Can't find cheap business-class awards to Europe on American? Try these routes and hacks
As American Airlines has moved to dynamic pricing for mileage awards, it's been increasingly difficult to find really good award deals ... especially on highly desirable routes like the U.S. to Europe in business class.
If you are having trouble finding business-class awards on American or other Oneworld airlines, know that there are some routes that have more availability than others. As we did recently with United Airlines business-class awards, we're here to help by providing a list of routes. In fact, it might even make sense to take a positioning flight to one of the below cities in order to score a great trip — at a great AAdvantage award price.
Pro tip: Here are some of our favorite tools for finding award availability on your own.
Below are some routes to search if you want to find better-than-average American Airlines and Oneworld business-class availability (sourced with data backed by Awayz by Odynn) that you can book with AAdvantage miles.
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Note: I had the best luck when I searched for one-way flights. When you search for a round trip, in most cases, you'll be put on partner airlines with added stops that can incur a lot of taxes and fees.
Business-class availability to London through August 2025
If you start your trip at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), you can find the unicorn redemption of 54,000-57,500 miles for a one-way business-class flight to London's Heathrow Airport (LHR). We found sporadic dates through the end of the schedule.
Those dates included Aug. 3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 19 and 20, 2025. The below example is from Aug. 6.
If you search for a round trip, American Airlines will often show you flights on British Airways. Flying British Airways on this round-trip route (or a similar route) using American miles can add $1,800 in taxes and fees, so you'll want to avoid flights like this one to Paris on British Airways.
If you fly back to the U.S. in business class from London, you'll be hit with large taxes and fees on top of the award, too. It may make sense to instead spend a few days in another European gateway and fly back from there.
Related: How to avoid or minimize Air Passenger Duty fees
Business-class availability to Milan and Rome through August 2025
While more limited, there is some well-priced business-class availability to both Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) for as few as 111,500 AAdvantage miles and $71.90 round-trip. I found round-trip Rome deals for Aug. 4-21, 2025, from JFK and Aug. 3-21, 2025, from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Other dates were also available.
I found similar deals to and from Milan from both JFK and DFW, so it is definitely worth a search. Note that some of these round-trip flights include a connection in Chicago, Charlotte or Philadelphia.
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Business-class availability to Madrid
TPG also found some business-class seats to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) from JFK for as few as 62,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles plus $5.60. January offers the most availability, but there are some flights available at that rate on scattered dates through the end of the schedule.
I also found a flight from Dallas to Madrid for as few as 80,500 miles and $5.60 — not quite as good, but not bad.
Related: Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
Business-class availability to Barcelona
We also found widespread availability from DFW to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) for 62,500-85,000 miles plus just $5.60 in November 2024 and January 2025.
Related: How American Airlines sucked me back in with Loyalty Points
Bottom line
While this availability is out there, it's not widespread by any stretch of the imagination. You'll need to be extremely flexible to find the best prices. Even if you don't live near one of these hub airports, or if you want to go to a different destination in Europe, it may still make sense to lock in one of these routes and then add positioning flights later.
And for goodness' sake, if you find a deal, you should jump on it. When you book with a program like American Airlines AAdvantage, it is easy to change or redeposit award flights if you change your mind.
While it's certainly harder than it used to be to get a great return for your miles on international business-class flights, you can still find great deals with patience and flexibility even as programs go dynamic with pricing. Use this list of routes as a good starting point. Good luck, and I'll see you in the forward cabin.
Related reading:
- The best credit cards for airport lounge access
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
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