Can You Get Miles For Past Flights American Airlines?

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Are you a frequent flyer with American Airlines and wondering if you can still earn miles for past flights? The answer is yes, you can! American Airlines offers a program called AAdvantage where members can earn miles for flights taken in the past.

Whether you forgot to enter your AAdvantage number when booking your flight or you were not yet a member at the time of your flight, you can still earn miles for those flights. Keep reading to learn more about how to retroactively earn miles for past flights with American Airlines.

Can You Get Miles for Past Flights American Airlines?

Can You Get Miles for Past Flights American Airlines?

Do you have past flights with American Airlines and wondering if you can still earn miles for them? The good news is, yes, you can earn miles for past flights with American Airlines, but there are certain conditions to be met. In this article, we will guide you through the process of earning miles for past flights with American Airlines.

1. Time Limitations

American Airlines allows you to request mileage credit for flights taken up to 12 months prior to the date of your request. If your flight was taken more than 12 months ago, unfortunately, you will not be able to earn miles for it.

To request mileage credit, log in to your American Airlines account and go to the “Request Mileage Credit” page. You will need to provide your flight details, including the flight number, date of travel, and ticket number. Once you submit your request, it may take up to 30 days to process.

2. Qualifying Flights

Not all flights qualify for mileage credit. Only flights that are marketed and operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, or American Connection are eligible for mileage credit. Codeshare flights operated by other airlines do not qualify for mileage credit.

3. Elite Status

If you have elite status with American Airlines, you may be eligible for bonus miles for past flights. AAdvantage Gold members receive a 25% bonus, Platinum members receive a 50% bonus, and Executive Platinum members receive a 100% bonus on base miles earned.

4. Benefits of Earning Miles for Past Flights

Earning miles for past flights can help you reach your next elite status level faster. It can also help you earn enough miles to redeem for a free flight or upgrade on a future trip.

5. How to Check if You Received Mileage Credit

To check if you received mileage credit for a past flight, log in to your American Airlines account and go to the “Activity” page. You will see a breakdown of your mileage activity, including the flights for which you earned miles.

6. Comparing American Airlines Mileage Program with Other Airlines

While American Airlines offers the ability to earn miles for past flights, some other airlines have more generous policies. For example, Delta Air Lines allows you to earn miles for flights taken up to 9 months prior to the date of your request, and United Airlines allows you to earn miles for flights taken up to 6 months prior to the date of your request.

7. Tips for Maximizing Mileage Earnings

To maximize your mileage earnings, make sure to always provide your frequent flyer number when booking your flights. Also, consider using an American Airlines credit card to earn additional miles on your everyday purchases.

8. Comparing Mileage Earnings with Cashback Rewards

While earning miles can be a great way to save money on future travel, it is important to compare the value of miles with other rewards programs, such as cashback rewards. Sometimes, cashback rewards can provide a better value than miles.

9. Conclusion

In conclusion, American Airlines allows you to earn miles for past flights taken up to 12 months prior to the date of your request. To earn miles, make sure your flight is marketed and operated by American Airlines, and provide your frequent flyer number when booking your flights. Maximizing your mileage earnings can help you reach your next elite status level faster and earn enough miles for a free flight or upgrade on a future trip.

10. Comparison Table

Airline Time Limitations Qualifying Flights Elite Status Bonus
American Airlines Up to 12 months prior to date of request Marketed and operated by American Airlines, American Eagle, or American Connection 25% for AAdvantage Gold members, 50% for Platinum members, and 100% for Executive Platinum members
Delta Air Lines Up to 9 months prior to date of request Flights marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines or Delta Connection None
United Airlines Up to 6 months prior to date of request Flights marketed and operated by United Airlines or United Express None

As you can see from the comparison table, American Airlines has the most generous time limitations for earning miles for past flights, and also offers elite status bonuses. However, it is important to compare the value of miles with other rewards programs to determine the best way to maximize your rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is American Airlines AAdvantage Program?

The American Airlines AAdvantage Program is a loyalty program that rewards frequent flyers with miles for their flights. Members can earn miles for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other activities. These miles can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and other rewards.

The program has different tiers, and members earn more benefits and bonuses as they move up the tiers. The tiers are based on the number of miles or segments flown in a calendar year, and the higher tiers require more miles or segments.

How do I claim miles for past American Airlines flights?

If you forgot to enter your AAdvantage membership number when booking your flight or checking in, you can still claim your miles for up to 12 months after the flight. To claim your miles, log in to your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website and go to the “Request Mileage Credit” page. Enter your flight information and submit your request.

You can also claim miles for flights taken before you joined the program, as long as the flight was taken within the last 12 months. To claim these miles, log in to your AAdvantage account and go to the “Claim Missing Miles” page. Enter your flight information and submit your request.

What information do I need to claim miles for past American Airlines flights?

To claim miles for past American Airlines flights, you will need the flight number, date of travel, and ticket number. You can find this information on your boarding pass or your itinerary. If you don’t have this information, you can contact American Airlines customer service for assistance.

If you are claiming miles for a flight taken before you joined the AAdvantage program, you will also need your AAdvantage membership number and the name on your account.

Can I claim miles for flights taken on partner airlines?

Yes, you can claim miles for flights taken on American Airlines partner airlines, as long as the flight is eligible for mileage credit. The amount of miles you earn will depend on the airline, fare class, and other factors. To claim your miles, log in to your AAdvantage account and go to the “Request Mileage Credit” page. Select the partner airline and enter your flight information.

Keep in mind that some partner airlines have different rules and restrictions for earning and redeeming miles, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking your flight.

When do my American Airlines miles expire?

American Airlines miles expire after 18 months of inactivity, which means no earning or redeeming of miles. To keep your miles active, you can earn or redeem miles on American Airlines or one of its partners. You can also purchase miles or transfer miles from another account to keep your miles from expiring.

If your miles are about to expire, you will receive a notification from American Airlines. You can also check the expiration date of your miles on your AAdvantage account page.

HOW MUCH ARE AMERICAN AIRLINES MILES WORTH??


In conclusion, it is possible to earn miles for past flights on American Airlines, but it depends on a few factors. Firstly, you must have been a member of the AAdvantage program at the time of the flight. Additionally, the flight must have occurred within the past 12 months. Finally, you must submit a request for missing miles within six months of the flight.

It’s important to note that not all tickets are eligible for earning miles, such as award tickets or tickets purchased through a third-party website. However, if you meet the criteria and have missing miles, submitting a request can be a great way to boost your miles balance and earn rewards faster.

Overall, while the process may require some effort and attention to detail, earning miles for past flights on American Airlines is definitely worth considering for those looking to maximize their rewards and benefits. So, if you think you may have missing miles, don’t hesitate to submit a request and start earning those rewards!

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