Earn Up to 50,000 Bonus Miles Via American Airlines' New Tiered Promotion
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
American Airlines' AAdvantage program just launched a new Holiday Bonus Miles promotion offering up to 50,000 bonus miles — in addition to the miles you'd otherwise earn — for earning miles through certain AAdvantage partners.
Here's how it works: AAdvantage is giving members a "holiday to-do list." You get a bonus for checking items off the list now through December 31. The bonuses get larger as you complete more partner tasks:
| Number of partners | Bonus miles awarded | Total miles |
|---|---|---|
1 | +500 | 500 |
2 | +1,000 | 1,500 |
3 | +1,500 | 3,000 |
4 | +2,000 | 5,000 |
5 | +4,000 | 9,000 |
6 | +5,000 | 14,000 |
7 | +6,000 | 20,000 |
8 | +8,000 | 28,000 |
9 | +10,000 | 38,000 |
10 | +12,000 | 50,000 |
But, before you can start earning, you need to register first. If this link doesn't auto-fill the promotion code, enter code AAHOL. (Yes, AAHOL.)
Even if you don't think you're going to play along, it can't hurt to register and get a bonus or two from AAdvantage earning partners you'd use otherwise.
So, what are the tasks?
- Start earning early — sign up for Miles for Opinions (earn at least 300 miles)
- Protect your identity before busy season with LifeLock (10,000 miles for signing up)
- Get the kids to call Grandma with Sprint (earn at least 417 miles)
- Book the in-laws a hotel (close to home) with Rocketmiles (earn at least 5,000 miles)
- Stay in your pajamas – shop online with AAdvantage eShopping (earn at least 3,000 miles)
- Fill the mantle with fresh poinsettas from 1-800-FLOWERS (earn at least 2,000 miles)
- Ditch the leftovers – go out with AAdvantage Dining (earn at least 500 miles)
- Skip the stir-crazy stage of family visits – rent a car with Avis or Budget (earn at least 1,500 miles)
- Schedule a wine delivery for your ugly sweater party from Vinesse (earn at least 500 miles)
- Ring in the New Year in style – book at Hilton (earn at least 1,000 miles)
If you complete all tasks, you'll be earning at least 24,217 miles from the promotion plus the 50,000 bonus miles.
Some of these tasks are easier and cheaper than others. The shopping portal option is an easy way of earning bonus miles in addition to miles you already earn from shopping portals. And, it shouldn't be too hard to check off the Miles for Opinions and AAdvantage Dining options.
The mail-order wine and 1-800-FLOWERS options aren't terribly cheap ways to check off additional tasks, but could make sense if you can utilize the purchases. The Hilton, Avis/Budget and Rocketmiles tasks are going to take some traveling, but the required minimums aren't very high so it might be worth going after these.
The last two tasks are going to take a little more of a commitment. If you have non-discounted Sprint service already, make sure to link your Sprint account to your AAdvantage account through the promotional website. You'll earn 417 miles per month, which is enough to trigger the bonus. If you have a discounted Sprint service or another cell phone provider, it's a hard sell to switch carriers just for this bonus.
LifeLock is even more confounding. The terms and conditions note that "new members must earn 7,000 miles during the promotion period to qualify for the bonus." However, LifeLock requires you to be "an active LifeLock member for 91 days to earn AAdvantage miles." So, there's no way of doing that before December 31.
Update: American Airlines has reached out to clarify that "the date that’s taken into account is not when the miles post to your account, but the date of the activity with each partner. In LifeLock’s case, it’s the date you sign up." That means that all you need to do is sign-up for LifeLock before December 31 to check this item off of the list.
Existing LifeLock members who signed up through AAdvantage in the past are in luck, though. If your "anniversary miles" post during the promotion period, you'll complete the task. If your anniversary miles don't post before December 31, you can "contact AAdvantage Customer Service and request to be manually qualified for the promotion by providing proof of current Lifelock membership."
The problem with these two being so difficult is that the last two tasks are the most valuable. Of the 50,000 potential bonus miles, 22,000 of these bonus miles come from completing the final two tasks.
Know what's an easier way of earning 60,000 bonus AAdvantage miles? Signing up for the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. You'll earn that bonus after signing up and spending $3,000 in the first three months. Plus, it's a great card for defeating basic economy. The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom Line
It makes sense to register for this promotion and maybe change your purchases around a bit to complete a few tasks. Just go into this promotion with a realistic expectation for how many bonus miles you'll earn.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.