Fantastic news for AAdvantage members and South America explorers! Following our earlier post about JetSMART joining the AAdvantage program, the moment we’ve been waiting for has arrived. American Airlines and JetSMART have officially announced that AAdvantage miles can now be redeemed for travel on any JetSMART flight. This unlocks a vast network of destinations across South America, significantly boosting the value and utility of your AAdvantage miles for regional adventures.
This announcement positions the AAdvantage program as one of the pioneering global loyalty schemes to fully integrate with a South American ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC). The partnership’s campaign themed “El Mundo Se Está Acercando” (The World Is Getting Closer), captures the expanded travel possibilities now available. While earning AAdvantage miles on JetSMART flights has been a feature since late 2024, this new redemption capability completes the program integration, offering a comprehensive rewards experience.


What This Means For Your AAdvantage Miles
Your AAdvantage miles have just become much more powerful for exploring the diverse landscapes and cultures of South America. Here’s a glimpse of what’s now within reach:
- Explore Vibrant Cultures: Use your miles to fly to captivating destinations like Cartagena or Cuzco for an immersive cultural getaway.
- Relax on Stunning Beaches: Dreaming of the iconic beaches in Rio de Janeiro? Your AAdvantage miles can take you there.
- Discover Bustling Cities: Traverse the lively streets and rich history of Buenos Aires or Santiago.
- Witness Natural Wonders: Journey from the majestic glaciers of Patagonia to other breathtaking natural spectacles across the continent.
Redemptions on JetSMART flights start from as low as 1,400 AAdvantage miles (plus applicable taxes and fees; conditions apply), making regional exploration more accessible and affordable than ever.

JetSMART: Your ULCC Gateway in South America
For those unfamiliar with JetSMART, here’s what makes them a key player in South American aviation:
- Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier: JetSMART is a prominent South American airline laser-focused on providing affordable air travel without compromising on flying SMART.
- Extensive Network: They operate a robust network of domestic flights in Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia, with over 80 routes spanning the region. This includes international services to Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
- Modern Fleet: JetSMART boasts one of the youngest aircraft fleets in South America, comprising 46 new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. This modern fleet emphasizes fuel efficiency, lower operational costs, and reduced CO2 emissions, aligning with their ULCC model.
- Award-Winning Service: The airline has received accolades for its service, including SKYTRAX awards for Best Low-Cost Airline and recognition from ch-aviation for its youthful fleet.
- Focus on Connectivity: JetSMART excels in connecting secondary cities with direct flights, often pioneering these vital links and enhancing regional connectivity.
- Rapid Growth and Ambition: Having already transported over 39 million passengers, JetSMART is on an ambitious growth trajectory, aiming to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft and serve 100 million passengers by 2028.

How to Redeem AAdvantage Miles on JetSMART Flights (And Find Availability with AwardFares)
With redemptions now live, finding and booking JetSMART award flights using your AAdvantage miles is a go. AwardFares is your best tool to quickly pinpoint award availability:
- Go to AwardFares.
- Under Frequent Flyer Program, select AAdvantage.
- Enter your desired route using the Departure and Destination fields. For example, explore flights from Santiago (SCL) to Cuzco (CUZ) or Buenos Aires (AEP) to Bariloche (BRC).
- Under Airline, add JetSMART (JA) to filter results specifically for their flights.
- Choose your preferred dates, or use the Timeline view to browse availability across a broader range of days.
- Tap on the search results header (e.g., Eco) to sort by price and find the cheapest award seats in economy.
- Booking Your Award: Once you’ve identified your desired flight on AwardFares, take note of the flight details. The announcement indicates that AAdvantage members can redeem their miles for JetSMART flights directly on jetsmart.com. This is a unique procedure for an AAdvantage partner (as award redemptions are typically processed via aa.com). You’ll need to head to the JetSMART website to complete your booking using your AAdvantage miles. Ensure you are logged into your AAdvantage account or have your membership details ready when doing so.

Earning AAdvantage Miles with JetSMART (A Reminder)
Don’t forget, you can also earn AAdvantage miles when you fly on JetSMART. This benefit has been in place since late 2024. Here’s a quick recap:
- Each passenger with an AAdvantage number earns miles for their flight.
- Miles will generally be reflected in each passenger’s AAdvantage account within 30 days of the flight.
- The number of AAdvantage miles you earn depends on the fare you purchase and your AAdvantage status at the time of flying.
- The calculation for miles earned is based on the price of the fare in US dollars (excluding taxes and fees). If paying in another currency, the exchange rate corresponding to the day of purchase will be used.
- Ancillary purchases like bags or preferred seats do not earn AAdvantage miles.
Fare Type | Miles Earned per US Dollar Spent |
---|---|
TravelLight | 2 miles |
Pack SMART | 5 miles |
Pack FULL | 5 miles |
JetSMART’s website features a calculator to help you estimate how many miles you’ll earn on your next trip.

About the AAdvantage Program
The AAdvantage program stands as one of the world’s oldest and most established airline loyalty programs. Members earn miles not only by flying with American Airlines and its partners but also through everyday activities like shopping, dining, and using co-branded credit cards. Concurrently, members accumulate Loyalty Points, which are the key to unlocking valuable rewards and elite status tiers. Benefits can be achieved starting from just 15,000 Loyalty Points, even before reaching the AAdvantage Gold status threshold at 40,000 points. The AAdvantage program year runs annually from March 1 to the end of February of the following year, providing ample time to earn status.
Become an AAdvantage Pro
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Learn More
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