How Can I Prevent My American Airlines Miles From Expiring?

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Are you an American Airlines frequent flyer who’s worried about losing those hard-earned miles? You’re not alone! Many travelers struggle with the expiration policy of American Airlines. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some easy tips to keep your miles from expiring.

First, it’s important to understand the expiration policy. American Airlines miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. That means if you don’t earn or redeem any miles within 18 months, your account will be considered inactive, and all your hard-earned miles will be gone. But don’t worry, there are some simple ways to prevent this from happening.

How Can I Prevent My American Airlines Miles From Expiring?

Prevent Your American Airlines Miles from Expiring

Are you worried about losing your hard-earned American Airlines miles? It can be frustrating to see your miles expire and go to waste. However, with a little effort, you can prevent your American Airlines miles from expiring. In this article, we will discuss some tips and tricks to help you keep your miles active and avoid expiration.

1. Know the Expiration Policy

The first step in preventing your American Airlines miles from expiring is to understand the expiration policy. American Airlines miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. Inactivity is defined as no earning or redeeming miles. Once your miles expire, they cannot be reinstated. Therefore, it is essential to keep your account active to prevent expiration.

To keep your account active, you can earn or redeem miles. You can earn miles by booking flights, using co-branded credit cards, or participating in American Airlines partners’ programs. You can also redeem miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel experiences.

2. Book a Flight

Booking a flight is one of the easiest ways to keep your American Airlines miles active. You can earn miles by booking flights with American Airlines or its partners. Even if you cannot travel, you can book a flight and cancel it later to earn miles. However, make sure to read the cancellation policy before making any reservations.

3. Use a Co-Branded Credit Card

Another way to earn miles and prevent expiration is by using a co-branded credit card. American Airlines offers several credit cards that allow you to earn miles on every purchase. By using a co-branded credit card, you can earn miles even when you are not traveling. Some credit cards also offer bonus miles for signing up, making the first purchase, or spending a certain amount within a specific period.

4. Participate in American Airlines Partners’ Programs

American Airlines has several partners’ programs that allow you to earn miles for everyday activities. For example, you can earn miles by shopping online, dining at restaurants, renting cars, or staying at hotels. American Airlines partners with several brands, including Avis, Budget, Hilton, Marriott, and many others. You can check the American Airlines website to see the full list of partners and their offers.

5. Transfer Miles

If you have miles in other loyalty programs, you can transfer them to your American Airlines account to keep it active. American Airlines partners with several airlines and hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy, Hyatt, and British Airways. You can transfer miles from these programs to your American Airlines account and keep it active.

6. Buy or Gift Miles

If you are short on miles and need to keep your account active, you can buy or gift miles. American Airlines allows you to purchase miles or gift them to other members. However, buying or gifting miles can be expensive, so make sure to compare the cost of buying miles to the cost of booking a flight.

7. Monitor Your Account

To prevent your American Airlines miles from expiring, you should monitor your account regularly. Check your account balance and activity to make sure your miles are not expiring soon. You can also set up email or text alerts to notify you when your miles are about to expire.

8. Keep Your Account Information Up to Date

Make sure to keep your account information up to date, including your email address and phone number. American Airlines may send you alerts or notifications about your account, and if your contact information is not up to date, you may miss important updates.

9. Know Your Options

If your miles are about to expire, you still have some options to prevent them from going to waste. American Airlines allows you to reinstate expired miles for a fee. The fee varies depending on the number of miles you want to reinstate. You can also donate your miles to charity or use them to purchase magazine subscriptions or merchandise.

10. Conclusion

In conclusion, preventing your American Airlines miles from expiring requires some effort and planning. However, by following the tips and tricks discussed in this article, you can keep your account active and avoid expiration. Remember to book a flight, use a co-branded credit card, participate in partners’ programs, monitor your account, and keep your information up to date. By doing so, you can enjoy the benefits of your hard-earned miles and travel to your dream destinations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expiration policy for American Airlines miles?

American Airlines miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. Inactivity is defined as having no earning or redeeming activity on your account. It’s important to keep track of your miles and ensure that you have some sort of activity within the 18-month timeframe to prevent them from expiring.

What activities count towards preventing my American Airlines miles from expiring?

There are a variety of activities that count towards preventing your American Airlines miles from expiring. You can earn miles by flying on American Airlines or one of its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, renting a car from a partner car rental company, or staying at a partner hotel. You can also redeem miles for flights, car rentals, hotels, and other travel experiences.

What should I do if my American Airlines miles are about to expire?

If your American Airlines miles are about to expire, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from expiring. You can book a flight or hotel stay using your miles, donate your miles to a charity, or purchase miles. Keep in mind that purchasing miles can be expensive, so it’s important to weigh the cost against the value of your miles.

How can I keep track of my American Airlines miles?

You can keep track of your American Airlines miles by logging into your account on the American Airlines website or mobile app. Your account will show you how many miles you have, when they expire, and any recent activity on your account. You can also set up alerts to remind you when your miles are about to expire.

Are there any other ways to prevent my American Airlines miles from expiring?

Yes, there are a few other ways to prevent your American Airlines miles from expiring. One option is to transfer miles to another account. You can transfer miles to anyone with an American Airlines account for a fee. Another option is to use the American Airlines shopping portal to earn miles for online purchases. This can be a great way to earn miles while also preventing your existing miles from expiring.

How to Keep Your Points & Miles From Expiring


In conclusion, there are several ways to prevent your American Airlines miles from expiring. First, consider earning or redeeming miles on a regular basis to keep your account active. You can also use an American Airlines credit card or participate in the AAdvantage Dining Program to earn miles and keep your account active.

Another option is to donate miles to a charity or transfer miles to a friend or family member. This not only helps keep your account active but also allows you to give back to your community or help loved ones travel.

Lastly, stay informed of any policy changes or updates regarding your AAdvantage account. By knowing the rules and regulations, you can ensure that your miles remain active and you can continue to enjoy the benefits of being an AAdvantage member. With these tips, you can prevent your American Airlines miles from expiring and continue to travel with ease.

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