American Airlines passengers can now use AAdvantage miles for inflight purchases
Loyal American Airlines passengers will now be able to use their AAdvantage miles for inflight purchases on all flights, expanding the option across the carrier's entire network.
The new policy, which went into effect Tuesday, will allow travelers to redeem AAdvantage miles for inflight purchases on all regional flights, American Airlines confirmed to TPG. Previously, loyal travelers could only use their miles to purchase items on mainline flights.
"We are continuously looking for ways to enhance the travel journey for our customers and are thrilled to expand this new enhancement to all flights," American wrote in a statement shared with TPG.
Points can be used to purchase alcoholic beverages (like beer, wine and liquor) on domestic flights over 250 miles and snacks on some flights over 1,100 miles, according to the airline. To use miles, travelers must ensure their AAdvantage number is attached to their reservation, and they must have their boarding pass ready when paying.
The cost of items varies, but some examples are:
- Wine for $10 or 1,000 miles
- Bud Light, Dos Equis and Truly Hard Seltzer for $9 or 900 miles
- Goose IPA or Heineken for $10 or 1,000 miles
- A fruit-and-cheese plate for $11 or 1,100 miles
- A steak-and-pimento-cheese sandwich with a side salad for $16 or 1,600 miles
- A Tostitos snack box for $7 or 700 miles
- Doritos Minis Cool Ranch bag for $5 or 500 miles
In addition to using miles, travelers who order food or drinks with their eligible AAdvantage cobranded credit card or with their AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard will receive 25% savings as a statement credit. Travelers who pay with their AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Silver Mastercard® will receive up to $25 back per day as statement credits.
American Airlines does offer complimentary meals and beverages on certain flights, such as on long-haul international routes and in Flagship First between Hawaii and both Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
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- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
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- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
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- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
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