Guide to American Airlines & AAdvantage (2024)

This guide provides an overview of flying, saving, and earning miles with American Airlines, including a summary of their frequent flyer program, AAdvantage. You’ll learn all about American Airlines, the deals they offer, and how to get the most out of each flight.

Either read everything sequentially or use the Table of Contents (above) to jump to the section that’s most relevant to you.   

It’s all here. Check it out!

About American Airlines

American Airlines is the world’s second-largest airline, in terms of passenger miles. American has four hubs: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), and New York (JFK). Los Angeles (LAX), St. Louis (STL), San Juan (SJU), and Boston (BOS) serve as focus cities and international gateways for American.

OneWorld Alliance

American Airlines is a founding member of oneworld, which brings together 13 of the world’s leading airlines – and around 30 affiliates – including:

• American Airlines, the biggest airline in the USA – and the world.
• British Airways, is the leading carrier serving the world’s top business city, London.
• Cathay Pacific Airways is the top airline serving Asia’s “world city” Hong Kong.
• Finnair, emerging as one of the leading airlines connecting Europe with Asia.
• Iberia is the leading airline between Europe and Latin America.
• Japan Airlines, is the iconic airline based in Asia’s top business city Tokyo.
• LATAM Airlines, Latin America’s leading airline group, was created through the merger of LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines plus their various affiliates.
• Malaysia Airlines is one of South East Asia’s most frequent award winners.
• Qantas is the only Australian airline that is part of any global airline alliance.
• Qatar Airways is one of the most highly rated and fastest growing airlines worldwide and the only one of the major Gulf carriers to have joined a global alliance.
• Royal Jordanian, the first airline from the Middle East to join any global airline alliance.
• S7 Airlines is Russia’s highest-quality domestic airline.
• Sri Lankan Airlines is the first airline from the Indian sub-continent to join any global airline alliance.

American Airlines Contact and Customer Service

American Airlines
P.O. Box 619616
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
United States

800-433-7300

American Airlines Frequent Flyer Program – AAdvantage

AAdvantage is the name of American Airlines’ frequent flyer program.   As a member of the AAdvantage program, you’ll earn miles when you fly on American, Oneworld, and other participating airlines, as well as over 1,000 partners

You can join the AAdvantage program, by signing up on their website.

American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Cards

The quickest way to earn American AAdvantage Miles, especially if you are not a road warrior, is through credit card spending and sign-up bonuses. With American, you can earn miles through a variety of credit cards – either with a co-branded American AAdvantage card or with one that offers transfer options to American such as a Marriott Bonvoy card (which has a great 5,000-mile bonus feature with transfers). Here are the best credit cards for earning American Airlines Frequent Flyer Miles.

American Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards

American Airlines Co-Branded Credit Cards are available as both personal and business cards through Citi and allow you to earn American AAdvantage Miles on every purchase you make.

• Citi / AAdvantage Executive
• Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select
• Citi / AAdvantage Gold 
• Citi / AAdvantage Bronze
• CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select
• CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Select

American Airlines also has a set of Co-Branded Credit Cards with Barclay

• Aviator Red MasterCard
• Aviator Business MasterCard

Credit Cards that transfer to American AAdvantage Miles

Marriott Co-Branded Credit Cards are also an option to transfer to American. They transfer at a 3:1 ratio, plus there is a 5,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 points.  You can instantaneously transfer from your Marriott account, then over to American.

1. Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card
2. Marriott Rewards Premier BUSINESS Card
3. Ritz Carlton Rewards Visa

American Airlines Seating and Cabin Classes

American has a variety of seating options including Basic Economy, Main Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy, Business,  and First Class.

Main Cabin / Economy Class

American offers 4 flavors of economy class –

• Basic Economy

Basic Economy is American’s attempt to compete with the low-cost carriers – it is a very restrictive fare class and should be avoided unless the savings are substantial because there are a lot of fees that can be added… and they add up quickly!

The restrictions include – One item that fits under the seat in front of you (no access to overhead bins), Seats assigned at check-in, Fees to choose a specific seat, Not eligible for upgrades, No flight changes or refunds, Board in last group

• Main Cabin

Main Cabin is American’s standard economy-class product.  Your seat will include free snacks and inflight entertainment

• Main Cabin Extra

Main Cabin Extra seats have a little more space but you have to pay for them, starting at $20. Seats are located in front of the Main Cabin and offered on most flights, subject to availability.

• Premium Economy (Long Haul Flights)

Premium Economy seating includes special amenities in the air and on the ground with seats behind First or Business. You can buy a ticket on our 787-9 and A330-200 aircraft as well as select 777-200 planes flying to Hawaii and on international routes over 3,000 miles.    The seats have more legroom and wider, adjustable leather seats with extendable feet and headrests and the dining is of higher quality than the main cabin.

Business Class Cabin

American Airlines Flagship Business class tickets give you access to premium amenities and services and are available on international flights over 3,000 miles.  Amenities include lie-flat seats, premium dining, lounge access, and in-flight entertainment.

First Class Cabin

American Airlines Flagship First tickets give you access to their best and most exclusive amenities and services and are available for international flights over 3,000 miles.  Amenities include lie-flat seats (all with direct aisle access), premium dining, an award-winning wine list, lounge access, and in-flight entertainment.

Visa and Passport Requirements

Before you book your flight make sure you are up to speed with the latest information regarding visa and passport requirements.   Here is a link to American Airlines Travel Document Guidelines.

If you have to renew or obtain a new passport, make sure you follow the passport application rules, including how to obtain a proper passport photo.  Sometimes it’s the little things that can cause a big headache if you don’t follow to rules.