Sept. 30, 2026 • 16 min read Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Editor's Note This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information and offers. Citi is a TPG advertising partner. American Airlines AAdvantage miles are by far the airline currency that I redeem the most. After all, there are some excellent AAdvantage sweet spots , and the AAdvantage program has customer-friendly award cancellation policies .
But to redeem a lot of AAdvantage miles each year, I must earn a sizable amount of AAdvantage miles. So, here's what you should know about earning American miles.
As you'll learn, there are many ways to earn AAdvantage miles. But there are two different types of American miles you can earn: base miles and bonus miles.
The difference between base and bonus miles isn't important if you're primarily interested in redeemable miles, as both types are equally redeemable. But if you're interested in earning American Airlines elite status and Loyalty Point Rewards , know that base miles — not bonus miles — are what get you Loyalty Points.
Related: American AAdvantage miles vs. Loyalty Points: What's the difference?
You can earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles on paid flights with the carrier and its partners when you list your AAdvantage loyalty number on your booking.
However, how you earn American miles will depend on which airline markets (in other words, sells) the flight. The marketing airline is often different from the airline that operates your flight; it's the one indicated by your flight number. For example, on Oct. 10, AA175 is operated and marketed by American Airlines, while JL7013 is the exact same flight marketed by Japan Airlines.
On flights marketed by American Airlines, you'll earn 5 base miles per dollar spent on the ticket cost, excluding government-imposed taxes and fees, if you don't have any elite status with American. Meanwhile, AAdvantage elite members earn base miles at the following rates:
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This means that for a $250 flight, excluding government-imposed taxes and fees, a member without status would earn 1,250 base miles, an AAdvantage Gold member would earn 1,750 base miles, an AAdvantage Platinum member would earn 2,000 base miles, an AAdvantage Platinum Pro member would earn 2,250 base miles and an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member would earn 2,750 base miles.
You'll earn at the same rate on the base price of paid upgrades, and you can earn more miles on flights by buying a mileage multiplier before departure.
However, basic economy fares bought on or after Dec. 17, 2025 , don't earn any American miles. So, you…