American Airlines to make payment change many travelers will like

American Airlines' (AAL) AAdvantage loyalty program dates back to 1981, so for more than 40 years, frequent flyers have collected miles to pay for future travel.

What at the time was an innovative program was eventually launched by every airline, not only to give out benefits, but also to reward those who spend the most with the carrier.

The highest status holders with airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines (DAL) , and United Airlines (UAL) famously receive advantages such as lounge access, priority boarding, and free same-day flight changes.

For travelers on the way to earning status, extensive perks prevent them from switching airlines, and in some cases, spending unnecessary money to retain benefits.

Average calculations show that in order to reach elite status with a mainstream airline, one typically needs to either spend over $10,000 on travel in a year or make $200,000 in purchases on a signature credit card.

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Want to pay for that in-flight meal with points? American Airlines now allows it on all flights

While the wisest use of miles is to keep adding to them until the sum is large enough to cover a flight or vacation package, some airlines allow travelers to put them toward smaller purchases during flights — most often Wi-Fi or menu items.

Airlines that allow miles to be spent in this way include Air Canada (ACDVF) , Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), and Alaska Airlines (ALK) .

In March 2025, American Airlines announced that it would also start allowing guests to use miles to pay for food and beverages. Previously available on only select routes, the change rolled out completely on July 22 and applies to flights on both American and partner carriers such as American Eagle.

The in-flight menu has been updated to show that a mini bottle of wine can be purchased for either $10 or 1,000 points, while beer varies between either $9 and 900 points for Bud Light, Dos Equis, and Truly Hard Seltzer and $10 or 1,000 miles for Goose IPA and Heineken. Spirits such as Jack Daniel's, Bailey's Irish Cream, and Bacardi rum cost $12 or 12,000 miles.

The main meal sold on domestic flights on which meal service is not included, which in the summer menu is listed as a steak and pimento cheese sandwich with a side salad, costs $16 or 16,000 miles.

American Airlines now lets customers pay for their beer in points or miles.

Image source: Shutterstock

American says it is ‘thrilled to expand this new enhancement'

An American Airlines spokesperson told TheStreet that the airline is “continuously looking for ways to enhance the travel journey” for its customers and is “thrilled to expand this new enhancement to all flights.”

More on travel:

Without any points-acceleration bonuses that the airline offers to either those with status or as part of various promotions, the basic earning rate is five miles per dollar spent with the airline.

As the airline regularly holds sales offering tickets between cities in the U.S. for as low as 5,000 AAdvantage points, using these miles on smaller purchases may not be their most strategic use, but offers a convenience that some travelers will appreciate.