AAdvantage Members Can Now Redeem Miles for In-Flight Food and Drinks

American quietly added a new way to spend AAdvantage miles: you can now cover in-flight food and drinks with them on AA-operated flights.

• What it covers: food and beverage purchases on AA mainline flights, including alcohol.
• The cost: roughly 500 to 1,300 miles per item, depending on what you order.
• The honest take: this is convenience, not value. Those same miles stretch a lot further on a partner award than on a snack or a drink at altitude.
• When it makes sense: a small orphan balance you would never otherwise touch, or a moment you are short on cash onboard.

A fun little perk, not a reason to raid your award stash.