Do American Airlines Miles Expire?

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If you’re a frequent flyer with American Airlines, you may be wondering if your miles expire. The answer is yes, American Airlines miles do have an expiration date, but there are ways to keep them from expiring. In this article, we’ll explore the details of American Airlines’ mileage expiration policy and give you tips on how to keep your miles from disappearing. So, let’s dive in and find out how you can make the most of your American Airlines miles.

Do American Airlines Miles Expire?

Do American Airlines Miles Expire?

American Airlines is one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world. With a vast network of flights and destinations, it’s no wonder that many people choose to fly with American Airlines. One of the major perks of flying with American Airlines is the AAdvantage program, which allows travelers to earn miles for every flight they take. These miles can then be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including free flights and upgrades. However, many people wonder if American Airlines miles expire. In this article, we will explore this question in detail.

Do American Airlines Miles Expire?

The short answer is yes, American Airlines miles can expire. However, there are certain conditions that must be met before this happens. According to American Airlines’ mileage expiration policy, miles will expire if there is no earning or redemption activity on your account for 18 months. This means that if you have not earned or redeemed any miles in the past 18 months, your miles will expire.

It’s important to note that earning or redeeming miles can reset the expiration clock. So, if you earn or redeem miles within the 18-month period, your miles will not expire. Additionally, if you have elite status with American Airlines, your miles will not expire as long as you maintain your elite status.

How to Keep Your Miles from Expiring

If you want to keep your American Airlines miles from expiring, there are a few things you can do. The easiest way is to simply earn or redeem miles within the 18-month period. This can be done by taking a flight, using a credit card that earns AAdvantage miles, or redeeming miles for a reward.

Another option is to purchase or gift miles. While this may seem like a costly option, it can be a good way to keep your miles from expiring if you don’t have any other earning or redemption activity planned. American Airlines allows you to purchase miles in increments of 1,000, and you can gift miles to another AAdvantage member.

Benefits of the AAdvantage Program

Despite the possibility of miles expiring, the AAdvantage program offers many benefits to travelers. Here are just a few of the benefits:

  • Earn miles for every flight you take
  • Redeem miles for free flights, upgrades, and other rewards
  • Access to exclusive travel offers and promotions
  • Priority boarding and check-in for elite members
  • Lounge access for elite members

Overall, the AAdvantage program can be a great way to earn rewards for your travels with American Airlines. By keeping your miles from expiring, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of the program for years to come.

American Airlines Miles vs Other Airlines

When it comes to airline rewards programs, there are many options to choose from. Here’s how American Airlines’ AAdvantage program compares to other popular programs:

Program Earning Potential Reward Options Expiration Policy
American Airlines AAdvantage Good Good Miles expire after 18 months of no activity
Delta SkyMiles Good Good Miles never expire
United MileagePlus Good Good Miles expire after 18 months of no activity
Southwest Rapid Rewards Good Good Miles never expire

Overall, American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is a solid choice for travelers who fly frequently with the airline. While the expiration policy is not as generous as some other programs, the earning potential and reward options are still competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the American Airlines miles expiration policy?

American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. If you do not earn, redeem, purchase, or share miles within 18 months, your miles will expire and cannot be restored. However, if you have elite status with American Airlines, your miles will not expire as long as you maintain your status.

If you want to keep your miles active, there are many ways to do so. You can earn miles by flying with American Airlines or its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or shopping with American Airlines partners. You can also redeem your miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

Can I extend the expiration of my American Airlines miles?

Yes, you can extend the expiration of your American Airlines miles by earning or redeeming miles before they expire. You can earn miles by flying with American Airlines or its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or shopping with American Airlines partners. You can redeem your miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

Another way to extend the expiration of your miles is to purchase miles. If you purchase miles, your account will remain active for another 18 months from the date of your purchase. You can also share your miles with friends or family members, which will also extend the expiration of your miles.

Do American Airlines miles expire if I have elite status?

No, if you have elite status with American Airlines, your miles will not expire as long as you maintain your status. Elite status members include AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum members. If you have any of these statuses, your miles will remain active as long as you maintain your status.

What happens to my American Airlines miles if they expire?

If your American Airlines miles expire, they cannot be restored. Once your miles expire, they are gone forever. However, there are many ways to keep your miles active, as mentioned earlier. If you have a large number of miles that are about to expire, it may be worth purchasing or redeeming some of them to keep your account active.

How can I check the expiration date of my American Airlines miles?

You can check the expiration date of your American Airlines miles by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website or app. Once you are logged in, go to your account summary and look for the expiration date of your miles. You can also check the expiration date of your miles on your account statement or by calling American Airlines customer service.

In conclusion, American Airlines miles do expire, but not all at once. The expiration policy is quite complex and varies depending on the type of miles, activity on the account, and elite status of the member. It’s important to keep track of your miles and make sure you use them before they expire to avoid losing them.

One way to keep your miles active is by earning or redeeming miles at least once every 18 months. This can be done by booking a flight with American Airlines, using your American Airlines credit card, or shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping mall.

Overall, understanding the expiration policy of American Airlines miles is crucial for frequent flyers and those who want to maximize their rewards. By staying up-to-date on the policy and ensuring that your miles remain active, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of the AAdvantage program for years to come.

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