With more than 30 airline, hotel and car rental partners, American Airlines presents a strong global profile through its AAdvantage loyalty program. While American Airlines belongs to the oneworld alliance, you can also earn and redeem your AAdvantage miles for many non-alliance airline partners. Maximizing these partnerships could even help you achieve elite status and give you the utmost flexibility for your rewards.

Airline partners

American Airlines has more than 20 airline partnerships, both in and outside of the oneworld alliance. These partnerships can connect you to global destinations and seemingly-endless redemption opportunities. Recently, American Airlines also joined forces with Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Airways — two popular domestic carriers.

oneworld alliance

American Airlines founded the oneworld alliance, which currently comprises of 13 airlines. You can earn and redeem your AAdvantage miles for any oneworld partner, flying to over 1,000 destinations across the world.

Here are American’s fellow oneworld alliance members:

Other partners

To expand its global network even further, American Airlines partners with 10 airlines that aren’t part of the oneworld alliance. By flying any of these partner airlines, you’ll earn AAdvantage miles, though you can only redeem your AAdvantage miles with a select number.

On codeshare flights, you’ll earn AAdvantage miles based on the ticketed fare class, so you’ll want to make sure that you link your AAdvantage number when booking your reservation. The exact miles you’ll earn will depend on the airline, so it’s best to check American’s partner airlines page first.

American Airlines and Alaska Airlines partnership

By the summer of 2021, Alaska Airlines will join oneworld, adding key West Coast routes to the alliance’s network. Once Alaska is fully integrated into the alliance, the following changes will occur:

Until then, American and Alaska flyers can mutually benefit from this partnership. Lounge members can access nearly 50 Admirals Club locations and seven domestic Alaska lounges. You’ll be able to earn and redeem your miles on American or Alaska flights, which can help you qualify for elite status on either airline.

Finally, Alaska members will continue to earn and redeem Mileage Plan miles with its existing 15-plus airline partners, including Aer Lingus and Korean Air.

American Airlines and JetBlue Airways partnership

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways announced a strategic partnership that leverages each of its strengths. Unlike Alaska, however, JetBlue will not be joining the oneworld alliance — instead, this partnership will offer a wider flight network for American Airlines and JetBlue customers, while offering reciprocal loyalty benefits for members of both programs.

As American expands its international presence, the airline will add more flights originating from New York City airports — where JetBlue has its greatest presence. With JetBlue’s strong presence at John F. Kennedy International Airport (and a growing network at both Newark Liberty and LaGuardia airports), these codeshare flights will connect domestic customers to increased international options.

This unique partnership between two domestic airlines demonstrates how your AAdvantage loyalty may result in favorable outcomes and increased options all around.

Elite status benefits with oneworld alliance

In addition to earning and redeeming miles on partner airlines, American Airlines elite status members can use their benefits on oneworld alliance partners. The following chart shows how AAdvantage elite status levels translate to oneworld elite status:

AAdvantage elite status qualification is determined in two ways throughout a calendar year:

The qualification requirements have changed because of the ongoing pandemic, so be sure to check American’s elite status page for updates. Remember that flying on American’s partner airlines can help you earn more EQDs, which will depend on the fare class and ticket price. For example, flying international business or first class may result in a bonus percentage of EQDs awarded. By checking out each airline’s chart, you could earn EQDs quicker when flying American’s partners, resulting in elite status at a much faster rate.

Earn AAdvantage miles through car rental partners

If you’re looking to earn even more AAdvantage miles, American Airlines partners with eight popular car rental companies. To earn miles with any of these partners, you’ll need to provide your AAdvantage number when booking.

Each partner handles award miles differently. Partners such as Avis and Budget award the same number of miles for all rentals, not based on rental days. They also reward American Airlines cardholders or elite status members with more miles than AAdvantage members. Meanwhile, other partners will award miles depending on the length of rental or the total price. The table below shows how you can earn AAdvantage miles with each car rental program.

If your car rental is for an extended period, it would be most advantageous to book with a partner that awards you miles per day. For shorter rentals, you’ll earn the most miles with Avis or Budget — and even more if you’re a AAdvantage card holder or an elite status member.

Earn AAdvantage miles through hotel partners

For all of your hotel needs, American Airlines also partners with several hotel brands — from Hyatt to Marriott. Again, you must provide your AAdvantage number at check-in to claim your miles.

Out of all these hotel partnerships, the Hyatt partnership stands out from the rest of the crowd. By linking your World of Hyatt account with your AAdvantage account, you can earn rewards through both loyalty programs. AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members can earn World of Hyatt elite status faster, making this a beneficial partnership.

Meanwhile, American Airlines Hotels, Rocketmiles and PointsHound are all hotel portals where you can book stays at a significant number of hotels. Booking your hotel stays through these portals could be a lucrative way to earn hotel points, with the potential of up to 10,000 miles each night. While you won’t earn hotel points from stays booked through these portals, they can be a great way to earn lots of AAdvantage points if you’re not loyal to one hotel brand.

American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards

Through Barclays and Citi, American Airlines offers four personal cards and two business cards. Any of these co-branded cards can offer strong sign-up bonuses of AAdvantage miles in addition to American Airlines perks.

Depending on how often you fly American Airlines, you’ll want to pick the card that offers the best loyalty perks for you. From Admirals Club membership to free checked bags, be sure to read our reviews on each card to determine the best fit.

ValuePenguin’s verdict

American Airlines has many valuable travel partners that make it easy to earn AAdvantage miles — without even flying American. Whether you’re flying a partner airline or booking a rental car, there are numerous ways to earn and redeem miles through the AAdvantage program. You can even qualify for elite status through American’s hotel, airline and car rental partners to enjoy exclusive perks for American flyers. Best of all, some of the best redemptions can be made by redeeming your AAdvantage miles with American’s partners.