Ready to Unlock Free Flights? Your Ultimate Guide to Using Avios on American Airlines!
Ever wondered how to turn those hard-earned Avios into exciting American Airlines adventures? You're in the right place! While American Airlines has its own AAdvantage program, the oneworld alliance partnership with British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and others means your Avios can indeed open doors to American Airlines flights. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you maximize your rewards and embark on your next journey.
Step 1: Understanding the Avios Ecosystem – Where Do Your Avios Live?
Before we dive into booking, it's crucial to understand what Avios are and where they reside. Avios is the loyalty currency for several airlines within the International Airlines Group (IAG) and other partners. These primarily include:
British Airways Executive Club: This is arguably the most common platform for Avios collection and redemption, especially for those based in the UK or with frequent transatlantic travel.
Iberia Plus: Iberia, based in Spain, also uses Avios. Their redemption rates can sometimes be very competitive, especially for flights between the US and Europe.
Aer Lingus AerClub: The Irish flag carrier also uses Avios, and they can offer excellent value for flights to and from Ireland.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Another oneworld alliance member, Qatar Airways, also uses Avios as their loyalty currency, and accounts can be linked.
Finnair Plus: As of March 2024, Finnair has also adopted Avios.
American Airlines itself uses AAdvantage Miles, not Avios. You cannot directly transfer Avios into your AAdvantage account. Instead, you'll be using your Avios to book American Airlines flights through one of the Avios-earning programs, primarily British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus, due to their strong oneworld ties.
Are you already a member of one of these programs? If so, fantastic! If not, your first step is to choose one and sign up. For most people looking to redeem on American Airlines, the British Airways Executive Club is a solid choice due to its user-friendly interface and robust search functionality for partner awards.
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| How Do I Use Avios On American Airlines |
Step 2: Accumulating Avios – Building Your Flight Fund
If you don't have enough Avios yet, don't worry! There are numerous ways to accumulate them:
2.1 Flying with Partner Airlines
British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Qatar Airways, Finnair: Flying with these airlines will naturally earn you Avios.
oneworld Alliance Partners: Since American Airlines is a oneworld alliance member, flying with any oneworld airline (like Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Japan Airlines, etc.) can often earn you Avios when you credit the flight to your British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, or other Avios-earning account. Always double-check the fare class eligibility before flying!
2.2 Credit Card Transfers
This is often the fastest and most lucrative way to earn a substantial amount of Avios. Many flexible travel rewards credit cards allow you to transfer their points to Avios-earning programs. Popular transfer partners include:
American Express Membership Rewards: Transfers to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub.
Chase Ultimate Rewards®: Transfers to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub.
Bilt Rewards: Transfers to British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub.
Marriott Bonvoy: You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Avios programs, often with a bonus when transferring in larger increments.
2.3 Other Earning Opportunities
Tip: Break long posts into short reading sessions.
Hotel Stays: Book hotels through Avios partners or transfer points from hotel loyalty programs.
Car Rentals: Rent cars with partner companies like Avis and Budget.
Online Shopping Portals: Many Avios programs have online shopping portals where you earn Avios for purchases at various retailers.
Avios eStore: Shop directly through the Avios eStore.
Step 3: Finding American Airlines Award Availability – The Hunt for Your Seat
This is where the real work begins. American Airlines doesn't publish a fixed award chart for partner redemptions on its own website. Instead, you'll need to search for availability through the Avios-earning program you intend to use.
3.1 Using British Airways Executive Club for Search (Recommended)
The British Airways website is generally the easiest and most reliable tool for finding oneworld partner award availability, including American Airlines flights.
Log in: Go to
ba.comand log in to your British Airways Executive Club account.Navigate to "Book with Avios": Look for a section related to "Spending Avios" or "Book a Reward Flight."
Enter Flight Details: Input your desired origin, destination, dates, and number of passengers. Crucially, select "Reward Flight" or "Pay with Avios."
Search for Flights: The search results will display available flights. If American Airlines flights are available for Avios redemption, they will appear alongside British Airways flights.
Tip: Be flexible with your dates if possible. Award availability can be limited, especially in premium cabins and during peak seasons.
Pay attention to connections: While you can book connecting flights, sometimes searching segment by segment (e.g., your city to a major AA hub, then the hub to your final destination) might reveal more options.
3.2 Using Iberia Plus for Search (Alternative)
While British Airways is often preferred for searching, Iberia Plus can sometimes offer lower Avios redemption rates for certain American Airlines routes, particularly those involving Iberia's hubs in Madrid.
Log in: Go to
iberia.comand log in to your Iberia Plus account.Select "Book a flight with Avios": Similar to BA, find the option to book with Avios.
Enter Search Criteria: Input your flight details.
Browse Options: See what American Airlines flights (if any) are available.
3.3 What to Look For:
Direct Flights vs. Connecting Flights: Direct flights are often preferred, but connecting flights on American Airlines or a mix of AA and other oneworld partners may be an option.
Cabin Class: Availability varies significantly by cabin class. Economy is usually the easiest to find, followed by Business, and then First.
Taxes, Fees, and Carrier Surcharges: While you're using Avios for the flight, you'll still be responsible for taxes, fees, and potentially carrier-imposed surcharges. These can vary significantly depending on the origin and destination, and which Avios program you're using. Flights departing from the UK often have higher taxes.
Step 4: Transferring Avios (if necessary) – Consolidating Your Points
If your Avios are spread across different Avios-earning programs (e.g., some in British Airways Executive Club, some in Iberia Plus), you might want to combine them into one account before booking. This is possible through the "Combine My Avios" feature on the British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, or Avios.com websites.
4.1 How to Combine Your Avios:
QuickTip: Stop scrolling, read carefully here.
Ensure Account Information Matches: Your first name, last name, and date of birth must be identical across all accounts you wish to link.
Access "Combine My Avios": This feature is typically found within your account dashboard on
ba.com,iberia.com, or directly onavios.com.Select Accounts and Transfer Amount: Choose the accounts you want to transfer Avios between and specify the amount.
Confirm Transfer: The Avios will usually transfer instantly.
Why combine? Sometimes, a specific program (like Iberia Plus) might have better redemption rates for a particular route, or you might need to pool points to reach the required amount for your desired American Airlines flight.
Step 5: Booking Your American Airlines Flight with Avios – The Final Step!
Once you've found your desired American Airlines flight with Avios availability, it's time to book.
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5.1 Booking Online (Preferred for British Airways)
For most American Airlines redemptions through British Airways Executive Club, you can complete the booking directly online.
Proceed to Booking: After selecting your flight, follow the prompts to confirm your details.
Review Avios and Cash Amounts: The system will display the total Avios required and the applicable taxes, fees, and carrier surcharges.
Enter Passenger Details: Provide all necessary passenger information.
Payment: Pay the cash portion using a credit card.
Confirmation: You'll receive a booking confirmation email with your American Airlines (AA) record locator. Make sure to note down both the British Airways and American Airlines record locators.
5.2 Booking by Phone (Sometimes Necessary)
In some cases, especially for complex itineraries or if you encounter issues online, you might need to call British Airways or Iberia to book your American Airlines award flight.
British Airways Executive Club Contact: Find the relevant customer service number for your region on
ba.com.Iberia Plus Contact: Similarly, find the customer service number on
iberia.com.Be Prepared: Have your Avios account number, desired flight details (flight numbers, dates, times), and credit card ready. State clearly that you wish to book a oneworld partner award on American Airlines using your Avios.
Step 6: After Booking – What's Next?
Congratulations, you've booked your American Airlines flight with Avios! Here are a few things to do after your booking is confirmed:
6.1 Manage Your Booking on American Airlines
Retrieve Your Booking: Use the American Airlines (AA) record locator you received to access your booking on
aa.com.Seat Selection: You should be able to select your seats on
aa.com.Special Requests: Add any special requests, such as dietary needs or assistance.
Check Flight Status: Monitor your flight status as your travel date approaches.
Tip: Pause if your attention drifts.
6.2 Understanding Changes and Cancellations
Fees Apply: Changes and cancellations to Avios reward flights typically incur fees. These vary by the Avios program you used (e.g., British Airways Executive Club often charges a cancellation fee).
Online vs. Phone: You may be able to make some changes online, but others might require a phone call to the airline through which you booked (British Airways or Iberia).
Airline-Initiated Changes: If British Airways or American Airlines cancels your flight, you are generally entitled to a free change or a full refund.
Step 7: Maximizing Value – Tips for Savvy Avios Users
Short-Haul Sweet Spots: Avios are renowned for their excellent value on short-haul flights. While American Airlines doesn't have a direct Avios chart, look for domestic or regional AA flights that fit within the British Airways distance-based award chart sweet spots.
Avoiding High Surcharges: Be mindful of carrier-imposed surcharges. Flights departing from the UK often have higher surcharges. Consider positioning yourself to a lower-tax European airport (like Dublin or Amsterdam) if possible, or focusing on routes where surcharges are minimal.
Off-Peak vs. Peak: British Airways and Iberia have peak and off-peak calendars that affect Avios redemption rates. Flying during off-peak periods can significantly reduce the Avios required.
Mix of Avios and Cash: Many Avios programs allow you to use a combination of Avios and cash. This can be a good option if you're slightly short on Avios or want to conserve them.
One-Way Bookings: Sometimes booking two one-way flights instead of a round trip can offer more flexibility or better availability.
Be Flexible: Flexibility with your travel dates and even your exact destination can unlock better Avios redemption opportunities.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check Avios balance?
You can check your Avios balance by logging into your British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, or Finnair Plus account online. The balance is typically displayed prominently on your dashboard.
How to transfer Avios between accounts?
You can transfer Avios between British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and Finnair Plus accounts using the "Combine My Avios" feature, usually found on Avios.com or within your airline loyalty program's website, provided your personal details match across accounts.
How to find Avios reward flight availability?
The best way to find Avios reward flight availability on American Airlines (or any oneworld partner) is by using the "Book a Reward Flight" or "Pay with Avios" search tool on the British Airways Executive Club website (ba.com).
How to avoid high taxes and fees when using Avios?
QuickTip: Slow scrolling helps comprehension.
To minimize taxes and fees, consider routes that don't originate in the UK, as UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) is high. Also, be aware that some partner airlines impose higher carrier surcharges than others; research specific routes.
How to upgrade American Airlines flights with Avios?
Generally, you cannot directly upgrade an American Airlines cash ticket with Avios. Upgrades using Avios are usually only available on British Airways and Iberia flights, and on certain fare classes. You would need to book a full Avios reward flight on American Airlines.
How to earn more Avios quickly?
The fastest ways to earn a large number of Avios are through credit card sign-up bonuses and transferring points from flexible travel rewards programs like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards®, or Bilt Rewards.
How to cancel an American Airlines flight booked with Avios?
To cancel an American Airlines flight booked with Avios, you typically need to contact the airline through which you made the booking (e.g., British Airways Executive Club customer service). Be aware that cancellation fees usually apply.
How to change an American Airlines flight booked with Avios?
Changes to an American Airlines flight booked with Avios are usually handled by the airline through which you booked (e.g., British Airways). Fees may apply, and changes are subject to availability on the new desired flight.
How to know how many Avios are needed for a specific American Airlines flight?
The number of Avios required for an American Airlines flight depends on the distance flown, the cabin class, and whether the travel dates are peak or off-peak, according to the British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus distance-based award charts. You'll see the exact amount when you search for award availability.
How to get assistance if my Avios booking has issues?
For issues with an Avios booking on American Airlines, you should contact the customer service of the Avios program you used to book (e.g., British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus). They will have access to your booking details and can assist.
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