How Do You Get Loyalty Points On American Airlines?

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American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, with a vast network of destinations and a loyal customer base. One of the ways that American Airlines rewards its frequent flyers is through their loyalty program, AAdvantage.

By earning loyalty points, known as miles, AAdvantage members can redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other perks. But how exactly do you earn these points, and what are the best ways to maximize your rewards? Let’s dive into the details of how to get loyalty points on American Airlines.

How Do You Get Loyalty Points on American Airlines?

How Do You Get Loyalty Points on American Airlines?

If you are a frequent flyer of American Airlines, you might want to know how to earn loyalty points that can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and other rewards. American Airlines offers several ways to earn loyalty points that can help you save money on your future travels. In this article, we will discuss how to get loyalty points on American Airlines and how to make the most out of your rewards.

Earn Points by Flying with American Airlines

The most obvious way to earn loyalty points on American Airlines is by flying with them. You will earn points based on the distance you fly, the class of service you choose, and your elite status. American Airlines has a tiered loyalty program called AAdvantage, which has four levels – Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum. The higher your status, the more points you can earn per mile flown.

When you book a flight with American Airlines, make sure to enter your AAdvantage membership number to earn points. You can also earn bonus points by booking a flight with American Airlines co-branded credit card, such as Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard or AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard.

Bonus Tip:

If you are planning to fly with American Airlines, check if there are any promotions or bonus offers that can help you earn extra points. American Airlines often runs promotions where you can earn double or triple points for qualifying flights.

Shop with American Airlines Partners

Another way to earn loyalty points on American Airlines is by shopping with their partners. American Airlines has partnered with various brands and retailers, such as hotels, car rental companies, and online shopping portals. You can earn points by booking a hotel stay, renting a car, or shopping online through American Airlines’ shopping portal.

To earn points, make sure to enter your AAdvantage membership number when you book a hotel or rent a car. For online shopping, go to American Airlines’ shopping portal and click on the retailer you want to shop with. You will be redirected to the retailer’s website, and any purchase you make will earn you points.

Bonus Tip:

American Airlines’ shopping portal often runs promotions where you can earn bonus points for shopping with certain retailers. Check the portal regularly to see if there are any offers that can help you earn extra points.

Use American Airlines Co-branded Credit Cards

American Airlines co-branded credit cards are a great way to earn loyalty points on everyday purchases. These cards offer bonus points for spending on American Airlines flights, hotels, car rentals, and other purchases. You can also earn a sign-up bonus when you apply for a new card and meet the minimum spending requirement.

There are several American Airlines co-branded credit cards to choose from, each with its own benefits and rewards. Some of the popular ones are Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, and AAdvantage MileUp Card.

Bonus Tip:

Choose a credit card that suits your spending habits and travel needs. Some cards offer perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access, which can make your travel experience more comfortable.

Transfer Points from Other Loyalty Programs

If you have loyalty points with other airlines or hotel programs, you can transfer them to American Airlines’ AAdvantage program. American Airlines has partnerships with several loyalty programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, and InterContinental Hotels Group.

To transfer points, log in to your AAdvantage account and go to the “Buy, Share or Transfer Miles” section. Select the loyalty program you want to transfer points from and follow the instructions. The transfer ratio and fees may vary depending on the program.

Bonus Tip:

Transferring points can be a good option if you want to top up your AAdvantage account for a specific reward. However, keep in mind that transferring points may not always offer the best value for your points.

Redeem Your Loyalty Points for Rewards

Once you have earned enough loyalty points on American Airlines, you can redeem them for rewards such as free flights, upgrades, and hotel stays. American Airlines has a flexible redemption policy that allows you to use your points for any available seat on any American Airlines flight.

To redeem your points, log in to your AAdvantage account and search for flights or other rewards you want to book. You can also call American Airlines’ reservations department to book rewards over the phone.

Bonus Tip:

American Airlines offers reduced mileage awards, which allow you to book flights at a lower redemption rate to certain destinations. Check the reduced mileage award chart on American Airlines’ website to see if your destination is eligible.

Benefits of American Airlines Loyalty Program

American Airlines’ loyalty program offers several benefits to its members. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:


  • Priority boarding

  • Free checked bags

  • Lounge access

  • Waived fees for award bookings and changes

  • Complimentary upgrades

  • Exclusive member-only offers and promotions

American Airlines Loyalty Program Vs Other Airlines’ Programs

American Airlines’ loyalty program is not the only one in the market. Other airlines, such as Delta and United, offer their own loyalty programs with their own set of benefits and rewards. Here are some of the differences between American Airlines’ loyalty program and other airlines’ programs:


  • American Airlines offers a more flexible redemption policy, allowing members to redeem their points for any available seat on any American Airlines flight.

  • Delta offers more options for earning and redeeming points, including through its SkyMiles Dining program and with partner airlines such as Air France and KLM.

  • United offers more elite status levels, including a top-tier level called Premier 1K, which offers more benefits such as additional upgrades and lounge access.

In conclusion, earning loyalty points on American Airlines can be a great way to save money on your future travels. By flying with American Airlines, shopping with their partners, using co-branded credit cards, transferring points, and redeeming rewards, you can maximize your points and enjoy exclusive benefits. Make sure to choose a loyalty program that suits your needs and travel habits, and always check for promotions and bonus offers that can help you earn extra points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about how to earn loyalty points on American Airlines:

What are American Airlines loyalty points?

American Airlines loyalty points are a type of reward that you can earn for flying with American Airlines or its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or participating in other promotions or activities. These points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.

To earn American Airlines loyalty points, you must first sign up for the American Airlines AAdvantage program, which is free to join. Once you have an account, you can start earning points by flying with American Airlines or its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or participating in other eligible activities.

How many loyalty points can you earn on American Airlines?

The number of loyalty points you can earn on American Airlines varies depending on the type of activity and the fare class of your ticket. For example, you can earn between 5 and 11 points per dollar spent on American Airlines flights, depending on your AAdvantage status and the fare class of your ticket. You can also earn points for flying with American Airlines partners, using an American Airlines credit card, and participating in other promotions and activities.

To maximize your loyalty point earnings on American Airlines, it’s a good idea to sign up for the AAdvantage program, choose flights and fare classes that offer the most points, and take advantage of other opportunities to earn points.

What is the American Airlines credit card, and how can it help you earn loyalty points?

The American Airlines credit card is a credit card that is issued by CitiBank and is designed to help you earn American Airlines loyalty points more quickly. With the card, you can earn points on all of your purchases, not just those made with American Airlines. Additionally, you can earn bonus points for signing up, spending a certain amount within the first few months, and other activities.

If you are a frequent traveler with American Airlines, the American Airlines credit card can be a great way to earn loyalty points faster and enjoy additional benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and lounge access.

What are some other ways to earn loyalty points on American Airlines?

In addition to flying with American Airlines and using the American Airlines credit card, there are many other ways to earn loyalty points on American Airlines. For example, you can earn points by booking hotels, renting cars, shopping online, dining at participating restaurants, and more.

Some of the best ways to earn loyalty points on American Airlines include signing up for the AAdvantage eShopping mall, which lets you earn points for shopping at your favorite online retailers, and using the AAdvantage dining program, which lets you earn points for dining at participating restaurants.

How can you redeem loyalty points on American Airlines?

Redeeming loyalty points on American Airlines is easy. Once you have enough points in your AAdvantage account, you can use them to book flights, upgrade your seat, book hotels and car rentals, and more. To redeem your points, simply log in to your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website, select the reward you want, and follow the instructions to complete your redemption.

Keep in mind that the number of points required for each reward varies depending on the destination, class of service, and other factors. Additionally, some rewards may be subject to availability, so it’s a good idea to book as early as possible to ensure that you can get the reward you want.

Why I’m not a fan of American Airlines’ new Loyalty Points program


In conclusion, earning loyalty points on American Airlines is a great way to save money on your next flight. There are a variety of ways to earn points, including flying with American Airlines or their partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or shopping with their online partners. With the ability to earn and redeem points for flights, upgrades, and more, it’s easy to see why loyalty programs are so popular among frequent travelers.

If you’re looking to maximize your earning potential, consider joining American Airlines’ elite status program. This program offers additional benefits and perks, such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airport lounges. By consistently flying with American Airlines and their partners, you can qualify for higher status levels and unlock even more rewards.

Finally, it’s important to remember that loyalty programs require patience and dedication. It may take some time to earn enough points for a free flight or upgrade, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By staying loyal to American Airlines and taking advantage of their various earning opportunities, you can save money and make your travel experience even more enjoyable.

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