Ever Dreamed of Flying Further with Your Hard-Earned Points? Here's How to Transfer Them to American Airlines!
Hey there, fellow travel enthusiast! Are you sitting on a pile of loyalty points from various programs and wondering how to turn them into an American Airlines adventure? You're in the right place! While American Airlines' AAdvantage program isn't as open to direct transfers from all major credit card points as some other airlines, there are still strategic ways to get your points into your AAdvantage account or, more commonly, use them to book American Airlines flights through their partners. Let's dive in and unlock those dream trips!
 |
| How Can You Transfer Points To American Airlines |
Step 1: Understand the AAdvantage Program's Unique Position
Before we start moving points around, it's crucial to grasp a fundamental truth: American Airlines AAdvantage has a limited number of direct transfer partners, especially when it comes to major transferable credit card points. Unlike some other airlines that partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, or Capital One Miles, American Airlines does not have direct transfer agreements with these popular programs for point transfers.
What does this mean for you? It means you can't simply click a button and send your Amex, Chase, or Capital One points directly to AAdvantage. However, don't despair! There are still effective strategies to indirectly leverage these points for American Airlines flights.
Step 2: Identify Your Point Sources
The first practical step is to know exactly where your points are currently residing. Are they with a hotel loyalty program? A co-branded American Airlines credit card? Or a general travel rewards credit card? This will dictate your next moves.
Sub-heading: Co-branded American Airlines Credit Cards
If you have an American Airlines co-branded credit card (like those from Citi or Barclays), you're already earning AAdvantage miles directly with your spending. No transfer needed here! Your miles automatically accumulate in your AAdvantage account. These cards are often the easiest and fastest way to accumulate a significant number of AAdvantage miles, especially through welcome bonuses.
Sub-heading: Hotel Loyalty Programs
Tip: Don’t skip the small notes — they often matter.
This is where direct transfers to AAdvantage become a possibility, albeit often with less-than-ideal transfer ratios. The two main hotel programs that allow direct transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage are:
Marriott Bonvoy: Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to AAdvantage miles. The standard transfer ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 AAdvantage mile. However, unlike many other airline partners, Marriott Bonvoy does NOT offer a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 points to American Airlines. This makes the value proposition generally poor unless you have a specific, urgent need for AAdvantage miles and no other options.
World of Hyatt: World of Hyatt points can also be transferred to AAdvantage miles, typically at a ratio of 2.5 World of Hyatt points to 1 AAdvantage mile. Again, this isn't the most optimal use of valuable Hyatt points, which often yield higher value for hotel stays.
Sub-heading: General Travel Rewards Credit Cards (American Express, Chase, Capital One, Citi ThankYou)
As mentioned, these programs do not directly transfer to American Airlines. This is a critical point to understand to avoid frustration! However, you can still book American Airlines flights using these points, but it's typically done in one of two ways:
Booking through the credit card's travel portal: You can use your points as currency to book American Airlines flights directly through your credit card issuer's travel portal (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, Amex Travel, Capital One Travel). The value you get per point will be fixed (e.g., 1 cent per point, or sometimes more with premium cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve).
Transferring to an American Airlines partner airline: This is often the most strategic and valuable approach for booking American Airlines flights with transferable points. American Airlines is a member of the oneworld alliance, and they also have various individual airline partners. By transferring your transferable points to one of these partners, you can often then book American Airlines flights using that partner's miles.
Step 3: Direct Transfer from Hotel Programs (If Applicable)
If you've decided that transferring from a hotel loyalty program is your best bet, here's the general step-by-step process:
Log in to Your Hotel Loyalty Account: Go to the website of your chosen hotel program (Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt).
Navigate to the "Transfer Points" or "Redeem Points" Section: Look for options related to converting points to airline miles.
Select American Airlines AAdvantage: From the list of airline partners, choose American Airlines AAdvantage.
Enter Your AAdvantage Account Number: Carefully input your American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program number. Double-check for accuracy!
Specify the Amount of Points to Transfer: Be mindful of the minimum transfer requirements and the transfer ratio.
Confirm the Transfer: Review all details before finalizing. Transfers are generally irreversible.
Wait for the Transfer to Process: Transfer times can vary. Marriott Bonvoy transfers typically take a few business days, while Hyatt transfers can also take a similar timeframe. It's rarely instant.
Pro-Tip: Only transfer points if you have a specific American Airlines award flight in mind that you've already found and confirmed availability for. Given the often poor transfer ratios, speculative transfers are usually not recommended.
Step 4: Strategic Transfers via American Airlines Partner Airlines (for Credit Card Points)
This is where you can get creative and extract significant value from your transferable credit card points to fly American Airlines. The key is to leverage the oneworld alliance and other bilateral partnerships.
Sub-heading: Identify Key oneworld and Partner Airlines
Several airlines partner with American Airlines and are direct transfer partners of major credit card programs. Here are some of the most popular and useful ones:
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
British Airways Executive Club (Avios): A popular choice. American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards all transfer to British Airways Avios, often at a 1:1 ratio. You can then use Avios to book American Airlines flights.
Iberia Plus (Avios): Another Avios program, also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Bilt Rewards. Sometimes offers different award pricing than British Airways, making it worth checking both.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios): Qatar Airways is also part of the Avios family and a oneworld member. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Capital One Miles to Qatar Airways Avios.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: A oneworld alliance member. American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One Miles transfer to Qantas.
Etihad Guest: While not a oneworld member, Etihad has a partnership with American Airlines. American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Points, and Marriott Bonvoy points can be transferred to Etihad Guest. However, booking American Airlines flights via Etihad Guest can be complex and award availability might be limited.
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: A oneworld alliance member. While Alaska Airlines itself isn't a direct transfer partner of most major credit card programs (except Bilt Rewards), it's an important program because it partners with American Airlines. If you earn Alaska Miles through other means (like their co-branded credit cards), you can use them for American Airlines flights.
Sub-heading: The Step-by-Step Process for Partner Transfers
Find American Airlines Award Availability: This is the most crucial step. Before you transfer any points, you MUST confirm that the American Airlines flight you want to book has award availability on the partner airline's website. For example, if you want to fly American Airlines using British Airways Avios, go to the British Airways website and search for your desired American Airlines flight as an award booking. If it doesn't show up there, you cannot book it with Avios.
Tools like British Airways' "Book with Avios" search or Qantas' award search are invaluable for this.
Determine the Required Miles/Points: Note down the number of miles/points the partner airline requires for the American Airlines flight.
Log in to Your Credit Card Rewards Portal: Access your American Express, Chase, Capital One, or Citi ThankYou account.
Initiate the Transfer to the Partner Airline: Select the partner airline (e.g., British Airways Executive Club) and enter your frequent flyer number for that program.
Specify the Amount to Transfer: Input the exact number of points required, keeping in mind the transfer ratio (usually 1:1, but always double-check).
Confirm the Transfer: Verify all details. Once points are transferred to an airline program, they generally cannot be transferred back.
Wait for Points to Post: Transfer times vary by program. Some are nearly instant (e.g., Chase to British Airways), while others can take a few hours or even a day or two.
Book Your American Airlines Flight with Partner Miles: Once the points are in your partner airline account, immediately log in to that airline's website and book your American Airlines award flight. Act quickly, as award availability can disappear.
Step 5: Consider Buying American Airlines Miles (Last Resort)
American Airlines does allow you to directly purchase AAdvantage miles. However, this is almost always not a good value. The cost per mile is typically very high, making it prohibitively expensive compared to earning miles through flying, credit card spending, or even strategic partner transfers. This option should only be considered in rare, desperate circumstances where you're just a few thousand miles short of an award and need them instantly.
Step 6: Earn More American Airlines Miles Directly
While transferring points can be useful, remember that the most straightforward ways to accumulate AAdvantage miles are:
Flying American Airlines and their partners: You earn miles based on the ticket price (for American Airlines flights) or distance and fare class (for partner flights).
Using American Airlines co-branded credit cards: These cards offer bonus miles for everyday spending and often substantial welcome bonuses.
Shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping portal: Earn miles for online purchases at hundreds of retailers.
Dining through AAdvantage Dining: Link your credit card and earn miles when you dine at participating restaurants.
Booking hotel stays and car rentals with American Airlines partners: Many hotel chains and car rental companies allow you to earn AAdvantage miles.
By understanding these strategies and planning carefully, you can effectively leverage your various loyalty points to enjoy flights on American Airlines!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to Transfer Points from Marriott Bonvoy to American Airlines?
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 3:1 ratio by logging into your Marriott Bonvoy account, navigating to "Redeem Points," and selecting "Transfer Points to Airlines."
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
How to Transfer Points from World of Hyatt to American Airlines?
World of Hyatt points can be converted to American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a 2.5:1 ratio by logging into your World of Hyatt account and finding the option to transfer points to airline partners.
How to Use American Express Membership Rewards to Book American Airlines Flights?
You cannot directly transfer American Express Membership Rewards to American Airlines. Instead, transfer them to oneworld partners like British Airways, Iberia, or Qantas, and then use those partner miles to book American Airlines flights. Alternatively, use Amex Travel to book flights directly with points.
How to Use Chase Ultimate Rewards to Book American Airlines Flights?
Chase Ultimate Rewards do not transfer directly to American Airlines. You can transfer them to oneworld partners such as British Airways, Iberia, or Qatar Airways, and then book American Airlines flights through those programs. Or, book American Airlines flights via the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal.
How to Use Capital One Miles to Book American Airlines Flights?
Capital One Miles cannot be directly transferred to American Airlines. Transfer them to oneworld partners like British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, or Qatar Airways, and then use the partner's miles to book American Airlines flights. You can also redeem them as a statement credit for travel purchases.
How to Check American Airlines Award Availability on Partner Airlines?
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
To check American Airlines award availability through a partner, visit the partner airline's website (e.g., British Airways, Qantas, Qatar Airways) and perform an award search for the desired American Airlines flight.
How to Avoid Fees When Transferring Points to American Airlines?
Direct transfers from hotel programs to American Airlines usually don't have separate transfer fees, but the poor conversion ratio acts as a "fee." When booking American Airlines flights through partner airlines, you're paying with the partner's miles, avoiding direct American Airlines transfer fees.
How to Transfer American Airlines Miles to Another Person?
American Airlines allows members to transfer AAdvantage miles to another AAdvantage account, but it incurs a fee per mile transferred plus a processing fee. It's generally more cost-effective to book a flight for someone else directly from your own AAdvantage account using your miles.
How to Earn Loyalty Points for American Airlines Status?
You earn Loyalty Points by earning eligible AAdvantage miles through flying American Airlines or partners, using American Airlines co-branded credit cards for purchases, shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping portal, dining with AAdvantage Dining, and engaging with other AAdvantage partners.
How to Keep American Airlines Miles from Expiring?
American Airlines miles expire if there's no qualifying activity on your AAdvantage account for 24 months. To keep them active, you can fly on American or a partner, use an AAdvantage credit card, shop through the eShopping portal, dine through AAdvantage Dining, or earn miles with other partners.
 |
