Does American Airline Points Expire?

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American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, serving millions of passengers every year. One of the perks of flying with American Airlines is their loyalty program, AAdvantage, which rewards frequent flyers with points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. However, one question that often arises among AAdvantage members is whether their points expire or not. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide some tips on how to keep your AAdvantage points active.

Does American Airline Points Expire?

Does American Airline Points Expire?

American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the United States, and it offers a frequent flyer program known as the AAdvantage program. The program allows travelers to earn miles for flights and other activities, which can then be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. However, many people wonder if their American Airlines points expire and if so, what they can do to prevent this from happening. In this article, we will explore whether American Airlines points expire and what travelers can do to keep their points active.

Do American Airlines Points Expire?

The answer is yes, American Airlines points can expire. If an AAdvantage account is inactive for 18 months, all miles in the account will expire. Inactivity is defined as no miles earning or redemption activity. This means that if you do not earn or redeem miles within 18 months, your miles will expire. It is important to note that this includes all activity, not just flights. If you have a credit card that earns AAdvantage miles, using it to make a purchase can keep your account active.

To prevent your American Airlines points from expiring, you can take several steps. The easiest way is to keep your account active by earning or redeeming miles at least once every 18 months. This can be done by booking a flight, using a credit card that earns AAdvantage miles, or shopping through the AAdvantage shopping portal. Additionally, if you have elite status with American Airlines, your miles will not expire as long as you maintain your status.

Benefits of American Airlines AAdvantage Program

The American Airlines AAdvantage program offers several benefits to travelers. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to earn miles not just for flights, but also for other activities such as hotel stays, car rentals, and credit card purchases. This means that you can earn miles even when you are not flying, which can help you reach your rewards faster. Additionally, the program offers several elite tiers, each with its own set of benefits such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and lounge access.

Another significant benefit of the AAdvantage program is the ability to redeem miles for flights. American Airlines operates one of the largest airline networks in the world, which means that you can use your miles to book flights to a wide variety of destinations. Additionally, the airline offers several redemption options, including economy, business, and first-class seats.

American Airlines Points Vs Other Airlines

When it comes to frequent flyer programs, American Airlines AAdvantage program is one of the most popular in the United States. However, it is not the only program available. Other airlines, such as Delta and United, also offer their own frequent flyer programs. Each program has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to compare them before deciding which one to join.

One of the advantages of the AAdvantage program is its partnership with several other airlines, including British Airways and Cathay Pacific. This means that you can earn and redeem miles on these airlines as well, which can help you reach your rewards faster. Additionally, American Airlines offers several co-branded credit cards, which can help you earn miles even faster.

American Airlines AAdvantage Program Rules

To participate in the American Airlines AAdvantage program, there are several rules you need to follow. First, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid email address. Additionally, you must provide your full name and address when you sign up for the program.

Once you have signed up for the program, you can start earning miles by booking flights or engaging in other activities that earn miles. However, it is important to note that not all flights are eligible for earning miles. Basic economy fares, for example, do not earn miles.

When it comes to redeeming miles, there are several rules to keep in mind as well. First, you must have enough miles in your account to book the flight you want. Additionally, award seats are subject to availability, which means that you may not always be able to book the flight you want using miles.

American Airlines AAdvantage Program Elite Status

The American Airlines AAdvantage program offers several elite tiers, each with its own set of benefits. The first tier is Gold, which requires 25,000 elite qualifying miles or 30 elite qualifying segments and $3,000 elite qualifying dollars. Some benefits of this tier include priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to preferred seats.

The second tier is Platinum, which requires 50,000 elite qualifying miles or 60 elite qualifying segments and $6,000 elite qualifying dollars. Benefits of this tier include free same-day standby, complimentary auto-requested upgrades, and access to priority check-in and security lines.

The third tier is Executive Platinum, which requires 100,000 elite qualifying miles or 120 elite qualifying segments and $15,000 elite qualifying dollars. Benefits of this tier include unlimited complimentary upgrades, access to Flagship Lounges, and a dedicated customer service line.

American Airlines AAdvantage Program Credit Cards

The American Airlines AAdvantage program offers several co-branded credit cards, which can help you earn miles even faster. These cards offer different benefits and rewards, so it is important to compare them before deciding which one to apply for.

One of the most popular American Airlines credit cards is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®. This card offers several benefits, including a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first three months, a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights, and priority boarding.

Another popular American Airlines credit card is the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®. This card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after making your first purchase within 90 days, a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights, and preferred boarding.

Conclusion

In summary, American Airlines points can expire if an AAdvantage account is inactive for 18 months. However, there are several ways to prevent this from happening, such as booking a flight, using a credit card that earns AAdvantage miles, or shopping through the AAdvantage shopping portal. The AAdvantage program offers several benefits, including the ability to earn miles for flights and other activities, redeem miles for flights, and earn elite status with its own set of benefits. Additionally, the program offers several co-branded credit cards, which can help you earn miles even faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about American Airline Points and their expiration.

1. How long do American Airline Points last?

American Airline Points do not expire as long as you have qualifying account activity at least once every 18 months. Qualifying activity includes earning or redeeming miles, donating to a charity through the airline’s website, or opening a co-branded credit card and making a purchase.

If you do not have any qualifying activity for 18 months, your American Airline Points will expire and cannot be reinstated.

2. Can I extend the expiration date of my American Airline Points?

Yes, you can extend the expiration date of your American Airline Points by earning or redeeming miles, donating to a charity through the airline’s website, or opening a co-branded credit card and making a purchase. Any of these activities will reset the 18-month clock and prevent your points from expiring.

However, be aware that any miles earned or redeemed through the airline’s shopping portal or other partner programs may not count as qualifying activity for extending the expiration date.

3. What happens to my American Airline Points if my account is closed?

If your American Airline account is closed, any unused points in the account will be forfeited and cannot be reinstated. It is important to use or redeem your points before closing your account to avoid losing them.

If you have a co-branded credit card that earns American Airline Points, be sure to check the terms and conditions to understand how account closure may affect your points balance.

4. Can I transfer my American Airline Points to another person’s account?

American Airline Points are not transferable between accounts, unless you have a qualifying transaction with the airline’s travel partners. Some partner airlines, hotels, and car rental companies allow you to earn or redeem miles with American Airlines, which may help you transfer points to another person’s account.

However, there may be fees or restrictions associated with transferring points through these programs, so be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.

5. Are there any other ways to earn American Airline Points besides flying?

Yes, there are many other ways to earn American Airline Points besides flying. You can earn miles by using a co-branded credit card, shopping through the airline’s online portal, staying at partner hotels, renting cars from partner companies, and more.

You can also earn bonus miles by taking advantage of special promotions or signing up for the airline’s dining or shopping programs.

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In conclusion, American Airlines AAdvantage points do expire, but the expiration policy is not as strict as some other loyalty programs. As long as you earn or redeem miles every 18 months, your points will remain active and available for use.

If you’re concerned about your points expiring, there are several ways to keep them active. You can book a flight, rent a car, stay at a hotel, or make a purchase with a co-branded credit card. Additionally, American Airlines occasionally offers promotions that allow you to earn bonus miles for specific activities.

By staying active with your AAdvantage account, you can continue to earn and redeem points for future flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, it’s important to stay on top of your points and take advantage of the benefits that come with loyalty to American Airlines.

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