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Travelers can use American Airlines AAdvantage® miles to book a wide variety of airline partners. The reverse is also true — plenty of partner airlines let travelers book American Airlines awards.
However, not all partner programs provide the same redemption opportunities or value. As such, knowing which program to use and when to use them lets travelers maximize their points and miles. Here's a recap of the best ways to book American Airlines flights with partner airlines' points and miles.
Page Contents
- What American Airlines Awards Can Be Booked Through Partner Programs?
- Book American Awards From 4,500 Alaska Mileage Plan Miles
- Book American Awards From 9,500 Avios
- Book American Awards From 8,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points
- Book American Awards From 10,000 Cathay Miles
- Book American Awards From 6,000 Etihad Airways Guest Miles
- Final Thoughts
What American Airlines Awards Can Be Booked Through Partner Programs?
While American Airlines no longer follows a set award chart for their own flights, partner programs typically do. As long as American offers award seats on a particular flight and cabin to partners, all American Airlines partners (in theory) should have access to those seats.
Oftentimes, flights with lower-priced award prices through the AAdvantage program are an indication that a flight may be bookable through partners. However, always be sure to verify with partners that such award space exists before transferring points into that program to book an award.
Related: American Airlines Award Chart: How Many AAdvantage Miles Do AA and Partner Award Flights Cost?
Book American Awards From 4,500 Alaska Mileage Plan Miles
Alaska Airlines offers an incredible way to book American Airlines awards thanks to its membership in the Oneworld alliance. In particular, short-haul flights within the Americas stand out as excellent Mileage Plan redemption opportunities. Travelers may think, “I don't live near Alaska, why should I care about the Mileage Plan program?”
But the west coast juggernaut has relevancy to all, and booking American Airlines is Exhibit A.
The two shortest distance bands from the chart above stand out. Economy class flights under 700 miles cost just 4,500 miles! Flights up to twice as far (1,400 miles) require just 7,500 miles for economy class as well. Domestic first class for these same flights requires twice as many miles, which can still represent excellent value.
To highlight the value such redemptions provide, examine the following seasonal flight between Phoenix (PHX) and Eagle/Vail, Colorado (EGE). For the January 2026 date in this example, American charges $476 in economy class, or $592 for business class.
Instead, using 4,500 or 9,000 Alaska Mileage Plan miles for your preferred cabin delivers a value of over 10 cents per mile in economy — or 6.3 cents per mile in domestic first class. And if your plans change, you can cancel an award flight and only forfeit the $12.50 partner booking fee.
Alaska miles come in handy for other American Airlines flights, too. Consider flights to and from Europe, which use a different award chart:
Award flights from New York (JFK) to London (LHR) just barely fall under the 3,500-mile distance band threshold for lower award costs. For all cabins, prices are attractive, though the 45,000-mile business class award stands out among other booking options.
And recently, Alaska rolled out the ability to book partner awards on two (non-Alaska) Oneworld partners. This means, you can book an American flight from Philadelphia (PHL) to Dublin (DUB) and then connect on Finnair to Helsinki (HEL) for 27,500 in economy and 55,000 in business, as it falls in the 3,501-5,000 mile band.
How to earn Alaska MileagePlus miles
Bilt Rewards Points is the only flexible rewards currency that transfers 1:1 to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. That means that — in addition to signing up for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card or the Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card — The Bilt Mastercard® makes for a great way to build up a large Mileage Plan balance quickly.
- Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging stations, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases
- Earn unlimited 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
- Earn 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases
- Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, shipping and local transit (including rideshare) purchases
- Earn 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
- 3x points on dining
- 2x points on travel
- 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee (up to 100,000 points each calendar year)
- 1x points on other purchases
If you have a balance of Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles, you can transfer HawaiianMiles 1:1 to Mileage Plan as well, courtesy of the Alaska-Hawaiian merger. This makes the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® a backdoor for earning Alaska miles.
Likewise, transferring Amex Membership Rewards to Hawaiian and then to Alaska is another current option, but not one expected to last.
Book American Awards From 9,500 Avios
Notice that no particular airline proceeds with “Avios” in the section title above. That is because many airline programs use Avios as their points currency: Iberia, Finnair, Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Qatar Airways all participate in the Avios ecosystem. However, not all Avios are created equally — especially when it comes to redemptions on American Airlines.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
While the Qatar Airways partner award chart looks very similar to other Avios programs, one key distinction stands out. Other Avios programs use a special, unpublished award chart for awards on American Airlines (and Alaska Airlines) flights within North America.
Even after Qatar Airways devalued awards on American and Alaska, Qatar Airways offers competitive Avios pricing for each of the distance bands in question.
| Flight Distance | Economy | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| 1-650 miles | 9,500 Avios | 20,000 Avios |
| 651-1,151 miles | 13,000 Avios | 27,000 Avios |
| 1,152-2,000 miles | 14,500 Avios | 34,000 Avios |
| 2,001-3,000 miles | 16,000 Avios | 43,000 Avios |
| 3,001-4,000 miles | 20,750 Avios | 62,000 Avios |
| 4,001-5,500 miles | 25,750 Avios | 77,250 Avios |
| 5,501-6,500 miles | 31,000 Avios | 92,750 Avios |
| 6,501-7,000 miles | 36,250 Avios | 108,250 Avios |
| 7,001+ miles | 51,000 Avios | 154,500 Avios |
For example, flights from Chicago (ORD) to Greensboro (GSO) span 589 miles, under the 650-mile threshold. This flight costs just 9,500 Qatar Airways Avios in economy. And there are hundreds of examples of flights that you can book for this rate.
Be advised that Qatar Airways only allows access to flights operated by American Airlines, and not ones operated by any regional subsidiary. If you think you should be able to fly a particular route via Qatar Airways, but can’t find award space, check the operating airline for the flight.
Additionally, Qatar falls short from the standpoint of needing to cancel or make changes. Qatar Airways charges $25 for changes or cancellations made up to 24 hours before departure on partner award tickets. That skyrockets to $100 for changes or cancellations between 3 and 24 hours. Once inside 3 hours of departure, no changes or cancellations can be made, either.
Related: Airline Award Ticket Change and Cancellation Policies
British Airways Club
Other Avios programs, like British Airways Club, have more generous terms and conditions for partner awards. U.S.-based British Airways accounts must pay the lesser of the ticket’s total taxes and fees ($5.60 in the case below) or $55 to make changes or cancellations.
Sure, the Avios cost for awards like the Chicago to Greensboro one discussed above might be higher. However, for travel plans that might change on a dime, the expanded flexibility of booking via British Airways might be worth the extra Avios.
Note that the Avios cost via British Airways above does not exactly follow the Avios chart shown earlier. Instead, British Airways uses a separate set of slightly higher award costs for short-haul American Airlines flights:
| Distance/Zone | Economy | Business/Domestic First |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 650 miles (Zone 1) | 12,000 | 24,000 |
| 651 to 1,151 miles (Zone 2) | 16,000 | 32,000 |
| 1,152 to 2,000 miles (Zone 3) | 18,000 | 40,000 |
| 2,001 to 3,000 miles (Zone 4) | 20,000 | 50,000 |
Iberia Plus
Iberia effectively uses the same modified award chart that British Airways uses for domestic flights on American Airlines. However, Iberia's change and cancellation policies are incredibly punitive. American flights booked through Iberia are non-refundable at booking. Considering the redemption rates should be the same via either program, stick with Qatar or British Airways for any American Airlines flight redemptions within North America.
Finnair Plus
The most recent airline to adopt Avios as its frequent flier program, Finnair, offers an intriguing way to redeem points for travel on American Airlines. Rather than a distance-based chart priced per segment, Finnair employs a region-based chart based on origin and destination. In late 2024, Finnair devalued that chart, requiring more Avios to book. The current chart is below:
Travelers can redeem just 16,500 Finnair Plus Avios to travel from coast to coast in the continental U.S. and Canada in economy. Other standout options include 15,000 Avios to Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as 15,000 Avios to Hawaii. Be advised that Finnair bookings for American Airlines flights cannot be made online. Instead, Finnair members must call in to book these awards.
Related: Finnair Plus Avios Sweet Spots
How to earn Avios
All major transferable points currencies transfer at a 1:1 rate to at least one of the various airlines that use Avios. Even better, accountholders can transfer Avios between participating programs as needed. That means even if you don’t have points that transfer directly to, for instance, Finnair, you can still indirectly transfer your points to them via another Avios program.
Transfers among Avios program come in handy in particular when transfer bonuses come up. Members can effectively turn a transfer bonus to, say, British Airways, into a transfer bonus for any of the other Avios programs.
Book American Awards From 8,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer Points
Qantas offers travelers a fantastic way to book American Airlines awards — particularly connecting itineraries covering shorter distances. Bookings can be made entirely online, too.
Unlike many other airlines mentioned, Qantas considers only the total distance flown, as opposed to the distance of each segment, to determine award cost. In the below award chart, notice that award prices start out fairly modest at just 8,000 points. Even itineraries as long as 2,400 miles cost just 18,000 miles in economy, which may still represent great value.
As mentioned, Qantas points become a particularly useful way to book American Airlines flights to and from smaller, regional airports. These airports are often served by just one or two American Airlines hub airports. Since programs like British Airways Club charge by the segment, there may be itineraries where booking through Qantas is advantageous.
In this example, Albany (ALB) to Peoria, Illinois (PIA), through Chicago on American is 11,800 miles.
Booked through Alaska Mileage Plan, this award flight will cost you 12,500 miles.
The same flight is 28,000 Avios through British Airways and unavailable through Qatar or Cathay Pacific. Qantas is worth looking at in your search comparisons for shorter distance domestic American flights, especially if you do not have means to transfer miles to Alaska.
Importantly, Qantas announced that starting August 5, 2025, Classic Flight rewards will increase up to 20%. Take advantage of the current chart while you can, as Qantas may not be as competitive an option for booking American come August.
How to earn Qantas points
Qantas enjoys 1:1 points transfers from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou® Points. Those with stashes of all three points currencies should consider if any transfer bonuses exist at the time to help determine which points to transfer. Be sure to check transfer times for all three programs before acting to book flights through the program, too.
Book American Awards From 10,000 Cathay Miles
The Cathay “Asia Miles” program often goes overlooked, perhaps because Cathay doesn't publish single airline partner award charts. Fortunately, we are able to piece together such a chart for American Airlines flights:
| Distance (Miles) | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 750 | 10,000 | 14,000 | 20,000 | 30,000 |
| 751 - 2,750 | 15,000 | 25,000 | 33,000 | 53,000 |
| 2,751 - 5,000 | 27,000 | 43,000 | 63,000 | 100,000 |
| 5,001 - 7,500 | 40,000 | 55,000 | 89,000 | 135,000 |
| 7,501+ | 47,000 | 80,000 | 115,000 | 170,000 |
Just like Qantas, Cathay Pacific determines award costs based on the total distance flown, rather than pricing each leg separately. And again, compared to Qantas, Cathay Pacific offers better award pricing near the top end of its already wide distance bands. Journeys between 1,201 and 2,750 miles stand out, in particular those between 2,401 and 2,750 miles long.
For example, Boston (BOS) to Los Angeles (LAX) spans 2,611 miles, firmly in the standout zone mentioned above. Booking via Asia Miles requires 15,000 miles in economy, 33,000 miles in business, or 53,000 miles in first class.
For the exact same flight, Qantas charges more points for business class than even the first class price via Cathay Pacific Asia Miles.
But if you remember from Finnair's chart above, this award would cost just 40,000 miles if you call and book through Finnair Plus.
Related: Cathay Pacific Asia Miles Sweet Spots
How to earn Asia Miles
Amex Membership Rewards, Bilt Points, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points all transfer 1:1 to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. A wide array of partners means earning Asia Miles should be second nature for points and miles enthusiasts. Be sure to check transfer times from each of these programs, as not all will be immediate.
Book American Awards From 6,000 Etihad Airways Guest Miles
Etihad Airways remains an oft-forgotten method of booking American Airlines flights, perhaps because the Abu Dhabi-based carrier remains outside of the Oneworld alliance. In general, Etihad's recent award program changes resulted in very punitive award cancellation fees, to the point where booking awards through the airline comes at one's own risk. And despite a reasonable-price partner award chart, other booking avenues remain better options.
One exception to this rule stands out: flights under 500 miles. Short-haul flights such as these cost as low as 6,000 miles booked through Etihad Airways:
- Economy: 6,000 miles
- Premium Economy: 7,500 miles
- Business: 10,000 miles
- First: 14,000 miles
Not only do these award prices beat out all other options barring Alaska Mileage Plan, but also, in the event travelers must cancel, the miles forfeited as a penalty are limited. Plus, Etihad Airways enjoys transfers from a few of the major transferrable points programs, which Alaska Mileage Plan does not. Ease of accumulating these miles could be a factor when deciding how to book short-haul awards.
The 500-mile upper bound on this sweet spot does cap its overall usefulness. However, travelers situated by American Airlines hubs, particularly Chicago and Miami, enjoy a plethora of appealing options. The following airport pairs are less than 500 miles apart:
- Chicago to:
- Pittsburgh (413 miles)
- Minneapolis (334 miles)
- Kansas City (403 miles)
- Lincoln, NE (466 miles)
- Toronto (436 miles)
- Miami to:
- Charleston (489 miles)
- Savannah (440 miles)
- Grand Cayman (453 miles)
- Nassau (184 miles)
- Havana (235 miles)
How to earn Etihad Guest miles
Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou Points all transfer 1:1 to Etihad's frequent flier program, Etihad Guest. As always, check transfer times from each of these programs while making plans with your points and miles.
Final Thoughts
American Airlines might not be the most punctual or most luxurious airline, but it offers an extensive route network within and beyond the United States. Because no transferrable points convert 1:1 to AAdvantage miles, booking American Airlines flights via partner programs presents a super redemption opportunity. Easier access to American's partner miles makes booking in this fashion a real alternative to booking direct.
Many partner programs offer this capability, each with its own use cases. Some are certainly better than others. Knowing which program to use for your American Airlines itinerary of choice can save thousands of miles per ticket. Those savings can then go toward your next award redemption!
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