earned per ticket, and elite members also receive bonus miles when flying select partner airlines, along with valuable perks.

To achieve American Airlines, members must accumulate a specified number of Loyalty Points within the qualification year. Here’s a breakdown of the Loyalty Points required for each tier of elite status:

• AAdvantage Gold : 40,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum : 75,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro : 125,000 Loyalty Points
• AAdvantage Executive Platinum : 200,000 Loyalty Points

American Airlines Vacations is a convenient all-in-one booking platform that allows travelers to earn AAdvantage miles while booking vacation packages, including flights, hotel accommodations, rental cars, and other activities as well.

It makes booking vacation packages a practical and rewarding way to plan your trip.

Watch out for these promotions to maximize your mileage-earning potential when planning your next vacation, with opportunities to earn up to 30,000 bonus miles for booking at specific resorts.

Another easy way to earn American Airlines miles is by booking cruises through the AAdvantage Cruise platform.

With this, you’ll earn a minimum of 1 mile for every dollar spent on cruise vacations. 

Additionally, the platform frequently features special promotions that allow you to earn bonus AAdvantage miles.

For instance, recent promotions offer up to 10,000 bonus miles with up to $200 ship credit for booking certain cruises, such as Carnival cruises.

If you’re a food lover, consider joining the AAdvantage Dining program – one of the best dining rewards programs! How to earn American Airlines miles while dining out at restaurants?

Simply enroll in the American AAdvantage Dining and link any credit or debit card to start earning AAdvantage miles at participating restaurants, without needing an American Airlines credit card.

Every swipe of your card at an eligible restaurant automatically earns you AAdvantage miles.

The number of miles you earn can vary, ranging from 1 mile per $1 spent for basic members to 5 miles per $1 spent for VIP members.

Additionally, you can maximize rewards by using a dining rewards credit card, allowing you to earn both credit card bonus points and AAdvantage miles simultaneously.

American HomeMiles is a company that provides services for mortgages, real estate transactions, and moving.

By using HomeMiles for buying or selling a home, arranging financing, or completing an interstate move, you can earn bonus AAdvantage miles:

• Earn 5,000 AAdvantage miles for every $25,000 of the sale or purchase price when buying or selling a home.
• Get 1,250 AAdvantage miles for every $10,000 spent on financing a house.
• Receive 5,000 AAdvantage miles upon completion of an interstate move.

These bonus miles can be a valuable way to accumulate AAdvantage miles while taking care of your real estate and moving needs through American HomeMiles.

You can earn AAdvantage miles effortlessly by staying at various participating hotels with American Airlines’ hotel partners. It is a rewarding way to accumulate miles while enjoying hotel accommodation.

These include major hotel chains like Marriot and IHG, providing opportunities to earn miles on qualifying stays. Here’s how you can earn AAdvantage miles with hotel partners:

• AAdvantage Hotels : Earn up to 10 times more base miles on hotels booked through this program.
• Hyatt : Earn 500 miles per stay at eligible properties.
• IHG : Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on qualifying room rates.
• Marriott : Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on select stays.

By linking Hyatt and American Airlines accounts, AAdvantage elite members can further maximize rewards, earning 1 AAdvantage mile on every dollar spent on Hyatt stays and experiences. 

Plus, having an elite status level and an eligible AAdvantage credit card can enhance your earning potential – up to 18 AAdvantage miles per $1 spent.

Keep in mind that hotel prices on AAdvantage Hotels may vary, so comparing rates is recommended for the best deal.

American Airlines also collaborates with hotel rewards programs, allowing you to transfer hotel points into AAdvantage miles. Below are the current hotel partners, along with their respective transfer ratios:

• Hyatt Hotels & Resorts : Transfer points to AAdvantage miles at a ratio of 2.5 Hyatt points to 1 AAdvantage mile.
• IHG Hotels & Resorts : Transfer points to AAdvantage miles at a ratio of 10,000 IHG points to 2,000 AAdvantage miles.
• Marriott Bonvoy : Transfer points to AAdvantage miles at a ratio of 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 AAdvantage mile.
• Marriott Vacation Club : Transfer points to AAdvantage miles at a ratio of 5 Marriott Vacation Club points to 1 AAdvantage mile.

These partnerships provide flexibility to travelers who prefer to use their miles for flights rather than hotel stays.

Evaluate each transfer’s value carefully to determine if it aligns with your travel goals, as conversion rates vary between different hotel loyalty programs.

You even have the option to buy American Airlines miles, particularly during promotions that offer bonus miles or discounts. 

However, buying miles is generally not advisable due to its high cost, even when there are apparent discounts.

The purchase can be justified under certain circumstances, such as topping up your account for an award ticket or preventing miles from expiring. 

When considering to buy miles, wait for sales to maximize value. Thus, purchasing miles should generally be a last resort with more cost-effective options like credit card welcome offers or spending on co-branded American Airlines cards to accumulate miles.

Beyond the traditional methods like flying and credit card spending, members can also earn miles through AAdvantage partners and alternative avenues with diverse opportunities. 

Explore additional ways to boost your mileage balance and reap the benefits of this versatile loyalty program.

Rental cars

If you often travel, you can accumulate AAdvantage miles by renting cars through American Airlines’ preferred partners such as Avis, Budget, Alamo, Hertz, and more.

Depending on your AAdvantage elite status, you can earn up to 5 base miles per dollar spent.

Simply visit https://www.aa.com/car and navigate to the rental company’s website to book your car.

During reservation, enter the relevant discount code and your AAdvantage number to ensure miles are credited seamlessly.

Here’s how AAdvantage miles are earned with select car rental partners:

Charity

American Airlines has teamed up with various charitable organizations like Stand Up to Cancer to provide a unique opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles while supporting a great cause.

When you donate $25 or more to Stand Up to Cancer, you’ll receive 10 AAdvantage miles for every dollar donated.

This initiative allows you to make a positive impact outside air travel and contribute to cancer research to earn valuable miles that can be used toward future travel.

It’s an excellent partnership reflecting American Airlines’ dedication to engaging with its community and customers in meaningful ways.

Bask Bank

In addition, Bask Bank offers a unique opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles by depositing and maintaining funds in a Bask Mileage Savings Account.

For every dollar saved in the account, account holders earn 2.5 AAdvantage miles. 

You can accumulate miles daily based on the account’s average daily balance, which is later credited to your AAdvantage account at the end of each statement cycle.

It’s important to note that these miles do not count toward Loyalty Points for elite status qualification.

SimplyMiles

American Airlines SimplyMiles program allows you to earn miles when shopping online or in person with specific merchants.

After signing up for SimplyMiles, link your American Airlines co-branded credit card to your profile and enroll in offers. 

This way, members can earn AAdvantage miles whenever they use their linked card for an eligible purchase at a participating merchant.

You have to activate targeted offers manually to boost your miles through SimplyMiles.

Gas

You can even earn AAdvantage miles through gas purchases with Shell Fuel Rewards.

Just link your AAdvantage account to the Shell Fuel Rewards program to earn miles on your gas purchases. 

After your first fill-up at a Shell station, you’ll receive 250 AAdvantage miles.

Furthermore, earn three miles for each gallon of fuel purchased at participating Shell stations, up to 20 gallons per purchase.

To get the best American Airlines miles value, you can redeem them for American-operated flights.

Visit AA.com to log in to your AAdvantage account, search for available flights by entering your desired travel details, and ensure you check the ‘Redeem Miles’ box to view award flight options. 

Review the available award flights, considering airport information, travel time, layovers, and pricing details (including miles and fees).

Select your preferred flight, click ‘Continue’ to proceed with the checkout process, confirm passenger details, and choose your seats before finalizing the booking by paying any applicable taxes and fees.

AAdvantage redemptions for American flights are now dynamically priced, meaning award rates can adjust based on flight specifics.

Award seats on American Airlines flights start at 7,500 miles each way, plus applicable taxes and carrier fees.

American Airlines has a vast network of partners that allow you to redeem your AAdvantage miles for flights.

Some of the major partners include British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Cape Air, and Qantas. 

The process is similar to booking an AA flight. Just, click on ‘Airlines’ to include specific airline partners when searching for reward flights.

The redemption value can vary depending on the partner airline, route, and class of service. 

For example, a business class flight from the U.S. to Europe on British Airways can range from 57,500 to 85,000 miles one way.

Airline partner redemptions elevate travel possibilities, offering diverse flight options with AAdvantage miles.

When redeeming AAdvantage miles for flights on partner airlines, consider factors like Award space availability, with nuances like segment-by-segment searches, Routing rules and potential fees (e.g., transatlantic flights), distinct taxes, and extra charges stopovers > 24hrs.

You can further enhance your travel experience by redeeming your miles for seat upgrades on American Airlines and various partner airlines like British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Iberia flights. 

The cost of upgrading using miles varies depending on the fare class you purchased and the route you are flying – also subject to availability.

With this American Airlines upgrade with miles, you enjoy business or first-class amenities, including extra legroom, faster boarding, and increased baggage allowance. 

Use your miles to transition to a more comfortable cabin for up to three flight segments, providing you with priority privileges and a more luxurious journey.

American Airlines allows you to redeem your AAdvantage miles for a variety of merchandise, gift cards, magazine subscriptions, and experiences through their online shopping portal called AAdvantage eShopping.  

You can use your American Airlines miles to unlock exclusive Priceless Experiences, such as luxury culinary, sporting events, wellness events to unwind and rejuvenate, and more in Miami, Boston, Las Vegas, and beyond. 

Additionally, share the gift of travel by transferring or gifting miles to someone special, allowing them to experience the joy of travel.

The redemption value for merchandise and other non-flight redemptions is generally lower compared to using miles for flights.

It’s important to compare the value you get from these redemptions against using your miles for flights to ensure you’re maximizing their worth.

In addition to flights, the American Airlines AAdvantage program offers options to redeem miles for car rentals, hotel stays, and entire vacation packages through partners like Avis, Marriott Bonvoy, and Expedia.

• Use your AAdvantage miles to unlock stays at leading global hotels via the AAdvantage Hotels platform, offering over 400,000 properties worldwide. American Airlines cardholders and elite status members enjoy up to 30% fewer miles when booking hotels. 
• Rent cars from trusted providers like Avis, Budget, and Dollar at more than 500 locations globally using miles or a combination of miles and cash. 
• Explore enticing vacation packages across popular destinations, using your miles for extra savings. AAdvantage credit card members can also save 10% on American Airlines Vacations packages.

The redemption value for these non-flight options can vary widely based on factors like location, season, and availability.

It’s recommended to compare prices in American Airlines miles to dollars when considering these redemptions.

AAdvantage partners with charitable organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Red Cross, allowing you to donate miles under ‘miles for social good’ and ‘miles for our planet.’

Using American Airlines miles for donating is a great way to support causes you care about without spending money directly.

Donating miles is also a meaningful way to extend the life of your miles if your account has been inactive (nearing the 24-month expiration), with a minimum donation of 1,000 miles. 

The value of donating miles is not monetary, but in the impact it can have on those in need.

For instance, in April, donated miles to ‘Miles for Global Health and Well-Being’ support Make-A-Wish, while those contributed to ‘Miles for Our Planet’ benefit the National Park Foundation.

Another great way to utilize your AAdvantage miles is to obtain Admirals Club passes and memberships.

Admirals Club lounges offer amenities like complimentary snacks and beverages, Wi-Fi access, workspaces, and more comfortable seating areas away from the hustle of the main terminal. 

Admiral Cub, American Airlines network of airport lounges, provides one-day passes for $79 or 7,900 miles, subject to availability.

Annual memberships can be purchased for 85,000 miles, with a renewal discount of 80,000 miles, where elite members receive additional discounts. 

The membership grants access to over 100 Admirals Club lounges globally.

Alternatively, with the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, you can enjoy a complimentary Admirals Club membership with up to two guests. 

Members can redeem their American Airlines miles to buy access online or at Admirals Club locations.

Note that using miles for flight awards typically offers greater value.

The American Airlines award chart displays domestic one-way awards from 7,500 miles in economy and 15,000 miles in business class.

However, practical redemptions often offer even lower rates, with domestic economy awards starting at 6,000 miles each way. 

These awards provide excellent value as they can cover flights that might otherwise cost more than $100.

For instance, a one-way flight from New York (JFK) to Boston (BOS) typically costs around $50-$150, depending on the time of booking and demand.

By using 6,000 miles instead, members save on cash expenses while earning more rewards toward future travel. 

It helps members to redeem for one-way short-haul flights within the continental United States.

This makes the 6,000-mile threshold an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers or those seeking to maximize their AAdvantage points.

American Airlines’ extensive AAdvantage program offers awards to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America starting at 10,000 AAdvantage miles each way in economy or 20,000 miles in business class, a great deal compared to cash fares. 

These rates may not apply during peak travel times, but flexible travelers can often take advantage of the availability at these favorable rates.

Consider going to Mexico or the Caribbean for a beach vacation, providing significant value compared to expensive cash fares on certain routes.

For instance, a round-trip economy award ticket from the United States to Cancun, Mexico, may cost as low as 17,500 miles plus taxes and fees.

Similarly, awards to other popular destinations like Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic or San José, Costa Rica, can be found at competitive redemption rates.

One of the best ways to maximize American Airlines miles is by redeeming them for partner airline flights, like Qatar Airways’ Qsuites business class, for exceptional value.

Their renowned spacious suites offer top-notch lie-flat seating, exquisite dining options, and large screens.

With just 70,000 miles, you can enhance your travel experience in these suites on flights to the Middle East or India, or extend your journey to Africa for 75,000 miles one-way.

Qatar Airways Qsuites are well-known for their unmatched luxury and comfort globally. 

Booking through the AAdvantage miles offers great value with no added fuel surcharges.

For instance, enjoy over 20 hours of Qsuites from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to the Maldives (MLE) via Doha (DOH) for just 70,000 American Advantage miles and $41.80 in fees.

Qatar Airways’ extensive network from Doha opens up possibilities for trips to the Maldives, Cape Town, Oman, and more. Popular routes include:

• Los Angeles (LAX) to Doha (DOH)
• Chicago (ORD) to Doha (DOH)
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Doha (DOH)
• New York City (JFK) to Doha (DOH)

American Airlines offers competitive rates for business-class flights to Europe, particularly when connecting.

For 57,500 American miles one-way, you can secure business-class seats or 85,000 miles for first class from any U.S. location to Europe, subject to specific routes and availability. 

This rate is lower than Delta and United’s typical business-class rates to Europe and even beats Avianca’s rate of 63,000 LifeMiles.

British Airways can be a good option to travel non-stop for long-haul flights, but with its high fuel surcharges instead, opt for American Airlines or other Oneworld partner flights like Finnair. 

For instance, enjoy the business class from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Helsinki Airport (HEL) via New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for just 57,500 American miles and $5.60. 

However, if you still prefer British Airways, routes include: 

• San Diego (SAN) to London Heathrow (LHR)
• Phoenix (PHX) to London Heathrow (LHR)
• Washington D.C. (IAD) to London Heathrow (LHR)
• Boston (BOS) to London Heathrow (LHR)
• New York City (JFK) to London Heathrow (LHR)

Redeeming your AAdvantage miles for premium flights with Japan Airlines can offer superb value. For just 60,000 American Airlines miles plus taxes and fees, you can enjoy business class from Chicago (ORD) to Tokyo (HND) and a first-class flight for just 80,000 miles one-way.

Japan Airlines is known for its exceptional service across all cabins, comfortable seating options, delicious cuisine, and overall flying experience.

Keep in mind that award availability on these routes can be limited, often with only one seat available on popular dates. 

Whether you are looking to explore the rich culture of Japan or the vibrant cities of Korea, flying with Japan Airlines can enhance your trip and provide excellent value for your redemption.

Using American miles for short-haul economy flights is considered a sweet spot for redemption due to the relatively low number of miles required compared to other flight options.

These flights typically cover shorter distances, such as domestic routes or flights within a specific region, making them ideal for travelers looking to maximize their miles and enjoy cost-effective travel. 

Short-haul flights within the U.S. offer fantastic redemption options, starting at 7,500 miles one-way for economy tickets, like a flight from New York City (JFK) to Boston (BOS).

Despite American Airlines’ dynamic pricing, these short flights remain favorable, especially during peak summer dates.

Opting for an American Airlines co-branded credit card can help you earn miles faster for everyday purchases.

Sign up for cards with significant welcome bonuses for a mileage boost and benefits like free checked bags to elevate your travel.

Maximize miles by booking flights during off-peak periods for low mileage requirements, keep an eye out for promotional offers for discounted redemption, and choose routes that offer the most miles. 

Using these strategies can stretch your American Airlines miles effectively for greater value and travel opportunities.

Shopping through the American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping portal allows you to earn extra miles on purchases from various popular retailers.

You can even add an extension to your browser to get notified when shopping with one of the partners.

American Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, which means you can use your AAdvantage miles to book flights on partner airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.

It opens up a world of travel possibilities for maximizing your miles by redeeming them for flights on partner airlines to diverse destinations.

Utilize transferable points from programs like Marriott Bonvoy or Citi ThankYou to convert them into American Airlines miles.

The airline also partners with Hyatt, Marriott, Avis, and Budget to offer bonus miles on hotel stays and car rentals, along with travel packages booked through American Airlines Vacations.

When you fly American, you typically earn five miles per $1 spent on your ticket. But if you’re an elite status member, you can earn up to 11 miles per $1.

With partner airlines, you earn miles based on the flight distance and your fare class.

By achieving elite status with American Airlines, you can enjoy various perks like bonus miles, complimentary upgrades, and priority boarding.

An AA elite status helps you earn more miles on flights and get more value from your AAdvantage miles when redeeming them for award travel.

Enhance the American Airlines miles value by having flexibility with your travel dates.

When your travel plans and destination are flexible, you can compare different flight options for better deals.

Here’s how you can access the value of your miles. If a ticket costs $500 or 25,000 miles with $11.20 in taxes and fees, subtract $11.20 from $500 to get $488.80.

Divide this by 25,000 miles to calculate a value of 1.96 cents per mile.

Stay updated on special promotions and offers from American that can help you earn bonus miles swiftly.

Leveraging these promotions can help you earn extra miles without much effort.

American Airlines frequently runs promotions, providing bonus miles for activities such as booking flights, shopping through their portal, or dining at participating restaurants.

You can find the most favorable deals by using the American Airlines award map tool.

Just enter your departure airport, preferred travel dates, destination, available AAdvantage miles, and other relevant details. 

The award map tool will then generate a list of destinations with the corresponding mileage cost for award flights, helping you to identify the best options for maximizing your miles.

This feature simplifies the process of planning and booking award travel with American Airlines