American Airlines AAdvantage: How to earn and redeem points, elite status and more
Editor's Note
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and its American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program is popular with many travelers.
You can get a ton of value from the program, which is why the AAdvantage program won the Best U.S. Airline Loyalty Program title at the 2026 TPG Awards. So, let's look at what you need to know about American Airlines AAdvantage.
Related: Why American Airlines AAdvantage has become my most valuable rewards currency
American Airlines AAdvantage program partners
American Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance. American elite members get some perks when flying Oneworld airlines, but all AAdvantage members can earn and redeem miles when flying with the following Oneworld alliance airlines:
- Alaska Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Fiji Airways
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Oman Air
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
- S7 Airlines (currently suspended)
American Airlines AAdvantage also partners at various levels with a handful of airlines outside of Oneworld, including:
- Aer Lingus
- Air Tahiti Nui
- China Southern Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Gol Airlines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- IndiGo
- JetSmart
- Level
- Porter Airlines
Review the specific partner airline page for full details.
Related: What are airline alliances, and who's in them?
American Airlines AAdvantage elite status
American Airlines AAdvantage elite status has four tiers with published qualification metrics — AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro and AAdvantage Executive Platinum — plus an invitation-only tier called ConciergeKey.
You can earn American Airlines status when you accrue a specific number of Loyalty Points during the 12-month qualification period from the beginning of March to the end of February each year.
How to earn Loyalty Points
Loyalty Points are the metric that AAdvantage members must accrue to earn elite status.
Here are some ways you can earn base miles that are Loyalty Point-eligible:
- Flights marketed by American Airlines, other Oneworld airlines and Gol Airlines
- Spending with eligible partners, including American Airlines Vacations, AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Dining, SimplyMiles and AAdvantage Hotels
- Eligible purchases using an AAdvantage credit card
Elite status requirements and benefits
Here's the number of Loyalty Points you must earn during the current qualification period for each American Airlines elite status tier:
- AAdvantage Gold (Oneworld Ruby): This tier requires earning 40,000 Loyalty Points. You'll receive a 40% mileage bonus, complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats at check-in, complimentary Preferred seats at booking, Priority check-in, Group 4 boarding and a first checked bag free on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines.
- AAdvantage Platinum (Oneworld Sapphire): This tier requires earning 75,000 Loyalty Points. You'll receive a 60% mileage bonus, complimentary Preferred or Main Cabin Extra seats at booking, Group 3 boarding, Priority baggage handling and a first and second checked bag free on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines.
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro (Oneworld Emerald): This tier requires earning 125,000 Loyalty Points. You'll receive an 80% mileage bonus, Group 2 boarding, free same-day flight changes (on eligible routes) and a first, second and third checked bag free on itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines.
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum (Oneworld Emerald): This tier requires earning 200,000 Loyalty Points. You'll receive a 120% mileage bonus, Group 1 boarding, complimentary food and drinks when traveling in Main Cabin and guaranteed availability in Main Cabin on sold-out American Airlines flights when you buy a full-fare ticket at least 24 hours in advance.
Loyalty Point Rewards
As you earn Loyalty Points each qualification period, you'll earn Loyalty Point Rewards that are distinct from elite status tiers as you reach the following milestones:
- 15,000 Loyalty Points: Group 5 boarding and one choice of personalized luggage tag, 1,000 Loyalty Points, five Preferred Seat coupons, or priority privileges and Group 4 boarding for a trip
- 60,000 Loyalty Points: Avis Preferred Plus status and a 25% Loyalty Point bonus when you spend with American Airlines Vacations, SimplyMiles, AAdvantage eShopping, AAdvantage Cruises, AAdvantage Dining and AAdvantage Hotels within six months after qualifying
- 100,000 Loyalty Points: Avis President's Club status and World of Hyatt Discoverist status
- 175,000 Loyalty Points: One choice of World of Hyatt Explorist status, 5,000 Loyalty Points, two systemwide upgrades, 20,000 bonus miles (25,000 bonus miles if you're an AAdvantage credit card member), a $200 trip credit ($250 if you're an AAdvantage credit card member), a $250 credit toward American Airlines Vacations packages, a 75-gallon sustainable aviation fuel allocation, a $250 donation to select nonprofit organizations, two gifts of AAdvantage Gold status, one AAdvantage Exchange gift or 35,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available to AAdvantage credit card members)
- 250,000 Loyalty Points: Two choices of World of Hyatt Explorist status, 15,000 Loyalty Points, two systemwide upgrades, 20,000 bonus miles (30,000 bonus miles if you're an AAdvantage credit card member), an Admirals Club membership (requires two choices), a $200 trip credit ($250 if you're an AAdvantage credit card member), a 100-gallon sustainable aviation fuel allocation, a $250 donation to select nonprofit organizations, two gifts of AAdvantage Gold status, one AAdvantage Exchange gift, one Flagship Lounge single-visit pass (two Flagship Lounge single-visit passes if you're an AAdvantage credit card member) or 35,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available to AAdvantage credit card members)
- 400,000, 550,000 and 750,000 Loyalty Points: Two choices of one World of Hyatt Category 1-4 free night award, one systemwide upgrade, 25,000 bonus miles, an Admirals Club membership (requires two choices), a $200 trip credit ($250 if you're an AAdvantage credit card member), a 100-gallon sustainable aviation fuel allocation, one gift of AAdvantage Platinum status, a $500 American Airlines Vacation voucher, one AAdvantage Exchange gift, two Flagship Lounge single-visit passes, one Flagship First dining pass or 40,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available to AAdvantage credit card members)
- 1 million Loyalty Points: One choice of one World of Hyatt Category 1-7 free night award, four systemwide upgrades, a 250-gallon sustainable aviation fuel allocation, one gift of AAdvantage Platinum Pro status, up to 100,000 miles back on award redemptions or 150,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available to AAdvantage credit card members)
- 3 million Loyalty Points: One choice of one World of Hyatt Category 1-7 free night award, six systemwide upgrades, a 500-gallon sustainable aviation fuel allocation, one gift of AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, up to 300,000 miles back on award redemptions or 350,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available to AAdvantage credit card members)
- 5 million Loyalty Points: One choice of one World of Hyatt Category 1-7 free night award, 10 systemwide upgrades, a 1,000-gallon sustainable aviation fuel allocation, one gift of AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, up to 500,000 miles back on award redemptions or 550,000 AAdvantage miles toward a Mastercard Priceless Experience (only available to AAdvantage credit card members)
How to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles
When you fly on a flight marketed by American Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Fiji Airways, Iberia and JetSmart, you'll earn 5 base miles per dollar spent on the ticket (excluding government-imposed taxes and fees). However, basic economy fares purchased on or after Dec. 17, 2025, no longer earn miles or Loyalty Points.
You'll earn more base miles with AAdvantage elite status as described in the status section above.
You can also earn AAdvantage miles on most flights marketed by American's partners. You'll usually earn miles based on the flight distance and the ticket fare class, which vary by partner.
American Airlines credit cards
One of the easiest ways to earn miles is through American Airlines credit cards. Here's a look at the current welcome offers and earning rates on some popular American Airlines credit cards.
| Card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | Earning rates |
|---|---|---|---|
$595 (see rates and fees) | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| |
$99, waived for the first 12 months | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| |
$350 (see rates and fees) | For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. |
| |
No annual fee | Earn 15,000 bonus miles after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. |
| |
$99, waived for the first 12 months (see rates and fees) | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first four months from account opening. |
|
The information for the AAdvantage MileUp Card and the Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Transfer credit card points
You can also transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards points to become AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 ratio in 1,000-point increments.
Related: Why Citi's newest transfer partner has changed my credit card and points and miles strategies
Other ways to earn AAdvantage miles
- Online shopping: When you click through the AAdvantage eShopping portal, you can earn AAdvantage miles on your purchases with select online merchants.
- SimplyMiles: This lets you earn miles when shopping online or in-store with select merchants. Log in to SimplyMiles using your normal American Airlines AAdvantage credentials, link one or more Mastercards to your profile and enroll in offers.
- AAdvantage Dining: This program lets you earn AAdvantage miles when dining at participating local restaurants.
- Rentals cars: American Airlines partners with major car rental companies so its members can earn miles on car rentals.
- Hotel stays: Book your stay through the AAdvantage Hotels platform, or book a qualifying stay with IHG, Marriott or Hyatt.
- AAdvantage Cruises and American Airlines Vacations: Book a cruise or vacation package through American's respective platform to earn miles on these purchases.
- Bask Bank: Earn miles just by having a Bask Bank savings account.
- Buy miles: Watch for promotions that allow you to buy AAdvantage miles with a bonus or discount.
How to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles
Redeeming American Airlines AAdvantage miles for flights usually provides the best value. TPG's April 2026 valuations estimate AAdvantage miles at 1.6 cents each, so try to get at least that value when redeeming miles. Here's a look at some of the best ways to redeem American Airlines miles.
Flights
American Airlines publishes award charts with starting rates. You'll find different charts for American- and partner-operated flights. However, the charts for American-operated award flights aren't all that helpful since, in practice, you'll find widely varying rates that change frequently based on your routing, when you book and when you're traveling.
The partner award charts are much more useful, providing terrific rates across all cabins where saver availability exists on some of the world's leading airlines.
Watch our American Airlines Flagship Suites review below:
Related: How to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for maximum value
Upgrades
On some itineraries, you can also redeem AAdvantage miles for an upgrade to the next cabin of service.
American allows you to buy an instant upgrade online or via the airline's app. You can use cash or miles for these instant upgrades, which the airline prices dynamically. Based on our tests, redeeming AAdvantage miles for these upgrades will yield about 1 cent per mile. If your itinerary is eligible, you should see upgrade options when you open your itinerary on the American Airlines website or app.
Admirals Club membership
You can redeem AAdvantage miles for an Admirals Club membership, but you'll only get a value of 1 cent per mile, which isn't a great value, especially when you can get membership as a perk of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
Bottom line
The American Airlines AAdvantage program isn't perfect, but if you know how to make it work and can be flexible when booking award flights, there's still plenty of value to be found, especially in the fantastic partner redemption rates.
An American Airlines credit card has become increasingly important to earn AAdvantage elite status. It's also worth using the AAdvantage eShopping portal and SimplyMiles, whether you're interested in earning AAdvantage miles, trying to qualify for American Airlines elite status or both.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
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Cons
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