How to Book American Airlines Flights with Chase Points

Key Takeaways

You can’t transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly to American Airlines because AA isn’t a Chase transfer partner.
You can still book American Airlines flights with Chase points by using the Chase Travel Portal or transfer partners like British Airways Avios or Iberia Plus.
The Chase Travel Portal offers fixed-value redemptions (1.25–1.5 cents per point), while Avios transfers can yield higher value depending on the route.
Knowing when to use the portal versus partners is key to maximizing your Ultimate Rewards points for AA flights.

If you’ve built up a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points and want to book a flight on American Airlines, you’ll quickly notice something, American Airlines isn’t a direct Chase transfer partner.

That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are a few legitimate ways to book AA flights using your Chase points without losing value. This guide walks you through how to do it, when each method makes sense, and how to decide between the Chase Travel Portal and partner transfers.

Want to see how other travelers redeem Chase points for American Airlines flights? Join the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to compare real-world redemption strategies.

Can You Transfer Chase Points Directly to American Airlines?

No, Chase Ultimate Rewards does not transfer directly to American Airlines.
Chase’s airline transfer partners include carriers like United, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, and Iberia, but not American.

However, there’s a workaround: because American Airlines partners with British Airways and Iberia (both part of the oneworld alliance), you can transfer Chase points to those programs and then book AA-operated flights using Avios.

Option 1: Book Through the Chase Travel Portal

The Chase Travel Portal (powered by Expedia) is the easiest way to use your points for an AA flight. You’re essentially buying the ticket like cash, but using points as payment.

Point value depends on your card:

Chase Sapphire Preferred: 1.25¢ per point
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 1.5¢ per point
Ink Business Preferred: 1.25¢ per point

For example, if an American Airlines ticket costs $300:

Sapphire Preferred holders would pay 24,000 points.
Sapphire Reserve holders would pay 20,000 points.

Pros:

Earn AAdvantage miles and loyalty points, since it’s treated as a paid ticket.
No blackout dates or partner restrictions.

Cons:

You’re locked into the fixed redemption value (max 1.5¢ per point).

If you’re not chasing outsized value redemptions and want simplicity, this is the best choice.

Option 2: Transfer Chase Points to British Airways Executive Club

Since British Airways and American Airlines are oneworld partners, you can book AA-operated flights through British Airways Avios.

How to do it:

Log in to your Chase Ultimate Rewards account.
Select “Transfer to Travel Partners.”
Choose British Airways Executive Club.
Transfer points in increments of 1,000.
Once points land, search and book your AA flight directly at britishairways.com.

Sweet Spots:

Short-haul domestic AA flights under 650 miles can cost as little as 7,500 Avios one-way.
Medium routes (like NYC–MIA) average around 11,000–13,000 Avios.

Tip: Avoid routes with fuel surcharges, and look for nonstop flights to maximize value.

Option 3: Use Iberia Plus for Lower Avios Costs

Iberia Plus is another Chase transfer partner and part of the oneworld network.
You can sometimes find lower Avios pricing for AA-operated flights than what British Airways charges.

How to do it:

Transfer Chase points to Iberia Plus.
Log in at iberia.com and use the “Book with Avios” option.
Search for AA-operated flights.

Iberia uses distance-based award pricing, so shorter direct routes (under 1,000 miles) can be an excellent value.

Example:
A one-way domestic AA flight under 1,000 miles might cost around 11,000 Avios, compared to higher cash fares.

Note: You must have an active Iberia Plus account open for at least 90 days before transferring points, so set that up early if you plan to use it later.

When to Use Each Method

Booking Method	Best For	Point Value	Earn AA Miles?	Notes
Chase Travel Portal	Simplicity, no blackout dates	1.25–1.5¢	Yes	Treated as a paid fare
British Airways Avios	Short domestic AA flights	Up to 2¢+	No	Great value for nonstop routes
Iberia Plus	Select distance-based redemptions	1.8–2¢	No	May have better rates than BA

If you want ease and flexibility, use the Chase Travel Portal.
If you want maximum value per point, transfer to British Airways or Iberia and book AA-operated flights through their systems.

Pro Tip: Mix Cash and Points for Better Value

If you’re short on Ultimate Rewards points, you can pay part of your fare in cash and part in points through the Chase Travel Portal. This lets you preserve some points for future high-value redemptions while still saving money on the AA ticket.

For redemption case studies and point hacks, explore our How to Transfer American Airlines Miles for Free guide.

Conclusion

While Chase Ultimate Rewards points can’t be transferred directly to American Airlines, you have two excellent workarounds, the Chase Travel Portal for convenience and Avios partners

(British Airways or Iberia) for higher redemption value.

Both methods give you flexibility to book AA-operated flights, and the right choice depends on your goal:

Use the Portal for simplicity and paid ticket benefits.
Use Avios transfers for award travel and better cents-per-point value.

Want to see what routes travelers are booking using Avios for AA flights? Join the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to get route data and real redemption examples.

FAQs

1. Can I transfer Chase points directly to American Airlines?

No, American Airlines isn’t a Chase transfer partner. You can book AA flights using Chase points through the Travel Portal or via Avios partners like British Airways and Iberia.

2. Which method gives the best value for booking AA flights with Chase points?

Transferring Chase points to British Airways Avios often gives the best value for short, nonstop American Airlines flights, especially under 650 miles.

3. Do I earn miles when booking through the Chase Travel Portal?

Yes, because Chase Travel Portal bookings count as paid tickets, you’ll earn both AAdvantage miles and loyalty points.

4. Are Avios transfers from Chase instant?

British Airways transfers usually post within minutes. Iberia can take up to 24–48 hours, and your Iberia Plus account must be open for at least 90 days before transferring.

5. Should I use the Chase Travel Portal or transfer to Avios?

Use the Portal for flexibility, paid ticket perks, and short-notice travel. Use Avios if you’re booking award seats and want the best point value.

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