Do you dream of jet-setting across the United States, or perhaps even venturing further afield, all while making your hard-earned loyalty points work for you? If you've been collecting Avios, the loyalty currency of airlines like British Airways and Iberia, you might be surprised to learn that you can indeed use them to fly on American Airlines! This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, to unlock the value of your Avios for American Airlines flights.
Ready to embark on your Avios redemption journey? Let's get started!
You might be thinking, "But Avios aren't American Airlines miles, how does that even work?" That's a great question, and the answer lies in the oneworld alliance. Both British Airways (which uses Avios) and American Airlines are proud members of the oneworld alliance, a global network of airlines that allows for reciprocal earning and redemption of points. This means your Avios, primarily managed through British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus, can be used to book flights on American Airlines, even though American Airlines has its own loyalty program, AAdvantage.
So, let's dive into the specifics!
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| How To Use Avios On American Airlines |
Step 1: Confirm Your Avios Balance and Account Access
Before you even think about searching for flights, you need to ensure you have enough Avios and easy access to your loyalty account.
Sub-heading 1.1: Which Avios Program Are You Using?
Avios is a shared currency across several airlines, primarily British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Plus, and Aer Lingus AerClub. While the process is largely similar, the website you'll use to book will depend on where your Avios are domiciled. For the purpose of booking American Airlines flights, British Airways Executive Club is often the most straightforward. If your Avios are with Iberia Plus, you can still use them, but the search interface might differ slightly.
Action: Log in to your British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus account to verify your Avios balance. Make a note of it! You'll need this information to determine what kind of flights you can book.
Sub-heading 1.2: Understanding Avios Value and Redemption Tiers
The number of Avios required for a flight isn't fixed; it varies based on several factors:
Distance: Generally, shorter flights require fewer Avios.
Cabin Class: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class all have different Avios requirements, with higher classes demanding more.
Peak vs. Off-Peak Dates: British Airways and Iberia use a calendar that designates peak and off-peak dates. Off-peak dates will require fewer Avios for the same flight.
Important Note: While American Airlines has its own redemption chart for AAdvantage miles, when you book American Airlines flights with Avios, you're subject to the Avios redemption charts of British Airways or Iberia. This is a crucial distinction! Sometimes, using Avios for American Airlines flights can even be more cost-effective than using AAdvantage miles for certain routes.
Step 2: Searching for American Airlines Award Availability
This is often the trickiest part of the process, as award availability can be limited, especially for popular routes and dates.
Tip: Revisit challenging parts.
Sub-heading 2.1: Using the British Airways Website for Searches
The British Airways website is generally the best tool for finding American Airlines award availability with Avios.
Navigate to the "Book with Avios" section: Once logged into your British Airways Executive Club account, look for the "Book with Avios" or "Spend Avios" section.
Enter your flight details:
Departure and Arrival Airports: Input your desired origin and destination for your American Airlines flight.
Dates: Be flexible with your dates if possible, as this significantly increases your chances of finding availability. Remember to consider peak and off-peak dates.
Number of Passengers: Enter the number of travelers.
Cabin Class: Select your preferred cabin class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or First).
Search for Flights: Click the search button. The system will then display available flights.
Pro Tip: If you don't see any availability on your desired dates, try searching for one-way flights or adjusting your travel dates by a few days in either direction. Sometimes, even shifting by a single day can open up a plethora of options.
Sub-heading 2.2: What to Look For in Search Results
When the results appear, you'll see a list of flights that are available for Avios redemption.
Identify American Airlines Flights: The search results will clearly indicate the operating airline. Look for flights operated by "American Airlines."
Avios Cost and Taxes/Fees: The system will show you the number of Avios required and the associated cash amount for taxes, fees, and carrier charges. These cash co-pays can sometimes be substantial, especially for flights originating in the UK due to high air passenger duty. Consider if the overall cost (Avios + cash) makes sense for you.
Cabin Availability: Pay attention to the cabin class availability. Just because a flight is available doesn't mean all cabin classes are open for Avios redemption.
Step 3: Selecting Your Flight and Confirming Details
Once you've found a suitable American Airlines flight, it's time to confirm your booking.
Sub-heading 3.1: Reviewing Flight Itinerary and Passenger Information
Double-check all details: Before proceeding, carefully review the flight times, dates, airports, and the number of Avios and cash required.
Enter passenger details: Provide the names of all passengers exactly as they appear on their passports. Any discrepancies can cause issues at check-in.
Sub-heading 3.2: Understanding Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges
As mentioned, in addition to Avios, you will need to pay cash for taxes, fees, and carrier-imposed surcharges.
Breakdown of Costs: The British Airways (or Iberia) website will provide a detailed breakdown of these charges.
Strategies to Minimize Cash Outlay:
Consider flights originating outside the UK: If you're flexible, starting your journey from another European city (e.g., Dublin, Amsterdam) can significantly reduce the cash co-pay due to lower air passenger duty.
Factor in the value of your Avios: Is the cash co-pay so high that it negates the value of using your Avios? Sometimes, a paid ticket might be a better option if the taxes are exorbitant.
Step 4: Completing the Booking with Avios
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
This is the final step where you officially use your Avios and complete the transaction.
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Sub-heading 4.1: Payment with Avios and Cash
Confirm Payment: The system will prompt you to confirm the use of your Avios and to make the cash payment for taxes and fees.
Enter Payment Information: Provide your credit or debit card details for the cash portion of the booking.
Sub-heading 4.2: Receiving Your Confirmation
Confirmation Email: After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation email from British Airways (or Iberia). This email will contain your booking reference number.
American Airlines Record Locator: It's often helpful to get the American Airlines record locator as well. Sometimes, this is provided in the confirmation email, or you may need to call British Airways Executive Club to obtain it. Having the American Airlines record locator allows you to manage your booking directly on the American Airlines website, including selecting seats (if not already done) and checking in online.
Step 5: Managing Your American Airlines Booking (Post-Redemption)
Once your Avios booking for an American Airlines flight is complete, you might need to make changes or check details.
Sub-heading 5.1: Making Changes or Cancellations
Contact the Issuing Airline: For any changes or cancellations to your American Airlines flight booked with Avios, you generally need to contact the airline through which you booked it (e.g., British Airways Executive Club). Do not contact American Airlines directly for these changes, as they won't have control over the Avios redemption.
Fees for Changes/Cancellations: Be aware that there are usually fees associated with changing or canceling Avios redemption flights. For British Airways, this is typically £35 per person, or the amount of taxes/fees paid, whichever is lower.
Refunds: If you cancel, your Avios will typically be redeposited into your account, and any cash portion (minus the cancellation fee) will be refunded to your original payment method.
Sub-heading 5.2: Selecting Seats and Other Ancillary Services
American Airlines Website: Once you have the American Airlines record locator, you can go to the American Airlines website and use their "Manage My Trip" feature. Here, you should be able to select your seats, and potentially add other ancillary services if available (though some might require extra payment).
Congratulations! You've successfully used your Avios to fly American Airlines. Enjoy your trip!
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
Here are some frequently asked questions about using Avios on American Airlines, with quick answers:
How to check if I have enough Avios for an American Airlines flight?
You can check your Avios balance by logging into your British Airways Executive Club or Iberia Plus account online.
How to find American Airlines award availability using Avios?
The best way is to use the "Book with Avios" or "Spend Avios" search tool on the British Airways website (ba.com) after logging into your Executive Club account.
How to know the difference between peak and off-peak dates for Avios redemption on American Airlines?
British Airways and Iberia publish their peak and off-peak calendars on their respective websites. These calendars dictate the Avios cost for flights.
How to minimize the cash taxes and fees when booking American Airlines with Avios?
Consider flying from airports outside the UK, especially in other European countries like Dublin or Amsterdam, as they often have lower air passenger duties.
How to get the American Airlines record locator for an Avios booking?
Often, the American Airlines record locator will be included in your confirmation email from British Airways or Iberia. If not, you can call British Airways Executive Club to request it.
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
How to change or cancel an American Airlines flight booked with Avios?
You must contact the British Airways Executive Club (or Iberia Plus) customer service, as they are the issuing airline for the Avios redemption.
How to select seats for an American Airlines flight booked with Avios?
Once you have your American Airlines record locator, you can usually go to aa.com and use their "Manage My Trip" feature to select your seats.
How to upgrade an American Airlines flight booked with Avios?
Upgrading an Avios booking is typically complex and might not be possible. It's best to book the desired cabin class directly with Avios if available.
How to earn AAdvantage miles on a flight booked with Avios on American Airlines?
Generally, flights booked with Avios (award flights) do not earn AAdvantage miles, as you're using a different loyalty currency for the redemption.
How to combine Avios from different programs (e.g., British Airways and Iberia) to book an American Airlines flight?
You can combine Avios between British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus accounts if your personal details (name, date of birth) match across both accounts. Look for the "Combine my Avios" option within your loyalty program accounts.
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