How To Reactivate American Airlines Miles?

Writing By / Posted On:
admin
Chief Editor of - Book Premium Flight

Are you an American Airlines miles holder looking to reactivate your miles? Don’t worry, you’re in the right place! Reactivating your miles is a simple process that can save you a lot of money on your next flight. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to reactivate your miles so that you can start planning your next adventure. So, let’s get started!

First, it’s important to understand why your miles may have expired in the first place. Many airlines have an expiration policy that requires you to use your miles within a certain period. If you fail to do so, your miles will expire and become useless. However, American Airlines offers an easy way to reactivate your miles and prevent them from expiring. Keep reading to learn how!

If your American Airlines miles have expired, you can reactivate them by paying a fee or earning or redeeming miles. To pay a fee, log in to your account and select “Reactivate Miles” under your account summary. To earn or redeem miles, simply make a purchase with a co-branded credit card or book a flight with American Airlines. Keep in mind that reactivated miles will have a new expiration date, usually 18 months from the reactivation date.

How to Reactivate American Airlines Miles?

How to Reactivate American Airlines Miles?

American Airlines is one of the most popular airlines in the world, offering comfortable and affordable flights to a variety of destinations. One of the benefits of being a member of their frequent flyer program is earning miles, which can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and other perks. However, if you don’t use your miles for a while, they may expire. In this article, we’ll show you how to reactivate American Airlines miles so you can keep enjoying the benefits of the program.

Check the Expiration Date

The first step in reactivating your American Airlines miles is to check if they have expired. Miles typically expire after 18 months of inactivity, so if you haven’t earned or redeemed any miles in that time, they may no longer be valid. To check the expiration date of your miles, log in to your American Airlines account and go to the “AAdvantage” section. You should see your current mileage balance, as well as the expiration date of your miles.

If your miles have already expired, don’t panic! You may still be able to reactivate them by paying a fee. American Airlines charges $200 to reinstate expired miles, but this fee can be waived if you have elite status with the airline or if you have an American Airlines credit card.

Use Your Miles

If your miles haven’t expired yet, the easiest way to keep them active is to use them. You can redeem your miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses. Even if you don’t have enough miles for a full redemption, using some of your miles can help keep your account active.

If you don’t have any immediate travel plans, you can also use your miles for other purposes. For example, you can donate your miles to a charity, transfer them to another member, or use them to purchase magazines or other merchandise.

Buy or Gift Miles

Another way to keep your American Airlines miles active is to buy or gift miles. American Airlines allows you to purchase miles directly from their website, starting at $29.50 for 1,000 miles. You can also gift miles to another member for a fee, which can be a great way to help a friend or family member reach their own redemption goals.

Keep in mind that buying or gifting miles can be an expensive way to keep your account active, so be sure to weigh the cost against the value of your miles.

Use an American Airlines Credit Card

If you have an American Airlines credit card, using it for everyday purchases can help keep your miles active. Most American Airlines credit cards earn miles for every dollar spent, and some even offer bonus miles for certain categories like dining or gas. By using your card regularly, you can earn miles and keep your account active at the same time.

Transfer Points from Other Programs

If you participate in other loyalty programs, you may be able to transfer points to your American Airlines account. American Airlines partners with several hotel and rental car companies, as well as other airlines, to offer members more opportunities to earn and redeem miles. By transferring points from these programs to your American Airlines account, you can keep your miles active and potentially earn even more miles in the process.

Enroll in e-Rewards or e-Miles

American Airlines partners with e-Rewards and e-Miles, two online survey companies that reward participants with miles. By enrolling in these programs and completing surveys, you can earn miles and keep your account active at the same time. Keep in mind that participation in these programs may not be free, so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully before signing up.

Book a Hotel or Car Rental through American Airlines

American Airlines partners with several hotel and rental car companies to offer members special rates and bonus miles. By booking your hotel or car rental through the American Airlines website, you can earn miles and keep your account active at the same time. This can be a great way to earn extra miles for an upcoming trip while also keeping your account active.

Benefits of Reactivating American Airlines Miles

Reactivating your American Airlines miles can offer several benefits. First, you can use your miles to redeem free flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses. This can help you save money on your next trip and make your travel experience more enjoyable. Additionally, earning and redeeming miles can help you achieve elite status with the airline, which comes with even more perks like lounge access, priority boarding, and free checked bags.

American Airlines Miles vs. Other Miles Programs

While American Airlines miles can be a valuable currency, there are also many other loyalty programs to consider. Some programs offer more flexible redemption options, while others offer more perks for elite members. It’s important to consider your travel habits and goals when choosing a loyalty program, as well as the earning and redemption rates for each program.

Conclusion

Reactivate your American Airlines miles can be a great way to continue enjoying the benefits of the AAdvantage program. Whether you choose to use your miles, buy or gift miles, or participate in partner programs, there are several ways to keep your account active and earn even more miles in the process. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can save money on travel and make your next trip more enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate my expired American Airlines miles?

Yes, you can reactivate your expired American Airlines miles. However, there are certain conditions that you need to meet. Firstly, your miles must have expired within the last 18 months. Secondly, you need to pay a reactivation fee of $150 per account. Once you’ve met these requirements, you can reactivate your miles by contacting American Airlines customer service.

It’s important to note that you can only reactivate your miles once. If your miles expire again, you’ll need to earn new miles to use for future flights.

What happens to my expired American Airlines miles?

Once your American Airlines miles expire, they are removed from your account and cannot be used for future flights. However, you may be able to reactivate your expired miles if you meet the conditions outlined by American Airlines. If you don’t reactivate your miles, they will be lost forever.

If you have a small number of expired miles, it may not be worth the cost of reactivating them. Instead, consider earning new miles through flights or credit card rewards.

How can I prevent my American Airlines miles from expiring?

To prevent your American Airlines miles from expiring, you need to earn or redeem miles in your account at least once every 18 months. This can be done by taking a flight with American Airlines or one of its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or by redeeming your miles for a reward.

If you’re worried about your miles expiring, it’s a good idea to set a reminder to use or earn miles before the expiration date. This will ensure that your miles remain active and can be used for future flights.

Can I use my American Airlines miles for flights with other airlines?

Yes, you can use your American Airlines miles to book flights with American Airlines partners, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. However, the number of miles required for these flights may be different than what’s required for American Airlines flights.

When booking a flight with your American Airlines miles, you’ll need to check availability with the airline directly. You can also use American Airlines’ online booking tool to search for partner flights and book using your miles.

What are some other ways to earn American Airlines miles?

There are many ways to earn American Airlines miles, including taking flights with American Airlines or its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, and shopping with American Airlines partners such as Avis car rental or Hilton hotels.

You can also earn miles by taking surveys, signing up for promotional offers, and using the American Airlines dining program. Be sure to check the American Airlines website for the latest ways to earn miles and maximize your rewards.

Don’t buy American AAdvantage miles. Do this instead!


In conclusion, reactivating your American Airlines miles is a simple process that can be done online or through customer service. By keeping your account active through earning and redeeming miles, you can avoid expiration and continue to reap the benefits of the AAdvantage program.

Remember to check your account regularly and take advantage of promotional offers to earn bonus miles. With a little effort, you can reactivate your miles and start planning your next adventure with American Airlines.

So, if you have unused American Airlines miles, don’t let them go to waste. Follow the steps outlined in this guide and reactivate your miles today. Whether you’re an occasional flyer or a frequent traveler, the AAdvantage program has something to offer for everyone. So, start planning your next trip and enjoy the perks of being an American Airlines AAdvantage member.

adminChief Editor of - Book Premium Flight

Scroll to Top