How To Keep American Airline Miles From Expiring?

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Are you an American Airlines frequent flyer with miles that are about to expire? Don’t let them go to waste! In this article, we’ll explore the best ways to keep your American Airline miles from expiring and how to get the most out of your rewards program.

How to Keep American Airline Miles From Expiring?

How to Keep American Airline Miles From Expiring?

American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, with a vast network of flights connecting various destinations. It’s no wonder that American Airlines miles are one of the most sought-after rewards programs. However, the miles come with an expiration date, and you don’t want to lose them. Here are some tips on how to keep American Airline miles from expiring.

1. Book a flight

Booking a flight with American Airlines is the easiest way to keep your miles from expiring. When you book a flight, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended for another 18 months. You don’t have to take the flight; booking is enough to keep your miles active.

You can book a flight directly on the American Airlines website or through a travel agency. When booking, make sure to use your AAdvantage account number to receive the miles.

2. Use a co-branded credit card

Another way to keep your American Airline miles from expiring is by using a co-branded credit card. These cards offer various benefits, including earning miles on purchases and extending the expiration date of your miles.

When you use a co-branded American Airlines credit card, you earn miles on every purchase, and the account activity extends the expiration date of your miles. Some cards also offer bonuses and perks, such as free checked bags and priority boarding.

3. Shop through the AA shopping portal

American Airlines has a shopping portal where you can earn miles by shopping at various retailers. When you make a purchase through the portal, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended.

The portal offers a wide range of retailers, including Apple, Nike, and Sephora. You can earn several miles per dollar spent, and some retailers offer bonus miles for certain purchases.

4. Rent a car or book a hotel

American Airlines partners with various car rental companies and hotels, offering miles for booking. When you rent a car or book a hotel through one of these partners, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended.

Some partners offer bonus miles for bookings, and you can earn several miles per dollar spent. The partners include popular companies such as Avis, Hilton, and Marriott.

5. Transfer miles to another account

If you have a family member or friend who is an American Airlines member, you can transfer your miles to their account. When you transfer miles, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended.

You can transfer up to 100,000 miles per year, and the recipient must have an account that is at least 30 days old. There is a fee for transferring miles, and the cost varies depending on the number of miles transferred.

6. Donate miles to charity

American Airlines allows you to donate your miles to various charities, such as the American Red Cross and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. When you donate miles, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended.

Donating miles is a great way to support a cause you care about while keeping your miles active. The miles you donate are used to help people in need, such as families traveling for medical treatment.

7. Use a dining program

American Airlines has a dining program where you can earn miles by dining at participating restaurants. When you dine at a restaurant, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended.

The dining program offers several miles per dollar spent, and some restaurants offer bonus miles for certain purchases. You can also earn miles by writing reviews of the restaurants.

8. Take a survey

American Airlines partners with various survey companies, offering miles for completing surveys. When you complete a survey, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended.

The survey companies offer different types of surveys, ranging from consumer products to political opinions. You can earn several miles per survey, and some surveys offer bonus miles for completing certain tasks.

9. Buy miles

If you are short on miles and need to extend the expiration date, you can buy miles from American Airlines. When you buy miles, your account activity is updated, and the expiration date of your miles is extended.

Buying miles is not the cheapest option, but it can be useful if you need to top up your account for a specific award. The cost of buying miles varies depending on the number of miles purchased.

10. Keep track of expiration dates

Finally, the best way to keep your American Airline miles from expiring is by keeping track of the expiration dates. American Airlines sends notifications when your miles are about to expire, so make sure to check your email regularly.

You can also set up reminders on your phone or calendar to ensure that you don’t miss the expiration date. Keeping track of your miles can help you plan your travel and maximize the rewards program.

In conclusion, there are several ways to keep your American Airline miles from expiring, including booking a flight, using a co-branded credit card, shopping through the AA shopping portal, and more. By following these tips, you can make the most of your rewards program and enjoy the benefits of being a loyal American Airlines customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about American Airline miles expiration and how to keep them from expiring.

What is the policy for American Airline miles expiration?

American Airline miles expire 18 months after the last activity on the account. Activity can be anything that earns or redeems miles, such as flying, using a credit card, or shopping with a partner. If there is no activity, the miles will expire.

To avoid losing your miles, you should plan to earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months. This can be as simple as making a purchase with an American Airlines partner or using a co-branded credit card for everyday spending.

How can I keep my American Airline miles from expiring?

The easiest way to keep your American Airline miles from expiring is to earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months. This can be done by flying with American Airlines or one of its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or making a purchase with a partner such as a hotel or car rental company.

You can also consider pooling your miles with family or friends to keep them active. By transferring miles between accounts, you can reset the expiration clock and ensure that your miles don’t go to waste.

What happens if my American Airline miles expire?

If your American Airline miles expire, they cannot be reinstated. Once they are gone, they are gone for good. This means that any miles you had saved up for a future trip or reward will be lost, and you will need to start over from scratch.

To avoid this situation, it’s important to keep track of your miles and make sure they are being used or earned regularly to prevent expiration.

Can I extend the expiration date of my American Airline miles?

Yes, you can extend the expiration date of your American Airline miles by using the airline’s Mileage Expiration Extension program. This program allows you to purchase a 12-month extension for your miles for a fee. You can only use this program once per account, and it must be done before your miles expire.

Another way to extend your miles is to book a flight with American Airlines or one of its partners before the expiration date. This will reset the expiration clock and give you another 18 months to use or earn miles.

What are some other tips for keeping American Airline miles from expiring?

In addition to earning or redeeming miles regularly, there are a few other tips to keep in mind to prevent your American Airline miles from expiring. These include:

  • Setting a reminder to use your miles before they expire
  • Signing up for American Airlines promotions and bonus offers
  • Checking your account regularly to ensure that your miles are being credited correctly

By following these tips, you can make sure that your American Airline miles stay active and available for your next travel adventure.

How to Keep Your Points & Miles From Expiring


In conclusion, keeping your American Airline miles from expiring is crucial if you want to maximize your rewards and travel benefits. With a little bit of effort and planning, you can easily extend the life of your miles and enjoy the perks they have to offer.

The first step to preventing your miles from expiring is to stay active in earning and using them. American Airlines offers a variety of ways to earn miles, from flying to shopping with their partners. Take advantage of these opportunities and make sure to keep track of your account activity.

If you find yourself with miles that are about to expire, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways to keep them active, such as donating them to charity or using them to purchase magazines or other items. By staying on top of your account and using your miles wisely, you can ensure that you never miss out on the benefits of your American Airline rewards program.

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