He American Airlines Advantage The show has some great redeeming features, especially with its fantastic roster of Oneworld partner airlines. You just need to know where to look.
Here are some of the best points from American Airlines’ AAdvantage program (and how to book them).
Related: Citi Adds American Airlines as 1:1 Transfer Partner, Offers Admirals Club Passes with New Card
Best Uses for AAdvantage Miles
The AAdvantage program uses dynamic pricing for flights operated by American Airlines. If you expect to fly with American Airlines metal during peak periods, you can expect to pay high redemption rates.
Fortunately, award charts still exist for flights operated by partner airlines, as well as off-peak offers.
American Airlines Off-Peak Flights to Europe
If you can travel in the quieter winter months, one of our favorite AAdvantage spots are US-operated flights to Europe. (While you can also redeem miles for flights on British Airways, you’ll face steep fuel surcharges.)
It’s not hard to find economy class award flights for 20,000 miles (or less) each way if you’re flexible with your travel dates. For example, flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) start at just 19,000 miles and $5.60 in taxes and fees on many dates next winter.
Related: Travel to Europe using points and miles: how to redeem your awards for flights
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Business class flights to Europe on partner airlines
American also offers attractive savings fares on business class flights to Europe on partner airlines.
From just 57,500 AAdvantage miles one way, you can book business class seats to Europe from anywhere in the U.S., no matter the distance or whether you need to make a connection. This exceeds Delta Air Lines and United Airlines’ typical fares for business class travel to Europe.
However, you’ll want to avoid long-haul flights operated by British Airways, as fuel surcharges can be ridiculously high (think: more than $700 each way). Instead, look for flights operated by a Oneworld partner airline, such as Finnair or Iberia.
Here’s an example: You can book a lie-flat seat in business class with Iberia from Dulles International Airport (IAD), near Washington, DC, to London Heathrow Airport (LHR), via Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), for just 57,500 American miles and $155 in taxes and fees.
First class and business class fares to Japan
Europe isn’t the only place you can travel in luxury with American Airlines miles. Another sweet spot of the AAdvantage program is first class flights to Japan for 80,000 miles one way.
Full disclosure: They are very hard to find, but Japan Airlines has a top-notch first class product, so it’s worth the effort. If you can’t get a first class seat, it’s a little easier to find business class fares on Japan Airlines for 60,000 AAdvantage miles, which is also a fantastic deal.
Japan Airlines serves Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), DFW, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), San Diego International Airport (SAN), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) from Tokyo.
Related: Why American Airlines AAdvantage has become my most valuable rewards currency
Cheap short-haul flights with American Airlines
Dynamic pricing for award travel isn’t always bad. American’s short-haul flights can offer good value at the lower levels, and you can find them for as little as 5,000 miles for a main cabin seat, even during peak summer dates.
The onward flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to South Carolina’s Charleston International Airport (CHS) costs just 7,000 miles and $5.60 in taxes and fees. Economy main cabin tickets on the same route and date start at $179, depending on Google Flights searches, making it a great way to earn about 2 cents per AAdvantage mile.
Related: How to Book American Airlines Domestic Flights with Points and Miles
Business class to Morocco
Now that Royal Air Maroc is a member of the Oneworld alliance, you can fly from North America (including west coast cities) to Morocco in business class for just 57,500 miles plus minimal fees and taxes.
Even better, availability is generally excellent and you can connect at the airline’s hub, Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), to other destinations in Morocco, such as the popular Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK), for the same price.
Mileage Upgrades on American Airlines and Select Partners
When redeeming miles, it is generally more cost-effective to book the class of service you want from the beginning. But if you don’t have enough miles to redeem for a business class ticket, for example, you can buy an economy seat with cash and upgrade your flight using miles or a combination of miles and cash.
First, understand that basic economics and award tickets are not eligible for upgrades. You must also take a flight operated by American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas or Iberia to upgrade with AAdvantage miles.
Both mileage and cash upgrade offers have dynamic pricing for your upcoming American Airlines flights, so they will vary, but there may be cases where they are a good value. Check your existing reservations in the airline app for their upgrade offers.
How to earn AAdvantage miles
You can earn miles on everyday purchases with a American Airlines Co-Branded Credit Card or a Citi card that earns Citi Thank You Rewards needles. Here are some great options and their current welcome offers:
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual fee; see rates and fees): For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® ($350 annual fee; see rates and fees): For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening.
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® ($99 annual fee, waived for first year; see rates and fees): Earn 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
In a nutshell
The American Airlines AAdvantage program has a lot of value. The trick is not to waste your miles on low-value redemptions; Instead, save them for the sweet spots where you can get the most value.
Now that you know the best ways to use your American miles, check out our guides to find Oneworld award availability and the The best tools to search for prize redemptions..
Before you know it, you’ll be taking off on (almost) free flight.
