AAdvantage eShopping: Earn miles and Loyalty Points with the American Airlines shopping portal
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
One of the best ways to earn American Airlines miles on purchases you're already making is through the AAdvantage eShopping website. You can earn American miles by clicking through this site before making online purchases.
Many of the miles you can earn through the American Airlines shopping portal are base miles. As such, the AAdvantage eShopping portal is a good way to earn American miles you can redeem for flights and a vehicle by which you can earn Loyalty Points for American Airlines elite status.
Here's what you need to know about the American AAdvantage eShopping portal.
What is American AAdvantage eShopping?
Many airline and hotel loyalty programs offer online shopping portals, but the AAdvantage eShopping portal is tied to American Airlines. As such, you can earn American miles and, in some cases, Loyalty Points when you click through the AAdvantage eShopping portal before making an online purchase. Common reward rates range from 1 mile per dollar spent to around 10 miles per dollar spent, but you'll occasionally see higher rates. Sometimes, you'll get a set number of miles per qualifying purchase.
Related: Use a shopping portal aggregator to maximize online purchases
How to earn miles with the American Airlines shopping portal
To earn miles with the American Airlines shopping portal, you must first have an American Airlines AAdvantage account. Once you have that, head to the AAdvantage eShopping website to create an account. To do so, you must provide your name, AAdvantage number, email, ZIP code and desired password.
Once you have an AAdvantage eShopping account, head to the AAdvantage eShopping site. Make sure you are logged in before each online shopping trip. Then, enter your desired merchant in the "Find a store or product" box at the top of the website and click "Enter" to search.
Doing so will take you to the merchant's landing page or a list of possible merchants. You'll see at this point whether your merchant currently offers an elevated earning rate. For example, Viator was offering 8 miles per dollar spent instead of the standard 2 miles per dollar when I wrote this story.
Before clicking the "Shop now" button to head to the merchant's website and make your purchase, scroll down to read the "Mileage terms" box to ensure your purchase will be eligible. If satisfied, scroll back up and click "Shop now." A new window will open, and you'll be redirected to your merchant's website. Once there, shop as you normally would in that window. If you make a qualifying purchase in that window, you should earn American miles as detailed on the AAdvantage eShopping page for that merchant at the time of your purchase.
Related: How to earn miles in the American Airlines AAdvantage program
Does AAdvantage eShopping earn Loyalty Points?
If you want to earn American Airlines elite status, you'll be excited to learn you can earn Loyalty Points through the American AAdvantage eShopping portal. The miles you'll earn — such as 8 miles per dollar spent — are base miles and therefore also count as Loyalty Points.
However, any bonus miles you earn through airline shopping portal promotions won't count as Loyalty Points.
Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points
Install the AAdvantage eShopping button
If you are worried about missing out on earning American miles when shopping online, install the AAdvantage eShopping button browser extension.
Once installed, the AAdvantage eShopping button will let you know when you can earn American miles on an online purchase. All you need to do to earn miles when shopping online with a participating merchant is click the button.
The AAdvantage eShopping button will also automatically apply coupons and let you know if you can purchase a product on a different website at a lower rate.
Related: Best uses of American Airlines miles
SimplyMiles vs. AAdvantage eShopping
American AAdvantage members sometimes get confused about how SimplyMiles differs from AAdvantage eShopping. In short, SimplyMiles is a website where you can enroll in offers with select merchants that provide American miles when you use an enrolled Mastercard to pay for an eligible purchase with that merchant.
Except when the terms of SimplyMiles or AAdvantage eShopping prohibit it, you can earn American miles on a purchase with both SimplyMiles and AAdvantage eShopping if the merchant participates in both.
Related: Everything you need to know about credit card merchant offers
Best cards to use with AAdvantage eShopping
Clicking through AAdvantage eShopping doesn't change which card is best for your online purchases. Suppose you click through to an office supply store. In that case, you'll want to use a card like the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card (see rates and fees) that lets you earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases each account anniversary year at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services. Likewise, if you click through to a hotel brand, you'll want to use one of the best cards for travel purchases.
Sometimes, your purchase may not fall into a specific bonus category. You could use one of the best cards for everyday spending, like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees). You could also consider using the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, which offers 3% cash back on up to $6,000 per calendar year in U.S. online retail purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received as reward dollars that can be redeemed for statement credits and at Amazon.com checkout.
Related: The best rewards credit cards for each bonus category
Bottom line
The AAdvantage eShopping portal is one of many online shopping portals. If you want to earn more American miles and Loyalty Points, it's likely your go-to online shopping portal. I usually start my search with an online shopping portal aggregator, but I often pass up higher earning rates on other shopping portals to boost my Loyalty Points balance with the American Airlines shopping portal.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.