American Airlines has launched a new perk for its AAdvantage loyalty members: the ability to redeem miles for inflight snacks and beverages. Passengers can now use their accumulated miles to purchase items like alcoholic drinks and premium snacks, with prices starting at just 500 miles.
Complimentary vs. Premium Offerings
While American already provides free non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks (such as coffee, tea, and Biscoff cookies) on flights over 250 miles, this new option allows travelers to use miles for additional purchases. The service is available on mainline American Airlines flights but excludes those operated by American Eagle.
What Can You Buy with Miles?
The selection varies by flight duration:
- Flights over 250 miles: Options may include Cool Ranch Doritos Minis, fruit and cheese plates, and alcoholic beverages like Bud Light, Jack Daniel’s, or Tito’s vodka.
- Flights over 1,300 miles: Expanded snack choices are typically available.
How It Works
To redeem miles, passengers must:
- Ensure their AAdvantage number is linked to their booking.
- Present their boarding pass (printed or digital) to flight attendants, who will scan it and deduct the miles from their account.
Is It a Good Deal?
According to The Points Guy, the redemption rate for inflight purchases is 1 cent per mile—significantly lower than their March 2025 valuation of 1.65 cents per mile. While convenient, travelers may get better value by saving miles for flights or upgrades.
Credit Card Perks Don’t Apply
Some AAdvantage co-branded credit cardholders receive a 25% discount on inflight purchases—but only when paying with cash, not miles.
Bottom Line
This new feature offers a simple way to use small amounts of miles, especially for occasional flyers or those with expiring balances. However, frequent travelers may prefer saving their miles for higher-value rewards.
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