Do American Airlines Aadvantage Miles Expire?

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American Airlines AAdvantage program is one of the most popular airline loyalty programs in the world. But with so many rules and regulations, it can be difficult to know if your miles will expire. In this article, we will explore the question: “Do American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire?” and provide you with everything you need to know to ensure you don’t lose your hard-earned miles.

Do American Airlines Aadvantage Miles Expire?

Do American Airlines AAdvantage Miles Expire?

If you are a frequent flyer with American Airlines, you may be wondering if your AAdvantage miles expire. The good news is that American Airlines has a generous policy when it comes to the expiration of AAdvantage miles. In this article, we will explore the details of this policy, including the circumstances under which your miles may expire, and what you can do to keep them from expiring.

How Long Do AAdvantage Miles Last?

AAdvantage miles do not expire as long as you earn or redeem miles on American Airlines, one of its partners, or through the AAdvantage shopping portal at least once every 18 months. This means that if you fly with American Airlines or its partners, use an AAdvantage credit card, or make a purchase through the AAdvantage shopping portal, your miles will remain active.

If you do not earn or redeem miles within 18 months, your account will become inactive, and your miles will expire. Once your miles expire, they are gone forever, so it is essential to keep your account active.

To keep your account active, you can take several steps. You can book a flight with American Airlines or one of its partners, use an AAdvantage credit card for purchases, rent a car with one of American Airlines’ rental car partners, stay at a hotel with one of its hotel partners, or make a purchase through the AAdvantage shopping portal.

Exceptions to the Expiration Policy

There are some exceptions to the AAdvantage miles expiration policy. For example, if you are a member of the military who is deployed, your miles will not expire. Additionally, if you are a member of the AAdvantage Million Miler program, your miles will not expire.

If you have a valid reason for not being able to earn or redeem miles for an extended period, you can request an extension of your account. However, these requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and there is no guarantee that your request will be granted.

Earning and Redeeming AAdvantage Miles

Earning AAdvantage miles is relatively easy. You can earn miles by flying with American Airlines or one of its partners, using an AAdvantage credit card, renting a car with one of American Airlines’ rental car partners, staying at a hotel with one of its hotel partners, or making a purchase through the AAdvantage shopping portal.

Redeeming AAdvantage miles can be just as easy. You can use your miles to book flights with American Airlines or one of its partners, upgrade your seat, cover fees and taxes on award travel, or use your miles to purchase other travel-related products and services.

The Benefits of AAdvantage Miles

AAdvantage miles can provide a variety of benefits to frequent flyers. Some of the benefits of AAdvantage miles include free flights, upgrades to first class or business class, access to airport lounges, and discounts on car rentals, hotels, and other travel-related expenses.

Another benefit of AAdvantage miles is that they can be used to book award travel on American Airlines and its partners. This means that you can use your miles to travel to hundreds of destinations around the world.

AAdvantage Miles vs. Other Frequent Flyer Programs

When it comes to frequent flyer programs, there are many options available. Some of the most popular programs include Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and Southwest Rapid Rewards.

Compared to these other programs, AAdvantage miles offer a variety of benefits, including access to airport lounges, free checked bags, and the ability to book award travel on American Airlines and its partners.

However, each program has its pros and cons, and the best program for you will depend on your travel habits and preferences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AAdvantage miles do not expire as long as you earn or redeem miles on American Airlines, one of its partners, or through the AAdvantage shopping portal at least once every 18 months. There are exceptions to this rule, and you can request an extension of your account if you have a valid reason for not being able to earn or redeem miles.

Earning and redeeming AAdvantage miles is relatively easy, and they offer a variety of benefits to frequent flyers. While there are other frequent flyer programs available, AAdvantage miles are a great option for those who fly with American Airlines and its partners. Remember to keep your account active to ensure that your miles do not expire.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common inquiries about American Airlines Aadvantage Miles.

How long do American Airlines Aadvantage Miles last?

American Airlines Aadvantage Miles do not expire as long as there is activity in the account every 18 months. Activity can include earning or redeeming miles on American Airlines or one of its partners. Alternatively, having an Aadvantage credit card with activity on the account will also prevent miles from expiring.

If there is no activity in the account for 18 months, the miles will expire and cannot be reinstated. It is important to keep track of the 18-month timeline to prevent losing accumulated miles.

Can American Airlines Aadvantage Miles be extended?

Yes, American Airlines Aadvantage Miles can be extended for an additional 18 months by earning or redeeming miles on American Airlines or one of its partners. Alternatively, having an Aadvantage credit card with activity on the account will also extend the expiration date of miles.

It is important to note that once miles have expired, they cannot be reinstated or extended. Therefore, it is crucial to keep track of the expiration dates and ensure there is activity in the account to prevent losing accumulated miles.

What happens to American Airlines Aadvantage Miles when a member passes away?

When an American Airlines Aadvantage member passes away, their miles will be forfeited and cannot be transferred to another account. However, if the member had a will, the executor of the estate can request to have the miles transferred to a beneficiary or another Aadvantage account.

It is important for members to consider including their Aadvantage miles in their estate planning to ensure their miles are not lost.

Can American Airlines Aadvantage Miles be used for other airlines?

Yes, American Airlines Aadvantage Miles can be used to book travel on American Airlines and its partner airlines. American Airlines has over 20 airline partners, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, among others.

It is important to note that the number of miles required for partner airline travel may vary and availability may be limited. Members should check the American Airlines website or contact customer service for more information.

Can American Airlines Aadvantage Miles be transferred to another account?

American Airlines Aadvantage Miles can be transferred to another account for a fee. The fee varies depending on the number of miles being transferred and the account status of the members involved. Members can transfer a minimum of 1,000 miles and a maximum of 150,000 miles per year.

It is important to note that once miles are transferred, they cannot be transferred back and are subject to the expiration rules of the receiving account. Members should carefully consider the transfer and expiration policies before initiating a transfer.

Do American airline miles expire?


In conclusion, American Airlines Aadvantage miles do expire, but the expiration rules have changed recently. Miles will no longer expire as long as there is activity on the account within 18 months. This means that any earning or redeeming activity will reset the clock on an account’s miles expiration.

It’s important to note that there are many ways to keep your Aadvantage miles active beyond just flying with American Airlines. Shopping through the Aadvantage eShopping mall, using an Aadvantage credit card, or even donating miles to a charity can all count as account activity.

Overall, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your Aadvantage account and make sure there is regular activity to avoid losing hard-earned miles. With the new 18-month expiration policy, it’s easier than ever to maintain your miles and continue to reap the rewards of the Aadvantage program.

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