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Are you a frequent flyer with American Airlines? Do you have a stash of unused miles sitting in your account? It’s important to know when your miles will expire to avoid losing them. In this article, we’ll answer the burning question on every traveler’s mind: how long do American Airlines miles last?
American Airlines miles can be a valuable asset for frequent flyers, but if you don’t use them within a certain timeframe, they’ll expire. Read on to learn about American Airlines’ mileage expiration policy, how to keep your miles active, and tips for maximizing your rewards. Don’t let your hard-earned miles go to waste – stay informed and make the most out of your travel rewards!
How Long Do American Airlines Miles Last?
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and it offers a rewards program called AAdvantage. This program allows travelers to earn miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits. However, many people are unsure about how long their miles will last. In this article, we will discuss the expiration policy for American Airlines miles and provide tips on how to keep them active.
Understanding American Airlines Miles Expiration Policy
American Airlines miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. Inactivity is defined as having no earning or redeeming activity on your account. This means that if you haven’t earned or redeemed any miles in the past 18 months, your miles will expire. The expiration policy applies to all AAdvantage members, regardless of their elite status or credit card affiliation.
To keep your miles active, you need to have earning or redeeming activity on your account. Earning activity includes flying on American Airlines or its partners, using a co-branded credit card, or shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping mall. Redeeming activity includes booking a flight, hotel stay, car rental, or other travel-related purchase using your miles.
If your miles are about to expire, you can extend their validity by performing any earning or redeeming activity before the expiration date. For example, you can buy or gift miles, donate miles to a charity, or use your miles for a magazine subscription. These activities will reset the 18-month clock and keep your miles active for another 18 months.
Tips on How to Keep Your American Airlines Miles Active
To avoid losing your hard-earned American Airlines miles, here are some tips on how to keep them active:
- Fly on American Airlines or its partners: The easiest way to earn miles and keep them active is to fly on American Airlines or its partner airlines. You can also earn miles by booking hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related services through American Airlines’ website.
- Use a co-branded credit card: American Airlines offers several co-branded credit cards that allow you to earn miles on your everyday purchases. By using these cards, you can keep your miles active and earn extra miles at the same time.
- Shop through AAdvantage eShopping: AAdvantage eShopping is an online shopping portal that allows you to earn miles for your purchases at hundreds of retailers. By shopping through this portal, you can keep your miles active and get discounts and bonus miles.
- Donate miles to a charity: American Airlines allows you to donate your miles to a charity of your choice. By doing so, you can help a good cause and keep your miles active for another 18 months.
- Buy or gift miles: If you’re short on miles or need to extend their validity, you can buy or gift miles from American Airlines. This option is available year-round and allows you to purchase up to 150,000 miles per year.
The Benefits of American Airlines AAdvantage Program
The American Airlines AAdvantage program offers several benefits to its members, including:
- Free flights: You can redeem your miles for free flights on American Airlines or its partners. The number of miles required for a flight depends on the destination, class of service, and availability.
- Upgrade awards: You can use your miles to upgrade your seat from economy to business or first class on eligible flights. This option is available for flights operated by American Airlines and select partner airlines.
- Lounge access: If you have elite status or a co-branded credit card, you can access American Airlines’ Admirals Club lounges for free or at a discounted rate. These lounges offer comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and drinks, and other amenities.
- Partner benefits: American Airlines has partnerships with several airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and other travel providers. By using these partners, you can earn and redeem miles, get discounts, and enjoy other perks.
- Elite status: AAdvantage program has several elite tiers that offer additional benefits, such as bonus miles, priority check-in and boarding, free checked bags, and more.
American Airlines Miles Vs. Other Airline Miles
American Airlines miles are not the only airline miles available in the market. Other major airlines, such as Delta, United, and Southwest, offer their own rewards programs with similar benefits. However, there are some differences between these programs that you should be aware of.
For example, Delta and United miles do not expire as long as you have earning or redeeming activity on your account. Southwest miles do not expire at all. On the other hand, American Airlines miles expire after 18 months of inactivity, which can be a disadvantage if you’re not a frequent traveler.
In terms of redemption options, all major airlines allow you to redeem your miles for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits. However, the number of miles required for a reward can vary depending on the airline, the destination, and the class of service. It’s important to compare the redemption rates and availability before choosing an airline rewards program.
Conclusion
American Airlines miles are a valuable currency that can help you save money on your travels. However, you need to be aware of the expiration policy and take steps to keep your miles active. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure that your miles don’t go to waste and enjoy the benefits of the AAdvantage program.
Contents
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the expiration policy for American Airlines miles?
- Can I extend the expiration date of my American Airlines miles?
- What happens to my American Airlines miles when they expire?
- Do elite status members have different expiration policies for American Airlines miles?
- Can I reactivate expired American Airlines miles?
- HOW MUCH ARE AMERICAN AIRLINES MILES WORTH??
- 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?
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 not earning or redeeming miles on American Airlines or their partners. To prevent your miles from expiring, make sure to earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months.
Can I extend the expiration date of my American Airlines miles?
Yes, you can extend the expiration date of your American Airlines miles by either earning or redeeming miles. When you earn or redeem miles, it resets the 18-month clock. Another way to extend the expiration date is to purchase or gift miles, as this activity will also reset the clock.
What happens to my American Airlines miles when they expire?
When your American Airlines miles expire, they are removed from your account and cannot be reinstated. Make sure to keep track of the expiration date and use your miles before they expire to avoid losing them.
Do elite status members have different expiration policies for American Airlines miles?
No, elite status members do not have different expiration policies for American Airlines miles. The 18-month inactivity rule applies to all members regardless of their elite status. However, elite status members may have other benefits, such as bonus miles or waived fees.
Can I reactivate expired American Airlines miles?
No, once your American Airlines miles expire, they cannot be reactivated. Make sure to use your miles before they expire or keep your account active by earning or redeeming miles at least once every 18 months to avoid losing them.
HOW MUCH ARE AMERICAN AIRLINES MILES WORTH??
In conclusion, American Airlines miles last for a certain period of time, which varies depending on the type of miles earned and the account activity of the member. It is crucial to keep track of the expiration dates of your miles to avoid losing them. Fortunately, there are ways to extend the validity of your miles, such as earning or redeeming miles, or using a co-branded credit card.
Don’t let your hard-earned American Airlines miles go to waste. With proper planning and management, you can make the most out of your miles and enjoy the many benefits of being a member of American Airlines’ loyalty program. Whether you’re looking to save on your next flight, upgrade your seat, or access exclusive perks, your miles can go a long way.
In the end, it’s all about understanding the rules and regulations of American Airlines’ mileage program and taking advantage of the opportunities available to you. By staying informed and proactive, you can maximize the value of your miles and make your travel dreams a reality.
