Deal of the day: Fly Down Under to Sydney from only 35,000 AAdvantage miles

If you saw news or social media roundups of any New Year’s Eve fireworks around the world recently, Sydney was likely at the top of the list.The iconic Sydney Harbour hosts one of the most jaw-dropping fireworks displays you will see anywhere in the world, and it may have you dreaming of heading Down Under.Even outside of the popular New Year’s period, Sydney offers something for everyone, with a warm climate that encourages outdoor activity, spectacular beaches, international cuisine and a laid-back Aussie lifestyle that will instantly have you in vacation mode.While Australia is traditionally one of the most challenging destinations to find premium-cabin award seats at reasonable rates, there is currently an abundance of economy-class seats available at great prices throughout the year.Note: Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of writing.Related: 12 New Year’s travel resolutions to make in 2026TPG’s deal of the day basicsAirlines: American Airlines and QantasRoutes: From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Sydney Airport (SYD)Best way to book: American Airlines AAdvantage miles (can also transfer points from Citi ThankYou Rewards at a 1:1 ratio)Price: From 35,000 miles one-way plus taxes and fees of around $22-$34, depending on the routeRetail price: From $410 one-wayTravel dates: Various dates from January to NovemberSEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUYHow to find and book TPG’s deal of the dayWe recommend starting your search with the time-saving Seats.aero tool, which quickly shows award availability to Sydney across an entire year with just one search.SEATS.AEROThere are numerous flights from American Airlines hubs on various dates throughout 2026 available for as low as 35,000 miles when traveling on American, including those from the Northeast, which connect via LAX.AADVANTAGEThere are also plenty of options flying American’s Oneworld partner Qantas, starting at a slightly higher 40,000 miles each way.AADVANTAGEGiven the lengths of these flights, the fact that they are full-service products and available on popular summer dates, this is a great way to redeem AAdvantage miles or Citi points.However, be sure to confirm award availability with the airline before transferring your points, as transfers are irreversible.Related: A review of American Airlines economy on the Boeing 777-300ERHow to earn the points or miles required for TPG’s deal of the dayYou can earn miles with an American Airlines cobranded credit card, such as:Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® ($350 annual fee; see rates and fees): For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first four months from account opening.Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® ($99 annual fee, waived the first year; see rates and fees): Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months from account opening.To earn more Citi ThankYou Rewards points, consider applying for these Citi credit cards:Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.Citi Strata℠ Card (see rates and fees): For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.The information for the Citi Strata Elite has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.Bottom lineSydney is one of those cities that’s easy to love. You’ve got bucket-list sights like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but also laid-back beaches, great food and nonstop sunshine. Start your day with a beach swim and world-class coffee, wander along the harbor, then grab dinner with a view.Flights to Australia rarely come cheap using points and miles, which makes 35,000 AAdvantage miles for a one-way ticket to Sydney a great value, remembering you can also transfer Citi points.If you’ve been dreaming of heading Down Under, now is a great time to book this deal.Continue planning your trip to Sydney:First look: The biggest W in the world opens in SydneyCheck out the plane that will fly Qantas’ 20-hour ‘Project Sunrise’ flightsMy stay at Capella Sydney: The hotel that gave me the luxury travel bugQantas first-class flight review: The most comfortable way to fly Down UnderEditorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.