American AAdvantage and Bilt Rewards transfer partnership will end June 24
Editor's Note
American Airlines' AAdvantage program still offers a compelling partner award chart, and you can often find good-value domestic awards, too.
One of the strongest aspects of the American AAdvantage program is the value of its miles. However, it can be difficult to earn and redeem American miles because the airline does not partner with major credit card rewards programs such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards.
The one loyalty program that does partner with AAdvantage is Bilt Rewards … but not for much longer.
American AAdvantage and Bilt Rewards to end partnership
American AAdvantage has been a Bilt Rewards transfer partner since 2021. However, as first reported by View from the Wing, Bilt Rewards will lose American AAdvantage as a transfer partner. A Bilt Rewards spokesperson confirmed the report, stating:
Bilt and American have agreed to wind down our partnership beginning in June. We appreciate everything we've been able to accomplish together since Bilt's launch in 2021.
Now, the official partnership end date has been revealed: Bilt members will no longer be able to transfer Bilt Points to AAdvantage starting June 24.
Although only one credit card earns Bilt Rewards points, this is still a big loss. It means that Marriott Bonvoy points will be the only remaining transferable currency you can convert into American miles. After all, the ability to transfer Citi ThankYou points to AAdvantage ended in late 2021.
The end of this partnership will be a big loss for Bilt Rewards members who earn a significant number of Bilt points and enjoy transferring them to AAdvantage. Still, Bilt Rewards has several other Oneworld loyalty programs as transfer partners, including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Plus and Iberia Plus. Unfortunately, many of the best ways to redeem American miles aren't sweet spots in these other programs.
Bottom line
Transfer partners come and go, and many other high-value Bilt transfer partners still remain. If you want to earn more American miles, my favorite ways are premium-cabin partner flights, the AAdvantage eShopping portal and Bask Bank.
Related links:
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app