Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to earn AAdvantage miles
AAdvantage is American Airlines' loyalty programme, and American sets out AAdvantage earning on its own site as several separate links: flying American Airlines, cruises and vacations, experiences, offers from partners, AAdvantage credit cards and the AAdvantage Business programme. [1] [2]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- American presents AAdvantage earning as several distinct links rather than one list: flying American Airlines, cruises and vacations, experiences, offers from partners, AAdvantage credit cards and the AAdvantage Business programme each have their own entry. [1]
- The Earn miles page opens with "Go further with everyday ways to earn" and links to an AAdvantage Pass package alongside a set of "Use miles" links. [2]
- The AAdvantage navigation carries an "Offers from our partners" entry [1], and the Earn miles page links to "Use miles with our airline partners" [2].
- This guide follows AAdvantage miles only; elite status and other airline programmes are outside its scope.
Where can you earn AAdvantage miles?
American's AAdvantage navigation gives earning its own destination, "Earn miles", and places it next to "Use miles" as the two halves of the programme. [1] The same navigation lists the AAdvantage Business programme, offers from partners, buy, gift or transfer miles, and AAdvantage credit cards as separate entries of their own. [1]
| Route or area | How American lists it |
|---|---|
| American Airlines flights | "Earn on American Airlines flights" [1] |
| Cruises and vacations | "Earn miles on cruises and vacations" [1] |
| Experiences | "Earn on experiences" [1] |
| Offers from partners | Entry of its own in the AAdvantage navigation [1] |
| AAdvantage credit cards | Entry of its own in the AAdvantage navigation [1] |
| AAdvantage Business programme | Entry of its own in the AAdvantage navigation [1] |
| AAdvantage Pass packages | Linked from the Earn miles page [2] |
On the Earn miles page the AAdvantage Pass package link sits above a group of "Use miles" links: for flight upgrades, to fly with American, with airline partners, and on vacations. [2] American presents all of these as links from the programme pages rather than as one combined list, so the practical starting point is the entry that matches the route you plan to use. [1] [2]
How do airline partners and partner offers fit into AAdvantage?
Partner references sit in different places. "Offers from our partners" is an entry of its own in the AAdvantage navigation [1], the travel navigation carries a "Flying with partner airlines" link [1], and the Earn miles page links to "Use miles with our airline partners" [2].
Where do you start, and where can you get help?
The AAdvantage navigation gives "Earn miles" its own entry next to "Use miles", and keeps separate entries for AAdvantage Business, offers from partners, buy, gift or transfer miles, and AAdvantage credit cards. [1] The Earn miles page is where the earning links begin. [2]
That page links to an AAdvantage Pass package and to "Use miles" pages for flight upgrades, flying with American, airline partners and vacations. [2]
Both the AAdvantage programme page and the Earn miles page point readers to a frequently asked questions page [1] [2], and the same navigation lists contact details, receipts and refunds, and FAQs under Help [1].
Exceptions and limits
- This guide is about AAdvantage miles. Elite status, status benefits and other airline programmes are outside its scope.
- "Buy, gift or transfer miles" is a separate entry in the AAdvantage navigation from "Earn miles" [1].
- AAdvantage Business is an entry of its own in the AAdvantage navigation [1], and AAdvantage Pass packages are linked from the Earn miles page [2].
- Cruises, vacations and experiences appear as their own earning lines, apart from "Earn on American Airlines flights" [1].
- Partner references appear as navigation links: "Offers from our partners" [1] and "Use miles with our airline partners" [2]. This guide covers only the earning links American lists; partner airline earning rules are not covered here.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to fly American Airlines to earn AAdvantage miles?
American lists more than flights. Its AAdvantage material includes "Earn miles on cruises and vacations" and "Earn on experiences", plus entries for offers from partners, AAdvantage credit cards and the AAdvantage Business programme [1].
Can you earn AAdvantage miles on cruises and vacations?
American lists "Earn miles on cruises and vacations" as one of its AAdvantage earning links [1].
Does the Earn miles page link to airline partners?
Yes. The Earn miles page carries a link to "Use miles with our airline partners" [2], and the AAdvantage navigation carries an "Offers from our partners" entry [1].
Are AAdvantage credit cards part of the programme?
American lists AAdvantage credit cards as an entry of their own within the AAdvantage programme [1].
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers AAdvantage only; other airline programmes, including their earning rules and their credit card arrangements, are not covered here.
- AAdvantage programme overview, checked 18 October 2026
- Earn miles: AAdvantage programme, checked 18 October 2026