Are you looking to help out a friend, consolidate points, or simply make sure those hard-earned American Airlines AAdvantage miles don't go to waste? Whatever your reason, transferring miles to another person can be a valuable option! While it comes with costs, understanding the process and the alternatives can help you make the best decision. Let's dive in!
How Do You Transfer American Airlines Miles to Another Person? A Comprehensive Guide
Transferring American Airlines AAdvantage miles to another individual is a fairly straightforward process, primarily done through the American Airlines website. However, it's crucial to be aware of the associated fees and considerations before you proceed.
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| How Do You Transfer American Airlines Miles To Another Person |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Share the Wealth? Understanding When to Transfer Miles
Before you even think about hitting that "transfer" button, let's consider if transferring miles is the right move for you. It's not always the most economical option, but it can be incredibly useful in specific situations.
Scenario A: Boosting a Balance for a Specific Award. Imagine your friend is just a few thousand miles shy of that dream award flight. If you have a surplus, transferring a small amount to top off their account could be a lifesaver and a fantastic gesture.
Scenario B: Preventing Expiration. American Airlines AAdvantage miles generally expire after 24 months of inactivity. If you or someone you know has a small balance nearing expiration and no immediate travel plans, transferring them to an active account can save them from being forfeited.
Scenario C: Consolidating Small Balances. Sometimes, you might have scattered small mile balances across different accounts within a family or group. Transferring them to one primary account can make them more usable for a larger redemption.
Scenario D: Gifting Miles Directly. While you can book an award flight for someone else directly from your account (which is often more cost-effective), transferring miles allows the recipient to have control over how and when they use them.
Important Note: American Airlines does NOT allow direct ticket transfers (changing the name on an already booked flight). This guide specifically addresses transferring AAdvantage frequent flyer miles.
Step 2: Accessing the AAdvantage Transfer Portal
This is where the magic happens! American Airlines makes the transfer process relatively simple through their online portal.
Log In to Your AAdvantage Account:
Go to the official American Airlines website (aa.com).
Locate the "Log In" button, usually in the top right corner.
Enter your AAdvantage number or username and password.
Navigate to the "Buy, Gift, Transfer" Section:
Once logged in, look for a section related to your AAdvantage account. This is typically found under your profile or a dedicated "AAdvantage" tab.
Within this section, you should find an option like "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles." Click on "Transfer Miles."
QuickTip: Don’t ignore the small print.
Step 3: Initiating the Transfer – Entering Recipient Details
Accuracy is key here to ensure your miles go to the correct person!
Enter Recipient's AAdvantage Information:
You will be prompted to enter the AAdvantage number of the person you wish to transfer miles to. Double-check this number very carefully.
You may also need to provide their last name and/or email address associated with their AAdvantage account for verification.
Specify the Number of Miles to Transfer:
You'll see an input field where you can enter the desired number of miles to transfer.
American Airlines typically allows transfers in increments of 1,000 miles. There will also be minimum and maximum transfer limits per transaction and per calendar year. Be aware of these limits as you plan your transfer.
Step 4: Understanding and Calculating Transfer Fees
This is perhaps the most crucial step, as transfer fees can significantly impact the value of your miles. American Airlines charges a fee for transferring miles.
Review the Fee Structure:
As of recent information, American Airlines charges approximately $5 per 1,000 miles transferred. There may also be a flat processing fee on top of this.
Example: If you want to transfer 10,000 miles, the fee would be around $50 (10 x $5).
The transfer portal will usually automatically calculate the total cost based on the number of miles you input.
Compare Cost to Redemption Value:
Before confirming, ask yourself: Is the cost of transferring these miles worth the benefit of the recipient having them?
Consider the value you're getting from those miles. If the transfer fees are nearly as much as just buying new miles or booking a cash ticket, it might not be a wise move. For instance, if you're paying $50 to transfer 10,000 miles that could otherwise be used for a flight worth $150, it could still be a good deal. However, if the fees approach or exceed the value of the redemption, it's time to reconsider.
Often, buying an award ticket for someone directly from your account is more cost-effective than transferring miles.
Step 5: Completing the Transaction and Confirmation
Once you're satisfied with the details and the cost, it's time to finalize the transfer.
Provide Payment Information:
You will need to use a credit or debit card to pay the transfer fees.
Enter your payment details securely.
Confirm the Transfer:
Carefully review all the information one last time: recipient's AAdvantage number, amount of miles, and total fees.
Click "Confirm" or "Submit" to complete the transaction.
Receive Confirmation:
You should receive an email confirmation of your mileage transfer.
The transferred miles typically appear in the recipient's account within 24-72 hours, though sometimes it can be almost instantaneous. It's a good idea for the recipient to check their AAdvantage account balance.
Alternatives to Transferring American Airlines Miles
While transferring miles is an option, it's often not the most cost-effective one due to the fees. Here are some better alternatives to consider:
Tip: Read once for flow, once for detail.
Booking an Award Ticket for Someone Else: This is often the best and most common alternative. You can use your AAdvantage miles to book a flight for any person you choose, even if they are not an AAdvantage member themselves. You simply search for the award flight on aa.com using your miles, enter their name as the passenger, and pay any associated taxes and fees (which are usually minimal compared to transfer fees).
Gifting an American Airlines Gift Card: If you want to give the gift of travel but the recipient doesn't have an AAdvantage account or you want to avoid mileage transfer fees, consider purchasing an American Airlines gift card. These can be used for flights and associated taxes/fees.
Purchasing Miles Directly for Them: American Airlines also allows you to buy miles for yourself or as a gift for another AAdvantage member. While this also incurs fees, sometimes promotional offers can make buying miles more attractive than transferring, especially if you need a large quantity. Always compare the cost per mile.
Credit Card Transfer Partners (Limited for AA): Unlike some other airline programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards), American Airlines AAdvantage miles cannot be freely transferred from most major flexible points credit card programs. Bilt Rewards is a notable exception that partners with American Airlines for 1:1 transfers.
Household Accounts (Not Available with American Airlines): Some airlines offer "household accounts" where family members can pool their miles for free. American Airlines does NOT currently offer this feature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions related to transferring American Airlines miles, with quick answers:
How to transfer American Airlines miles to another person?
You can transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles to another person through the "Buy, Gift, Transfer" section on the American Airlines website, by entering their AAdvantage number and selecting the amount of miles.
How to know the fees for transferring American Airlines miles?
The fees are typically around $5 per 1,000 miles transferred, plus a possible flat processing fee. The exact cost will be displayed in the transfer portal before you confirm the transaction.
How to ensure the miles transfer successfully?
QuickTip: Stop and think when you learn something new.
Double-check the recipient's AAdvantage number and last name before confirming the transfer. You will receive an email confirmation, and the miles should appear in the recipient's account within 24-72 hours.
How to avoid high transfer fees for American Airlines miles?
Consider booking an award ticket directly for the other person using your miles, as this usually incurs only taxes and fees, which are significantly less than mileage transfer fees.
How to gift American Airlines miles to someone without high fees?
The most cost-effective way to "gift" miles is often to book an award flight for the recipient directly from your AAdvantage account, rather than transferring the miles to their account.
How to check my American Airlines AAdvantage mileage balance after a transfer?
Log in to your AAdvantage account on aa.com. Your updated mileage balance will be displayed on your account dashboard or summary page.
Tip: Every word counts — don’t skip too much.
How to reactivate expired American Airlines miles?
American Airlines allows you to reactivate expired miles within 24 months of their expiration for a fee. Check the "Reactivate Miles" section on the AAdvantage website for details.
How to use American Airlines miles for someone who doesn't have an AAdvantage account?
You can still book an award flight for them directly from your AAdvantage account on aa.com. They do not need their own account to be the passenger on an award ticket you book.
How to combine American Airlines miles from multiple family members?
American Airlines does not offer a household account feature to combine miles. The primary ways are to transfer miles (with fees) or to have one person book award flights for others from their individual account.
How to confirm if American Airlines allows transferring miles to partner airlines?
No, American Airlines AAdvantage miles cannot be transferred to another airline's frequent flyer program (e.g., British Airways Avios). However, you can use your AAdvantage miles to book flights on American's partner airlines (like British Airways) directly through aa.com.
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