Tag: American AAdvantage

Loyalty programs

Earn Up to 11X AAdvantage Miles and Loyalty Points on Vacation Packages
American Airlines is offering AAdvantage members a way to earn additional miles and Loyalty Points when booking vacation packages through American Airlines Vacations.

Through December 31, 2026, members can earn up to 11 miles and Loyalty Points per $1 spent on eligible vacation packages, depending on their AAdvantage status.

And because earnings are calculated on the eligible value of the package, including hotels and rental cars, the promotion could be particularly useful for travelers working toward AAdvantage elite status.

How Much Can You Earn?

American’s MaximizeMiles promotion offers different earning rates depending on your AAdvantage status.
- No status: 5X miles and Loyalty Points per $1
- Gold: 7X miles and Loyalty Points per $1
- Platinum: 8X miles and Loyalty Points per $1
- Platinum Pro: 9X miles and Loyalty Points per $1
- Executive Platinum: 11X miles and Loyalty Points per $1
Just note that earnings are distributed among eligible travelers on the reservation rather than going entirely to the person making the booking.

American uses the highest AAdvantage status among travelers to determine the package’s earning rate, but each traveler must have their AAdvantage number included in the reservation to receive their share.

Why This Offer Is Worth Considering

This offer is worth keeping on your radar whether you’re looking to earn more redeemable miles, Loyalty Points toward elite status, or both.

For example, a recent American Airlines Vacations booking of mine costing approximately $240 earned 2,420 AAdvantage miles and 3,025 Loyalty Points.

The booking also qualified for a statement credit through the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, which offers a $500 American Airlines Vacations credit each calendar year, split into two $250 credits. One is available from January through June, and the other from July through December.

In this case, the statement credit covered the entire $239.55 purchase.

That’s a useful illustration of how an American Airlines Vacations booking can generate miles and Loyalty Points while also taking advantage of an eligible credit card benefit. Not to mention the 12X redeemable miles earned on the purchase itself with the card.

How to Take Advantage of the Offer

You’ll need to book an eligible package through American Airlines Vacations by December 31, 2026 and complete your travel by November 30, 2027.

There’s no minimum spend, minimum stay, or promo code required. The offer is also valid across all destinations without blackout dates.

Taxes, fees, and amounts paid using miles don’t qualify for earnings. Basic Economy fares are excluded.

Before booking, compare the package price against booking the same hotel, rental car, or flights separately. The additional miles and Loyalty Points can make a package appealing, but only if the overall price makes sense.
October 8, 2026
American Airlines Is Adding Cash and Miles Bookings

In the near future, American Airlines will introduce another payment method for booking flights: cash and miles.

American announced on October 2 that “in the coming weeks eligible AAdvantage members will be able to combine cash and miles when booking flights on aa.com and American’s digital app.”

Even though this feature isn’t live yet, American has already published enough details to give us a pretty good idea of how it’ll work.

Cash and Miles Will Show Up During Checkout

There won’t be a separate cash and miles search.

Instead, members will log in to an AAdvantage account and search for flights using cash as usual. After selecting a flight and getting through the trip insurance prompt, American will display any available cash and miles options.

A slider will let members choose from the available combinations. Move the slider, the price updates, and whatever is left gets paid in cash.

But American’s cash and miles terms reveal that there won’t necessarily be a single exchange rate between AAdvantage miles and dollars.

The airline says the rate can vary depending on the destination, itinerary, flight, or service. American will also decide which combinations of cash and miles are offered, and those choices can vary based on how many miles are in an account.

So, 10,000 miles could theoretically knock a different amount off one ticket than another. We won’t know what those numbers actually look like until cash and miles bookings go live.

It’s also not yet clear whether the option will be limited to flights operated by American and American Eagle or extend to eligible partner-operated flights booked through American.

TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER

You’ll Still Earn Miles and Loyalty Points

Using miles to cover part of a ticket won’t stop the remaining cash portion from earning AAdvantage miles.

American says members will earn base miles (and therefore Loyalty Points) on the part paid in cash. That includes the base fare and carrier-imposed fees, but not government taxes and fees.

There are a few other quirks buried in the terms. Taxes and fees always have to be paid in cash, and cash and miles won’t necessarily be available for every destination, fare, itinerary, flight, or seat.

Once one of these tickets is booked, it can’t be changed, either. If plans change, the reservation needs to be canceled and booked again.

If a ticket is eligible for a refund, the miles go back to the AAdvantage account. The cash portion follows the normal rules for the fare.

More on This: How to Change an American Airlines Award Flight Online

How Useful This Is Comes Down to the Math

For someone sitting on, say, 15,000 AAdvantage miles without enough to cover an entire flight, cash and miles gives that balance another potential use. Those miles could instead knock down the cash price of an eligible ticket.

Whether that’s worth doing is a question for a little bit later on.

American already made clear that the value of those miles can change from one booking to another. Until the feature goes live, we don’t know whether using 10,000 miles might save $100, $150, or something else entirely, for better or worse.

But once cash and miles starts appearing on aa.com and in the American app, we’ll check some actual flights and see what American is offering.

October 2, 2026
United and American Are Using Starlink to Try to Win Over Delta Elites
Airline status matches aren’t anything new. But using better onboard Wi-Fi as the reason to uproot and switch loyalty programs is.

United Airlines launched a limited-time status match aimed specifically at Delta and American elites, and there’s really no ambiguity about how it’s pushing the offer.

On the landing page, big, bold font reads, “Don’t keep buffering: switch to United and get the fastest Wi-Fi in the sky.”

But United isn’t the only airline making a play for Delta elites right now.

American is also promoting a status match that includes Delta members, along with elites from United, JetBlue, and Southwest. And while American doesn’t have Starlink onboard yet, nor does its status match really emphasize Starlink at all, it’s taking the moment to try to woo travelers anyway.

The timing isn’t the least bit random.

Delta is taking a different approach to its next generation of onboard Wi-Fi. The airline selected Amazon Leo, which won’t begin rolling out until 2028. That decision generated plenty of chatter on social media this week, and United and American are now trying to capitalize on the moment.

More on This: Airline Status Matches Can Turn One Elite Status Into Another

United Is Making Wi-Fi the Reason to Switch

United isn’t disguising this as a routine status match.

The offer is built around Starlink, which United is already rolling out across its fleet. Eligible Delta and American elites have through October 15 to apply and submit proof of their existing status.

If approved, the corresponding United Premier status kicks in for 90 days.

Keeping it through January 31, 2028, comes down to how much is spent on United or United Express flights during that period:
- Premier Silver requires $1,500
- Premier Gold requires $3,000
- Premier Platinum requires $4,500
- Premier 1K requires $7,000
The status match itself isn’t particularly unusual. Airlines have used them for years to give another carrier’s best customers a relatively painless way to switch allegiances.

And with this offer, United is betting that its onboard experience, and faster Wi-Fi specifically, might be enough to get some Delta and American elites to give it a try.

American Wants Delta Elites, Too

American’s pitch isn’t nearly as pointed.

Its current status-match offer is open to eligible elites from Delta, United, JetBlue, and Southwest. Delta members can match all the way from Silver Medallion to AAdvantage Gold, up through Diamond Medallion to Executive Platinum.

Approved members get four months of matched AAdvantage status through American’s Instant Status Pass. Keeping it requires hitting a Loyalty Point target every four months, with thresholds ranging from 13,000 Loyalty Points for Gold to 67,000 for Executive Platinum.

There’s no formal deadline to apply.

Unlike United, though, American isn’t selling its status match on Starlink. It can’t quite do that yet.

Starlink installations aren’t scheduled to begin until the first quarter of 2027. But once they do, American plans to equip more than 500 Airbus narrowbody aircraft, including its A321neos and new A321XLRs. It’s not yet known if or when the airline plans to extend that coverage to its Boeing 737 and 787 fleets.

So, for now, United is the only one of the two that can legitimately use Starlink as part of the pitch. But both airlines are courting Delta elites at the same time they’re making Starlink part of their onboard experience.

Whether Wi-Fi is actually enough to convince someone to change airline loyalty programs is another question. United, at least, seems interested in finding out.
October 2, 2026
3 New Europe Flights to Book With Points This Week

American, Delta, and United are all adding new transatlantic flights next year. And a look at the schedules and current pricing turned up three worth knowing about this week, including a trip to Portugal from just 21,000 miles.

Boston to Porto From 21,000 American Miles

American is adding a new flight from Philadelphia (PHL) to Porto (OPO) next year, one of several new routes that will use its Airbus A321XLR.

But Philadelphia doesn’t have to be the starting point to get that price.

POINTSYEAH

On March 29, for example, American is selling an itinerary from Boston (BOS) to Porto for 21,000 AAdvantage miles plus $5.60 in economy. The trip connects in Philadelphia before continuing on American’s new nonstop to Portugal.

Change the date to April 4, and the same 21,000-mile price is available out of Los Angeles (LAX).

This route inaugurates on March 28.

Newark to Luxembourg From 36,000 United Miles

United’s new flight from Newark (EWR) to Luxembourg (LUX) is one of the more unusual additions to next summer’s transatlantic map.

It’s already bookable with MileagePlus miles, too.

POINTSYEAH

On April 28, the nonstop costs 40,000 United miles plus $5.60 in economy. Eligible United cardholders can book the same flight for 36,000 miles plus $5.60.

Luxembourg probably isn’t the first airport that comes to mind for a trip to Europe. But its location is part of the appeal. The country borders France, Germany, and Belgium, putting the new nonstop within easy reach of several places that might otherwise require a connection anyway.

This route takes off on on April 2.

Detroit to Athens From 29,700 Delta Miles

Delta is adding the first nonstop flight between Detroit (DTW) and Athens (ATH) next summer beginning on June 8, and seats are already bookable with SkyMiles.

POINTSYEAH

On July 20, Main Basic starts at 35,000 SkyMiles plus $6 one way. Eligible Delta cardholders get a 15% discount through TakeOff 15, dropping the price to 29,700 miles plus $6.

There is a tradeoff for taking the cheaper option, though.

Main Basic charges a fee to cancel or change the ticket, doesn’t include advance seat selection, and charges for the first checked bag. Main Classic on the same flight costs 45,800 miles, or 38,900 miles with the cardholder discount, and offers more flexibility, advance seat selection, and a free checked bag.

That’s a difference of 9,200 miles for cardholders. On a trip being booked nearly 10 months ahead, paying more miles for the extra flexibility could make a good amount of sense.

Search for Your Own Trip

These prices are snapshots of a moment in time and can move up or down as the wind blows. Changing the dates, departure airport, or cabin can also produce very different results.

That’s particularly useful with new routes. United’s Luxembourg flight starts in Newark, while American’s new Porto nonstop starts in Philadelphia. But as the Boston and Los Angeles examples show, itineraries don’t necessarily have to start there.

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September 28, 2026
American and STARLUX Are Working Toward Mileage Redemptions

American Airlines and STARLUX have officially launched their codeshare partnership. But for anyone with American miles, the more interesting part is what could come next.

American says the airlines are working toward mileage redemptions and additional benefits. If that happens, STARLUX would become another way to use AAdvantage miles to get to Asia.

That’s already one of the more useful aspects of American’s program. AAdvantage miles can be used on American’s own flights across the Pacific, along with partners including Japan Airlines and Cathay Pacific. Malaysia Airlines can help with trips farther into Southeast Asia, while Qantas opens up additional possibilities through Australia.

STARLUX could add another piece to that network, with flights from several U.S. cities to Taipei and connections throughout Asia.

More on This: Where Everyone Wanted to Go Abroad This Summer, According to PointsYeah Search Data

STARLUX Redemptions Aren’t Available Yet

The codeshare is the first step. American is now selling select STARLUX flights from Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE), with Phoenix (PHX) expected to follow pending approval.

AAdvantage members can earn miles and Loyalty Points when those STARLUX flights are sold under an American flight number.

What isn’t possible yet is booking a STARLUX flight with AAdvantage miles.

American says the airlines will work together on future opportunities including “mileage redemption and additional travel benefits,” but hasn’t said when that will happen, what flights will be available, or how many miles they’ll cost.

STARLUX isn’t the only potential addition, either. Philippine Airlines is preparing to join Oneworld, the airline alliance that includes American, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and several other carriers. Its membership should eventually create another way to use American miles for flights in Asia.

There’s plenty left to learn about both additions. But the direction is pretty interesting. AAdvantage already offers several ways to cross the Pacific using miles, and that list looks likely to get longer.

September 25, 2026
Fly to Sydney From 25,000 American Airlines Miles This Fall
Australia isn’t exactly a quick trip from the U.S., but American Airlines is offering a cheaper way to get there for anyone with some flexibility this fall.

For a limited time, American is offering one-way economy award tickets to Sydney (SYD) for as few as 25,000 AAdvantage miles. That’s 10,000 miles less than the 35,000-mile starting price on American’s award chart.

There’s one big catch, though: both booking and travel need to happen by October 31, 2026.

That leaves just over a month to make the trip happen.

What to Know Before Booking

The offer covers Main Cabin awards between the contiguous 48 states and Sydney. These tickets start at 25,000 AAdvantage miles one way, plus applicable taxes and fees.

American says availability is limited, and the mileage price can change depending on the flight and date.

There’s another important restriction. The discounted awards must be on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle. Codeshare flights aren’t eligible, so don’t expect the 25,000-mile price on a Qantas-operated flight just because it appears on AA.com.

The offer can’t be applied to an existing reservation, either.

That gives this deal a pretty narrow window:
- Book by 11:59 p.m. CT on October 31, 2026.
- Complete travel by October 31, 2026.
- Fly in Main Cabin.
- Travel between the contiguous U.S. and Sydney.
- Stick to American-operated flights.
AA.COM

A Long Flight, but a Lower Mileage Price

There’s no getting around the obvious part. Australia is a long way to fly in economy. American’s nonstop from Los Angeles to Sydney spends roughly 15 hours in the air.

At 25,000 AAdvantage miles one way, though, the savings are pretty meaningful. A round trip at the lowest price would cost 50,000 miles, although finding that rate in both directions from a home airport isn’t guaranteed.

It’s worth searching from American’s major gateways, too. If the deal doesn’t appear from a home airport, a positioning flight could open up more options.

But the bigger limitation here isn’t the long flight. It’s the calendar. Anyone who can make Australia work before the end of October has a lower mileage price available for a limited time.
September 22, 2026
American Airlines Is Planning More Premium Seats, Lounges, and Fleet Upgrades

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom and CFO Devon May sat down with investors this week at Morgan Stanley’s annual Laguna Conference. The majority of the conversation centered on revenue, fuel prices, and profitability, but there were also several updates that could affect the experience of flying American over the next few years.

Here’s what stood out.

American’s Premium Push Is Still Just Getting Started

American has spent the last several years pushing its product upmarket, with upgraded lounges, more premium seats, and the launch of its new Flagship Suite.

There’s a pretty simple reason why.

Isom said just 30% of American’s seats now account for 50% of the airline’s revenue. And despite all the attention American has placed on premium cabins recently, the airline still considers itself relatively early in that transition.

By the end of the decade, American expects its number of premium seats to grow by roughly 50%.

Some of that growth is already underway. American’s first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER entered service with a larger Flagship Suite cabin, while Isom said work on the airline’s 777-200ERs will be “moving before you know it.” Airbus A319 and A320 reconfigurations are also beginning to roll out.

The result should be considerably more premium seating across American’s fleet over the next several years, on both its domestic and international jets.

More on This: American’s Strangest Premium Plane Is Starting to Disappear

American Says More Lounges Are Coming

American also appears to be preparing for one of its biggest periods of lounge investment in years.

Isom said customers will see “more new lounge openings at American over the next couple of years than we’ve done in decades.”

Several lounge projects are already underway, but the comment suggests there’s plenty more happening behind the scenes.

That’s worth watching as American puts more emphasis on the experience before a flight, not just the seat onboard.

Free Wi-Fi Is Also Growing AAdvantage

American’s rollout of free Wi-Fi isn’t just about making the flight better.

Isom said AAdvantage enrollments are running at record levels, with much of that growth driven by free Wi-Fi. An AAdvantage membership is required to use the service.

More members also gives American a larger pool of customers for other parts of AAdvantage, particularly its credit card partnership with Citi.

The onboard upgrades still have some distance to go. Isom said a “significant chunk” of American’s fleet will have high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi as the airline moves through 2027. Seatback entertainment will take several years to spread across the fleet.

Some Flights Could Be Trimmed

There was one less exciting update.

Higher fuel prices are causing American to reconsider some of its planned flying. May said the airline will make adjustments to its December schedule and now expects to grow somewhat less in 2027 than it anticipated several months ago.

That doesn’t necessarily mean widespread route cuts. American still sees room to grow its network over the longer term.

But schedules could get a little thinner in the near term as American adjusts to higher fuel costs.

In the aggregate, the comments point to an American that will look different over the next several years. More premium seats and lounges are coming, Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment are spreading across the fleet, and some of that investment is already starting to show up. The immediate question is how much higher fuel prices slow the airline’s plans to grow the network around it.

September 18, 2026
American and Hyatt Are Ending Their Exclusive Loyalty Partnership in November

American Airlines and Hyatt are calling time on a loyalty partnership that once tied the two programs much more closely together.

The two companies announced Wednesday, September 9, that they have “mutually decided” not to continue their enhanced relationship, which currently gives AAdvantage and World of Hyatt members opportunities to unlock benefits across both programs.

The partnership had already been watered down considerably in 2025, when American and Hyatt eliminated reciprocal bonus earning on flights and hotel stays in favor of rewards tied to each program’s elite status qualification system.

Now, those benefits are going away, too.

For the moment, little is changing. Members can continue earning and redeeming eligible benefits through the current earning year, with parts of the relationship stretching into early 2027.

American and Hyatt Are Going Their Separate Ways

American and Hyatt have worked together since 2019. Initially, eligible elite members could earn bonus AAdvantage miles on Hyatt stays or bonus World of Hyatt points on American flights after linking their accounts.

That arrangement changed in 2025. Rather than earning bonus points or miles whenever they stayed or flew, members began unlocking benefits in the other program through AAdvantage Loyalty Point Rewards and World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards.

Those are the benefits now headed for the exit.

American and Hyatt issued nearly identical statements Wednesday, saying the decision came “after careful consideration.”

“We have mutually decided to not continue our enhanced relationship.”

The initial announcement didn’t offer much more explanation than that. But an American spokesperson provided Points Insider with some additional context, confirming that what it described as the “exclusive loyalty partnership” with Hyatt expires in November and won’t be renewed.

American said it’s focused on partnerships that provide AAdvantage members with “global scale and premium experiences” while also building relationships that are beneficial to customers and the airline’s financial outlook.

The reference to exclusivity is what sticks out.

Air Canada and Hyatt recently announced a new enhanced partnership between Aeroplan and World of Hyatt, giving members opportunities to earn rewards and access status benefits across the two programs.

We specifically asked American whether Hyatt’s new Aeroplan partnership played a role in the decision not to renew its exclusive relationship. The airline didn’t address that question.

KAMERAWORLD / ISTOCK

Current Benefits Aren’t Disappearing Immediately

Members who already leverage the American and Hyatt partnership have some time before the biggest changes take effect.

AAdvantage members who link their American and Hyatt accounts by November 15, 2026, can continue earning World of Hyatt awards through AAdvantage Loyalty Point Rewards through February 28, 2027.

World of Hyatt members who link their accounts by November 15 can continue earning AAdvantage awards through Milestone Rewards through December 31, 2026.

Benefits already earned won’t suddenly disappear, either. Both companies say members will receive the usual amount of time to select an award after earning it.

One American and Hyatt Benefit Is Sticking Around

Not everything is going away.

AAdvantage members will still be able to earn 500 AAdvantage miles on eligible Hyatt stays after the broader relationship ends. Members can choose to earn the miles instead of World of Hyatt points by providing their AAdvantage number at check-in.

It’s a much narrower tie-up than what American and Hyatt once offered, but the two programs aren’t severing ties completely.

JHVEPHOTO / ISTOCK

Why End the Partnership Now?

That’s still the big unanswered question.

American’s response offers a glimpse at what the airline wants from its loyalty partnerships, including global scale, premium experiences, and relationships that make financial sense. But it doesn’t explain why the Hyatt relationship no longer fits that strategy.

The timing of Hyatt’s new Aeroplan partnership, coupled with American’s description of its Hyatt agreement as exclusive, makes the question particularly interesting.

For now, though, there’s no confirmation that the two developments are connected.

And the practical impact won’t be immediate. Members have several more months to earn benefits before the relationship winds down, and the option to earn AAdvantage miles instead of Hyatt points will remain.

But the broader partnership has been shrinking for some time. It lost reciprocal earning in 2025, will lose its remaining cross-program milestone benefits over the coming months, and its exclusive contract expires in November.

This time, American and Hyatt aren’t renewing it.

September 9, 2026
American Airlines Is Finally Saying Goodbye to Flagship First

American Airlines has been preparing to say goodbye to Flagship First for years. Until now, we just didn’t know when the airline would make it official.

On September 2, American announced that Flagship First will no longer be available for purchase on its Boeing 777-300ERs for travel beginning November 19, 2026. The airline will then stop selling Flagship First on its premium transcontinental routes for travel beginning March 28, 2027.

That will bring an end to American’s dedicated first-class cabin and leave the newer Flagship Suite as the airline’s top premium product.

It’ll also mark the end of an era for U.S. airlines.

American is the last U.S. carrier to offer a true international first-class cabin, something Delta and United abandoned years ago in favor of increasingly elaborate business-class products.

Flagship First Is Disappearing From the 777-300ER

American currently offers Flagship First on two aircraft: the Boeing 777-300ER used on long-haul international routes and the Airbus A321T used primarily on premium transcontinental routes from New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS) to the West Coast.

The airline has been working toward eliminating both versions for some time.

TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER

American’s 20 Boeing 777-300ERs are being retrofitted with new interiors that replace the eight-seat Flagship First cabin with a much larger business-class cabin. The work is expected to be completed by mid 2027.

The new configuration has 70 Flagship Suite seats with privacy doors, 44 Premium Economy seats, 30 Main Cabin Extra seats, and 186 standard Main Cabin seats.

The first retrofitted 777-300ER enters commercial service on September 2 between New York (JFK) and Buenos Aires (EZE) as flight AA953.

American says Flagship First will no longer be available for purchase on the 777-300ER for travel beginning November 19.

Transcontinental First Class Gets a Few More Months

Flagship First will hang around a little longer on American’s transcontinental routes.

The Airbus A321T has an unusual three-cabin configuration with Flagship First, Flagship Business, and economy. But that premium-heavy configuration is also on its way out.

American is reconfiguring the A321Ts with a more standard layout as Airbus A321XLRs take over premium transcontinental flying.

The XLR still has a premium layout, but there’s no separate first-class cabin. Instead, it has 20 Flagship Suite seats, followed by 12 Premium Economy seats and 123 seats in Main Cabin.

But the XLR’s Flagship Suite isn’t identical to the version found on American’s new Boeing 787-9P (the P stands for premium) and retrofitted 777-300ER. The XLR requires a different seat design because of its narrower cabin.

As more XLRs enter the fleet, American says Flagship First will no longer be sold on transcontinental routes for travel beginning March 28, 2027.

That means Flagship First will disappear in two stages: first from international flying this November, then from the transcontinental network next March.

Flagship Suite Becomes American’s Top Seat

American revealed plans years ago that would ultimately eliminate Flagship First as it introduced its new Flagship Suite.

What’s new is that the airline has finally put dates on the transition that’s already well underway.

TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER

Once Flagship First disappears, Flagship Suite will officially take over as American’s top long-haul product.

In many ways, the change makes sense. The differences between first and business class have been shrinking for years. Today’s best business-class seats offer privacy doors, direct aisle access, better bedding, and many of the features that once helped set international first class apart.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be some nostalgia for Flagship First. American is the last U.S. airline to offer a true international first-class cabin, and its retirement will bring that era to an end.

So for anyone hoping to experience Flagship First one last time, or for the first time, the clock is now officially ticking.

September 2, 2026
How to Change an American Airlines Award Flight Online
Plans change. And so does award pricing, for that matter.

If you’ve booked a flight with American Airlines AAdvantage miles, you don’t necessarily need to call to change it. Most award trips can be changed online, whether you need a different flight or happen to stumble across a cheaper option after booking.

There are no change fees, although you’ll pay any increase in miles or taxes. And if the new award happens to cost less, you’ll get the difference back.

Here’s how it works.

How to Change an American Airlines Award Flight Online

Changing an American Airlines award flight online is quick and easy.

Start by signing in to your AAdvantage account and opening the reservation you want to change. If you aren’t signed in, you can also find the trip using your six-character confirmation code.

From the reservation page, select “Change trip.”

American will ask which flight you want to change. Select the applicable flight and confirm that you want to make a change.

On the next screen, you can change any of three things:
- Origin
- Destination
- Date
You don’t have to change all three. If you just want to look for another flight on the same route and date, leave the existing information in place and continue.

AA.COM

American will search for new options much like it would if you were booking a new award ticket. The difference is that it knows what you’ve already paid.

At the top of the results, you’ll see your previous trip value, previous tax value, and available AAdvantage miles. The results below show how much more each new itinerary would cost compared with your existing award.

For example, this trip from Wilmington (ILM) to Porto (OPO) was originally booked for 21,000 AAdvantage miles plus $5.60.

AA.COM

Changing the departure to March 31 would cost another 21,500 miles, while March 28, 29, and 30 show some itineraries with no additional miles required.

Once you’ve found the itinerary you want, select the fare and continue to the confirmation screen. You’ll see any additional miles and taxes due before completing the change. If the new award costs less, you’ll get miles back instead.

The process in the American Airlines app is nearly identical.

What Happens to Your Miles When You Change an Award?

There’s a little more happening behind the scenes than the change screen suggests.

American says it reinstates the miles from the original trip to the AAdvantage account they came from. It then deducts the miles required for the replacement award from that same account, even when the new award costs the same amount.

American also says to allow up to 72 hours for a mileage reinstatement to process. Your AAdvantage balance will update once the reinstatement is complete.

Taxes are settled as part of the change as well. If the new itinerary requires additional taxes, you’ll pay the difference. If you’re owed a refund, American sends it back to the credit card used for the original booking.

After the change is complete, American sends a confirmation email with the new itinerary and ticket number.

SCM JEANS / ISTOCK

Changing Can Be Easier Than Canceling and Rebooking

The online change option is also worth knowing about when you find something better after booking.

American dynamically prices awards on its own flights, so the mileage price can change as the cash fares fluctuate. Most partner awards work differently, although American uses variable pricing for awards on a small number of partners.

If the price drops, you don’t necessarily need to cancel the original award and start over. An online change keeps you within the existing reservation and shows what the new option costs compared with what you’ve already paid. If the replacement costs fewer miles, you’ll get the difference back.

You can do the same thing if a different flight, date, origin, or destination becomes a better option.

More on This: How to Use Points Price Alerts

Not Every Award Can Be Changed Online

American describes online changes as available for “eligible” trips, so you won’t necessarily see the option on every reservation.

American directs travelers to its reservations center for certain awards, including trips that have already started and some itineraries involving partner airlines. Trips affected by circumstances outside your control may also require assistance.

But if your reservation is eligible, you’ll see “Change trip” on the reservation page. From there, you can see what the alternatives cost before confirming anything.

So before canceling an award or calling American, check the reservation online. The change you want to make may only take a few minutes.
August 31, 2026