How To Keep American Airline Miles From Expiring?

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Chief Editor of - Fancy Fly USA

Do you have a stash of American Airline miles that you’re afraid might expire soon? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many frequent flyers face the same issue and it can be frustrating to see your hard-earned miles go to waste.

But fear not, there are several ways to keep your American Airline miles from expiring. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks to help you extend the life of your miles and make the most of your travel rewards. So, let’s dive in!

How to Keep American Airline Miles From Expiring?

How to Keep American Airline Miles From Expiring?

Are you an American Airlines frequent flyer? Do you accumulate miles for future trips or upgrades? If so, you may be wondering how to keep your miles from expiring. American Airlines has a policy that miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. However, there are several ways to keep your miles active and avoid losing them. Here are some tips to help you keep your American Airlines miles from expiring.

1. Take a Flight

The most obvious way to keep your American Airlines miles from expiring is to take a flight. Any activity that earns miles will reset the expiration clock for another 18 months. So, if you take a flight, you will earn miles and keep your account active. This can be any flight, whether it is a paid ticket or a reward ticket. Just make sure to credit the miles to your American Airlines account.

If you are not planning to travel anytime soon, consider booking a short flight or a weekend trip to a nearby destination. This will not only keep your miles active but also give you a chance to explore a new place.

2. Use a Co-Branded Credit Card

Another way to keep your American Airlines miles from expiring is to use a co-branded credit card. American Airlines offers several credit cards in partnership with different banks. By using a co-branded credit card, you can earn miles on your everyday purchases and keep your account active.

Most co-branded credit cards offer sign-up bonuses, which can be a great way to earn a large number of miles quickly. Additionally, some credit cards offer annual bonuses, which can also help you keep your miles active.

3. Shop with American Airlines Partners

American Airlines has many partners, including hotels, car rental companies, and online retailers. By shopping with these partners, you can earn miles and keep your account active. You can check the American Airlines website to see the list of partners and their earning rates.

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Some partners also offer bonuses or promotions, which can help you earn more miles quickly. For example, you can earn extra miles by booking a hotel stay through the American Airlines website or by shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping mall.

4. Transfer Miles

If you have miles in another loyalty program, you can transfer them to your American Airlines account to keep your miles active. American Airlines has partnerships with several airlines and hotel loyalty programs, including Marriott Bonvoy, Hyatt, and Hilton Honors.

However, keep in mind that transferring miles may not be the best value, as there is usually a fee involved. Additionally, the transfer process can take some time, so make sure to plan ahead.

5. Donate Miles

Another way to keep your American Airlines miles from expiring is to donate them to a charity. American Airlines has a program called Miles for Social Good, which allows you to donate your miles to various charitable organizations. Donating miles not only keeps your account active but also helps those in need.

You can donate any amount of miles, and American Airlines will match a portion of your donation. Additionally, donations are tax-deductible, so it can be a win-win situation.

6. Buy or Gift Miles

If you are short on miles and need to top up your account, you can buy miles directly from American Airlines. This will not only keep your account active but also give you more miles to use for future travel. However, keep in mind that buying miles can be expensive, so make sure to compare the cost with the value of the rewards.

You can also gift miles to another AAdvantage member to keep their account active. This can be a great way to help a friend or family member who is close to losing their miles.

7. Use a Mileage Manager

If you have a large number of miles and have trouble keeping track of their expiration dates, consider using a mileage manager. Mileage managers are tools that help you track your miles, expiration dates, and rewards balances. They can also send you reminders when your miles are about to expire.

Some popular mileage managers include AwardWallet, TripIt Pro, and Points.com. These tools can be especially helpful if you have miles in multiple loyalty programs.

8. Upgrade Your Membership

If you are a frequent flyer and have elite status with American Airlines, you can upgrade your membership to Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum. These higher levels come with more benefits, including bonus miles, waived fees, and priority boarding.

By upgrading your membership, you can earn more miles and keep your account active. Additionally, the benefits of elite status can make your travel experience more enjoyable.

9. Keep Your Account Information Up to Date

Make sure to keep your American Airlines account information up to date, including your email address and phone number. American Airlines may send you reminders before your miles expire, so it is important to have accurate contact information.

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Additionally, make sure to read the terms and conditions of the AAdvantage program, as they may change from time to time. By staying informed, you can avoid any surprises and keep your miles active.

10. Use Your Miles

Finally, the best way to keep your American Airlines miles from expiring is to use them. Whether it is for a flight, an upgrade, or a hotel stay, using your miles will not only keep your account active but also give you a chance to enjoy the rewards of your loyalty.

Don’t let your American Airlines miles expire. By following these tips, you can keep your account active and enjoy the benefits of the AAdvantage program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about keeping American Airline Miles from expiring.

What are American Airline Miles?

American Airline Miles are a type of loyalty reward program offered by American Airlines to their frequent flyers. Passengers can earn miles when they fly with American Airlines or its partner airlines, or when they make purchases with American Airlines’ co-branded credit cards. Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits.

When do American Airline Miles expire?

American Airline Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. Inactivity means no earning or redeeming of miles. If you do not earn or redeem any miles during this period, your miles will expire and cannot be reinstated.

To keep your miles from expiring, you need to have some qualifying activity on your account within the 18-month period. Qualifying activity includes earning or redeeming miles, or making a purchase with an American Airlines co-branded credit card.

How can I keep my American Airline Miles from expiring?

To keep your American Airline Miles from expiring, you need to have some qualifying activity on your account within the 18-month period. Qualifying activity can be earning or redeeming miles, or making a purchase with an American Airlines co-branded credit card. Another way to keep your miles from expiring is to donate them to a charity through American Airlines’ Charity Miles program.

If you do not have any upcoming travel plans or do not want to make a purchase with your credit card, you can consider purchasing American Airline Miles or using the services of American Airlines’ partners to earn miles.

What happens if my American Airline Miles expire?

If your American Airline Miles expire, you will not be able to use them for any travel-related benefits. However, you can reinstate your expired miles for a fee. The fee varies depending on the number of miles you want to reinstate and how long they have been expired. You can reinstate your expired miles by logging into your American Airlines account and following the instructions.

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If you do not want to pay the reinstatement fee, you can consider earning new miles by flying with American Airlines or its partner airlines, or by using an American Airlines co-branded credit card.

Can I transfer my American Airline Miles to someone else?

Yes, you can transfer your American Airline Miles to another person’s account for a fee. The fee varies depending on the number of miles you want to transfer and the recipient’s account status. You can transfer your miles by logging into your American Airlines account and following the instructions. Keep in mind that transferred miles do not count as qualifying activity to keep your account from expiring.

You can also use your American Airline Miles to book flights or other travel-related benefits for someone else by booking through your account and using their name as the traveler. This does not require a fee and can be a good way to use your miles before they expire.

Keep your Frequent Flyer Miles and Hotel Points from expiring, WITHOUT traveling. Keep Miles Alive!


In conclusion, keeping your American airline miles from expiring is crucial if you want to make the most of your rewards. It’s easy to forget about your miles and let them expire, but with a little effort, you can extend their validity and enjoy more benefits. By using your miles regularly, making sure your account information is up to date, and signing up for American airline’s co-branded credit card, you can keep your miles from disappearing.

Remember, the key to keeping your American airline miles from expiring is to stay active. Whether you choose to earn miles through flying, shopping, or using your credit card, make sure to use them regularly to keep your account active. By doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy more rewards and benefits while also avoiding the frustration of losing your hard-earned miles.

Lastly, don’t forget to check your account regularly for any updates or changes to American airline’s policies. By staying informed, you can ensure that you’re taking advantage of all the opportunities available to you and keeping your miles from expiring. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your American airline miles and getting the most out of your rewards program.

adminChief Editor of - Fancy Fly USA

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