How Do You Earn Miles On American Airlines?

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Chief Editor of - Elite Fly USA

American Airlines is a popular airline that offers a variety of rewards programs for frequent flyers. One of the most sought-after rewards is earning miles, which can be redeemed for free flights or other benefits. So, how exactly can you earn miles on American Airlines? In this article, we’ll explore the different ways you can accumulate miles and make the most of your travels with American Airlines. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a newcomer to the world of rewards programs, you’ll find plenty of useful tips and tricks to help you earn more miles and enjoy your flights to the fullest.

How Do You Earn Miles on American Airlines?

How Do You Earn Miles on American Airlines?

American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and it offers a loyalty program called AAdvantage that allows frequent flyers to earn miles that can be redeemed for various rewards. These miles can be earned in many ways, from flying on American Airlines flights to using credit cards or booking hotels and rental cars through their partners. Here’s how you can earn miles on American Airlines.

Earn Miles by Flying on American Airlines

When you fly on American Airlines, you’ll earn miles based on the distance you travel and the fare you paid for your ticket. The more expensive your ticket, the more miles you’ll earn. American Airlines has a tiered system where you can earn more miles if you’re a higher status member of their AAdvantage program. Here’s how the earning system works:

  • Basic Members: earn 5 miles per dollar spent on the base fare of the ticket
  • Gold Members: earn 7 miles per dollar spent on the base fare of the ticket
  • Platinum Members: earn 8 miles per dollar spent on the base fare of the ticket
  • Executive Platinum Members: earn 11 miles per dollar spent on the base fare of the ticket
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In addition to earning miles for the base fare, you’ll also earn bonus miles based on your elite status. Gold members earn a 40% bonus, Platinum members earn a 60% bonus, and Executive Platinum members earn a 120% bonus.

Earn Miles with American Airlines Credit Cards

Another way to earn miles on American Airlines is by using one of their credit cards. They offer several card options, including personal and business cards, that allow you to earn miles on every purchase you make. Here’s a breakdown of the current offers:

Card Bonus Offer Annual Fee
AAdvantage MileUp Card 10,000 miles + $50 statement credit after spending $500 in the first 3 months $0
AAdvantage Platinum Select Card 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months $99 (waived for the first year)
AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months $450

Earn Miles with American Airlines Partners

American Airlines has many partners that allow you to earn miles when you use their services. This includes hotels, rental car companies, and other airlines. Here are some of their current partners:

  • Hotels: Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, and many more
  • Rental Cars: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Alamo, and more
  • Other Airlines: British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, and many more

When you use these partners, you’ll earn miles based on the amount you spend with them. The earning rate varies by partner, so be sure to check the AAdvantage website for the most up-to-date information.

Benefits of Earning American Airlines Miles

Earning American Airlines miles can provide many benefits, including:

  • Free flights: You can redeem your miles for free flights on American Airlines or their partners.
  • Upgrades: You can use your miles to upgrade your seat to a higher class of service on American Airlines.
  • Hotel stays: You can use your miles to book hotel stays with American Airlines partners.
  • Car rentals: You can use your miles to book car rentals with American Airlines partners.

American Airlines Miles vs. Other Airlines

When it comes to earning miles on airlines, there are many options available. Here’s how American Airlines miles compare to some of their competitors:

  • Delta SkyMiles: Delta offers a similar program to American Airlines, but their earning rates vary slightly. They also have different partners, so it’s worth comparing both programs to see which one offers the most benefits for you.
  • United MileagePlus: United’s program is also similar to American Airlines, but they offer different earning rates and partners. Again, it’s worth comparing both programs to see which one works best for you.
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards: Southwest’s program is unique in that they don’t use a traditional mileage-based system. Instead, they use a point-based system where each point is worth a set amount of money. This can be beneficial for those who want more flexibility in how they redeem their rewards.
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Conclusion

Overall, earning miles on American Airlines can be a great way to save money on travel and earn rewards for your loyalty. Whether you’re earning miles by flying on American Airlines, using their credit cards, or booking with their partners, there are many ways to earn and redeem miles for various benefits. Be sure to check the AAdvantage website regularly for the most up-to-date information on earning and redeeming miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find below some frequently asked questions about earning miles on American Airlines.

What is the American Airlines AAdvantage Program?

The American Airlines AAdvantage Program is a loyalty program that rewards frequent flyers with miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related perks. Members earn miles by flying with American Airlines and its partner airlines, as well as by making purchases with the program’s co-branded credit cards.

To become a member, you can sign up online for free. Once you’re a member, you can start earning miles immediately on eligible flights and purchases.

How do you earn miles on American Airlines flights?

To earn miles on American Airlines flights, you’ll need to provide your AAdvantage number when you book your ticket or at check-in. The number can also be added to your reservation after booking by logging in to your account online or contacting American Airlines customer service.

The number of miles you earn depends on the distance flown, the fare class of your ticket, and your AAdvantage status. Members of higher status tiers earn more miles per dollar spent on tickets, as well as other benefits such as priority boarding and lounge access.

What are the other ways to earn miles on American Airlines?

In addition to flying with American Airlines and its partner airlines, you can earn miles by making purchases with the program’s co-branded credit cards. These cards offer bonus miles for spending in certain categories, as well as other benefits such as free checked bags and priority boarding.

You can also earn miles through the program’s shopping, dining, and car rental partners, as well as by booking hotels through the American Airlines website or using the program’s vacation packages.

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How do you redeem American Airlines miles?

To redeem American Airlines miles, you can book award flights directly on the airline’s website or by calling customer service. Award flights are subject to availability, and the number of miles required depends on the route, cabin class, and availability.

You can also use miles to upgrade your ticket to a higher cabin class, book hotel stays, and rent cars through the program’s partners. Additionally, you can donate miles to various charities through the Miles for Social Good program.

Do American Airlines miles expire?

Yes, American Airlines miles expire if there is no activity in your account for 18 months. To keep your miles from expiring, you can earn or redeem miles, or make a purchase with one of the program’s partners. You can also buy or gift miles, which will reset the expiration date for all the miles in your account.

Additionally, if you have elite status with the AAdvantage program, your miles may not expire as long as you maintain your status.

How To Earn American Airlines Miles!


In conclusion, earning miles on American Airlines can be a great way to save money on future flights. By signing up for the AAdvantage program, you’ll be able to earn miles through a variety of methods, from booking flights to shopping online. Plus, with the ability to redeem your miles on flights, upgrades, and even hotel stays, you’ll be able to stretch your travel budget even further.

One of the easiest ways to earn miles is by booking flights directly with American Airlines or their partner airlines. You can also earn miles by using an American Airlines credit card, shopping or dining with their partners, or even renting a car. These miles can add up quickly and can be used to redeem free flights or upgrades on future trips.

Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that earning miles on American Airlines requires some planning and effort. By being strategic about your spending and travel habits, you can maximize your earning potential and enjoy the perks of being a loyal AAdvantage member. So start earning those miles and get ready to take your next trip in style!

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