American Airlines Award Flights: 9 Ways to Book With Points

Programs that can book American Airlines

Earliest-opening first. Each one opens on the later of the airline's schedule and its own booking window.

American AAdvantage
Opens 331 days before departure
oneworld
24-hour hold
RB
British Airways Club
Opens 331 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
oneworld
No holds
+1
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Opens 331 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
oneworld
3-day hold by phone5 stopovers per round trip
+3
Finnair Plus
Opens 331 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
oneworld
No holds1 stopover per round trip
Iberia Club
Opens 331 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
oneworld
No holds
JAL Mileage Bank
Opens 331 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
oneworld
No holds3 stopovers per round trip
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Opens 331 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
oneworld
No holds5 stopovers per round trip
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Opens 331 days before departure · airline's schedule; program's window unknown
oneworld
Alaska Atmos Rewards
Opens 330 days before departure · program's window is shorter
oneworld
No holds1 stopover each way

Transferable points that reach American Airlines

Through the programs above.

Amex Membership RewardsBritish Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Iberia Club, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Chase Ultimate RewardsBritish Airways Club, Iberia Club
Citi ThankYou RewardsAmerican AAdvantage, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, JAL Mileage Bank, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Capital One MilesBritish Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Finnair Plus, JAL Mileage Bank, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Bilt RewardsAlaska Atmos Rewards, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Iberia Club, JAL Mileage Bank, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Wells Fargo RewardsBritish Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Iberia Club
Marriott BonvoyAlaska Atmos Rewards, American AAdvantage, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Iberia Club, JAL Mileage Bank, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Rove MilesCathay Pacific Asia Miles, Finnair Plus, JAL Mileage Bank, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club
RBC AvionAmerican AAdvantage, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Brex RewardsCathay Pacific Asia Miles, Qantas Frequent Flyer

Frequently asked questions

Which programs can book American Airlines award flights?

American AAdvantage, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Finnair Plus, Iberia Club, JAL Mileage Bank, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club and Alaska Atmos Rewards. Each has its own prices, taxes and rules, so compare a few before you transfer points.

When do American Airlines award seats open?

American Airlines loads its schedule 331 days before departure. Some programs search a shorter window, so you can only book it through them later: Alaska Atmos Rewards (330 days).

Which transferable points can book American Airlines flights?

Amex Membership Rewards (through British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Iberia Club and 2 more), Chase Ultimate Rewards (through British Airways Club and Iberia Club), Citi ThankYou Rewards (through American AAdvantage, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, JAL Mileage Bank and 2 more), Capital One Miles (through British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Finnair Plus and 3 more), Bilt Rewards (through Alaska Atmos Rewards, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and 3 more), Wells Fargo Rewards (through British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Iberia Club) and 4 more. Transfer only once you've found the seat, since transfers usually can't be reversed.