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Quick Points: Book partner awards at fixed rates using AAdvantage miles

July 07, 2023
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4 min read
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Dynamic pricing has taken some of the luster out of redeeming points and miles for great-value flights, but here's a tip for your next American Airlines AAdvantage redemption.

In April, American Airlines became the final major U.S. carrier to drop its saver award charts — a move it first announced was coming late last year.

AAdvantage redemptions for travel on American are now exclusively priced dynamically, allowing the airline to adjust the award rate for any flight. If you're traveling during off-peak periods when cash prices are low, you can expect pricing similar to when AAdvantage used award charts for travel on American.

However, if you are looking to fly during busy periods to popular destinations, like Europe during the summer, prepare for a pricing shock, with one-way, premium-cabin flights priced at several hundred thousand AAdvantage miles per person.

AA.COM

And yes, that is (in fact) just for a one-way ticket.

American Airlines partner award rates

Etihad Boeing 777-300ER
For 42,500 AAdvantage miles, you can fly from Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) to Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on Etihad in business class. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

The good news is American Airlines has retained, for now, an award chart for flights operated by partner airlines, and there are great deals to be found there. Here’s a list of all of American’s current partners:

Oneworld airline partners:

  • Alaska Airlines.
  • American Airlines.
  • British Airways.
  • Cathay Pacific.
  • Finnair.
  • Iberia.
  • Japan Airlines.
  • Malaysia Airlines.
  • Qantas.
  • Qatar Airways.
  • Royal Air Maroc.
  • Royal Jordanian Airlines.
  • SriLankan Airlines.
  • Fiji Airways (Oneworld Connect).
  • Oman Air (future member).

Non-alliance airline partners:

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  • Air Tahiti Nui.
  • Cape Air.
  • China Southern Airlines.
  • Etihad Airways.
  • Gol Airlines.
  • Hawaiian Airlines.
  • IndiGo.
  • JetBlue.
  • JetSmart.
  • Silver Airways.

You can book most of these partners online — only three (China Southern Airlines, IndiGo and JetSmart) require you to call AAdvantage. That said, even though American's website indicates Etihad awards are available online, you generally need to call to book.

Here is the partner award chart for travel from the United States and Canada.

AA.COM

Provided there is availability, this means you will not pay more than 110,000 miles, even in first class, for a one-way award from the continental U.S. to anywhere on the planet. It's much easier to plan how to earn the miles required to book flights to the destinations you want to travel when you can follow an award chart rather than be at the mercy of dynamic pricing that changes daily.

Related: Dynamic pricing vs. fuel surcharges — which is the lesser of 2 evils for your next redemption?

Some favorite AAdvantage partner sweet spots

British Airways Airbus A380 business class center
While 57,500 miles can be appealing, AAdvantage often charges over $750 in taxes and fees for a one-way business-class flight on British Airways. KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Some of our favorite uses of AAdvantage miles include:

  • Book Japan Airlines first class from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) for only 80,000 miles each way.
  • Qatar’s fantastic Qsuite product — arguably the best way to reach the Middle East on points and miles — is only 70,000 miles each way between anywhere in the U.S. and the Middle East or the Indian subcontinent. Alternatively, just 75,000 miles each way from the U.S. will get you to destinations in Africa like the Seychelles and South Africa.
  • For just 57,500 American miles one-way, you can book business-class seats to Europe from anywhere in the U.S., regardless of the distance or if you need to make a connection.
AA.COM

Related: From zero to Executive Platinum: Why and how I qualified for American's top-tier status without plans to fly the airline

Bottom line

American has some excellent partner airlines, so while the award chart remains in place for these airlines, consider booking a partner (rather than AA) for your next AAdvantage redemption. Of course, this is subject to availability, but if you're planning in advance and have some flexibility in your dates, there are some fantastic awards to book.

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
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.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.