Step By Step: How to Book American Airlines Flights With British Airways Avios Points

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Update: British Airways has devalued its partner award chart, so some of the prices mentioned have increased. But they can still be good deals.

One of my favorite ways to use British Airways Avios points is to book domestic award flights with American Airlines because you’re often able to book the same flight for fewer miles.

In the past, finding available American Airlines award flights on the British Airways site has been hit or miss…at best.  Often you would need to call in to book the flights and sometimes even that wouldn’t work.

But lately it looks like things are running smoothly, so I figured it’s a good time for a quick reminder on how to book American Airlines flights with British Airways Avios points.

Collecting British Airways Avios Points

Earning British Airways Avios points is easy because they transfer from lots of different flexible points programs.

AMEX Membership Rewards Points

AMEX Membership Rewards points transfer to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio in 1,000-point increments.  Check out our step-by-step guide to transferring AMEX Membership Rewards points to British Airways for more details.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio in 1,000-point increments to British Airways.  For more details, check out our guide on how to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to British Airways.

Marriott Points

Marriott points transfer at a 3:1 ratio to British Airways.  And you get a 5,000 British Airways Avios point bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer!

How to Book American Airlines Flights on the British Airways Website

Personally, I think it’s easier to find flights on American Airlines’ website because you’ll have the option of looking at an entire month at a time.  Once you find your flights you can just plug in the dates on the British Airways site.

For domestic American Airlines coach flights that are 500 miles or fewer, saver awards cost 7,500 miles one-way.  And for domestic American Airlines coach flights over 500 miles, saver awards cost 12,500 one-way.  So those are the prices you’re looking for when you’re searching American’s site.

British Airways operates a distance based award chart.  So what you pay will vary by the distance flown per segment NOT per one-way flight.  That means you’ll want to look for nonstop American Airlines flights.

British Airways charges 7,500 Avios points for flights in the US that are 1,151 miles or less.  So you’ll be paying fewer British Airways Avios points (compared to using American Airlines miles) for flights between 500 and 1,151 miles!

And British Airways Avios points are still a good option for American Airlines coach saver award flights that are 500 miles or less because Chase Ultimate Rewards points and AMEX Membership Rewards points don’t transfer to American Airlines.  So it gives you the flexibility to book those flights for the same price even if you don’t have American Airlines miles!

Using British Airways Avios points for American Airlines flights is also a great option for last-minute bookings because British Airways doesn’t charge close-in booking fees.  And American Airlines charges $75 per ticket!  That savings alone can add up if you’re booking multiple award seats.

Here’s how you do it.

Step 1.   Log Into Your British Airways Account

Enter your ID and password, then click “Log in.”

Step 2.   Click “Spending Avios”

Click the “Executive Club” tab and then “Spending Avios.”

Step 3.   Click “Book a Reward Flight”

On the next page, scroll down a bit and click “Book a reward flight,” which is under the “Choose Your Reward” section.

Step 4.   Enter Your Flight Details

Under the “Book with Avios” tab you can enter your flight details including the cities, dates, class of travel, and the number of passengers.  You’ll need to click the “One way only” box if you want to book a one-way flight.

Then click “Get Flights” to continue to the next page.

Step 5.   Pick Your Flight

Choose your travel date from the top to see available flights for that day.  Then select the flight you want to book.

Step 6.   Double Check the Price and Fees

Make sure the award price and fees are what you expected and then click “Continue.”

Step 7.  Add Passenger & Payment Details

On the next few screens, you’ll add the details of all the passengers and pay for the flight.  When you’re finished, you’ll get to a screen like this which will include your name and confirmation number.

Bottom Line

Having the option to use British Airways Avios points to book American Airlines flights is handy for a couple of reasons.  You can sometimes book flights for fewer points compared to booking with American Airlines miles.  Plus, British Airways doesn’t charge a close-in booking fee.  It also gives you the option to book American Airlines award tickets with transferable points like AMEX Membership Rewards points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Currently, you can easily book American Airlines awards on the British Airways site.  And hopefully, this guide helps make it even easier!

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