American Airlines, established in 1930, is one of the major legacy carriers in the United States and a prominent name in the aviation industry. Its loyalty program, AAdvantage, offers various opportunities for travellers to earn rewards while flying.
As the leading airline at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, American Airlines also maintains hubs in key cities such as Chicago, Miami, and New York.
The airline operates approximately 6,800 flights daily, connecting more than 350 destinations in 50 countries. This guide will explore the methods for earning and redeeming AAdvantage miles, the benefits of attaining elite status, and the array of airline partners associated with the Oneworld alliance and other independent carriers.
Signing Up for the AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program
Enrollment in the AAdvantage program is entirely free. To accumulate miles with American Airlines, one must create an AAdvantage account. This can be done quickly through their website. Additionally, individuals can explore various American Airlines credit cards to enhance their travel experience, potentially earning more miles and enjoying lounge access.
How much are American Airlines miles worth?
Worth of American Airlines miles over time
Recent assessments indicate that the value of American Airlines miles stands at approximately 1.7 cents each, placing it above competitors in the market. This valuation stems from a comprehensive analysis comparing the prices of cash tickets with reward redemption costs for various economy round-trip flights across distinct destinations and dates.
To calculate the value per mile, the analysis involved dividing the cost of cash tickets by that of reward options, followed by averaging these values across multiple flights and dates.
The valuation of American Airlines miles has consistently risen in recent years. Contributing factors include higher airfare rates, which enhance the relative worth of miles, and improvements to the mile’s inherent value.
American Airlines Compared to Other Airlines
American Airlines maintains a competitive stance in various categories against its rivals. Key areas of comparison include:
- Route Network: American Airlines offers an extensive flight network, enhancing accessibility for travellers.
- Loyalty Programs: AAdvantage allows members to earn and redeem miles effectively, offering advantages over some competitors.
- Customer Service: The airline’s service quality varies, with ongoing efforts to enhance passenger experiences.
- Fleet Modernization: America invests in newer aircraft to improve fuel efficiency and comfort.
These factors contribute to American Airlines’ competitive standing within the industry.
How to earn AAdvantage miles
Earning AAdvantage miles when you fly
Members can accumulate AAdvantage miles by travelling with American Airlines or its partner airlines. The earning potential is directly linked to the amount spent on tickets rather than the distance flown.
| Status Level | Miles Earned per $1 Spent | Status Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| AAdvantage (basic) | 5 miles | None |
| Gold | 7 miles | 40% bonus |
| Platinum | 8 miles | 60% bonus |
| Platinum Pro | 9 miles | 80% bonus |
| Executive Platinum | 11 miles | 120% bonus |
It’s important to note that government-imposed taxes and fees do not contribute to earning miles. Additionally, when flying partner airlines within the Oneworld alliance, the earning rate is contingent upon the fare class booked. The most economical fare classes may yield only a fraction of actual miles flown, while premium classes can earn full base miles and additional bonuses.
To determine potential miles earned on partner flights, checking American Airlines’ official site is advisable.
Earning AAdvantage miles with a credit card
American Airlines collaborates with Citi and Barclays to provide co-branded credit cards, which present another opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles. New cardholders can benefit from an attractive sign-up bonus, reaching 75,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $3,500 within the first four months after account activation.
These credit cards usually have a $99 annual fee, but the advantages often outweigh the cost. Cardholders typically enjoy one free checked bag for themselves and up to four companions on the same reservation. Additional perks include priority boarding, enabling earlier access to seating.
Earning AAdvantage miles through partners
Several avenues exist to earn AAdvantage miles through various partnerships:
- Hotels: Members can accrue miles by staying at numerous major hotel chains. Earning rates may vary, with some hotels providing 1 or 2 miles per dollar spent while others offer a flat mile amount per stay.
- Dining: By registering a credit card with AAdvantage Dining, users can earn between 1 and 5 miles for every dollar spent at affiliated restaurants, bars, and clubs. Over 11,000 locations participate in this program.
- Auto rentals: Many car rental companies, including Avis and Budget, allow AAdvantage members to earn miles on rentals. The airline’s website provides specific earning rules.
- Fuel purchases: Through a collaboration with the Shell Fuel Rewards program, members can accumulate 2 miles for each gallon bought at Shell stations, along with a bonus of 100 miles after registering for the program.
- Shopping: Members can use the AAdvantage eShopping portal to earn miles for purchases made at over 950 retailers online.
- Vacations: Booking travel packages through AA can also provide additional miles on combined flight and hotel purchases.
- Cruising: Members can earn 3 miles per dollar spent (up to a maximum of 30,000 AAdvantage miles) when booking cruises through AA Cruises.
Buying AAdvantage miles
Purchasing AAdvantage miles is generally not recommended, as it tends to be a costly method for acquiring them. The cost of buying miles varies according to the volume purchased. The minimum purchase is 2,000 miles, priced at approximately 3.76 cents per mile. Discounts are available for purchases of 5,000 miles or more.
Even with discounts, buying miles should be considered only a last resort. This option should be used primarily to top off a mileage account for award trips or to prevent the expiration of miles.
How to Redeem AAdvantage Miles
Award Flight Redemptions
AAdvantage miles can be utilised for flights via American Airlines and its partners in the Oneworld alliance. Bookings can typically be completed through American’s website. However, some partner airlines may not be visible on the site. In such instances, travellers should contact American Airlines directly to request a waiver of the phone booking fee.
American Airlines operates with a dynamic award pricing system, meaning the mile cost for flights fluctuates according to demand. While American provides a published “award chart” to reference what can be expected based on region and fare class, the pricing can vary without guarantees.
Suboptimal Redemption Options
Redeeming AAdvantage miles for hotel stays often results in a lower value than other redemption methods. For instance, a search for a hotel room in Miami revealed that the value was approximately 0.8 cents per mile. This figure falls short of the typical 1.7 cents valuation for domestic travel, which indicates that using miles for hotel bookings is not the most efficient use. It is advisable to leverage hotel points or rewards from cash-back credit cards for this purpose.
American Airlines Change, Delay, and Cancellation Policies
Modification Fees
American Airlines has eliminated modification fees for most fare types, except primary economy tickets, on domestic flights, select short-haul international flights, and many long-haul international routes. However, passengers should note that fare differences may apply when changing to a more expensive flight.
Important Note: Passengers with basic economy fares are ineligible to make itinerary changes.
Travellers can change or cancel their reservations without incurring fees for flights booked with frequent flyer miles.
Flight Delays
In cases where flights are delayed by over four hours, American Airlines provides full refunds, regardless of the fare class purchased. Passengers who choose not to proceed with their delayed flight can receive their money back. If they opt to wait, compensation may be available for accommodation if the rescheduled flight is the next day.
Flight Cancellations
When a flight is cancelled, American Airlines generally rebooks passengers automatically on the next available flight. However, this may only sometimes align with the passenger’s preferences. Adjustments can be made via the American Airlines app or by contacting customer support. Likewise, passengers are entitled to a complete refund for cancelled flights should they decide against rebooking with the airline.
American Airlines Partners
American Airlines maintains numerous alliances with various airlines globally, allowing members to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles when travelling on flights not operated by American Airlines. For those with elite status, similar benefits may be accessible on selected partner airlines.
Oneworld Alliance Members
American Airlines is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, which includes:
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- Sri Lankan Airlines
These partners form a robust network, making it easier for travellers to earn and utilise miles across many destinations.
Other Partner Airlines
Outside the Oneworld alliance, American Airlines collaborates with additional carriers, albeit with more restrictions on earning and redeeming miles. Though opportunities might be limited, travellers can still use these partnerships. Notable airline partners include:
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Cape Air
- China Southern Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Fiji Airways
- GOL Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- IndiGo
- JetBlue Airways
- Silver Airways
While many awards can be booked online on AA.com, certain airlines, such as Etihad Airways, China Southern Airlines, and GOL Airlines, may require phone reservations.
AAdvantage Program Elite Status
AAdvantage Elite Levels and Benefits
American Airlines offers four levels of elite status within the AAdvantage program, each providing various perks and benefits for frequent travellers. The levels include:
- Gold
- Platinum
- Platinum Pro
- Executive Platinum
The benefits associated with these levels are as follows:
| Elite Level | Mileage Bonus | Boarding Group | Upgrade Eligibility | Upgrades Confirmed | Priority Seating | Free Checked Bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 40% | Group 4 | Complimentary upgrades on select flights | 24 hours before | Accessible Preferred seats at check-in | 1 |
| Platinum | 60% | Group 3 | Complimentary upgrades on select flights | 48 hours before | Accessible Main Cabin Extra seats at booking | 2 |
| Platinum Pro | 80% | Group 2 | Upgrades on American and Alaska Airlines | 72 hours before | Accessible Main Cabin Extra seats at booking | 3 |
| Executive Platinum | 120% | Group 1 | Upgrades on American and Alaska Airlines | 100 hours before | Accessible Main Cabin Extra seats at booking | 3 |
One of the most valued benefits of holding elite status is access to upgrades on American Airlines flights. Elite members can enjoy complimentary upgrades on numerous domestic, Caribbean, and Central American flights. Executive Platinum members even get the option to upgrade on award tickets, enhancing their travel experience. Additionally, members might find advantages when flying with Oneworld partners.
How to Earn Elite Status in AAdvantage
With the recent changes, earning elite status in the AAdvantage program has become more straightforward. Gone are the days of tracking elite qualifying dollars, miles, and segments. Members now accumulate status through a single metric: Loyalty Points.
Loyalty Points can be earned in three primary ways:
- Flying with American Airlines, Oneworld, or other partner airlines.
- Making purchases with AAdvantage credit cards.
- Spending through partners, such as AAdvantage eShopping and AAdvantage Dining.
This new structure allows members more flexibility in earning points, making it easier to achieve higher status levels.
How Many Loyalty Points Are Needed for Status with American Airlines?
To qualify for elite status in the AAdvantage program, members must accumulate the following number of Loyalty Points:
- Gold: 40,000 points
- Platinum: 75,000 points
- Platinum Pro: 125,000 points
- Executive Platinum: 200,000 points
With multiple avenues available to earn points, even those who don’t fly frequently can attain high-status levels, making the program more accessible to a broader audience.
Which American Airlines fare class is best for you?
American Airlines offers a variety of fare classes, each with unique advantages. Typically, pricier fare options allow for earlier boarding and may include perks like waived baggage fees. When selecting a fare class, travellers should consider their priorities, such as comfort and cost. The fare classes range from premium experiences to more budget-friendly choices, catering to travel preferences and needs.
Credit cards that earn AAdvantage miles
American Airlines stands out among U.S. carriers with its partnerships with two credit card issuers due to its merger with U.S. Airways. This setup allows customers to earn AAdvantage miles through various credit cards, enhancing their ability to accumulate points for future travel. The available options include:
- American Airlines Personal Cards
- AAdvantage® MileUp®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Card Features and Bonuses
Many of these credit cards provide significant incentives for new cardholders. Here are some highlights:
- The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® has an introductory fee of $0 for the first year, transitioning to $99 thereafter. New cardholders can earn 15,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $500 within three months.
- For a limited time, cardholders who spend $3,500 in their first four months can earn 75,000 AAdvantage miles.
- A spend of $7,000 within three months on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® yields a bonus of 70,000 miles.
- With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, new users earn 60,000 miles after their first purchase and pay the annual fee within 90 days.
Considering Flexibility
A generalised travel credit card might appeal to travellers seeking more versatility when booking flights. Unlike airline-specific cards, these options can be used to book flights across various airlines, supporting a broader range of travel plans.
Noteworthy Benefits
- Among American Airlines cards, only the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® grants access to the Admirals Club, which can enhance the airport experience for frequent flyers.
- Premium travel cards typically come with enhanced benefits, such as lounge access or elevated status in specific loyalty programs, while airline-specific cards can offer advantages like waived baggage fees that may result in substantial savings.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIs it worth joining the AAdvantage program?
The value of joining AAdvantage depends significantly on the traveller’s home airport and preferred destinations. American Airlines services 50 countries and 150 more through its Oneworld partners, allowing ample opportunities for earning and redeeming miles. It can be a beneficial program if American Airlines connects nicely with a traveller’s chosen home airport and destination.
How can one contact American Airlines AAdvantage?
Individuals can reach American Airlines in the United States by calling 800-433-7300 or visiting their official website. They also provide support through social media, where customers can engage with @americanair on Twitter.
How many miles are needed for a free flight?
Award flights on American Airlines begin at 7,500 advantage miles for a one-way economy ticket under 500 miles in the contiguous U.S. and Canada. Longer flights within these regions typically require a minimum of 12,500 miles.
Is joining the AAdvantage program free?
Yes, joining the AAdvantage program is free. Prospective members can sign up at aa.com to earn miles for flights with American Airlines and their Oneworld partners.
AAdvantage Recap
Strategies to Enhance Reward Earnings
To fully benefit from the AAdvantage program, individuals should consider the following methods:
- Choose Partner Airlines: Flying with airlines within the Oneworld alliance can increase earning potential.
- Use Co-branded Credit Cards: Utilizing American Airlines credit cards allows for additional purchase miles.
- Participate in Promotions: Engaging with limited-time offers can yield bonus miles.
- Plan Travel Wisely: Consolidating travel into fewer, higher-mileage trips can help earn more miles.
