Booking with Partner Airlines for Great Redemptions – American Airlines & British Airways
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I’m not sure anything is as confusing as airline partner bookings when you are first learning miles/points.
Understanding these partnerships and where the sweet spots are will help create great award flight redemptions.
BOOK AMERICAN AIRLINE FLIGHTS ON BRITISH AIRWAYS
Did you know that you can sometimes find flights within the US or US to Mexico that are American Airlines flights but are cheaper to book on British Airways. This is an actual American Airlines flight, on an American Airline’s plane, but sold on British Airways for less “avois” (what British Airways calls points/miles) than you could book it on American Airlines.
Let’s take a look at this flight from Phoenix to Maui.
American Airlines is charging 25.5K points for this flight…
British Airways has this EXACT same flight (ON American Airlines) for 13K Avios.
Wow! That’s nearly HALF!
There’s another reason this is fantastic… And that’s because it is MUCH easier to have a stash of British Airways Avios on hand than it is to have American Airline miles.
Huh? Explain!
Yes, you may not currently have British Airways Avios, but in a matter of minutes you can transfer points from Chase, Amex or Capital One to British Airways!
And no major banks allow you to transfer points to American Airlines.
Where British Airways Avios shine is on short distance flights.
Here’s another example… DFW to Los Cabos (SJD)
American Airlines is charging 12.5K points for this flight…
British Airways has this EXACT same flight (ON American Airlines) for 9K Avios.
HOW DO I FIND THIS FOR EVERY FLIGHT?
Unfortunately there is no 100% with these examples. Sometimes it IS cheaper on American Airlines. But now that you know about this partnership, if you are looking at a short haul flight on American Airlines, it’s worth checking the cost on British Airways to see if you can save some points/miles.
Which cards am I typically earning points/miles on that I could transfer to British Airways?
Chase Ultimate Rewards® Points
Capital One Venture Rewards Miles
American Express Membership Rewards® Points
Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
