Summary

• Use AAdvantage miles for hotel bookings at over 400,000 properties worldwide.
• Spend AAdvantage miles on vacation packages for extra discounts and bonus miles.
• Fly with American Airlines to various destinations starting at low miles, or upgrade cabins for a better experience.

Not only is American Airlines the world’s largest by fleet size, but it also runs one of the oldest and largest loyalty programs in the world. The AAdvantage Miles Program was founded in May 1981 and has gathered over 115 million members over the period.

While many global airlines offer unique ways to use their respective rewards, American Airlines offers rewards flights at some of the lowest miles in the industry. This article explores a few clever ways to redeem the AAdvantage miles.

5 Book a hotel

Hotel stays at over 400,000 properties worldwide

• IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Marriott International
• Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

The AAdvantage Hotels platform allows members to book properties from a range of over 400,000 places worldwide. After the pandemic, hotel rates have gone up significantly, not to mention the added taxes and fees. The AAdvantage program is one of the best ways to book hotels. The platform allows members to search and select properties based on their destination and liking.

Travelers can use miles or a combination of miles and cash to pay for the hotel. The AAdvantage credit card and status members can book hotels with up to 30% fewer miles. According to American Airlines,

“You’ve earned your miles, now use them at leading hotels across the globe with the AAdvantage Hotels™ platform. Explore the latest offers from popular destinations and book using miles or a combination of miles and cash.”

4 Book a vacation

Additional discounts and deals on AAdvantage Vacations

• Earn discounts on vacation packages
• Earn additional bonus miles on select vacation deals
• Save 10% with AAdvantage Credit Cards

One of the most clever ways to use the AAdvantage miles is to spend where most people are not - for vacation packages. The airline has tied up with some of the top vacation resorts worldwide. Travelers receive additional perks and discounts, particularly when using their AAdvantage credit card. According to American Airlines,

“AAdvantage® credit cardmembers save 10% on eligible American Airlines Vacations™ packages when you book through: www.aavacations.com/aviator
 www.aavacations.com/citi
 with a US-issued AAdvantage® credit card.”

On top of that, travelers can earn additional bonus miles on select vacation deals. For example, the AA Vacation portal currently offers 15,000 bonus miles on a vacation package at Marriott Caribbean and 20,000 bonus miles on Sandals and Beaches Resorts. These bonus miles will come in handy next time you want to take a quick domestic flight.

3 Fly with American

Flights start as low as 7,500 miles each way

• Continental US and Canada: 7,500 miles
• Mexico, Caribbean, Central America: 10,000 miles
• South America - short-haul: 15,000 miles
• Hawaii and Alaska: 20,000 miles
• Europe: 25,000 miles
• South America - long-haul: 30,000 miles
• Asia, Middle East, and South Pacific: 35,000 miles

American Airlines offers domestic and international flights for some of the lowest miles on the market. While passengers must pay a small amount of tax and carrier imposed fee as cash, flights can be earned as low as 7,500 one way in the Main cabin and 15,000 one way in the Business/First cabin.

According to the American Airlines website, flights to Europe, a popular region for Americans, start at 25,000 each way in Economy. The maximum a traveler will pay for a flight through miles is when flying to Asia, Middle East, or the South Pacific region, with 35,000 miles one way for Economy, 60,000 for Premium, and 95,000 for Business.

2 Cabin upgrades

Also includes travel on codeshare flights marketed by American Airlines

• Upper-class cabin
• Seats with more legroom
• Priority privileges
• Added bag allowance

Got those extra few thousand miles that won’t buy you a flight? Use them wisely to enhance your travel experience with American Airlines. The AAdvantage members can purchase a variety of upgrades through miles, including cabin upgrades, better seats with more legroom, priority check-in and boarding, and bag allowances.

According to American Airlines,

“Use miles to make your trip more comfortable. Upgrades can offer additional legroom, faster boarding and may come with added bag allowance. Upgrade to the next cabin of service on a one-way trip with up to 3 flight segments.”

1 Fly with partner airlines

Ideal for upper class offerings

• Europe: 57,500 miles
• Middle East: 70,000 miles
• Indian Subcontinent: 70,000 miles
• Africa: 75,000 miles
• South Pacific: 80,000 miles

The best way to use AAdvantage miles is to book flights on partner airlines. Through oneworld, American Airlines is a partner with some of the most luxurious airlines, including Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Qantas, and British Airways. Travelers can fly from the US to the Middle East and beyond on Qatar Airways Q-Suite for 70,000 miles one way.

Similarly, Etihad Airways offers direct flights from New York to Abu Dhabi in its Business class for 70,000 miles when booked with AAdvantage miles. Passengers have to pay approximately $40 in taxes and fees. Travelers may travel to Asia or Africa via the Middle East for no additional miles.

What are your thoughts on the best ways to utilize AAdvantage miles? How have you used your AAdvantage miles? Share your experiences in the comments section.