Do you have a friend or family member who needs a little boost for their next dream vacation? Or perhaps you've accumulated more American Airlines AAdvantage miles than you can realistically use, and you're wondering how to share the wealth? You've come to the right place! While American Airlines doesn't allow direct "merging" of accounts, there are specific ways to send your AAdvantage miles to someone else. It's a fantastic way to help a loved one, consolidate miles for a bigger redemption, or prevent miles from expiring.
However, it's crucial to understand that sending American Airlines miles isn't free. There are fees involved, and understanding them is key to deciding if this is the right option for you. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step-by-step, to successfully send American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
Step 1: Assess Your Needs and the Recipient's Needs – Is Transferring Miles the Best Option?
Before you even think about logging in, take a moment to consider why you want to transfer miles and what the recipient intends to do with them. This is often the most overlooked, yet most critical, first step.
Sub-heading: Why Consider Transferring Miles?
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Helping a loved one reach an award flight: Maybe your partner is just shy of the miles needed for that dream trip, and your surplus can bridge the gap.
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Consolidating small balances: If you and another AAdvantage member both have small, otherwise unusable mile balances, combining them might unlock a valuable redemption.
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Preventing miles from expiring: While there are many ways to keep your AAdvantage miles active, transferring them is one method, though often more costly than other options like a small redemption or earning activity.
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A thoughtful gift: For the avid traveler in your life, a mile transfer can be a unique and appreciated present.
Sub-heading: Alternative Strategies to Consider First
It's important to know that transferring miles comes with a cost. Sometimes, other options are more cost-effective:
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Booking a flight for someone else directly: This is often the cheapest and most straightforward way to use your miles for another person. American Airlines allows you to redeem your miles for anyone you choose without incurring transfer fees. Simply book the flight from your AAdvantage account, and enter the recipient's name as the passenger.
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Pooling points (if available with other programs): While American Airlines doesn't offer a free "pooling" program for AAdvantage miles, some other airline loyalty programs do. If you're dealing with points from a different program, check their specific policies.
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Buying miles for the recipient: In some promotions, buying miles directly for the recipient might be cheaper than transferring them, especially if you're looking to top up a very small amount. Always compare the cost per mile.
If, after considering these alternatives, you still believe transferring miles is the best approach, proceed to Step 2.
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| How To Send American Airlines Miles |
Step 2: Understand the Costs Involved – Don't Get Surprised by the Fees!
American Airlines charges fees for transferring miles. These fees can add up quickly, so it's vital to know what you're getting into.
Sub-heading: Current Transfer Fee Structure
As of recent updates, American Airlines charges a fee of 0.5 cents per mile transferred. There might also be a processing fee per transaction.
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Example: If you want to transfer 20,000 miles, the cost would be $100 (20,000 miles * $0.005/mile).
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Minimum Transfer: The minimum transfer amount is typically 1,000 miles.
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Maximum Transfer: You can transfer a maximum of 200,000 miles per calendar year out of your account.
It's highly recommended to verify the most up-to-date fee structure directly on the American Airlines website or by contacting AAdvantage customer service before initiating any transfer, as these policies can change.
Step 3: Gather Necessary Information – Be Prepared!
To ensure a smooth transfer process, have the following details ready:
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Your American Airlines AAdvantage Account Number: This is your personal account from which miles will be deducted.
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Your AAdvantage Account Password: You'll need to log in.
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Recipient's American Airlines AAdvantage Account Number: The miles will be deposited into this account. Ensure this number is accurate!
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Recipient's Full Name (as it appears on their AAdvantage account): This helps verify the transfer.
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A Valid Credit or Debit Card: You'll need this to pay the transfer fees.
Double-check all recipient information to avoid any delays or issues.
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
Step 4: Initiate the Transfer Online – The Primary Method
The most common and convenient way to send American Airlines miles is through their official website.
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Access the American Airlines Website: Go to aa.com.
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Log In to Your AAdvantage Account: On the top right corner of the homepage, click on "Sign In" and enter your AAdvantage number and password.
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Navigate to the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" Section:
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Once logged in, look for the "AAdvantage" or "Miles" section.
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Typically, there will be an option like "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" or similar under the "Use Miles" or "My Account" menus. You may need to browse through the AAdvantage program pages.
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Look for the "Transfer Miles" tab or link.
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Enter Transfer Details:
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You will be prompted to enter the recipient's AAdvantage account number and their last name.
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Next, you'll specify the number of miles you wish to transfer. Remember the minimum and maximum limits.
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Review Fees and Confirm:
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The system will automatically calculate the total transfer fee based on the number of miles you're sending.
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Carefully review the fees to ensure you are comfortable with the cost.
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Confirm all details, including the recipient's information and the mileage amount.
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Provide Payment Information:
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Enter your credit or debit card details to pay the transfer fees.
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Complete the Transaction:
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Click the "Confirm" or "Complete Transfer" button. You should receive a confirmation email shortly after.
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Step 5: Verify the Transfer – Patience is a Virtue
Once you've completed the online transaction, it's time to confirm the miles have been successfully transferred.
Sub-heading: What to Expect Regarding Processing Time
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Transfers typically process relatively quickly, often within a few hours to one business day.
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In some cases, it might take up to 72 hours for the miles to reflect in the recipient's account.
Sub-heading: How to Confirm the Transfer
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Check Your AAdvantage Account Activity: Log back into your AAdvantage account and review your recent activity. The transfer should be listed as a deduction from your balance.
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Recipient Checks Their AAdvantage Account: Ask the recipient to log into their AAdvantage account and verify that the transferred miles have been credited to their balance. They should see an increase in their mileage total.
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Check Email Confirmations: Both you and the recipient (if they have their email associated with their account) should receive email confirmations regarding the transfer.
If after a few business days the miles haven't appeared, or you encounter any issues, proceed to Step 6.
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
Step 6: Contact American Airlines Customer Service (If Needed) – When Things Go Sideways
While the online transfer process is usually smooth, sometimes unforeseen issues can arise. Don't hesitate to contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service if you need assistance.
Sub-heading: When to Call Customer Service
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The miles haven't appeared in the recipient's account after the expected processing time.
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You made a mistake during the transfer (e.g., incorrect recipient account number).
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You have questions about the fees or process that aren't clear online.
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You are trying to transfer miles from a deceased family member's account (a specific process that requires contacting them).
Sub-heading: How to Contact Them
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Phone: The most direct way is to call the American Airlines AAdvantage customer service line. You can usually find the number on the "Contact Us" section of the aa.com website or within the AAdvantage program pages.
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Have Your Information Ready: When you call, be prepared with your AAdvantage account number, the recipient's details, the transaction confirmation number (if you have one), and the date of the transfer.
Important Considerations Before Transferring Miles:
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Mile Expiration: Transferred miles generally adopt the expiration policy of the recipient's account. However, any activity (earning, redeeming, or transferring) extends the expiration of all miles in an AAdvantage account by 24 months.
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Elite Status Qualification: Transferred miles do NOT count towards elite status qualification (Loyalty Points) for either the sender or the recipient. Elite status is earned through flying, credit card spending, and other specific partner activities.
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Value of Miles: Always consider the cash value of the flight you're aiming for versus the cost of transferring the miles. Sometimes, buying a revenue ticket might be more economical than paying hefty transfer fees.
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Fraud Protection: Be cautious of scams. Only transfer miles through the official American Airlines website.
By following these steps and considering the important aspects, you can successfully send American Airlines AAdvantage miles to another person, helping them reach their travel goals or simply sharing the benefits of your loyalty.
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Here are 10 common questions about sending American Airlines miles, starting with 'How to':
How to transfer American Airlines miles to another person? You can transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles to another AAdvantage member online through the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" section of the American Airlines website, by logging into your account and providing the recipient's AAdvantage number and last name.
How to find the cost of transferring American Airlines miles? The cost of transferring American Airlines miles is typically 0.5 cents per mile, plus a potential processing fee. You will see the exact calculated fee displayed during the online transfer process before you finalize the transaction.
How to transfer a small number of American Airlines miles? American Airlines has a minimum transfer amount, typically 1,000 miles. You can transfer any amount above this minimum in increments of 1,000 up to the annual maximum.
How to tell if transferred American Airlines miles expire? Transferred American Airlines miles will follow the AAdvantage program's general expiration policy. Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. Any earning, redeeming, or transferring activity will reset the 24-month clock for all miles in the recipient's account.
How to book a flight for someone else with my American Airlines miles without transferring them? To book a flight for someone else using your miles, simply log into your AAdvantage account on aa.com, search for award flights, and during the booking process, enter the recipient's name as the passenger. This avoids transfer fees.
How to transfer American Airlines miles from a deceased person's account? Transferring miles from a deceased AAdvantage member's account requires contacting American Airlines AAdvantage customer service directly. They will guide you through the process, which typically involves providing a death certificate and an affidavit.
How to know the maximum number of American Airlines miles I can transfer? You can transfer a maximum of 200,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles out of your account per calendar year.
How to confirm a successful American Airlines mile transfer? You can confirm a successful transfer by checking your AAdvantage account activity (miles deducted) and by having the recipient check their AAdvantage account activity (miles credited). Both parties should also receive email confirmations.
How to get a refund for an American Airlines mile transfer if I made a mistake? If you made a mistake during the transfer, immediately contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service. While refunds or corrections are not guaranteed, explaining the situation promptly might help.
How to earn Loyalty Points by transferring American Airlines miles? Unfortunately, transferring American Airlines miles does not earn Loyalty Points for either the sender or the recipient. Loyalty Points are primarily earned through flying on American Airlines or its partners, using AAdvantage co-branded credit cards, and engaging with specific AAdvantage partners.
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