What American Airlines credit card points are and how you earn them

American Airlines credit card points are a currency you earn when you use an American Airlines co-branded credit card for purchases. The card issuer — usually Citi or Barclays, depending on which American Airlines card you hold — deposits points into your account based on how much you spend and where you spend it. You own these points and can use them to book flights, upgrade seats, or transfer them to other programs.

The earning rate varies by card. Most American Airlines cards earn between 1 and 3 points per dollar spent on everyday purchases, and higher rates (often 3 to 5 points per dollar) on American Airlines tickets, dining, gas, or other bonus categories. The specific categories and rates depend on which card you have — there are several versions, including the AAdvantage Platinum Select, the AAdvantage Gold, and the AAdvantage Business cards.

You also earn points when you fly American Airlines or its partner airlines, regardless of whether you use the credit card for the ticket. These points go into the same account and combine with points from credit card spending.

Key Takeaways

  • American Airlines credit card points are earned through card spending and flights, and they accumulate in a single AAdvantage account that you control.
  • Points can be redeemed for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, companion tickets, or transferred to hotel and car rental partners.
  • The value of a point varies depending on how you use it — booking a cheap flight may give you poor value, while upgrading a paid ticket often gives better value.
  • Points do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 18 months, such as earning or redeeming points or flying American Airlines.
  • You can combine points from multiple cards and accounts into one AAdvantage account if you have more than one card or have opened accounts at different times.

Redeeming points for flights and upgrades

The most common way to use American Airlines points is to book a flight. You log into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website, search for a flight, and choose to pay with points instead of cash. The number of points required depends on the route, the time of year, and the cabin (economy, business, first class). A short domestic flight might cost 7,500 to 15,000 points, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 to 100,000 or more.

American Airlines uses a dynamic pricing system, meaning the point cost for the same flight can change based on demand. A flight that costs 10,000 points on a Tuesday might cost 15,000 points on a Friday. You can search for flights and see the point cost before you commit to the redemption.

You can also use points to upgrade a paid ticket. If you have already bought a flight with cash, you can use points to move to a higher cabin — for example, from economy to business class. Upgrade redemptions often give better value than booking an entire flight with points, because you are only paying the difference in cabin price rather than the full cost of a premium seat.

Companion tickets are another option on some cards. If your card includes a companion certificate benefit, you can use it to book a second ticket for a companion at a reduced rate or sometimes free, though you still pay taxes and fees.

Transferring points to partners and other uses

American Airlines allows you to transfer points to partner programs, including hotel chains like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, and car rental companies like Hertz and Avis. The transfer rate is typically 1 to 1 (one American Airlines point equals one point in the partner program), though some transfers offer bonus points if you transfer a large amount at once.

You can also use points to purchase gift cards, though this is generally not the best value. Points used for gift cards are typically worth less than points used for flights or upgrades.

Some American Airlines cards offer statement credits or other redemption options through the card issuer's portal, separate from the airline points program. Check your specific card's benefits to see what options are available to you.

Understanding point value and how to get the most from your points

The real value of a point depends on how you use it. If you book a flight that would cost $200 in cash and it costs 10,000 points, each point is worth about 2 cents. If you book a flight that would cost $500 and it costs 15,000 points, each point is worth about 3.3 cents. The same points can be worth very different amounts depending on the redemption.

Short domestic flights booked with points often give poor value because the cash price is low but the point cost is still substantial. Long flights, premium cabin upgrades, and travel during peak seasons often give better value because the cash price is high relative to the point cost.

To maximize value, search for flights and compare the point cost to what you would pay in cash. If the point cost seems high relative to the cash price, consider waiting or looking for a different flight. You can also use tools outside the American Airlines website to estimate whether a redemption is a good deal for you.

How points expire and how to keep your account active

American Airlines points do not expire as long as your account has activity at least once every 18 months. Activity includes earning points (through credit card spending or flights), redeeming points, or flying American Airlines. If your account goes inactive for 18 months or longer, your points will be forfeited and cannot be recovered.

If you are worried about your account expiring, you can keep it active by making a small purchase on your credit card or by transferring points to a partner program. Some people also set a calendar reminder to check their account every 12 months to may support they stay active.

If your account has already expired, you cannot recover the points. You would need to contact American Airlines to see if there are any exceptions, but the policy is firm.

Combining points from multiple cards and accounts

If you have opened more than one American Airlines credit card over time, or if you have an old AAdvantage account from flying American Airlines before you got a card, you can combine all of those points into a single account. This is done through the American Airlines website by linking your accounts or requesting a consolidation.

Combining accounts is useful if you have points scattered across multiple accounts that are too small to redeem individually. Once combined, all your points are in one place and you can use them more flexibly.

Be aware that combining accounts may affect any promotional bonuses or benefits tied to a specific account. Read the terms before you combine to make sure you understand what happens to any pending bonuses or status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use American Airlines points to book flights on other airlines?

No, American Airlines points can only be used to book American Airlines flights or flights on American Airlines partner airlines like British Airways, Qantas, and Japan Airlines. You cannot use them on unaffiliated airlines. You can transfer points to partner hotel and car rental programs, but not to other airline programs.

What happens to my points if I close my credit card?

Closing the credit card does not close your AAdvantage account or delete your points. Your points remain in your account as long as you have activity at least once every 18 months. However, if you close the card and do not earn or redeem points for 18 months, your account will become inactive and your points will expire.

How do I know if a point redemption is a good deal?

Compare the point cost to the cash price of the same flight. Divide the cash price by the point cost to estimate the value per point. If the value is 1.5 cents per point or higher, it is generally considered a reasonable redemption. Short domestic flights often give 1 cent or less per point, while premium cabin flights often give 2 cents or more.

Can I gift my points to someone else?

American Airlines does not allow you to transfer points to another person's account. However, you can use your points to book a flight for someone else if you have their name and contact information. The ticket will be issued in their name and they can use it to fly.

What is the difference between American Airlines points and miles?

American Airlines uses the terms "points" and "miles" interchangeably. They are the same currency. Points earned through credit card spending and points earned through flights are all measured in the same unit and can be combined and redeemed together.