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American Airlines miles are one of the most popular loyalty programs among travelers in the United States. However, one of the biggest concerns of American Airlines’ frequent flyers is when their miles will expire. In this article, we will explore the rules and regulations regarding American Airlines miles expiration, and how you can prevent your miles from disappearing.
Contents
- When Do American Airlines Miles Expire?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the expiration policy for American Airlines miles?
- Do elite members or credit card holders get any extension on the expiration date?
- What happens to my miles if my account is closed?
- Can I reinstate my expired miles?
- What happens to my miles if I die?
- 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?
When Do American Airlines Miles Expire?
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world and has a robust frequent flyer program known as AAdvantage. As with all frequent flyer programs, miles earned by passengers have an expiration date. Here’s what you need to know about when American Airlines miles expire.
Expiration Policy
American Airlines miles expire 18 months from the date of the last activity on the account. Activity is defined as earning or redeeming miles. If there has been no activity on the account for 18 months, the miles will expire and cannot be reinstated. It’s important to note that this policy applies to all AAdvantage members, regardless of status.
Keeping Miles Active
Fortunately, there are many ways to keep American Airlines miles active and prevent them from expiring. One simple way is to earn miles through any of the airline’s partners, including hotels, car rentals, and credit card companies. Another option is to redeem miles for flights, merchandise, or experiences. Any activity on the account will reset the 18-month clock on miles expiration.
It’s also possible to purchase or gift miles to keep them active. American Airlines offers a “Miles for Opinions” program, where members can earn miles by taking surveys. Additionally, members can donate miles to a charity, which also counts as activity on the account.
Avoiding Mile Expiration
While there are many ways to keep American Airlines miles active, the best way to avoid expiration is to use them. AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and more. The airline also offers special promotions and deals, which can help members save miles and keep their accounts active.
Members can also use the American Airlines co-branded credit cards to earn miles on everyday purchases. These cards often have sign-up bonuses and other perks that can help members earn and redeem miles more efficiently.
Benefits of American Airlines Miles
American Airlines miles can be incredibly valuable for frequent flyers. The airline has a vast network of destinations, both domestic and international, and offers a variety of cabin classes, including First Class and Business Class. Members can use miles to book flights, upgrades, and other travel experiences, which can save them thousands of dollars.
Additionally, AAdvantage members have access to exclusive benefits, such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and lounge access. Elite members can earn even more perks, such as complimentary upgrades and waived fees.
American Airlines vs. Other Airlines
Compared to other airlines, American Airlines miles can be competitive in terms of value and redemption options. The airline has a strong network of partners, which allows members to earn and redeem miles on a wide range of travel experiences. Additionally, American Airlines has a generous redemption policy, allowing members to use miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
Overall, American Airlines miles can be a valuable asset for frequent flyers, offering a variety of ways to earn and redeem miles, as well as exclusive benefits and perks. By understanding the expiration policy and taking advantage of opportunities to keep miles active, members can maximize the value of their AAdvantage accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the expiration policy for American Airlines miles?
American Airlines miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. Inactivity means no miles earned or redeemed on American Airlines or its partners. The expiration policy applies to all American Airlines AAdvantage program members, regardless of elite status or credit card affiliation.
If your miles are about to expire, you can prevent it by earning or redeeming at least one mile. You can earn miles by flying with American Airlines or its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, shopping at AAdvantage eShopping mall, or dining with AAdvantage Dining. You can redeem miles for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, vacation packages, or other products and services offered by American Airlines and its partners.
Do elite members or credit card holders get any extension on the expiration date?
American Airlines elite members and AAdvantage credit card holders get an extension on the expiration date of their miles. AAdvantage Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum members get an additional 12 months of validity, regardless of activity. AAdvantage Aviator Red, Aviator Silver, and Aviator Business Mastercard cardholders get an additional 6 months of validity, as long as they have made at least one purchase on their card in the past 18 months.
To qualify for elite status, you need to earn a certain amount of Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and spend a certain amount of Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) in a calendar year. To qualify for AAdvantage credit card, you need to apply and be approved for the card, and meet the spending requirements.
What happens to my miles if my account is closed?
If your American Airlines AAdvantage account is closed, all the miles in your account will be forfeited. This applies to accounts that are closed voluntarily, due to inactivity, or due to violation of the program rules. For example, if you engage in fraudulent or abusive behavior, such as selling or buying miles, you may lose your miles and your account may be closed.
To avoid losing your miles, make sure to follow the program rules and use your miles regularly. You can also transfer your miles to another AAdvantage member for a fee, as long as the recipient is also an AAdvantage member in good standing.
Can I reinstate my expired miles?
Yes, you can reinstate your expired miles for a fee. American Airlines offers a reinstatement option that allows you to restore your expired miles to your account, as long as they expired less than 18 months ago. The fee is $150 per account, plus $25 for each 1,000 miles reinstated.
To reinstate your expired miles, you need to call American Airlines customer service and provide your AAdvantage account information. You can reinstate up to 500,000 miles per account per calendar year. Once your miles are reinstated, you can use them for flights, upgrades, or other rewards, subject to availability and restrictions.
What happens to my miles if I die?
If you are an American Airlines AAdvantage member and you die, your miles may be transferred to a designated beneficiary. American Airlines allows you to designate a beneficiary for your AAdvantage account, who will inherit your miles upon your death. You can update your beneficiary information at any time by logging into your account or contacting customer service.
To transfer the miles to your beneficiary, your estate executor or legal representative needs to provide American Airlines with a death certificate, a copy of the will or trust, and other supporting documents. The transfer fee is $150 per account, plus $12.50 for each 1,000 miles transferred. The beneficiary will receive the miles as a new AAdvantage account, with a new membership number and password. They can use the miles for flights, upgrades, or other rewards, subject to availability and restrictions.
In conclusion, understanding when American Airlines miles expire is crucial for maximizing their value. With the recent changes to expiration policies, it’s important to stay on top of your account and ensure your miles don’t go to waste.
One of the easiest ways to keep your miles active is to earn or redeem miles on a regular basis. Whether it’s through flying with American Airlines or using a co-branded credit card, every little bit counts towards keeping your miles alive.
Ultimately, by staying informed and taking proactive steps to keep your American Airlines miles active, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of this popular frequent flyer program for years to come. So, don’t let your miles expire and make sure to take advantage of all the opportunities to earn and redeem miles. Happy travels!
