Quick question: Do any of the flexible rewards programs (or any CC programs for that matter) allow points transfer directly to AA?

Based on my reading so far, it seems like AA isn't on any transfer lists, but I could easily have missed it in the flurry of charts and fine print, lol.

**I have an SPG Amex, and have used that transfer before. Are there any other avenues besides this one?**

Thanks!

The main way I know of to transfer to AA is from hotel programs.

The obvious one is SPG Amex -> AA in big chunks (after $20k spend) is 1.25 AA miles / $ spent, with an annual fee. In smaller chunks, it's only 1 mile / $ spent.

Without an annual fee, the WyndhamRewards MC from Barclays is the best value, getting 3200 miles / for every $4000 spent.

However, transferring from flexible points programs into hotel programs is not often a great value, and thus the two-way transfer (when even possible) is usually a poor value.

Since Citi is AA's bank, there were rumors a while back that certain Thank You points cards might be able to transfer to AA soon, but so far that hasn't materialized.

In the US

SPG->AA
Starwood transfers to AA and other airlines. 1:1 with minimums depending on your Starwood status, if you transfer 20,000 Starpoints, you get 25,000 miles. There are maximums. The points+the bonus need to be under the cap, and transfers are not instant.

AX MR -> SPG -> AA
American Express MR transfers to Starwood, but at a rate that is viewed as unfavorable to most. You can transfer 1000 MR to create 333 Starpoints. Sometimes there may be an offer that increases the number from 1000:333 to 1000:500.

SPG->US->AA
Same rates/rules as SPG->AA, but you have to wait a year or so for the merger before the US points will [probably] become AA. The only reason why this might be considered is if it works around a transfer limit.

Except for AMEX MR, you can't transfer in Starpoints. You can purchase Starpoints for $35/1000, occasionally $28/1000. It would probably be cheaper to buy the AA miles directly than via Starpoints.

Excluding Starwood stays, the AMEX SPG card is the other way to earn Starpoints.

ok, that was poor typing on my part. I meant to ask if there wre other programs besides SPG that allowed for direct transfer to AA.

I have the SPG Amex, and have transferred to AA before (and very happy with it too). I was just wondering if other programs could transfer to AA directly.

My apologies for the error.

Wyndham, Club Carlson definitely do. Possible - Diners Club, PC, Hyatt, Hilton.

Yes, but you would lose a chunk of value along the way.

SPG is the only program that would not lose value, actually add a 25% bonus when transferred at 20K per increment.

All other hotel programs that are feasible would make you lose a great deal of value comparing to use the pts for hotel stays, especially if you have the Club Carlson credit card and can use the 2-4-1 free reward night benefit. Even the greatly devalued HHonor pts would still make you lose value when transferring the pts to airline miles.

Probably not what you're looking for, but if your end goal is AA domestic flights, you might consider just accumulating BA miles. Those you can get from Chase UR and Amex MR (in addition to SPG).

SPG is not a card program! It is a hotel program! You're earning hotel points when you use the card. It's simply the hotel program with the best transfer ratio to AA miles.

But exactly the same thing (except for a different earning+transfer rate) can be done with any hotel program card, if that hotel program supports transfers to AA.

And I already mentioned above that WyndhamRewards is the best no-fee hotel program card for earning miles, including AA miles. (It also may be the best MC/Visa hotel program card for earning miles, including AA miles.)

The only MC/Visa that earns more miles per $ than WyndhamRewards is actual AA cards from Citi (and also temporarily US cards from Barclays earn miles that will presumably eventually become AA miles).

OT on BA's Avios

It is great for any intra-Continent one-segment flights.

Just booked TXL-STR for 4500 avios and $48.90 taxes flying AB, (train would be over 100 euro ditto flights before add-on).

Another LED-DME for 4500 avios and $7.50 taxes flying S7. (train would be over $200 and flight at $90 before add-on).

Finnair's flight from HEL to Baltic countries / Russia also are great value except you would need to call to book - BA website could not handle AY2000 and AY3000 flight number series. They know it is a technical glitch therefore they waive the telephone booking fee. Those are readily bookable on AA or QF website but AA wants 10K miles versus Avios often 4500.

About to book BKK-HKG for 7500 avios and $48xx taxes and YQ flying CX.
Flights on the cheapo Air Asia would be $125 before add-on.
Flights on TG or CX are over $200.

Intra-South America are reportedly very cheap because the pay tickets would charge foreigners an arm and a leg but award tickets dont.

Intra-Australia on QF also is a great use of Avios.