The Trick to Getting the Most Out of Your American AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines AAdvantage miles are some of the most valuable airline miles on the planet. But finding the best deals to use your stash of AAdvantage Miles isn't always easy if you don't know where to look. We do know where to look.

Just ask our Thrifty Traveler Premium members, who get alert after alert every time we find an AAdvantage redemption to the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and even Australia for a fraction of the normal cost. That includes business class deals abroad – on AA or a five-star partner airline –  bookable for 60,000 miles or less.

So while you might see sky-high rates searching yourself for many flights, stellar deals are still out there. Take a look at some amazing AAdvantage deals you might be missing.

Hawaiian First Class for 64K Miles Each Way

Using AAdvantage miles to book flights on partner airlines is often the best ways to use them, period. And one of our favorite redemption is on nonstop flights to Hawaii on Hawaiian Airlines. 

These new, fancy Hawaiian Airlines First Class suites are easily the best way to fly to Hawaii. Just 64,000 AA miles each way is all you'll need to make these suites yours for the long-haul across the Pacific Ocean.

AA Biz Class to London from 65K Miles Each Way

For a trip to London (LHR), American Airlines miles are some of the best you can earn, period. 

This flight deal to London-Heathrow (LHR) from cities all over the U.S. is the perfect example of the kinds of deals we find several times a year. American runs a deep network of nonstop flights to Europe – many of which open up to sale pricing a few times a year … including prized summer availability!

London is the most frequent example, but we've seen AA slash prices to Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and more throughout the year – often offering rates of 65,000 AA miles each way and sometimes even less.

Japan Airlines Business Class from 60K Miles Each Way

Here's a not-so-hot take: Using your American Airlines miles to book Japan Airlines business class to Tokyo for just 60,000 miles each way is one of the best (if not the best) redemptions on earth. 

And just so you believe me, here's proof that it's possible. 

Known for its second-to-none service, cozy seats, and thorough route network throughout the United States and Canada, Japan Airlines (JAL) is a nearly perfect ride across the Pacific, especially at that price. That's why we're constantly searching for JAL award availability … and we're constantly finding it, like this gem.

On top of the simple nonstop flights to Tokyo, we also unearthed something that could make for a truly epic trip. How about a trip to France first … and then over to Tokyo in business class! 

Economy Europe from 35K Points RT

The lie-flat seats may get all the love, because the bang-for-your-AAdvantage mile is just so high. But you don't need a Fort Knox-worthy stash of AA miles to fly all over the world. In fact, sometimes, all you need is 35,000 AA miles, and you've got roundtrip flights to Europe. 

That's right: Roundtrip flights to Europe for half the usual cost. We routinely find deeply discounted American flights in economy to Europe and other destinations, too. This flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Milan (MXP) is the perfect example.

When American runs one of these flash sales, the normal 60,000-mile roundtrip fare falls to just 35,000 miles total (and sometimes even less) from the U.S. to airports across Europe. As always, these fares are refundable, too. 

The screenshot above is from a recent deal we sent, including more than 100 U.S. cities flying with quick connections to Europe for 35,000 AA miles roundtrip. 

AA First Class to Rome from 72K Miles Each Way

Speaking of Italy, American operates several flights a day nonstop from the U.S. to Italy, including Rome (FCO). On one of those routes, from New York City (JFK), American actually offers first class, too! 

That was the impetus for a flight deal alert we sent last year, highlighting first class availability from JFK to Rome … during peak summer, no less! The best availability on this deal alert was during June, July, and August – a sizzling deal for travelers looking for that idyllic Italian summer. 

American Biz or First Class to Australia & New Zealand from 75K Miles Each Way

For the long, long-haul down to Australia or New Zealand, you'll want to stretch out in some of American's comfiest seats. But between $5,000-plus fares and hard-to-find award space to use your miles on a lie-flat seat, that can be tough to pull off. 

A few weeks ago, we unearthed tons of business and even first class award space flying from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD), giving you a chance to redeem just 75,000 miles each way for business class – or as few as 85,000 points each way in first class. Here's a perfect example of each option … and it was one of nearly 100 dates available.

It was all part of this Thrifty Traveler Premium award alert we sent our members a few weeks back for this big sale, including a little sneak peek of the fancy seats you can expect in American's first class cabin. 

Read Next: How to Quickly Earn 110K American Airlines Miles … or More!

And it wasn't just L.A. that benefitted from some terrific pricing on lie-flat seats Down Under, however. This nonstop route from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Auckland (AKL) was another insanely good value at just 83,000 miles each way for a lie-flat seat. 

But there was something even better about that deal. It's on American's brand new Flagship Business Class on the 787 Dreamliner, equipped with closing doors and some of the most modern amenities in flying.

For a flight to New Zealand or Australia, you'd be hard-pressed not to use your AA miles if you want to fly lie-flat. 

Caribbean & Mexico for 10K Miles RT

If there's one sure bet with even a small stash of AA miles, look to Mexico and the Caribbean.

The airline routinely offers dirt-cheap economy redemptions down to islands throughout the Caribbean – even the expensive ones. For example, just 10,000 AAdvantage miles can get you down to Turks and Caicos (PLS) and back!

The taxes and fees on Caribbean fares can be more expensive than normal – the example above to Turks & Caicos was more than $120 per ticket. But with how few miles you're forking over, it's still a tremendous deal. 

Plus, just look at all of the destinations that you could find at that 10,000-mile rate with our latest find.

And best of all: American AAdvantage mile fares are totally refundable – yes, even in economy. These are all Main Cabin fares that include seat selection and free changes and cancellations. If you can't make the trip work – or you find a better deal later on (good luck with that) – all you have to do is cancel and get all your miles redeposited and all your taxes and fees refunded! 

Tokyo, Shanghai & Seoul for 50K Miles RT

If you're just looking for the cheapest way to make your way over to Asia using miles, look no further. 

We recently unearthed a massive (and unadvertised sale) flying economy to Tokyo-Haneda (HND), Shanghai (PVG), and Seoul (ICN), too. In each and every case, the price was the same: 50,000 American Airlines miles roundtrip.

Again, these are refundable Main Cabin fares, meaning you get to select your seat and are able to change or cancel your flights and have your miles redeposited if plans change.

Cathay Pacific Biz Class to Hong Kong & SE Asia from 70K Miles Each Way

Another American Airlines partner you might want to investigate is Cathay Pacific. Like Japan Airlines and Hawaiian, you can use your AA miles to book Cathay flights in the front cabin for tremendous value. Take it from me: With top-notch service and some awesome lounges in Hong Kong (HKG), you're going to want to fly Cathay business class! 

Especially at these rates.

That's right: Just 70,000 American miles to fly nonstop to Hong Kong (HKG) – and even connecting onward to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – is a steal for your American Airlines miles. And as you can see below, it's a much better deal than booking with Cathay Pacific miles directly.

These alerts always give you all the best ways to book … and in this case (and many cases), that's using American Airlines miles. 

Bottom Line

We know, we know: Trying to use your AAdvantage miles can be frustrating. Just trust us … the deals are out there.

That's what our Thrifty Traveler Premium service is all about: Letting you know exactly when you can book flights for fewer AAdvantage miles. These deals are just the tip of the iceberg – we've found far more deeply discounted American deals in recent months. And we're on the hunt for even more through the rest of the year.