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How to book American Airlines flights with Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Rachel Craft is a travel writer at TPG. She's excited about introducing more people to the world of points & miles and helping fellow travel newbies make the most of their points.
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
August 17, 2026 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
American Airlines miles are not easily earned through most transferable credit card programs, but you can still book American Airlines flights using points from certain transferable rewards programs.
By transferring points to select Oneworld airline partners that use Avios, you can redeem for American Airlines-operated flights, though award rates, taxes and fees, and availability may vary by program.
Transferring points to Avios programs allows for booking both domestic and international American Airlines flights, but some programs have strict change or refund policies.
Alternatively, you can redeem points for American Airlines flights through a travel portal at a set value per point, though this value may decrease for future bookings.
What to consider
Award availability, taxes and fees, and redemption rates differ among Avios-based airline partners, so comparing options is important before transferring points.
Some partner programs, such as Iberia Club, do not allow changes or refunds on American Airlines partner award bookings.
The value per point when booking through the travel portal will decrease to 1 cent per point for all cardholders after October 26, 2027.
What you'll miss from the article
Step-by-step guidance on comparing Avios partner programs and maximizing value when booking American Airlines flights with transferable points.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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.
Even though AAdvantage isn't a direct transfer partner of most issuers, including Chase Ultimate Rewards, that doesn't mean you can't redeem your hard-earned Chase points for American Airlines flights.
Here's how to do it.
Transfer Chase points to Oneworld partners to book American Airlines flights
American Airlines is a member of the Oneworld alliance, and multiple Oneworld airline programs are transfer partners of Chase Ultimate Rewards. This means you can transfer Chase points to one of these partner programs at a 1:1 ratio and use them to book American Airlines-operated flights.
There are three Avios-based airline loyalty programs that are Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners and can be used to book American Airlines award flights: Aer Lingus AerClub, British Airways Club and Iberia Club.
Once you transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to an eligible Avios program, you may also be able to move those Avios to other participating programs, such as Qatar Airways Privilege Club or Finnair Plus, after linking your accounts.
Just keep in mind that you won't be able to change or get a refund for partner award redemptions booked via Iberia Club, including American Airlines. We suggest avoiding partner award redemptions through Iberia Club for this reason, unless you receive an exceptional deal that you can't book through another Avios program.
American Airlines award flights you can book with Avios
You can book American Airlines economy-class flights from New York-area airports to Miami International Airport (MIA) through the British Airways Club program for 18,000 Avios plus 5.60 in taxes and fees.
Or, you could book a direct flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), operated by American, through British Airways Club for 28,000 Avios and about $328 in taxes and fees.
If short-haul flights are your preference, you can book them on American with Avios as well. For example, you can fly one-way between Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) for 13,500 Avios plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
Don’t forget to check TPG’s list of current transfer bonuses before you transfer your rewards. Transfer bonuses have historically averaged between 20% and 40%, so keep an eye out for a bonus that falls somewhere in that area.
Chase occasionally runs promotions that let you earn bonus points or miles when you transfer, helping you stretch your points further when transferring to book American Airlines flights.
Book American Airlines flights through the Chase Travel portal
Another way to book American Airlines flights with Chase points is through Chase Travel℠, the issuer’s travel booking platform that lets you redeem points for travel instead of cash.
If you can’t find the American Airlines flight you’re looking for through a partner airline or the partner’s redemption rates aren’t a good value, try this option instead. Chase Travel offers a wide variety of travel bookings, including American Airlines flights.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see ) and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see ) cardholders who applied before June 23, 2025, can redeem their points at a flat rate of 1.5 cents apiece on American Airlines flights (on points earned prior to Oct. 26, 2025, and redeemed until Oct. 26, 2027, then 1 cent thereafter).
Meanwhile, those who applied after June 23, 2025, for any of the above cards will receive only 1 cent per point when redeeming for American Airlines flights.
When award rates are high or partner airlines have limited availability, your best bet will likely be to redeem Chase points through Chase Travel.
Even though you can’t transfer Chase points directly to the American Airlines AAdvantage program, there are multiple other avenues to book American Airlines flights with Ultimate Rewards points.
