American AAdvantage and Bilt to end transfer partnership

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program still offers a compelling partner award chart. And you can often find good-value domestic awards, too. One of the strongest aspects of the American AAdvantage program is the value of its miles. However, it can be difficult to earn and redeem American miles, as the airline does not partner with major credit card rewards programs such as Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One and Citi ThankYou Rewards.

The one loyalty program that does partner with AAdvantage is Bilt Rewards … but not for much longer.

American AAdvantage and Bilt Rewards to end partnership

American AAdvantage has been a Bilt Rewards transfer partner since 2021. But, as first reported by View from the Wing, Bilt Rewards will lose American AAdvantage as a transfer partner this June. A Bilt Rewards spokesperson confirmed the report, stating:

Bilt and American have agreed to wind down our partnership beginning in June. We appreciate everything we’ve been able to accomplish together since Bilt’s launch in 2021.

Although only one credit card earns Bilt Rewards points, this is still a big loss since it will mean that Marriott Bonvoy points will be the only remaining transferable currency you can convert into American miles. After all, the ability to transfer Citi ThankYou points to AAdvantage ended in late 2021.

For Bilt Rewards members who earn a significant number of Bilt points and enjoy transferring them to AAdvantage, the end of this partnership will be a big loss. However, Bilt Rewards has several other Oneworld loyalty programs as transfer partners, including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, British Airways Executive Plus and Iberia Plus. Unfortunately, many of the best ways to redeem American miles aren’t sweet spots in these other programs.

Bottom line

Transfer partners come and go, and many other high-value Bilt transfer partners still remain. But if you’re interested in earning more American miles, my favorite ways are premium-cabin partner flights, the AAdvantage eShopping portal and Bask Bank.

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