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As a frequent flyer on American Airlines, you may be wondering if your hard-earned miles ever expire. After all, you’ve spent countless hours in airplanes, flown thousands of miles, and spent a significant amount of money to earn those miles. So, what happens if you don’t use them before a certain date?
The good news is that American Airlines does not have a hard expiration date for miles. However, there are some important details to keep in mind to ensure that you don’t lose your miles unexpectedly. In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of American Airlines’ mileage policy and provide you with some tips on how to keep your miles active.
Contents
- Do Miles Expire on American Airlines?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the American Airlines AAdvantage program?
- What are the rules for earning miles on American Airlines?
- Do American Airlines miles expire?
- How do I redeem American Airlines miles?
- Can I transfer my American Airlines miles to another person?
- When do my Airline Miles Expire? American Express Transfer Partners
- How To Print A Boarding Pass For United Airlines?
- Are American Airline Tickets Cheaper At The Airport?
- How To Sign Up For American Airlines Frequent Flyer?
Do Miles Expire on American Airlines?
If you’re a frequent flyer with American Airlines, you may be wondering if your miles expire. After all, you’ve worked hard to earn them and want to make sure they don’t go to waste. In this article, we’ll answer that question and provide you with all the information you need to know about American Airlines’ mileage expiration policy.
How Long Do American Airlines Miles Last?
American Airlines miles do expire, but the amount of time you have before they do depends on several factors. For AAdvantage members, miles typically expire 18 months after the last activity on the account. Activity can include earning or redeeming miles, or even donating them to a charity. If you have elite status with American Airlines, your miles may last longer – up to 24 or even 36 months.
It’s important to note that American Airlines’ mileage expiration policy changed in 2019. Prior to that, miles expired after 18 months of inactivity regardless of elite status. Now, elite members can enjoy longer expiration periods, which is a nice perk for those who fly frequently with American Airlines.
How Can You Keep Your American Airlines Miles from Expiring?
If you’re worried about your American Airlines miles expiring, there are several ways to ensure that they stay active. The easiest way is to simply earn or redeem miles on a regular basis. This can include booking flights, using an American Airlines credit card, or even shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping portal.
Another way to keep your miles active is to donate them to a charity. American Airlines partners with several charities, and donating miles can be a great way to give back while also keeping your account active.
What Happens if Your American Airlines Miles Expire?
If your American Airlines miles do expire, don’t panic – there are ways to get them back. American Airlines offers a reinstatement program that allows you to reinstate expired miles for a fee. The cost varies depending on the number of miles you want to reinstate, but it can be a good option if you have a large amount of expired miles.
You can also try contacting American Airlines customer service to see if they can help you recover your expired miles. While there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to help, it’s worth a try if you have a significant amount of miles that you don’t want to lose.
The Benefits of American Airlines’ Mileage Expiration Policy
While it may seem like a hassle to keep track of your American Airlines miles and make sure they don’t expire, there are actually some benefits to their mileage expiration policy. For one, it helps keep the AAdvantage program active and engaged. If miles never expired, there would be less incentive for members to continue earning and redeeming them.
Additionally, the longer expiration periods for elite members can be a great perk for those who fly frequently with American Airlines. It’s a way for the airline to reward their most loyal customers and encourage them to keep flying with them.
American Airlines’ Mileage Expiration Policy vs. Other Airlines
It’s worth noting that American Airlines’ mileage expiration policy is fairly standard compared to other airlines. Most major airlines have some form of mileage expiration policy, and 18 months is a common timeframe. However, some airlines do offer longer expiration periods for elite members, similar to American Airlines.
Conclusion
In conclusion, American Airlines miles do expire, but the length of time you have before they do depends on several factors. It’s important to keep your account active by earning or redeeming miles on a regular basis, or by donating them to a charity. If your miles do expire, you can try using American Airlines’ reinstatement program or contacting customer service to see if they can help. Overall, American Airlines’ mileage expiration policy is fairly standard compared to other airlines, but the longer expiration periods for elite members can be a nice perk for frequent flyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the American Airlines AAdvantage program?
The American Airlines AAdvantage program is a loyalty program designed for frequent flyers of American Airlines. Members of the program earn miles for every flight they take with American Airlines or its partner airlines. These miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and more.
The AAdvantage program has several tiers, including Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum, and ConciergeKey. Members at higher tiers enjoy additional benefits, such as priority boarding, lounge access, and bonus miles.
What are the rules for earning miles on American Airlines?
To earn miles on American Airlines, you must be a member of the AAdvantage program and provide your membership number when booking your flight. The number of miles you earn depends on the fare class of your ticket and the distance of your flight.
You can also earn miles by using a co-branded credit card, shopping with American Airlines partners, and staying at partner hotels. Miles earned through these methods are subject to different rules and restrictions.
Do American Airlines miles expire?
Yes, American Airlines miles expire if there is no activity in your account for 18 months. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles, or purchasing miles through American Airlines. If your miles are about to expire, you can extend their validity by earning or redeeming miles before the expiration date.
American Airlines also offers a program called “Miles for Opinions,” which allows you to earn miles by taking surveys. This is a great way to keep your account active and prevent your miles from expiring.
How do I redeem American Airlines miles?
You can redeem American Airlines miles for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and more. To redeem your miles, log in to your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website and search for available awards. You can also call American Airlines reservations to book awards over the phone.
The number of miles required for an award varies depending on the destination, date, and fare class of the flight. Some awards may require additional fees, such as taxes and fuel surcharges.
Can I transfer my American Airlines miles to another person?
Yes, American Airlines allows you to transfer your miles to another AAdvantage member for a fee. The fee is based on the number of miles being transferred and can range from $15 to $250. The recipient must also pay a processing fee of $12.50 per 1,000 miles received.
Transferred miles are subject to the same rules and restrictions as regular miles, including expiration dates and award availability. Once transferred, miles cannot be refunded or exchanged for cash.
When do my Airline Miles Expire? American Express Transfer Partners
In conclusion, the answer to whether miles expire on American Airlines is a bit complicated. Yes, miles can expire if there is no activity on your account for 18 months. However, there are many ways to keep your account active and prevent your miles from being forfeited.
One of the easiest ways to keep your account active is to simply use your American Airlines credit card for purchases. This will earn you miles and keep your account active at the same time. Another option is to book a flight or use your miles to redeem for a hotel stay or car rental.
It’s important to stay mindful of your account activity and take advantage of the many opportunities to earn and redeem miles. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your American Airlines miles active and enjoy the rewards of your loyalty for years to come.
