Last Updated on November 20, 2023 by Rick Spiegel
American Airlines provides its passengers with the most popular frequent flyer program in the United States, which is popularly known as AAdvantage. If the passengers are a member of AAdvantage and have been accumulating miles on their travels, it’s very important to know and understand how to redeem them effectively. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to redeem American Airlines miles for flights and other valuable rewards and advantages.
Steps to Redeem American Airlines Miles For Flights
If the passengers want to redeem their American Airlines Miles, then they need to follow the given steps below
Step 1: Sign in to the AAdvantage Account
If the passengers want to redeem American Airlines Miles, they first need to have an AAdvantage account with American Airlines. However, if the passengers don’t possess this account they need to sign up and create a new account through the official website of American Airlines or the American Airlines app. Once you have an account, log in using your credentials.
Step 2: Collect American Airlines Miles
For passengers to redeem miles, they need to have a sufficient number of American Airlines miles present in their AAdvantage account. They can even earn miles through various methods, such as flying with American Airlines, using co-branded credit cards, and participating in partner promotions. Flyers can check their accounts to make sure to have the necessary miles for desired redemption.
Step 3: Search for Award Flights
Once the passengers are logged into their AAdvantage account, click on the “Redeem Miles” section. There they can get access to all the available award flights. The passengers need to enter arrival and departure cities, travel dates, and the number of passengers, and then click the “Search” button.
Step 4: Select the Flight
After searching for the flight, a list of available award flights will be displayed on your screen. The passengers can filter the results by class of service, nonstop flights, and other preferences, as per their needs. Select or choose the flight that best suits your needs and click “Continue.”
Step 5: Review and Confirm
The passengers should cross-check the flight details, which even include the mileage required, taxes, and fees. The passengers should make sure that everything is accurate and as per passengers liking and preference. If they are satisfied, click “Continue.”
Step 6: Passenger Information
The passenger should enter all the information for everyone traveling on the flight. They should make sure that the information matches the travelers’ IDs to avoid any issues during check-in. Once completed, click “Continue.”
Step 7: Payment and Confirmation
The last step is to review the summary of the traveler’s booking and the payment details. Travelers can click on the continue button to confirm the payment through miles. The miles will be deducted from the account.
Step 8: Confirmation and Ticketing
After the payment is completed, the passengers will receive a booking confirmation and ticket on their email which they have used during the flight booking. Make sure to keep these documents handy, as they are essential for your travel. You can also access your reservation details through your AAdvantage account.
Redeem AAdvantage Miles for Seat Upgrades
Travelers can also use AAdvantage Miles for upgrading to a higher cabin class. Passengers can use their miles to apply for an upgrade on any American Airlines or American Eagle flights.
Upgrades on American Airlines are only available on the next cabin class. Travelers can upgrade to a one-way flight containing three segments only. Except for the Basic Economy tickets, all fares are eligible for seat upgrades through miles.
| To/From | Discount Economy / Premium Economy | From Full-Fare Economy / Premium Economy | From Full-Fare Business |
| Contagious 48 U.S. states, Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean | 15,000 + $75 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| U.S. to Hawaii | 15,000 + $175 | 8,000 | 15,000 |
| North America to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, China, Indian Subcontinent, Australia, Europe, Middle East, Africa, New Zealand | 25,000 + $350 | 15,000 | 25,000 |
Purchase Admiral Club Membership through Miles
The AAdvantage members can purchase the Admiral Club membership by paying through the miles. Travelers can redeem American Airlines Miles to buy an annual membership or a one-day pass.
AAdvantage members need to log in to their account and purchase the membership as per their requirements. The miles required vary according to the tier status.
| Membership | AAdvantage member | Gold | Platinum | Platinum Pro | Executive Platinum |
| Household new | 165,000 | 162,500 | 160,000 | 157,500 | 155,000 |
| Household renew | 160,00 | 157,500 | 155,000 | 152,500 | 150,000 |
| Individual new | 85,000 | 82,500 | 80,000 | 77,500 | 75,000 |
| Individual renew | 80,000 | 77,500 | 75,000 | 72,500 | 70,000 |
Redeem American Airlines for Other Experiences
If the passengers are not interested in using the American Airlines Miles to book flight tickets, they can use it for other purposes as well and in various ether ways.
Passengers can redeem miles for seat reservations, car rentals, hotel stays, vacations, and travel experiences. They can also choose to donate the miles to charity.
Travelers can purchase Five Star Service by redeeming their American Airlines Miles. It costs 35,000 miles per passenger, 10,000 miles per additional adult, and 5,000 miles per child.
When passengers book rental cars through American Airlines miles they can save up to 30% on the booking. The passengers can redeem their American Airlines miles through redemption options through the redeem miles page on www.AA.com. Once they choose which option works best for them, they’ll be guided through the process to make their redemption.
Tips to Redeem American Airlines Miles
Always be Flexible: The American Airlines Award availability can differ, so if your travel dates are flexible, you might find it easier to secure award flights.
Check Partner Airlines: American Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, and you can redeem your miles on partner airlines as well, which have their tie-up with Oneworld Alliance. Passengers should make sure to explore these options for more flight deals and flight choices.
Avoid Peak Seasons: Redeeming American Airlines miles during peak travel seasons may require more miles or limit your options. Consider traveling during off-peak periods if possible.
Keep an Eye on Promotions: American Airlines occasionally offers promotions and discounts for award redemptions. Stay updated on their website and newsletters for these opportunities.
Redeeming American Airlines miles can be a rewarding experience as it provides various privileges, allowing the passengers to travel and enjoy various benefits without spending a significant amount of money on their flight expenses. By following this step-by-step guide on how to redeem American Airlines Miles, passengers can efficiently redeem their miles for flights and other valuable rewards, making the most of their AAdvantage membership. Passengers should always remember to plan their travel, accumulate miles, and start exploring the world with American Airlines.
Call the American Airlines Customer Support
Calling the American Airlines phone number is another way to get help in the process of redeeming your American Airlines Miles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you pay for a hotel with American Airlines miles?
Yes, you can pay for the hotel through the AAdvantage miles. There are numerous hotels that are tied up with American Airlines. According to the tier status and hotel, miles per night will vary.
How do I redeem American Airlines miles?
The passengers can visit the American Airlines website and log in to the AAdvantage account. Use the booking tool to search for flights and other eligible award options. The passengers can also call American Airlines bookings and ask an agent to help them with the booking and redemption process.
What can I redeem American Airlines miles for?
The passengers can redeem AAdvantage miles for a variety of options, which include:
● Flights on American Airlines and its partner airlines.
● Upgrades to a higher class of service.
● Hotel stays through American Airlines’ hotel partners.
● Car rentals through American Airlines’ car rental partners.
● Vacation packages.
● Merchandise, gift cards, and other non-travel items through the AAdvantage eShopping portal.
How do I find award availability?
To find available award seats or flights, the passengers can visit the American Airlines website or contact their customer service at their convenience. When searching online, be sure to select the “Redeem Miles” option to see award availability.
Can I combine miles and cash for bookings?
American Airlines Provides the “Miles + Cash ” option, which provides the facility to use a combination of miles and cash to pay for your flights. This can be a useful way to book a flight when you don’t have enough miles in your account.
Do American Airlines miles expire?
If the AAdvantage member does not have any redemption or earning activity in 24 months, then American Airlines miles expire. The miles do not expire if the member holds an AAdvantage Credit Card account.
How many points do you need to redeem on American Airlines for flights between the US and Canada?
For flights between the US and Canada, the rate starts from 7,500 miles for the Main Cabin and 15,000 miles for Business and First class.
Can I give my miles to someone else?
Yes, you can transfer miles to someone else. The minimum transfer of miles in a single transaction is 1000 miles. Travelers have to pay $15 as a transfer fee. The transfer limit in a single year is 200,000 miles.
