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5 reasons why I believe American Airlines miles are worth more than United Airlines and Delta Air Lines miles

July 30, 2025
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9 min read
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
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Editor's Note

Citi is a TPG advertising partner.

All airline points and miles are not created equal.

While United MileagePlus miles and Delta SkyMiles have been easier to earn thanks to transferable credit card programs, I consistently find that American Airlines AAdvantage miles offer greater value when it comes time to redeem them, especially for premium international travel.

From lower saver award rates to an impressive roster of partner airlines, AAdvantage miles can unlock more aspirational opportunities with fewer miles.

Here’s why I personally value them more than their major U.S. counterparts.

Related: American Airlines adds 2 brand-new destinations in 7-route expansion

TPG's data-backed valuations agree

In TPG's July 2025 valuations, these three programs are valued as follows:

  • American Airlines AAdvantage: 1.55 cents
  • United MileagePlus: 1.3 cents
  • Delta SkyMiles: 1.15 cents
aa montana plane cabin
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

These aren't finger-in-the-air guesses. These three valuations have been made using our data-backed calculation method, which analyzes more than 23,000 individual data points on popular round-trip domestic and international itineraries, weighted as follows:

  • Domestic economy: 20%
  • Domestic business/first class: 10%
  • Hawaii: 10%
  • Short-to-medium-haul international economy: 25%
  • Transatlantic economy: 15%
  • Long-haul business class: 20%
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We use a three-month rolling average of data to minimize outlier pricing during periods of high demand, such as major holidays.

Simply put, when looking at thousands of flights to redeem these three currencies right now, AAdvantage miles are worth more than MileagePlus miles and significantly more than SkyMiles.

Related: How (and why) to calculate award redemption values

American miles have been harder to earn from credit cards

AAdvantage miles have traditionally been harder to earn through credit card points transfers than SkyMiles or MileagePlus miles because AAdvantage had no major flexible transferable points and miles credit card partners.

So, I was thrilled to see the recent news that the Citi ThankYou Rewards program has added AAdvantage as its latest 1:1 transfer partner for three of its rewards cards in its lineup: The new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees), the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi Prestige® Card.

SkyMiles is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, and MileagePlus partners with Bilt Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

It's worth noting that Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to all three airline programs, albeit at a poor transfer rate.

Psychologically, at least, I considered American Airlines miles more valuable as they've historically been harder for me to earn. I have typically been far more careful in how I redeem them than I've been with United Airlines or Delta Air Lines miles, as I didn't have transferable points options for AAdvantage until recently.

I'm really excited to start transferring my Citi points to AAdvantage. It has instantly made the ThankYou Rewards program more valuable to me.

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The lowest saver redemption rates are cheaper through AAdvantage

Redemptions for flights operated by American Airlines start from just 5,000 AAdvantage miles on short routes like Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), which, while a lower starting point than Delta SkyMiles, is similar to the cheapest United MileagePlus redemptions, so it's not a slam dunk "advantage."

But on longer flights, especially in premium cabins, where you can find rates at the lowest saver levels, the AAdvantage program really shines.

American Airlines premium economy
JORDAN WALLER/THE POINTS GUY

I regularly travel across the Atlantic, so I'm always looking to spend the fewest miles possible. Here's how the three programs stack up for routes to and from Europe:

  • Economy: AAdvantage offers nonstop flights from 19,000 miles versus 20,000 miles through MileagePlus and SkyMiles.
  • Premium economy: AAdvantage offers nonstop flights from 39,000 miles versus 50,000 miles through MileagePlus and 52,000 miles through SkyMiles.
  • Business class: AAdvantage offers nonstop flights from 65,000 miles versus 80,000 miles through MileagePlus and 145,000 miles through SkyMiles.
  • First class: AAdvantage offers nonstop flights from 75,000 miles, while United and Delta no longer operate international first class. (American Airlines will be phasing out this product as well.)

Where you can find saver availability, you'll need fewer American miles than Delta or United miles, so I value them more highly.

Related: Is American Airlines premium economy worth it between London and New York?

Oneworld is a premium airline alliance

Each of the "Big Three" U.S. airlines is a member of the "Big Three" global airline alliances:

Oneworld lounge in Amsterdam.
Oneworld lounge in Amsterdam. NICKY KELVIN/THE POINTS GUY

Although Oneworld is the smallest of the three alliances, I have always considered it the most premium in terms of member airlines. Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Oman Air and Qantas are all members, and they are airlines with impressive products, especially in premium cabins on long-haul flights.

I appreciate that Star Alliance has the most member airlines and a huge global route network, especially across the Atlantic. However, many members don't operate long-haul flights or have a proper long-haul premium product, so, in my eyes, they are less aspirational to redeem miles to fly.

SkyTeam has a handful of decent airlines, like Air France, KLM and Korean Air, but I jokingly refer to the SkyTeam alliance as "the best of what's left," meaning to me, it is largely made up of airlines that weren't able to join Oneworld or Star Alliance.

Simply put, if I could only choose one alliance to earn and redeem miles with for the rest of my life, it would be Oneworld.

Related: The best websites for searching Oneworld award availability

Partner redemptions remain a terrific value

My single favorite thing about the AAdvantage program is its partner award chart. As other programs move to dynamic pricing for partner-operated flights and do away with published award charts, I'm frankly amazed AAdvantage has retained one for this long, and the rates are still so low.

I also appreciate that it is region-based rather than distance-based, allowing you to really maximize your travel by choosing longer itineraries, such as the East Coast to western and central Australia.

American Airlines partner award chart
AMERICAN AIRLINES

When you factor in the wide range of premium airlines you can redeem AAdvantage miles with, including Etihad Airways, with its fabulous Airbus A380 first-class Apartments, you'll realize there are incredible sweet spots available from the U.S. For example, you can fly:

Related: Huge suites and phenomenal amenities: A review of Japan Airlines' new A350 first class

How to earn AAdvantage miles

American Airlines planes
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

You can earn AAdvantage miles with an American Airlines cobranded credit card or select Citi Strata cards and receive a generous welcome offer:

The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select 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

Despite historically having been harder to earn, AAdvantage miles consistently outperform United and Delta miles where it matters most for me: award pricing, desirable partner airlines and premium redemptions.

Whether you're flying across the country in economy or across the globe in a lie-flat seat on a top-tier Oneworld airline, your miles stretch further with American — and that’s why they top my list of desirable airline miles to collect and redeem.

Related reading:

Featured image by ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Rewards

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Intro offer

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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)

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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

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.
4XEarn 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.
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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.