6 Best Ways to Use American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be incredibly valuable — if you know where to look. Domestic flights can go for as little as 6,000 miles each way. And if you're looking to go international, the airline's award chart for partner flights offers plenty of sweet spots. Here's what you need to know.

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1. Domestic American Airlines awards from 6,000 miles

The American Airlines award chart shows one-way domestic awards starting at 7,500 miles in economy or 15,000 miles in business class. However, in practice, American still prices domestic economy awards as cheap as 6,000 miles each way.

And these bargain-basement rates aren't just limited to short flights. For example, you can fly from Dallas to Milwaukee for just 6,000 miles.

If you booked the same flight using cash, you'd pay $173 for a standard economy flight — the most comparable cash fare to award tickets.

That means you're getting almost 3 cents per mile from this redemption. That's around double NerdWallet's valuation of 1.6 cents per AAdvantage mile.

2. American Airlines awards to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America

American Airlines awards to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America now start at just 10,000 AAdvantage miles (or sometimes fewer) each way in economy or 20,000 miles in business class. That's an excellent price for flights that can cost hundreds of dollars.

These award rates aren't available during peak travel times. However, travelers with a flexible schedule may find pretty widespread pricing at these rates.

» Learn more: American Airlines AAdvantage program: The complete guide

3. Off-peak and low-season awards to Europe

American no longer publishes an off-peak award chart for its own flights. However, you can still book off-peak awards to Europe on partners for 22,500 miles each way.

Even better, you can book awards on American between the U.S. and Europe for 38,000 to 45,000 miles round-trip.

4. Award flights to Morocco — or beyond into Europe

If you use American Airlines' award chart as a reference, you might fail a geography test. That's because American treats Morocco as a part of Europe. That's a good thing for travelers as it means you can fly to Morocco for as few as 22,500 miles in economy or 57,500 miles in business class.

Comparatively, awards to Africa cost 40,000 miles in economy or 75,000 miles in business class. That's the price you'll get stuck paying if you connect onward from Casablanca into other parts of Africa — even on a short onward flight to Tunis, Tunisia.

Treating Morocco as part of Europe means that you can also connect through Casablanca on the way to "other" European destinations for no additional mileage cost. This gives American Airlines travelers another way to fly across the Atlantic without paying high taxes and fees on British Airways.

5. Qatar Qsuite to the Maldives or other parts of the Indian subcontinent

Qatar Qsuite is widely regarded as one of the best business class products in the world. And one of the least expensive ways to experience it for yourself is by booking with American Airlines miles.

Nonstop flights from the U.S. to Doha, Qatar, cost 40,000 miles in economy or 70,000 miles in Qatar Qsuite business class. Even better, you can connect onward to destinations throughout the Middle East or Indian subcontinent for no additional miles.

You can stretch this award price to its limits by flying to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka or even the Maldives.

6. Flying Japan Airlines to Japan or Korea

Lastly, we would be remiss not to discuss American Airlines' partnership with Japan Airlines. AAdvantage members can book travel on Japan Airlines between the U.S. and Japan at the following rates:

• 35,000 miles each way in economy.

• 50,000 miles each way in premium economy.

• 60,000 miles each way in business class.

• 80,000 miles each way in first class.

Japan Airlines provides a top-notch experience in all cabins, making any of these four options potentially a good deal. Business and first class especially stand out as amazing opportunities for using AAdvantage miles.

With that said, premium cabin award availability can be especially hard to find between the U.S. and Japan. On dates where there is any award availability, you'll often find just one seat available.

» Learn more: The complete guide to American Airlines partners

If you're looking for the best use of AAdvantage miles

American Airlines offers a diverse range of ways to use AAdvantage miles for good value — from 6,000-mile domestic awards to flying some of the best business and first class products in the world for a reasonable mileage rate.

Ultimately, the best use of AAdvantage miles just depends on where you want to go.

(Top photo courtesy of American Airlines)