MileValue is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Note: Some of the offers mentioned below may have changed or are no longer be available. You can view current offers here.


This year I’ve written the Complete Guide to Redeeming American Airlines miles. It is spread across 14 parts. The first five parts talk generally about the rules and partners of American Airlines awards, and the last nine parts explain the partners, routes, and award space situation when redeeming American Airlines miles to a specific region.

“Redeeming American Airlines Miles” Series Index

Main Takeaways

If I could sum up the 14 parts in just a few ideas, I’d say:

  • Right now American Airlines awards are very cheap compared to United and Delta awards. United and Delta increased award prices in 2014, but American was too busy merging with US Airways. That merger is nearly finished, so expect an American Airlines devaluation soon.
  • American Airlines awards are particularly cheap in Business and First Class, and there are several partners with very luxurious premium cabins like Etihad, Malaysia, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines. Try to book those soon. American Airlines is releasing almost no Business and First Class space on its own flights, so you really need to use partners.
  • Or go the other direction and book economy awards during off peak dates to Europe, South America, Asia, Central America, and the Caribbean for huge discounts. Most of the off peak windows cover more than half the year, so there are great dates included.
  • Broadly speaking, American Airlines miles are better for East Asia, Middle East, South Asia, Latin America, Australia (economy only), and South Pacific Islands. American Airlines miles are worse for Europe, Australia (premium cabins), and Africa.
  • American Airlines miles have unique routing rules that you must understand.

For a limited time, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers 75,000 bonus American Airlines miles after spending $7,500 in the first three months. That means you’ll have 82,500 American Airlines miles after meeting the spending requirement. That’s enough miles for two roundtrips to Europe, three roundtrips to the Caribbean, or one way in Cathay Pacific First Class.

Screen Shot 2015-07-15 at 2.52.22 PM

Included in the $450 annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® offers Admirals Club lounge membership, meaning you can access over 90 American Airlines Clubs in airports around the world whenever you’re flying–even if you’re not flying on American. Plus you can bring in any two guests for free OR your spouse and all children under 18 for free on each visit.

If you found this guide to redeeming the most valuable miles in the world to be useful and want to apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard®, please use my link. The commission is what allowed me to dedicate the time to writing this series.

 

60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel℠ purchases within your first year.

Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!


Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.

The comments section below is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.