American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines, Oneworld alliance airlines and other partners. Most of these flights can be booked directly online with few exceptions, and the award search is just like searching for a paid flight.

Yes, you can use American Airlines AAdvantage miles to pay for flights and several travel-related extras. In 2026, the primary way to "pay" is by booking Award Travel directly on the AA website or app, where you select "Redeem Miles" during the search. Beyond the tickets themselves, you can use miles to pay for Preferred or Main Cabin Extra seat assignments for existing trips by toggling the payment method from cash to miles on the seat map. Miles can also be used for cabin upgrades (starting at 15,000 miles + a potential co-pay) and Admirals Club memberships. While you cannot typically pay for checked bag fees or in-flight snacks directly with miles, the program allows for a wide range of redemptions including car rentals, hotel stays, and vacation packages through the AAdvantage portal.