Should You Buy American Airlines AAdvantage<sup>®</sup> Miles With Up to a 35% Discount? Should You Buy American Airlines AAdvantage<sup>®</sup> Miles With Up to a 35% Discount?

Should You Buy American Airlines AAdvantage® Miles With Up to a 35% Discount?

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.

American Airlines has almost entirely stopped offering limited-time promotions for buying miles — Black Friday promotions notwithstanding. Instead, it now offers an evergreen buy-miles discount of up to 35% off with no ending date. You can buy up to 150,000 AAdvantage® miles per calendar year.

If you maximize this offer, you can grab AAdvantage® miles for as little as 2.45¢ apiece. This is not a good rate for buying AA miles — so if you're keen on purchasing some miles to use now or stash away for later, this offer isn't the best time to do so.

Here's what you need to know about buying American Airlines AAdvantage® miles, and when it makes sense to do so.

When Should You Buy AA Miles?

As with other loyalty programs, we generally don’t recommend buying American Airlines miles. Instead, we recommend earning AAdvantage® miles through American Airlines credit cards (or by opening a Bask Bank savings account).

That said, buying American Airlines miles can sometimes make sense. For instance, purchasing miles might be the fastest and most cost-effective route if you only need a few more miles to complete a specific redemption.

Also, if you're considering paying for a business- or first-class flight, it might be cheaper to buy the necessary amount of AAdvantage® miles instead. The cost to buy the required mileage could be considerably cheaper than paying for the trip outright.

Some travelers may consider buying American Airlines miles to extend the life of expiring American miles. However, there are plenty of other ways to keep your AAdvantage® account active.

Buy AA Miles Offer Details

  • This promotion doesn't have a stated expiration date.
  • You can buy up to a maximum of 150,000 miles.
  • AAdvantage accounts must have at least one mile and be older than 30 days to purchase miles.
  • Purchased miles are non-refundable and non-reversible.
  • Miles purchased, transferred, or received as a gift won't help you earn American Airlines elite status.

Chart showing percentage tiers up to 35% for discount on buying American Airlines miles.

Based on our AwardWallet team data points, all AAdvantage® members (General, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum) receive the same discount amounts and tier thresholds.

Here are the rates at which you can buy American miles during this offer:

  • 0–5,000 miles: No discount (3.76¢ each)
  • 6,000–24,000 miles: 10% discount (3.39¢ each)
  • 25,000–79,000 miles: 15% discount (3.2¢ each)
  • 80,000–104,000 miles: 20% discount (3.01¢ each)
  • 105,000–149,000 miles: 25% discount (2.82¢ each)
  • 150,000 miles: 35% discount (2.45¢ each)

Although the AwardWallet team is seeing the same offers, there is still a chance this offer will be targeted by member — not by elite status tier. So, you'll still want to double-check your account to see what American Airlines is offering you.

Pay Less When You Buy AAdvantage Miles

We've posted about some of the best sweet spots in the AAdvantage program. Let's check out a few of these redemptions and compare the typical cash price with the cost of purchasing American Airlines miles during this promotion. Just note that you'll need to purchase the full 150,000 miles to get the optimal rate of 2.45¢ per mile.

Los Angeles — Johannesburg in Qatar QSuite

You would be hard-pressed to find a better premium-class cabin than Qatar's QSuite business class. Qatar has offered the best business-class product since introducing QSuite in 2017.

QSuite is fitted with an entire capsule to yourself, with closed doors and configurations that allow a family to have dinner or a private area where you can get some work done. Los Angeles to Johannesburg is quite the haul — just under 21 hours of flight time! So, there's no better way to pass the time than enjoying all the amenities in this luxurious cabin.

AA buy Miles Offers Can Save Money on Qatar Business class
Purchasing AA miles can save you big over buying Qatar business-class tickets

Just note that Qatar has drastically reduced the business-class award availability offered to AAdvantage® members. So, this sweet spot is much harder to book than before. Confirm that award availability is bookable on American Airlines' website before buying miles.

  • Mileage rate: 75,000 miles one-way
  • Typical cash price: $6,625 one-way
  • Redemption rate: 8.8¢ per mile
  • Cost to buy exactly 75,000 AAdvantage miles (with a 15% discount): $2,399
  • Cost to buy 75,000 AAdvantage miles (at optimal 2.45¢ per mile): $1,838

Los Angeles — Sydney in Qantas business class

Qantas has also significantly improved its business-class product over the past few years. Coupling a newer, better seat with Qantas' well-regarded service and soft product makes for a much more comfortable way of flying “down under!”

Qantas A380 business class
Qantas A380 business class. Credit: Qantas
  • Mileage rate: 80,000 miles one-way
  • Typical cash price: $6,662 one-way
  • Redemption rate: 8.3¢ per mile
  • Cost to buy exactly 80,000 AAdvantage miles (with 20% discount): $2,408
  • Cost to buy 80,000 AAdvantage miles (at 2.45¢ per mile): $1,960

Abu Dhabi — London in Etihad first class

Speaking of the best premium-class cabins around, we would be remiss not to give a shoutout to Etihad Airways' first-class cabin — as it's right up there alongside their Arabian Peninsula neighbor. The beauty of having AAdvantage® miles is the ability to book amazing Etihad first-class flights through the American Airlines website.

And while Etihad's first-class is one of the most outstanding premium cabins in the world, it comes with a hitch — it's incredibly difficult to find availability. So if you're looking for an Etihad flight to book, you'll need to search for close-in availability.

interior of Etihad A380 first class apartment

  • Mileage rate: 62,500 miles one-way
  • Typical cash price: $3,679 one-way
  • Redemption rate: 5.9¢ per mile
  • Cost to buy exactly 63,000 AAdvantage miles (with 15% discount): $2,015
  • Cost to buy 62,500 AAdvantage miles (at 2.45¢ per mile): $1,531

Boston — Sao Paulo in AA business class

This is an article about American Airlines, right? I'm sure that's what you asked yourself after reading the flight examples above — as none of them were on American Airlines! But don't worry; we've got you covered when it comes to a flight on the largest airline in the United States.

American Airlines has always held a firm grip on routes to and from Central and South America — it is called “American” Airlines, after all! While not as good as it once was, American still has solid premium-class cabins that make long-haul journeys much more comfortable than traveling in economy.

Photo of American Airlines business class cabin on its Boeing 777-300ER

  • Mileage rate: 55,000 miles one-way
  • Typical cash price: $2,205 one-way
  • Redemption rate: 4¢ per mile
  • Cost to buy exactly 55,000 AAdvantage miles (with a 15% discount): $1,759
  • Cost to buy 55,000 AAdvantage miles (at 2.45¢ per mile): $1,348

Boston to Sao Paulo in AA business class using points.

American Airlines Buy Miles History

We have compiled a list of former American Airlines promotions for buying miles. As you can see, this cost-per-mile rate of 2.45¢ apiece isn't great, but it is the rate American Airlines has offered most often.

A few promotions in 2020 offered rates in the 1.7-1.8¢ apiece range, but we aren't sure if American will ever drop the cost-per-mile this low again:

Promotion EndedMax Bonus/DiscountMin Cents per MileTargeted
No expiration date35% Discount2.45No
2024-12-0250% Discount1.88No
No expiration date35% Discount2.45No
2024-06-3050% Discount1.88No
No expiration date35% Discount2.45No
2023-11-2750% Discount1.88No
No expiration date35% Discount2.45
No
2023-03-0345% Discount2.07No
No expiration date35% Discount2.45No
2022-11-2850% Discount1.88No
No expiration date35% Discount2.45No
2021-12-3150% Bonus2.15No
2021-11-2945% Discount1.77No
2021-11-2530% Discount2.26No
2021-10-3135% Discount2.1No
2021-09-3075% Bonus1.84No
2021-08-3175% Bonus1.84No
2021-07-3160% Bonus2.02No
2021-06-2040% Discount1.94No
2021-05-3150% Bonus2.15No
2021-04-3040% Discount1.93No
2021-03-1545% Discount2.07No
2021-02-2875% Bonus2.15No
2021-02-1475% Bonus2.15No
2021-01-1070% Bonus2.21No
2020-12-31100% Bonus1.75No
2020-12-1450% Bonus2.33No
2020-11-2635% Discount2.28No
2020-10-31100,000 Bonus Miles1.82No
2020-09-30100,000 Bonus Miles1.82No
2020-08-31100% Bonus1.71No
2020-07-3045% Discount1.76No
2020-06-30120,000 Bonus Miles + 5% Off1.8No
2020-05-31100,000 Bonus Miles + 3% Off1.79No

Maximize Your Miles Purchase

While most programs don't sell their miles directly, American Airlines is an exception — you'll buy miles directly from AA. This is great news because your purchase should trigger the travel category bonus on many credit cards. Some of the best travel rewards cards to use would be:

Related: Which Credit Card Should You Use To Buy Points and Miles?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Annual Fee$95
Welcome Bonus Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Our #1 recommended beginners rewards card featuring a 75,000-point signup bonus after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. This card comes with great benefits and earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points.
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
  • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
  • 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
  • Member FDIC
  • Rates & Fees
  • 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
  • 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
  • 3X points on eligible streaming services
  • 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
  • 2X points on all other travel
  • 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Other Ways To Earn AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines credit cards

If you're not in a hurry, another way to beef up your AAdvantage stash is through a sign-up bonus on a co-branded credit card. For example, the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is offering 65,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.

Some of the other options include:

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Annual Fee$99, waived for first 12 months
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
The AA Platinum Select card is a great choice for anyone who travels at least a few times per year with American Airlines. Cardholders get a free checked bag on domestic itineraries, priority boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases.

With these perks, it's easy to justify the annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months.
  • Free checked bags for you and up to 4 companions on domestic itineraries
  • Priority boarding to help you win the race for overhead bin space
  • A 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases
  • Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at restaurants
  • Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent at gas stations
  • Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
  • Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

American Airlines transfer partners

Unfortunately, American Airlines doesn't partner with bank and hotel loyalty programs. Sure, you could temporarily transfer Citi points to American Airlines in 2021, and American Airlines was one of the original Bilt Rewards transfer partners. However, American Airlines didn't extend the transfer partnership with Citi and ended its partnership with Bilt in June 2024. It's even ended transfer partnerships with hotel programs like Shangri-La and Best Western.

That leaves just a few transfer options to American Airlines AAdvantage:

From
To
Transfer Ratio
Min.Transfer
Average Time
American Airlines (AAdvantage)
3:1
3,000
Unknown
Hyatt (World of Hyatt)
American Airlines (AAdvantage)
1,250:500
5,000
Unknown
RBC (Avion Rewards)
Canada
American Airlines (AAdvantage)
10:7
Avion cardholders only
-
Unknown

Final Thoughts

This promotion's per-mile purchase rate for buying American Airlines AAdvantage miles is nothing to write home about. This offer will be around for the foreseeable future — as there is no stated expiration date.

For those who are dead-set on grabbing American Airlines miles while they cost as little as 2.45¢ apiece, this promotion could offer good value depending on your situation.

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)

AwardWallet Tip of The Day
Did you know you can see the transaction history for most of your loyalty program accounts in AwardWallet? In your AwardWallet account dashboard, click the + sign next to the account you want to view. Then, click the History tab to see your individual transaction history.
Show me how

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.