Best Uses Of American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

One of the first non-Hong Kong based airline programmes I invested in was American Airlines’ AAdvantage miles. At some point when I was growing up, I clocked that the biggest miles and points scene was in the U.S., so I started crediting my Oneworld flights to American Airlines’ AAdvantage instead of Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles (this was also back when Cathay Pacific award space was heavily loaded into the off-season, and I couldn’t travel outside of peak season due to school). At some point I decided to take advantage of a “buy miles” promotion as the maths ended up that I’d otherwise be saving on my imminent travels to the UK, and the rest was history.

While American Airlines has dynamic award pricing for their own routes, they are the only major U.S. airline to continue to have award chart-based pricing for partner airlines, which means that an itinerary between two airports of a certain distance would cost the same number of miles regardless of how expensive the fare was. There are some real sweet spots to be had here, though generally I find American Airlines AAdvantage to have some of the best-value partner award redemptions in the network, particularly in premium economy and business class. The challenge, however, is that award availability can sometimes be hard to find.

On a slightly, but not totally related note, I love writing these guides because I genuinely have used these mileage programmes quite a bit, and have good knowledge of them. However, actually writing these guides is still new to me, so I’d appreciate any and all feedback.

This post is part of a series I’m writing with Singaporean open-loop loyalty programme HeyMax, where you can earn Max Miles with your daily spending and transfer them to loyalty schemes such as American Airlines AAdvantage miles.

How to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles

American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be earned by flying any Oneworld carrier, or any of their partners. The airline does a revenue-based earnings scheme when you’re flying American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia or Fiji Airways, and has a distance-based earnings scheme for anyone else. The full list you can earn AAdvantage points on include Aer Lingus, Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cape Air, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Finnair, GOL Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, IndiGo, Japan Airlines, JetSMART, LEVEL, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Porter Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines.

You don’t have to be flying American to earn AAdvantage miles

You can also stay at any IHG property, and choose to earn American Airlines AAdvantage points instead of IHG Rewards points – you’ll earn 2 AAdvantage miles per $1 USD spent, unless you’re staying at a Candlewood Suites or Staybridge Suites, in which case you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 USD (this applies globally). You can also convert 10,000 IHG points to 2,000 AAdvantage miles.

Earn AAdvantage miles when you’re staying at IHG properties, such as the Holiday Inn Reading

Outside of the U.S., credit cards transfer opportunities are harder to come by. None of the major UK companies allow for transfers to AAdvantage. Singaporean company HeyMax does allows for transfers to AAdvantage, though.

Can you buy AAdvantage miles?

Yes, you can buy AAdvantage miles. Normally, I wouldn’t consider this to be a good deal. However, sometimes AAdvantage does allow for up to an 80% bonus on purchased miles (or up to a 50% discount), which is when I do consider it to be a good deal.

AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity, though literally any activity will extend the miles – you can credit a flight to AAdvantage, donate some points to charity, and you can even redeem for a flight only to cancel it again. American Airlines doesn’t charge any reimbursement fees for award tickets, so I always use my AAdvantage miles if I’m making a speculative booking.

American Airlines’ routing rules

I’ve mentioned above that you can fly up to four segments on an AAdvantage award (and only be charged the fare between the origin and the destination), which can be very fun if you’re redeeming for business or first class. AAdvantage splits all the destinations between their partners into six regions:

• The lower 48 U.S. states (minus Alaska and Hawaii)
• Canada/Alaska
• Hawaii
• Central America
• The Caribbean
• South America
• Europe (note: includes Morocco)
• The Middle East (note: includes Egypt)
• The Indian subcontinent
• Africa
• Asia 1 – Japan, Korea, Mongolia
• Asia 2 – everywhere else in East Asia
• South Pacific

You can fly between any two regions, though you cannot connect via a third region, unless it’s one of the stated exceptions. Exceptions include, but are not limited to:

• You are allowed to connect via Europe between North America and the Middle East
• You can connect via Europe, Hong Kong, or the Middle East between North America and the Indian subcontinent
• You can fly from North America to Asia 2 via Asia 1
• You can fly from Europe to Asia 1 via Asia 2 (flying from Europe to Asia 2 via Asia 1 incurs an additional charge)
• You can fly from Central/South America to the Indian subcontinent/Middle East/Africa via Europe
• You can fly from Asia 1 to the South Pacific via Asia 2
• You can fly from Africa to Asia 1 via Asia 2, or either East Asian zone via the Middle East
• You can fly from the Indian subcontinent to Asia 1 via the Middle East

The wonderful thing is that you can ticket up to four segments, and as long as you’re following all routing rules (e.g. no backtracking, and you can only go through one intermediate “zone”), you don’t pay any extra. For example, if I found award space from Kuala Lumpur to Doha on Qatar Airways, and another one from Abu Dhabi to Rome on Etihad, I could ticket Kuala Lumpur to Doha to Abu Dhabi to Rome to London on one single ticket, assuming there was award space on all four segments. You just might have to pick up the phone in some instances to make this work.

Fly from Europe to Asia in business class for 75,000 miles

One of the main ways I like using AAdvantage miles is for flying between Europe and Asia in business class. I wanted to expand on this point a bit, as American Airlines has some wonderful partners when flying this route.

The “main” Oneworld partner that American Airlines partners with is Qatar Airways. It might be tough to find award space on Qatar Airways for your specific date, though if you’re flexible about which cities in Europe and Asia you fly to (e.g. if you try out various European ports, as well as Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur/Denpasar), you’ll be able to find a Qatar Airways business class flight that works. Qatar Airways has a great business class product, with dine-on-demand, and in many cases a seat with a door (though you might want to check which cabin product you’re flying). You’ll also get access to Qatar Airways’ beautiful lounges in Doha if you’re connecting.

Fly Qatar Airways using AAdvantage miles

However, if you’re booking less than 30 days out, you’ll be able to find award space on Etihad as well. Etihad also has a gorgeous business class product, regardless of whether you’re flying their 787s or A350s. They have amazing on-demand catering, good seats and bedding, and great amenities as well, as well as a brand new airport in Abu Dhabi that you’d be connecting through.

Fly Etihad using AAdvantage miles, if you’re booking less than 30 days out

You’ll be able to find both Qatar Airways and Etihad availability directly on the aa.com website.

As yet another option, Oman Air joined the Oneworld alliance in June, and there are reports that you can book saver award availability if you call – however, I can’t find any Oman Air award space directly on the aa.com website. If you’d like to check for award space, I’d recommend going on Alaska Airlines’ website (another Oman Air partner) and seeing whether there’s any award space going there. For example, I can see quite a few dates with award space from London to Singapore via Muscat next year.

I’m keeping my eyes peeled on Oman Air award availability, as I’ve long wanted to try their business class

You can also fly Japan Airlines’ beautiful A350 from London to Tokyo Haneda, though I have struggled to find award space on the route unless you’re literally flying the same week you’re booking the flight. Cathay Pacific also releases scant award space to their partners these days.

I have, however, seen Europe-Asia award space fairly regularly on British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, and SriLankan Airlines. SriLankan Airlines has the most award space out of these airlines from my past experience – I’ve never actually managed to fly them, so I’d love to at some point soon.

Fly SriLankan business class with AAdvantage miles

I think in this case, the good thing about AAdvantage miles is that they have so many partners that someone is bound to have award space, as well as you’re willing to position to hubs between Europe and Asia. This really is one for the avgeeks that want to try new cabin products, as there are a plethora of products to try.

Fly from Europe to Asia in premium economy for 52,500-55,000 miles

While not as lucrative as business class, I also find AAdvantage’s premium economy options to be great, once again because of the variety that they have. I see more Japan Airlines premium economy award space when booking through AAdvantage compared to in business class, and British Airways and Finnair often have premium economy award space as well. (Unfortunately, it’s quite difficult to find a Cathay Pacific premium economy award seat that they release to their partners.)

Fly Japan Airlines premium economy with AAdvantage miles

Routing rules are the same as in business class, though perhaps there’s less appeal of connecting multiple times if you’re flying in premium economy.

Fly from the Middle East to Asia or Europe in business class for 40,000-42,500 miles

I mentioned some of the Gulf carriers above that fly between Europe and Asia via the Middle East. Well, you can fly just one of those segments, which can still be up to an 7-8 hour flight, for 40,000 miles from Asia, or 42,500 from Europe. (Asia is the better one of these deals, as the flights can often be longer, for fewer miles.)

Best of all, if you’re then connecting within the Middle East (to Dubai, Bahrain, Cairo, etc.), your business class flight will be marketed as “first class”, which means you’ll have access to Qatar/Etihad’s first class lounges.

Fly the Qatar Airways QSuite from Asia/Europe to the Middle East with AAdvantage miles

Fly from Asia to the U.S. for 70,000 miles one-way in business class

Technically, both Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines allow for very lucrative travel options between Asia and the U.S.. American Airlines only charges 50,000 miles one-way for premium economy, and 70,000 miles one way for business class. However, award availability is extremely limited from many Asian ports to the U.S.. Unfortunately if you’re booking with the Gulf carriers you’ll have to book on separate tickets, as Asia to the Middle East to the U.S. isn’t a “legal” routing with them.

Fortunately, AAdvantage does have an in-built calendar for this if you’re using their web browser, so you can scour for good availability across certain hubs.

A major “unicorn award” for AAdvantage business class

Fly from the Middle East to the U.S. for 70,000 miles one-way in business class

You can also fly from the Middle East to the U.S. for 70,000 miles one-way in business class. Technically this means that you can fly from Asia to the U.S. for 110,000 miles, since you can fly to the Middle East for 40,000 miles – this isn’t the best deal, though you’ll get a bit more award availability this way (alternatively you might elect to take the shorter flight to the Middle East in economy).

The Middle East to the U.S. via Europe is a legal AAdvantage routing (though Asia to the U.S. via Europe isn’t), so British Airways and Finnair are also available to you. These tend to have more award space than Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines do.

I would try and fly Finnair or Iberia over British Airways, as British Airways charges very hefty fuel surcharges on flights, especially in premium cabins (despite having a pretty good business class product). Any itinerary involving a longhaul flight in British Airways business class would incur these surcharges.

Also, check the “detail” before you book the flights, especially if it mentions that the class of service you searched might not be available – both the premium economy and the business class options book you into economy on the Qatar Airways segment. Not fun!

Fly from Singapore to Japan for 40,000 miles in first class/30,000 miles in business class

American Airlines counts Japan, Korea, and Mongolia as part of “Asia 1”, and anywhere from China and below as “Asia 2”. You can fly between Asia 1 and Asia 2 for 30,000 miles one-way in business class, and 40,000 miles one-way in first class. I’d consider first class the sweet spot here, as some of these flights can be up to 7 hours (I’d consider it to be a much better deal to fly Singapore or Kuala Lumpur to Japan, rather than Hong Kong or Shanghai/Beijing to Japan).

I’ve never flown Japan Airlines first class, but fly from Singapore to Japan in business class for 30,000 miles one-way

Fly Fiji Airways from Asia to Australia and the South Pacific for 40,000 miles in business class

You can fly Fiji Airways from Hong Kong/Singapore to Nadi, Fiji for 40,000 miles. Do note that you do have to catch saver award availability – awards are based on season, and cost up to 200,000 miles one way.

You can also fly from Asia to Australia. Theoretically you can redeem AAdvantage on Qantas, though I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen a free Qantas award seat. You’re much more likely to find a routing from Asia to Australia via Fiji on Fiji Airways. You can also fly from Singapore to Sydney on British Airways, though you’ll have to pay fuel surcharges.

Fly from Asia to Africa in business class for 70,000 miles/Europe to Africa for 55,000 miles

You can also fly from Asia/Europe to Africa with AAdvantage miles. Africa is of course a massive continent, so the sweet spot is when you try to fly to South Africa. This costs 55,000 miles if you’re flying from Europe, and 70,000 miles if you’re flying from Asia – you can fly via the Middle East either way.

Realistically if you’re flying from Asia, flying Qatar Airways/Etihad will be your only option to South Africa – Japan Airlines doesn’t fly to South Africa, and it’s near impossible to find partner award space with Cathay Pacific. Still, both of these are great options. If you’re flying from Europe, British Airways also flies to South Africa, though you’ll have to pay fuel surcharges.

Fly Etihad business class from Asia to South Africa for 70,000 miles 

Avoid flying American Airlines at all costs (most of the time)

I’ve never flown American Airlines longhaul, though I’ve actually heard really good things about their business class product, especially on their latest jets. So why avoid them? Well, American Airlines operates a revenue-based redemption scheme for their own flights, which means that one-way flights in business class can routinely cost much more than their partner redemptions. For example, Los Angeles to Doha cost 70,000 miles and £11.80 in taxes on the above Finnair itinerary, though this American Airlines itinerary costs 300,000 miles plus £5.90 in taxes (so a terrible value of 38,983 miles per £1 saved, I guess).

Of course, if fares are running low on a route, there is a chance that you’ll get a good deal using your AAdvantage miles on American Airlines flights. However, this is much closer to a rate you’d expect with a pay-with-points scheme, as opposed to a good-value redemption.

Perhaps avoid flying British Airways

While I do genuinely like flying British Airways longhaul (both in business class and premium economy), I’d suggest avoiding flying them with AAdvantage miles, as they have hefty fuel surcharges. If you’ve got to fly British Airways and you’re on an itinerary involving the U.S., use Cathay Pacific Asia Miles if you can – they have lower fuel surcharges than if you’re using AAdvantage miles (Asia Miles doesn’t have a fuel surcharge advantage if you’re not flying out of the U.S.).

Small fuel surcharge difference of £466.70 between flying Iberia and flying British Airways

Conclusion

Between the zero reimbursement fee, the flexible routing rules, and the many great partners that AAdvantage has, the programme is one of my favourites, and I absolutely love redeeming itineraries in premium cabins with AAdvantage miles. When using transferrable miles, I actively seek out opportunities to use them with the AAdvantage programme, though avoid using them on American Airlines or British Airways flights (due to the high redemption opportunities and/or high fuel surcharges).

What’s your favourite use of AAdvantage miles?

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