The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
4 times it’s better to book American Airlines award flights with British Airways Avios
Ben Smithson is a senior writer for TPG and is based in London. Originally from Australia and a qualified lawyer with a financial services background, he has almost a decade of experience writing about a broad range of travel and loyalty topics.
also contributed to this story
May 29, 2024 • 8 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.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.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
American Airlines flights can often be booked using partner airline loyalty programs, sometimes requiring fewer miles than booking directly with American's own program.
British Airways Executive Club allows members to redeem Avios for flights on American and Alaska Airlines, with particularly strong value on certain short-haul, Hawaii, and select international routes.
Avios redemptions are especially advantageous for nonstop flights under 3,000 miles, such as West Coast to Hawaii or select South America routes, and for some Japan flights in economy class.
Dynamic pricing in American's program can make Avios bookings a better deal, but comparing both programs before booking is recommended.
What to consider
Avios pricing applies only to nonstop flights; adding connections may affect the value proposition.
Taxes and fees are generally similar whether booking with Avios or American's program, but surcharges on British Airways-operated flights can be higher.
Some offers and redemption rates mentioned may no longer be available.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed examples comparing Avios and American's miles for specific routes, plus guidance on when each program offers the best value.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
American Airlines is one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world. However, when you go to book an award ticket on AA, don't automatically assume your AAdvantage account will be the best loyalty program to use. Did you know that you can book American Airlines flights on partner carriers? And that it may cost you fewer miles?
Since British Airways is a fellow Oneworld alliance member, members of the British Airways Executive Club can redeem Avios, BA's loyalty currency, on partner airlines; this includes American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Since you can transfer most credit card points to British Airways, it is worth considering which program you should book with.
Here are some scenarios where it can make sense to book an American Airlines award flight with British Airways Avios rather than American's own AAdvantage miles.
AAdvantage still operates using an award chart. However, in 2023, it shifted its charts to reflect more of a dynamic pricing model with flights on AA "starting from" 7,500 miles within the U.S. and Canada. However, American will sometimes have award flights priced lower than the award chart.
Meanwhile, Avios redemptions for domestic AA flights start from 8,250 Avios points, each way in economy as follows:
Zone 1 (up to 650 miles): 8,250 Avios
Zone 2 (651-1,151 miles): 11,000 Avios
Zone 3 (1,152-2,000 miles): 14,500 Avios
Zone 4 (2,001-3,000 miles): 16,000 Avios
On off-peak dates, like midweek in winter, you can often find flights through AAdvantage for as low as 7,500 (or sometimes lower). This is a better option than the 8,250 Avios BA would charge.
AA.COM
However, if you want a flight at a specific time or need to fly to a specific airport, using Avios is a cheaper option once the AA prices start to rise dynamically.
For example, flights from Miami International Airport (MIA) to New York area airports in September start from a reasonable 8,500 AAdvantage miles.
AA.COM
However, if you want to take the first flight of the day and fly into LaGuardia Airport (LGA), AA prices this flight at 12,000 miles.
You could book the same Zone 2 flight through British Airways for 11,000 Avios (plus the same taxes and fees AAdvantage charges), saving you 1,000 miles.
BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM
If you are looking to book this same flight in first class, you will pay more than 83,000 miles. If you book this same flight on British Airways using Avios, you'd pay just 20,500 Avios.
Another sweet spot in the Avios versus American Airlines battle is nonstop flights between the West Coast and Hawaii on either American- or Alaska-operated flights. Booking one-way, nonstop award flights less than 3,000 miles long through British Airways will cost just 16,000 Avios plus $5.60 in taxes and fees each way.
American Airlines offers flights between the U.S. and Hawaii starting at 20,000 miles each way, so you can save at least 4,000 miles by booking through BA's Executive Club rather than AA's AAdvantage program.
Note that these prices apply to flights on both American and Alaska Airlines, so in either case, you’re likely better off redeeming Avios for awards to Hawaii from multiple West Coast gateways. Remember, too, that the Avios pricing only applies to nonstop flights; if you start adding connections, you’ll want to compare prices in each program before deciding which offers the best value.
Like domestic flights, you can find some sweet spots with shorter international flights using Avios rather than AAdvantage miles.
Looking at routes like:
MIA to Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) in Barranquilla, Colombia
MIA to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG) in Cartagena, Colombia
They are just less than 1,150 miles long and cost 11,000 Avios in economy class.
BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM
These flights start at 12,000 miles each way when booked with AAdvantage miles; booking with Avios instead saves only 1,000 miles. However, with American's dynamic pricing, on the sample date of Dec. 4 above, the same flights are priced at 20,500 (plus the same fees and taxes) — almost twice the number of points.
AA.COM
Nonstop flights to Japan in economy
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
When booking with AAdvantage miles, flights from the West Coast to Japan in economy cost 35,000 miles each way.
However, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) requires just 25,750 Avios that would otherwise cost 35,000 AA miles.
You can also book Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) and HND for 31,000 Avios instead of 35,000 AA miles.
Unfortunately, the business and first-class awards aren’t cheaper with Avios than AAdvantage miles.
How to earn Avios
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
The easiest way to earn a meaningful number of Avios for everyday spending is by applying for the British Airways Visa Signature® Card (see rates and fees).
With the British Airways Visa Signature, new cardholders can earn 75,000 Avios after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
The British Airways Visa Signature has a $95 annual fee and earns 3 Avios per $1 spent on purchases with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Level. Plus, you can earn 2 Avios per $1 spent on hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel. All other purchases earn 1 Avios per $1 spent.
The following cards all currently offer strong welcome bonuses that you could easily convert to Avios:
American Express® Gold Card: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees): Earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees): Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Bottom line
Avios are valuable because they are easy to earn and redeem. The surcharges on British Airways-operated flights can be high. However, the sensible award chart means, unlike on other programs that price flights dynamically, you'll rarely see a six-figure price for a single premium cabin flight on BA.
Therefore, booking American Airlines flights through British Airways can sometimes be a much more lucrative redemption option. So, it's always best to double-check both programs before purchasing your award ticket.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
