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| 80,000 miles go a long way |
| by Colin Hogan, Senior Editor |
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At TPG, we’re always highlighting the value you can get from various rewards currencies.
But the one I continue to focus on for my own travels is actually one of the original travel rewards currencies: American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
(And, pro tip: Right now there’s a really easy way to earn 80,000 of these miles, plus some great perks, which I’ll cover below.)
AAdvantage miles are my go-to because, unlike rival airline programs, you get some of the best domestic redemption rates and incredible partner deals — all in one currency.
There are so many great ways you can use these miles compared to those other airline programs, like:- Lower international redemption rates: You can find lie-flat business-class seats to Europe starting at 57,500 AAdvantage miles — compared to 80,000 United MileagePlus miles or 145,000 Delta SkyMiles.
- Cheap domestic award rates: You can get short-haul economy seats for as little as 7,500 AAdvantage miles each way, meaning those 80,000 miles I mentioned could yield up to 10 domestic flights.
- A superior alliance: Since American is a Oneworld alliance member, AAdvantage miles can get you some of the lowest award rates on partner airlines whose business- and first-class products are truly the cream of the crop. I mean, just look at Japan Airlines’ incredible new A350 first class — which deal-hunters can score for exactly 80,000 AAdvantage miles one-way between the U.S. and Japan.
Now, if those advantages (pun intended) caught your attention, here’s something else to consider. Whether you’re already a casual American flyer or looking to get started in the program, now is a perfect opportunity to get the airline’s low-fee credit card.
For a limited time, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is letting new cardholders earn 80,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after spending $3,500 on purchases in the first four months from account opening.
This card carries only a $95 annual fee — that, believe it or not, is waived for the first year — and those bonus miles alone are worth $1,160, per our October 2026 valuations. That’s more than 11x the annual fee (which, again, you’re not even getting charged the first year)!
Plus, you get valuable perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag on domestic American itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation. Just think: at $50 per bag, a family would save hundreds of dollars on a single trip.
If you want to really experience the magic of this loyalty program, trust me, this 80,000-mile bonus is the perfect place to start. Check it out.
Want to know more? Check out these resources:
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| Photo Credit: ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY. |
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