Get to know the American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program

Want to secure more advantages on your next trips?

Traveling can be even more interesting when you start earning miles and turning each flight into rewards. If you don't yet belong to a loyalty program or are looking for one that really pays off, it's worth getting to know American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program. Simple to use, full of benefits and with real upgrade opportunities, it could change the way you travel from now on.

What is AAdvantage?

AAdvantage is American Airlines' loyalty program. Created in 1981, it is one of the oldest in the world and was a pioneer in the miles reward model. Since then, it has evolved to keep up with the profile of modern travelers. With it, you earn miles with every flight or purchase with partners and can then use these miles to exchange for tickets, upgrades, preferential seats and even hotel stays.

AAdvantage is free to sign up for and can be managed easily via the app or website. You can register in minutes and start earning miles from your first flight.

How do I earn miles on AAdvantage?

The process is simple: every time you travel with American Airlines or a partner company in the oneworld alliance, you earn miles proportional to the distance of the flight and the fare purchased. But flying isn't the only way to earn miles. The program also offers miles on:

- Shopping in partner stores;
- Hotel reservations;
- Car rental;
- Service subscriptions;
- Use of affiliated credit cards.

These miles are automatically deposited in your AAdvantage account and are available for redemption as soon as you have enough.

The more you travel, the more miles you earn. And if you use a partner credit card, you can earn miles every day - at the supermarket, on fuel, online shopping, anywhere.

How to use your miles?

O American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program allows you to use the miles you have earned in various ways. The most common, of course, is to redeem airline tickets. But it doesn't stop there.

You can use miles for

• Buy tickets for yourself or someone else;
• Upgrade class on domestic and international flights;
• Choose seats with more legroom;
• Pay extra taxes or fees during booking;
• Book hotels and cars with discounts or full miles.

All this can be done directly through the American Airlines website or app, where the system shows the value in miles next to the normal fares. You can then choose whether you want to pay in cash or use part of your miles.

Are there categories in AAdvantage?

Yes, the American Airlines loyalty program has four main status levels:

- AAdvantage Gold
- AAdvantage Platinum
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum

As you accumulate qualifying points (through eligible flights and purchases), you move up a category and gain access to exclusive advantages. These include:

- Priority check-in;
- Free checked baggage;
- Automatic class upgrade;
- Preferential boarding;
- More bonus miles per flight;
- Personalized service.

These benefits make a huge difference, especially on international flights or long routes. The travel process becomes more comfortable, agile and enjoyable.

And the miles expire?

Yes, but with one important detail: the miles of the American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program only expire if you go 24 months without making any changes to your account. In other words, if you earn or use miles within this period, the period is automatically renewed.

And since it's easy to earn miles even with small purchases, you just need to be active in the program to keep your miles safe indefinitely.

Can you use miles with other companies?

Absolutely. One of the great things about AAdvantage is that it belongs to the oneworld alliance, which includes airlines from over 170 countries. This means you can use your miles on flights with British Airways, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, LATAM, among others.

This greatly increases your destination options and allows you to put together complex itineraries, with routes operated by different companies, using your AAdvantage miles. All integrated, all visible in the same American Airlines system.

What about the American Airlines app?

The company's app is an important ally for those who take part in the program. With it, you can:

- Check your miles balance in real time;
- See the categories and benefits of your status;
- Booking flights with miles;
- Keep track of your upgrades;
- Manage your trips.

All this makes the American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Program more practical and accessible, even for those who are just starting out.

Real advantages for smart travelers

AAdvantage is not a difficult program to understand. You sign up, fly or eat with partners, earn miles and exchange them for benefits. It's as simple as that. No fancy calculations, no confusing regulations and no hidden traps.

It's the kind of program that favors those who travel frequently, but also welcomes those who travel from time to time and want to be rewarded for it.

Above all, it's a way of turning what you were already going to do - travel - into something even more advantageous. Miles that turn into comfort, better seats, savings and even free tickets. And the best part: you can start now, for free and without any complications.

See also: Use promotion apps to get bigger discounts

May 19th, 2025