Unlock the World of Travel: Your Guide to American Airlines AAdvantage Accounts
Have you ever dreamt of flying to exotic destinations, enjoying exclusive perks, or simply making your travel experience smoother and more rewarding? If so, then an American Airlines AAdvantage account might be just what you need! But how old do you have to be to have an American Airlines account? That's a question many aspiring travelers, especially younger ones, often ask. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about setting up an AAdvantage account, regardless of your age, and the benefits it brings.
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| How Old Do You Have To Be To Have An American Airlines Account |
Step 1: Discovering the Age Requirement for Your AAdvantage Journey
Let's cut right to the chase! You're eager to start earning miles, but what's the minimum age?
The great news is: There is no specific minimum age listed by American Airlines to create an AAdvantage account. This means even infants and young children can have their own accounts! American Airlines acknowledges that children travel and accrue miles, and they even have specific provisions for minors within their AAdvantage program.
Why is this important? Because miles accumulated by individuals under 21 years of age are exempt from the typical 24-month mileage expiration policy. This is a significant advantage, allowing younger members to accrue miles over a longer period without worrying about losing them due to inactivity. Once they turn 21, the standard 24-month activity rule applies.
Tip: Focus on sections most relevant to you.
Step 2: Preparing for Enrollment – What You'll Need
Before you dive into the enrollment process, gather a few key pieces of information. Having these ready will make the sign-up smooth and efficient.
Sub-heading: Essential Information for Account Creation
Full Legal Name: This should match the name on any government-issued ID (like a birth certificate or passport) that the account holder might use for travel.
Date of Birth: Crucial for American Airlines to correctly identify the account holder and apply the appropriate mileage expiration rules.
Address: A valid mailing address is needed for any physical mail from American Airlines.
Email Address: This is essential for account verification, receiving important updates, and managing your account online. For children, you might need to create a dedicated email address or use a parent's email, though a unique one for the child is generally preferred if they will manage their own account later.
Phone Number: While not always strictly required for every child's account, the system may ask for a unique phone number. If you're creating an account for a young child and don't have a separate phone number for them, you might need to consider options like a Google Voice number or check if American Airlines allows associating multiple accounts with one primary phone number (though typically, a unique number is preferred for each account).
Step 3: Navigating the American Airlines Website to Enroll
Tip: Write down what you learned.
Now that you have all your information ready, let's head to the American Airlines website and begin the enrollment process.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step Enrollment Guide
Visit the American Airlines Website: Open your web browser and go to
aa.com.Locate the AAdvantage Section: Look for a "Join AAdvantage" or "AAdvantage Program" link. This is usually found in the top navigation bar or footer of the website.
Click "Join" or "Enroll": This will take you to the AAdvantage enrollment page.
Fill in Your Personal Details:
Carefully enter the full legal name of the individual for whom the account is being created.
Select the correct date of birth from the dropdown menus.
Provide the residential address.
Enter the email address you've designated for this account.
Input the phone number.
Create a Password: Choose a strong and secure password for the account. Remember to follow any specific password requirements (e.g., minimum length, use of special characters).
Review and Agree to Terms and Conditions: It's highly recommended to read through the AAdvantage Program Terms and Conditions. This document outlines your rights and responsibilities as an AAdvantage member.
Submit Your Application: Once you've reviewed everything and agreed to the terms, click the "Submit" or "Enroll Now" button.
Verify Your Account (If Required): American Airlines may send a verification email to the address you provided. Follow the instructions in the email to activate your account.
Congratulations! You've successfully created an American Airlines AAdvantage account! You'll receive your AAdvantage number almost immediately, which you can start using to earn miles on flights, with partners, and through various promotions.
Step 4: Earning Miles and Enjoying Benefits
Having an AAdvantage account is just the beginning! The real fun starts when you begin earning and redeeming miles.
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
Sub-heading: How to Accrue Those Valuable Miles
Flying with American Airlines: The most direct way to earn miles is by flying on American Airlines and its codeshare partners. Miles are typically earned based on the cost of your ticket (base price + carrier-imposed fees).
Flying with Oneworld Alliance and Partner Airlines: American Airlines is a proud member of the Oneworld Alliance, which includes airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, and more. You can earn AAdvantage miles when flying with any of these partner airlines.
AAdvantage Credit Cards: Many banks offer co-branded American Airlines credit cards that allow you to earn AAdvantage miles on everyday purchases. Note: Credit cards typically have an age requirement of 18 or 21, so this option is primarily for adult account holders.
Hotel Stays and Car Rentals: Book hotels and rental cars through American Airlines partners to earn bonus miles.
AAdvantage eShopping and Dining Programs: Shop online through the AAdvantage eShopping portal or dine at participating restaurants to earn miles on your purchases.
Promotions and Special Offers: Keep an eye out for special promotions from American Airlines and its partners, which can offer accelerated mileage earning opportunities.
Sub-heading: Redeeming Your Hard-Earned Miles
Once you've accumulated a sufficient number of miles, the world is your oyster!
Award Travel: The most popular way to use miles is for award flights on American Airlines and its partner airlines. There are no blackout dates for award travel on American Airlines.
Upgrades: Use your miles to upgrade your seat to a higher cabin class (e.g., from Economy to Business Class).
Vacations, Car Rentals, and Hotels: Redeem miles for complete vacation packages, car rentals, or hotel stays.
Admirals Club Membership: Use miles to purchase an Admirals Club membership, granting you access to American Airlines' exclusive airport lounges.
Other Retail Products: Occasionally, American Airlines may offer opportunities to redeem miles for other retail products or experiences.
Step 5: Managing Your Account and Keeping Miles Active (for those over 21)
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
For account holders aged 21 and over, it's important to understand the mileage expiration policy and how to keep your miles active.
Sub-heading: Understanding Mileage Expiration
For members 21 years of age and older: Your AAdvantage miles will expire if there's no qualifying activity (earning or redeeming) on your account for 24 months.
For members under 21 years of age: As mentioned earlier, your miles are exempt from this 24-month activity requirement until you reach your 21st birthday. Once you turn 21, the clock starts ticking, and you'll need to have qualifying activity within 24 months to retain your miles.
Sub-heading: Simple Ways to Keep Your Miles Active
Take a Flight: The easiest way is to fly on American Airlines or a Oneworld partner airline and have the miles credited to your AAdvantage account.
Earn Miles with a Partner: Make a purchase with an AAdvantage credit card, dine through the AAdvantage dining program, or shop through the eShopping portal. Any eligible mileage-earning activity will reset the 24-month clock.
Redeem Miles: Even a small redemption, like for a magazine subscription (if available) or a portion of an award flight, will count as activity.
Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles: While generally not the most cost-effective option, purchasing, gifting, or transferring a small number of miles will also count as account activity.
By actively managing your AAdvantage account and engaging in earning or redeeming activities, you can ensure your hard-earned miles remain safe and ready for your next adventure!
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions, all starting with "How to," with quick answers:
How to create an American Airlines AAdvantage account for a child?
Visit the American Airlines website (
aa.com), navigate to the "Join AAdvantage" section, and fill out the enrollment form with the child's full legal name, date of birth, and an email address (which can be a dedicated one for the child or managed by a parent).
How to earn miles on American Airlines if I'm under 18?
You can earn miles by flying on American Airlines or its partner airlines, or by participating in other mileage-earning activities through the AAdvantage program, such as hotel stays or car rentals, provided the account is yours.
How to check my AAdvantage mileage balance?
Log in to your AAdvantage account on
aa.comusing your AAdvantage number or email and password. Your mileage balance will be displayed on your account dashboard.
How to prevent my AAdvantage miles from expiring (if 21 or older)?
Engage in any qualifying earning or redeeming activity (e.g., fly, use an AAdvantage credit card, shop through eShopping, redeem miles) at least once every 24 months.
How to book an award flight with AAdvantage miles?
Log in to your AAdvantage account on
aa.com, go to the "Redeem Miles" or "Book Travel" section, select "Award Travel," and search for flights using your miles.
How to add my AAdvantage number to an existing flight reservation?
Log in to your American Airlines account, find your trip under "My Trips," and there should be an option to add or update your AAdvantage number for that reservation. You can also provide it during check-in.
How to contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service?
You can find contact information, including phone numbers and online chat options, on the "Contact Us" or "Support" section of the American Airlines website.
How to link my AAdvantage account to a partner program?
The process varies by partner, but generally, you'll need to provide your AAdvantage number when making a reservation or purchase with a participating partner (e.g., hotel, car rental company).
How to get a physical AAdvantage card?
Physical cards are often not automatically issued anymore. You can usually access a digital version through the American Airlines app or by logging into your account online. If you specifically need a physical card, you might need to contact AAdvantage customer service.
How to manage multiple AAdvantage accounts within a family?
Each family member will have their own individual AAdvantage account. While you can't directly combine miles from different accounts, you can redeem miles from one account to book travel for anyone, including family members. Ensure each account has unique login credentials.
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