Do American Airline Miles Expire?

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Are you someone who loves to travel and rack up airline miles? If so, you may be wondering whether American airline miles expire or not. This is a common concern for frequent flyers and can impact how you plan and use your miles. In this article, we’ll answer this question and provide you with everything you need to know about American airline miles expiration policies. So, sit back, relax, and let’s get started!

Do American Airline Miles Expire?

Do American Airline Miles Expire?

American Airlines is one of the biggest airlines in the world and has a large customer base. The airline offers rewards in the form of airline miles to its passengers when they take a flight or use their credit card. This has led to a common question being asked by many of their loyal customers: do American airline miles expire? In this article, we will explore the details of American airline miles expiration and what you can do to prevent it from happening.

Do American Airline Miles Expire?

Yes, American airline miles do expire if you do not use them within a certain period. The period can vary depending on the type of miles you have earned and the activity on your account. Generally, American airline miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. Inactivity means that you have not earned or redeemed any miles during that period.

It is important to note that the expiration policy can change at any time, and American Airlines has the right to modify the policy without any prior notice. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep track of your miles and plan your travel accordingly.

How to Prevent American Airline Miles from Expiring?

There are several ways to prevent American airline miles from expiring. One of the easiest ways is to keep your account active by earning or redeeming miles regularly. You can earn miles by taking a flight, using your credit card, or shopping at American Airlines’ partners. You can also redeem your miles for flights, upgrades, or other rewards.

Another way to prevent your miles from expiring is to transfer them to another account. American Airlines allows you to transfer your miles to another account for a fee. This can be a good option if you have a family member or friend who needs more miles to redeem a reward.

What Happens to Expired American Airline Miles?

If your American airline miles expire, they will be removed from your account, and you will not be able to use them. However, you can still reinstate them for a fee. The reinstatement fee varies depending on the number of miles you want to reinstate. The fee can range from $50 to $200, depending on the number of miles.

It is important to note that you can only reinstate miles within a certain period after they expire. The period can vary depending on the type of miles you have earned. For example, AAdvantage miles can be reinstated within 18 months of expiration, while Business Extra points can be reinstated within 12 months.

The Benefits of American Airline Miles

American airline miles offer several benefits to the passengers. The most obvious benefit is the ability to redeem them for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. You can also use your miles for hotel bookings, car rentals, and vacation packages.

Another benefit of American airline miles is the ability to earn elite status. Elite status offers several perks, such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airport lounges. You can earn elite status by flying a certain number of miles or segments in a calendar year.

American Airline Miles vs. Other Airline Miles

American airline miles are not the only airline miles available in the market. Other airlines, such as Delta and United, also offer their own rewards programs. Each program has its own benefits and drawbacks, and it is important to compare them before choosing one.

One of the major differences between American airline miles and other airline miles is the expiration policy. While American airline miles expire after 18 months of inactivity, some other airlines’ miles do not expire. This can be a major advantage if you do not travel frequently.

However, American airline miles offer several advantages, such as a large network of destinations and partners, the ability to earn elite status, and the option to transfer miles to other accounts.

The Bottom Line

American airline miles can expire if you do not use them within a certain period. It is important to keep track of your miles and plan your travel accordingly. You can prevent your miles from expiring by earning or redeeming them regularly, transferring them to another account, or reinstating them for a fee.

American airline miles offer several benefits, such as the ability to redeem them for flights and other rewards, earning elite status, and a large network of destinations and partners. However, it is important to compare them with other airline miles before choosing one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the American Airlines AAdvantage program?

The American Airlines AAdvantage program is a loyalty program that rewards frequent flyers with airline miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits. Members of the program can earn miles by flying with American Airlines or any of its partner airlines, as well as by using co-branded credit cards and shopping with participating partners.

The AAdvantage program has been around since 1981 and has millions of members around the world. It is one of the oldest and most popular airline loyalty programs in the world.

How long do American Airlines miles last?

American Airlines miles do not expire as long as you have activity in your account within the past 18 months. Activity can include earning or redeeming miles, or using a co-branded credit card. If you do not have any activity in your account for 18 months, your miles will expire and cannot be reinstated.

It is important to keep track of your account activity and make sure you have some activity every 18 months to avoid losing your miles.

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, or by using a co-branded credit card. Any activity in your account will reset the 18-month expiration clock and prevent your miles from expiring.

If your miles have already expired, you may be able to reinstate them for a fee. The cost to reinstate expired miles varies depending on the number of miles you want to reinstate and other factors.

What happens to my American Airlines miles if I cancel a flight?

If you cancel a flight that was booked using American Airlines miles, the miles will be redeposited into your account. The redeposit fee varies depending on your elite status, but is generally $150 for non-elite members.

If you cancel a flight that was paid for with cash, you will receive a refund based on the fare rules of your ticket. Any miles you earned from the flight will also be removed from your account.

Can I transfer my American Airlines miles to another person?

No, American Airlines miles cannot be transferred to another person. However, you can use your miles to book flights for other people, as long as they are on your approved list of AAdvantage members. You can also use your miles to book award travel for yourself and others, or to upgrade your own flight.

In conclusion, American Airlines miles do expire, but the terms and conditions surrounding expiration are not always straightforward. It’s important to understand the rules and regulations of your specific American Airlines rewards program to make sure that you don’t lose your hard-earned miles.

One way to avoid expiration is to keep your account active by earning or redeeming miles on a regular basis. Another option is to take advantage of American Airlines’ generous policies, such as the ability to reinstate expired miles for a fee.

Overall, while the idea of losing your airline miles can be stressful, with a little bit of planning and knowledge of the rules, it’s possible to keep your miles active and make the most out of your rewards program. Happy traveling!

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