What Are American Airlines AAdvantage Miles Worth?
Updated May 6, 2024 at 11:52 am
American Airlines has a long history in the United States, with the company being founded over 95 years ago. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, the company has hubs in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, and more. American Airlines is one of the largest commercial airlines and carried the most passengers in North America in 2022. The prominent airline offers travel rewards through their American Airlines AAdvantage® program. But what is the American Airlines AAdvantage miles to dollars calculation? That depends on a few factors, but the answer may surprise you.
Our Methodology Understanding the value of cash back is simple, but valuing airline miles or points redeemable for travel requires digging a bit deeper. At Newsweek, we’ve developed a common language to talk about the value of points and miles: our valuations.
Our valuations translate points into dollars and cents in a way that reflects reality. They are based on actual data across a balance of accessible redemption options, not just the aspirational first and business class redemptions that require a PhD in miles and points to book. The upshot is that our valuations help you understand the actual value you can easily get from your miles and points.
Vault’s Viewpoint on American Airlines AAdvantage
- American Airlines AAdvantage miles to dollars value is 1.37 cents per mile.
- You can earn AAdvantage miles from flying, credit cards, shopping, and more.
- How much American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth will vary by redemption.
What Are American Airlines AAdvantage Miles To Dollars?
The American Airlines AAdvantage miles value fluctuates, based on redemption. But we’ve found that American Airlines AAdvantage miles to dollars average value is 1.37 cents per mile. Compared to the Newsweek valuation of the rewards programs from other airlines, that’s mid-range—with Delta SkyMiles valued at 1.16 cents per mile and JetBlue TrueBlue miles valued at 1.50 cents per mile.
So the American Airlines AAdvantage miles worth isn’t the highest, but is competitive. Depending on how and when you redeem your miles, you may get a higher value or a lower one.
Though American Airlines advertises flight redemptions as low as 7,500 miles each way in addition to taxes within the United States, the company introduced dynamic pricing so costs can shift based on demand.
You may be able to elevate your redemption value if you can travel off-season. On the other hand, peak travel times may result in a lower American Airlines AAdvantage miles worth.
How Do American Airlines AAdvantage Miles Compare to Other Airline Miles?
Based on Newsweek valuations, here’s a look at how AAdvantage miles stack up against the rewards programs of other top airlines:
| Airline Rewards Program | Per Point/Per Mile Valuation |
| Alaska MileagePlan Miles | 1.33 |
| Delta SkyMiles | 1.16 to 1.36 cents |
| JetBlue TrueBlue Miles | 1.50 |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards | 1.43 |
| United MileagePlus Miles | 1.40 |
How To Calculate American Airlines AAdvantage Miles To Dollars
To calculate the American Airlines AAdvantage miles worth, review the cash price of the flight and subtract any taxes and fees tacked on. Take that amount and divide it by the number of miles needed to book that same flight.
As an example, a round trip flight from New York to Los Angeles in the first week of March costs $310.
When using miles, that same flight requires 24,500 miles and $11.20 in taxes and fees.
To calculate the value of American Airlines AAdvantage Miles:
- Subtract taxes and fees from the cash price:
$310 (cash price) — $11.20 (taxes and fees) = $298.8 - Divide the cash price by the award price:
$298.8 / 24,500 miles = 0.0122 - To get the value in cents, multiply that number by 100.
0.0122 X 100 = $1.22
In this case, the American Airlines AAdvantage miles value is $1.22, which is slightly less than Newsweek’s valuation of 1.37 cents per mile. Other routes, times, and seasons may offer better redemption value. Using this American Airlines AAdvantage miles to dollars calculation, you can run the numbers to see if it’s worth it to pay for the flight out-of-pocket or if it’s a good redemption opportunity.
How to Earn American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Whether you’re a travel novice or a frequent traveler, there are various ways you can earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Some don’t require you to step foot on a plane at all. If you’re working toward redeeming a travel award, consider the effort and cost of each method.
Flying
The most obvious way to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles is to book flights with American Airlines or one of their many partners. Though you should note that you won’t earn miles based on the distance you fly, but rather how much you spend on the flight.
So if you’re flying from New York to Los Angeles like in the example above, you’re not earning close to 2,500 miles based on the distance flown, but earning miles based on the $310 spent on the flight. The total amount you earn is based on your AAdvantage® status. According to the American Airlines website, here’s the breakdown on earnings.
- AAdvantage® members earn 5 miles for every dollar spent.
- AAdvantage Gold® members get a 40% bonus.
- AAdvantage Platinum® members get a 60% bonus.
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro® members get an 80% bonus.
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum® members get a 120% bonus.
Regular AAdvantage members would earn 1,550 miles after spending $310 on a flight from New York to Los Angeles.
Credit Cards
You can earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles with your everyday purchases with one of their co-branded credit cards. Each card offers different perks. These credit cards include:
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®
If you’re looking for a travel rewards credit card with no annual fee, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard® is an option to consider. Currently, the card has an introductory offer of 15,000 bonus miles after spending a total of $500 or more within three months of opening an account. You can also earn more miles when spending in certain categories.
- Earn 2x miles for each dollar you spend at grocery stores.
- Earn 2x miles for each dollar you spend on qualified American Airlines purchases.
- Earn 1:1 miles for every dollar you spend on everything else.
There’s no cap on miles earned. The card comes with a variable APR between 21.24% – 29.99%, which will depend on your credit. Using this card for groceries and other necessary expenses—and paying off the balance in full each month—can help you earn more miles without much effort.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has an attractive intro offer with a welcome bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 or more within three months of opening an account. To start, there is a $0 annual fee for the first year and then it’s $99 per year. The perks on this card are more robust and include:
- 2x miles for each dollar spent at restaurants and gas stations.
- 2x miles for each dollar spent on qualified American Airlines purchases.
- Earn 1:1 miles for every dollar you spend on everything else.
- First checked bag is free for you and 3 companions on the same travel itinerary.
- Preferred boarding when you fly American Airlines.
This card is best suited for travelers who want the extra benefits offered. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has a variable APR between 21.24% – 29.99%, which will depend on your credit.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with generous benefits but at a high cost. The intro offer is a 70,0000 miles welcome bonus after spending $7,000 within three months of opening an account. As part of that, you’re eligible for a complimentary Admirals Club® membership. But the annual fee clocks in at $595. Some of the benefits include:
- 10x miles on eligible rental cars booked through AA.
- 10x miles on eligible hotels booked through AA.
- 4x miles for each dollar spent on qualified American Airlines purchases.
- Earn 1:1 miles for every dollar you spend on everything else.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit for up to $100 every four years.
- First checked bag is free for you and 8 companions on the same travel itinerary.
The card has a variable APR between 21.24% – 29.99%, which will depend on your credit. Before applying for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, review your travel expenses and compare it to the annual fee and the benefits the card offers.
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
Designed for business owners, the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® has a welcome bonus of 75,000 miles after you spend $5,000 within five months of opening an account. As part of the intro offer, you’ll get a $0 annual fee for the first year and then it’s $99 per year after that. Some of the benefits include:
- 2x miles for every dollar spent on telecommunications, cable, or satellite merchants.
- 2x miles for every dollar spent on qualified American Airlines purchases.
- 2x miles for every dollar spent at gas stations and car rental providers.
- Earn 1:1 miles for every dollar you spend on everything else.
- First checked bag free for you and four companions on the same travel itinerary.
- Preferred boarding when you fly American Airlines.
The card has a variable APR between 21.24% – 29.99%, which will depend on your credit. Business owners who can easily meet the spending requirements for the welcome bonus can benefit from this card, especially if their business requires a lot of travel.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® offered by Barclays comes with a welcome bonus of 60,000 miles after you make a purchase and pay the $99 annual fee within the first 90 days of opening an account. Some of the benefits include:
- 2x miles for every dollar you spend on qualified American Airlines purchases.
- Earn 1:1 miles for every dollar you spend on everything else.
- First checked bag free for you and four companions on the same travel itinerary.
- Preferred boarding for you and four companions when you fly American Airlines.
“In the past, I used the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® to help travel hack a trip to Spain. I enjoyed how simple it was to get the bonus miles by simply making a purchase and paying the annual fee. I think this is a great card for people who may not feel comfortable with some spending minimums on other rewards credit cards.” — Melanie Lockert
The APR for purchases depends on your credit and may be 21.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99%. This card has a pretty low barrier to entry as it doesn’t include any major minimum spending requirements.
Additional Ways to Earn American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Other ways to boost your American Airlines AAdvantage miles earnings include:
- Join the AAdvantage® Dining program. Link a credit card and earn miles when you go to restaurants that are part of the program.
- Shop with AAdvantage® eShopping. When you shop through the eShopping portal, you can earn miles on purchases.
- Use AA to plan your vacation. You can book hotels, cruises, or vacation packages to earn more miles.
- Make a donation. You can donate to Stand Up For Cancer and earn 10x miles for each dollar for donations of $25 or more.
When Are American Airlines AAdvantage Miles Worth Redeeming?
After earning a significant amount of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, you might be itching to redeem them for a dream trip. If you’re thinking of using the miles you’ve accrued, make sure that your American Airlines AAdvantage miles to dollars value is a minimum of 1.37 cents per mile. Getting the average value or more is worthwhile. If it’s less than that amount, you may decide to pay upfront and use your miles for another trip where your points go further.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Are American Airlines Miles Good For?
Your American Airlines miles won’t expire if you continue to earn or redeem miles. If you fail to do so within a 24-month period, your miles can expire. You may be able to reactivate your miles if they expire online or by calling customer service.
Can I Use AA Miles To Pay For Part Of A Ticket?
Unfortunately, you can’t use AA miles to pay for only part of an airline ticket. If your mileage count is not enough, you can purchase additional miles, buy a one way ticket, and buy the other with a credit card, or look for flights that require fewer miles.
Can I Use My AA Miles For Something Else?
In addition to using American Airlines miles for flights, you can also redeem AA miles for hotels, car rentals, vacations, upgrades, luxury experiences, and making a donation. The American Airlines AAdvantage miles value for each redemption will vary.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.
