For Midwest travelers headed to Latin America or the Caribbean, Miami is often the connection that makes an award ticket work. American Airlines runs its largest Latin America operation there, partner airlines fill in the gaps, and the airport has one of the deepest lounge lineups in the country. Here’s how to use MIA on points, plus when Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is the better choice, as of October 2026.
Why MIA matters for award travelers
In a June 2026 release, American called MIA “the largest gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean in the United States” and said it operates more than 410 peak daily departures there. The same release said American’s network would reach 100 destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. Two of the newest come from Miami: daily service to Maracaibo, Venezuela, from July 14, 2026, and daily service to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, scheduled from November 1, 2026. Treat the Haiti date as subject to change and check before you book.
Which points to use
| Program | Good for | How to get the miles (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| American AAdvantage | American flights from MIA | Citi Strata Premier, Strata Elite and Prestige points transfer 1:1 |
| British Airways Club and Iberia Club (Avios) | Booking American flights through a oneworld partner | Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards both transfer |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios) | Another oneworld option for American flights | Amex and Citi transfer 1:1 |
| Avianca LifeMiles | Avianca and other Star Alliance flights | Amex transfers 1:1; Citi listed a 25% bonus through Oct. 24, 2026 |
Our rule of thumb: price the same flight in AAdvantage and in Avios before you transfer anything. Different programs charge very different amounts for the same seat, and the cheapest option changes by route. Transfers are generally one-way, so only move points once you’ve found award space.
MIA lounges
Most of American’s premium lounges are in Concourse D. The list below comes from Upgraded Points’ August 2026 guide, with locations cross-checked against The Points Guy.
| Lounge | Location | Who gets in (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| American Flagship Lounge | Concourse D, near D30 | Qualifying international or transcontinental premium-cabin passengers, top AAdvantage and oneworld elites |
| Admirals Club (two locations) | Concourse D, above D15 and across from D30 | Members, eligible Citi AAdvantage cardholders, oneworld premium and elite flyers, day passes |
| Amex Centurion Lounge | Concourse D, near D12 | Amex Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion cardholders; Delta Reserve cardholders only when flying Delta |
| British Airways Lounge | Concourse E | BA and oneworld premium passengers and elites |
| Turkish Airlines Lounges | Concourses E and H | Star Alliance premium and Gold flyers; also listed for Priority Pass |
| Avianca and TAP Lounge | Concourse J, across from J6 | Star Alliance premium passengers; also listed for Priority Pass |
| LATAM VIP Lounge | Concourse J, near J6 | LATAM premium passengers and elites; day passes listed |
| Delta Sky Club | H-J connector | Delta members and eligible Delta flyers |
Upgraded Points listed the Concourse E Admirals Club and both Club America lounges in Concourse F as temporarily closed. The Centurion Lounge is known for waitlists at busy times, so arrive with a backup plan.
Getting into Miami from MIA
On a long layover or a stopover, the free MIA Mover connects the terminal to the Metrorail station. Miami-Dade County lists Metrorail fares at $2.25, and Visit Florida says the Orange Line gets you downtown in about 20 minutes. For Miami Beach, Visit Florida says Metrobus Route 150 runs every 30 minutes for $2.25, with a ride of 45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. On weekends, the county says Orange Line trains run only as a shuttle between MIA and Earlington Heights, so allow for a transfer.
The FLL alternative
Fort Lauderdale looks very different in 2026. Spirit Airlines, once FLL’s biggest name, shut down on May 2, 2026. JetBlue has moved in: it calls itself FLL’s largest airline, said it expected nearly 130 daily departures this summer, and announced new routes including Barranquilla (from Oct. 1) and Cali (from Oct. 15), Colombia, both subject to government approval. If you hold JetBlue TrueBlue points (Chase, Amex and Citi all transfer to TrueBlue), FLL can be the cheaper way south.
The tradeoff is lounges. An unofficial airport guide lists a United Club in Terminal 1, a Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2 and an Escape Lounge in Terminal 3, while Upgraded Points reported in July 2026 that an Escape Lounge – The Centurion Studio Partner in Terminal 3 was still under construction. Chase’s FLL guide said there were no Priority Pass lounges as of June 2025. In short, don’t count on a lounge at FLL. To reach Miami, Visit Florida describes a free shuttle to the Dania Beach Tri-Rail station, then about 43 to 50 minutes by train to the Miami Airport station.
Practical tips
- Leave room for the connection. MIA is large, and international arrivals clear customs before connecting. We’d avoid tight connections on separate tickets.
- Check entry rules for your destination. Some Latin American and Caribbean countries require visas, entry forms or fees, and U.S. government travel advisories vary by country.
- Compare MIA and FLL on the same dates. Award space, taxes and ground transport can tip the balance either way.
- Watch transfer bonuses. Bonuses like Citi’s LifeMiles offer are temporary; don’t transfer just for a bonus without a specific flight in mind.
Want Centurion Lounge access and points that transfer to Avios and LifeMiles? Amex Membership Rewards points transfer to British Airways, Iberia, Qatar Airways and Avianca LifeMiles, among others. You can compare current offers and apply with our American Express referral link.
Disclosure: This is our personal American Express referral link. If you’re approved through it, we may earn referral rewards, at no extra cost to you. You can always apply directly on American Express’s website. See our Advertising & Referral Disclosure.
Our take
For most points travelers heading to Latin America or the Caribbean, MIA is still the default: American’s network from Miami is huge, oneworld partners give you several ways to book the same seat, and Concourse D has strong lounges. FLL is worth a look if JetBlue flies your route or MIA award space is scarce, especially now that JetBlue is growing there. The downsides: MIA is big and connections can be stressful, the Centurion Lounge gets crowded, several lounges were listed as temporarily closed, and FLL’s lounge options are limited. Route start dates are subject to change, so confirm before you book.
Sources
- American Airlines Newsroom: American to serve milestone 100 destinations
- Upgraded Points: Miami MIA airport lounges
- The Points Guy: Choosing the best lounge at MIA
- AwardWallet: Citi ThankYou transfer partners
- AwardWallet: Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners
- Chase: How to transfer Ultimate Rewards points
- Miami-Dade County: Metrorail
- Visit Florida: Getting around Miami
- JetBlue: Fort Lauderdale expansion
- NPR: Spirit Airlines ceases operations
- FLY-FLL (unofficial guide): FLL lounges
- Upgraded Points: Escape Lounge at FLL
- Chase: Guide to Fort Lauderdale airport
Prices, points rates, schedules and entry rules change often; confirm details with the airline, hotel or organizer before you book. Points Capital is not a financial advisor.
