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How Can I Use My AAdvantage Miles to Fly to Jamaica?

July 12, 2015
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3 min read
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How Can I Use My AAdvantage Miles to Fly to Jamaica?
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Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here – Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

TPG reader Sherry tweeted me to ask about using AAdvantage miles:

@thepointsguy – "I have about 100,000 American Airlines miles expiring next year and I'd like to book a trip to Jamaica for my family. When I call AA to book, they are very unhelpful. What should I do?"

Sherry, this is a great example of why you should become an expert AA.com user. American Airlines has very few partners that fly to Jamaica unless you want to route through South America, so all of that award availability should be visible on AA.com. If you plan it correctly, you can also get great use out of those 100,000 miles. Here are the mileage requirements for one-way award travel to Jamaica:

  • MileSAAver Off Peak — 12,500 miles
  • MileSAAver — 17,500 miles
  • AAnytime Level 1 — 27,500 miles
  • AAnytime Level 2 — 37,500 miles

More importantly, you should know that it's incredibly easy to keep your miles active. You can extend the date of expiration with any qualifying transaction like a single dining transaction or a purchase through the AAdvantage E-Shopping portal. That activity will reset the 18-month expiration clock, so if you aren't quite ready to redeem your miles, you don't need to hurry.

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Instead of calling, try booking awards to Jamaica on AA.com. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

Of course, American would prefer that you continue flying to keep your miles from expiring, but you can also keep them active by earning miles through a co-branded American Airlines credit card. If you already have one, you can simply use it to make a purchase, and your expiration date will reset when the miles post to your account.

If you don't already have an American Airlines card, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is offering a sign-up bonus of 75,000 miles after you spend $7,500 in the first 3 months. The card carries a $450 annual fee, but depending on how large your family is, you could end up with enough miles to fly first-class to Jamaica, or enough miles to get you and your family anywhere in the world in economy. Just be flexible with your dates and you should be able to book online without even having to call.

If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.