If you’re a frequent flyer or a points enthusiast, understanding how to earn American Airlines Loyalty Points can help you reach elite AAdvantage status faster—without always taking to the skies. Whether you’re booking flights, shopping online, or just using your credit card, there are multiple ways to rack up Loyalty Points that count toward elite status.
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the top methods to earn AA Loyalty Points in 2025:
1. Fly with American Airlines and Partner Airlines
The most direct method is by flying. You’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point for every base AAdvantage® mile earned on eligible paid flights.
Eligible carriers include:
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American Airlines (AA)
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oneworld® alliance partners like British Airways, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines
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Select other partners such as JetBlue
💡 Pro Tip: Elite bonuses and promotional fares may boost your redeemable miles, but only base miles count as Loyalty Points.
2. Use an AAdvantage® Credit Card (Effortless Earning)
Every dollar you spend on Citi® / AAdvantage® or Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® credit cards earns 1 Loyalty Point—no need to spend in bonus categories.
Why this matters:
This is the most passive and consistent way to accumulate Loyalty Points, even from non-travel expenses.
🛒 Everyday spending like groceries, gas, and subscriptions all count.
3. Shop Through the AAdvantage eShopping Portal
Turn online shopping into status progress by using the AAdvantage eShopping Portal.
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Earn 1 Loyalty Point per $1 spent
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Find bonus offers like 3X–10X points at major retailers such as Macy’s, Nike, or Apple
🔍 SEO Tip: Always search for “AAdvantage portal + [store name]” to check if you can earn extra Loyalty Points.
4. Dine and Earn with AAdvantage Dining
Join the AAdvantage Dining Program and link your credit or debit card.
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Dine at participating restaurants and earn 1 Loyalty Point per AAdvantage mile earned
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Up to 5X miles per $1 at select locations for VIP members
🍝 A night out could push you closer to elite status without touching an airplane.
5. Leverage SimplyMiles Offers (Mastercard Users Only)
SimplyMiles is a lesser-known but powerful tool.
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Link your Mastercard and activate targeted offers
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Earn bonus AAdvantage miles, which count as Loyalty Points
🎯 Look for high-value offers like “Spend $50 at Walgreens, earn 500 miles.”
6. Book Through AA Vacations
Use AAvacations.com to book flight + hotel packages.
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Earn Loyalty Points for the flight portion
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Occasionally, full vacation packages offer bonus Loyalty Points
🌴 Great for families or travelers planning a full getaway with flights and stays bundled.
7. Reserve Hotels and Rental Cars via AA Partners
Book hotel stays and car rentals through AA’s partner portals such as Rocketmiles, Booking.com, and AA’s hotel platform.
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Earn miles (which = Loyalty Points)
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Partner rental agencies: Avis, Budget, and more
🏨 Stackable with hotel loyalty programs in some cases.
8. Use Shopping Portals to Buy AA Gift Cards
This method is indirect but valuable:
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Purchase AA gift cards via portals like Rakuten or AAdvantage eShopping
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Use those gift cards to buy flights on AA.com (which do earn Loyalty Points)
💳 It’s a smart way to stack cashback or miles on top of Loyalty Points earned from flights.
9. Take Advantage of AA Promotions
American Airlines frequently rolls out limited-time offers.
These may include:
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Double Loyalty Points on select flights
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Bonus LPs for signing up for credit cards
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Seasonal shopping or dining challenges
📣 Stay subscribed to AA’s emails and follow promotions closely!
10. Earn with Partner Activities
AAdvantage has partnerships beyond travel and shopping. Some financial, survey, and donation programs can earn miles that convert into Loyalty Points.
Examples include:
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Bask Bank: Earn miles as interest on your savings account
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Insurance providers and charity donation platforms offering miles as rewards
⚠️ Note: These offers vary by year and may be targeted.
What Doesn’t Earn Loyalty Points?
It’s important to know what won’t help your Loyalty Points tally:
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Transferring points from hotel or credit programs (e.g., Marriott, Bilt, Amex)
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Purchasing AAdvantage miles outright
Only earned miles—not purchased or transferred ones—will count.
Final Thoughts: Maximize Your Everyday Earning Potential
Earning AA Loyalty Points doesn’t require frequent flying. With smart spending, strategic shopping, and a little planning, you can reach elite AAdvantage status just by living your daily life.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a credit card optimizer, combining multiple methods is key to leveling up faster in 2025.
