Earn up to 25,000 bonus miles when flying to Australia and New Zealand with American Airlines and Qantas

TL;DR

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is offering a limited-time promotion where members can earn up to 25,000 bonus miles on eligible flights to Australia and New Zealand. The offer is valid for bookings made by May 31, 2026, with travel completed by March 31, 2027.

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is offering eligible members the chance to earn up to 25,000 bonus miles on flights to Australia and New Zealand, with the promotion running until May 31, 2026. The offer applies to certain nonstop flights operated by American or Qantas, and aims to incentivize travel to the region amid ongoing recovery in international travel.

Eligible travelers must be members of the AAdvantage program and register for the promotion via the airline’s website. The bonus applies to nonstop flights from major U.S. hubs—such as Dallas Fort Worth, Los Angeles, JFK, and San Francisco—to destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Brisbane. The bonus is equal to 1 mile per mile flown, capped at 25,000 miles. For example, a round-trip flight earning 13,000 miles each way could yield nearly 25,000 bonus miles, significantly increasing the total miles earned for the trip.

Flights booked must have an American Airlines flight number, excluding basic economy fares and award redemptions. The promotion is valid for travel completed by March 31, 2027, and bookings must be made by May 31, 2026. The offer is only available for nonstop flights marketed by American Airlines, even if operated by Qantas.

Why It Matters

This promotion provides a valuable opportunity for travelers seeking to maximize their mileage earnings on trips to Australia and New Zealand, potentially reducing future travel costs or enabling upgrades. It also reflects ongoing efforts by airlines to stimulate international travel demand as global borders reopen and travel restrictions ease.

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Background

The promotion follows a period of increased marketing efforts by American Airlines and Qantas to boost international travel to Oceania. Historically, earning bonus miles on long-haul flights has been a key loyalty strategy, especially as airlines recover financially from pandemic-related downturns. This offer aligns with broader industry trends to incentivize travel to popular long-haul destinations.

“This limited-time offer is designed to reward our loyal customers and encourage travel to Australia and New Zealand, two of the most sought-after destinations in the region.”

— an American Airlines spokesperson

“This bonus miles deal could significantly boost travelers’ mileage balances, especially for those planning long-haul trips to Oceania.”

— Lyndsey Matthews, TPG’s managing editor of points and loyalty

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What Remains Unclear

It is not yet clear whether similar offers will be extended beyond the current promotion period or if additional routes and airlines will participate in future campaigns. Details about whether the bonus miles can be combined with other promotions are also still developing.

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As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.

What’s Next

Travelers interested in this promotion should register before May 31, 2026, and book qualifying flights. The next steps include completing travel by March 31, 2027, and monitoring for any updates or extensions to the promotion from American Airlines or Qantas.

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Key Questions

Which flights qualify for the bonus miles promotion?

The promotion applies to nonstop flights from U.S. hubs such as Dallas Fort Worth, Los Angeles, JFK, and San Francisco to destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Brisbane, operated by American Airlines or marketed by American with a flight number.

Can I earn bonus miles on award or basic economy tickets?

No, the promotion excludes award redemptions and basic economy tickets from earning bonus miles.

How many bonus miles can I earn with this promotion?

Up to 25,000 bonus miles, based on earning 1 mile per mile flown, with the cap at 25,000 miles.

When do I need to complete my travel to qualify?

Travel must be completed by March 31, 2027, to qualify for the bonus miles.

How do I register for the promotion?

Members must log into their AAdvantage account, find the promotion under the ‘Promotions’ tab, and click to register before booking their flights.

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