Do you have a stash of American Airlines AAdvantage miles you're eager to share with family or friends? Perhaps you're close to a redemption and just need a few more miles, or you want to help a loved one embark on their dream trip. Whatever your reason, sharing your American Airlines miles can be a valuable way to maximize your travel rewards!
Let's dive into the various ways you can share your American Airlines AAdvantage miles, with a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process.
How to Share American Airlines Miles: A Comprehensive Guide
Step 1: Understand Your Options – Are You Transferring or Booking?
Before you do anything, let's clarify the primary ways to "share" miles, as American Airlines has specific methods, each with its own pros and cons. This is where many people get confused, so pay close attention!
Sub-heading: Option A: Transferring Miles to Another AAdvantage Account (Direct Transfer)
This involves moving miles from your AAdvantage account directly into another person's AAdvantage account. While this seems like the most straightforward "sharing" method, it's often the most expensive due to fees. American Airlines charges a fee per mile transferred, plus a processing fee. This option is generally best for situations where a small top-up is needed in someone else's account to reach a specific award.
Sub-heading: Option B: Booking an Award Ticket for Someone Else (The Smart Way!)
This is typically the most cost-effective and recommended method for sharing your miles. Instead of transferring miles, you simply use your own AAdvantage miles to book a flight for someone else directly from your account. The person traveling doesn't need to be on your itinerary, nor do they even need to have an AAdvantage account (though it's good for them to have one to earn miles on future flights!). You avoid all those pesky transfer fees this way.
Step 2: Determine Which Option is Right for You
Now that you know the main options, consider your specific goal:
Do you need to consolidate miles from multiple family members into one account for a large redemption? A direct transfer might be considered, but remember the fees.
Are you just trying to get a friend or family member on a flight using your miles? Booking the ticket for them directly is almost always the better choice.
Is someone else just a few thousand miles short of an award they really want? A small transfer might make sense, if the fees don't outweigh the value of those few miles.
For the vast majority of "sharing" scenarios, booking an award ticket for someone else is the superior method. We'll focus on both, but emphasize the booking option due to its cost-effectiveness.
Step 3: Step-by-Step Guide for Booking an Award Ticket for Someone Else
This is the most common and often best way to share your miles.
Sub-heading: 3.1: Log In to Your AAdvantage Account
Go to the official American Airlines website (aa.com).
Click on "Log In" and enter your AAdvantage number or email and password.
Ensure you have enough miles in your account for the desired award flight(s).
Sub-heading: 3.2: Search for Award Travel
On the homepage, select the "Redeem Miles" or "Use Miles" option when searching for flights. This is usually a checkbox or a separate tab on the flight search widget.
Enter the departure and destination airports, travel dates, and the number of passengers. Remember, you're searching for flights for them, so enter their travel details.
Sub-heading: 3.3: Select the Desired Flight(s)
The search results will display available flights and the corresponding mileage cost.
Carefully review the flight details, including layovers and timings, to ensure they suit the traveler.
Select the flight(s) that work best for their itinerary.
Sub-heading: 3.4: Enter Passenger Information
Once you've selected the flights, you'll be prompted to enter passenger details.
Important: Enter the full legal name and date of birth of the person who will be traveling, exactly as it appears on their government-issued ID (e.g., passport or driver's license).
You'll also need to provide their contact information, including their email address, so they receive flight notifications.
Sub-heading: 3.5: Review and Confirm
Before finalizing, double-check all the details: passenger name, travel dates, flight numbers, and the total mileage cost.
You'll also see any applicable taxes and fees (these are usually minimal, often just $5.60 for domestic flights in the U.S. per one-way trip). These fees must be paid with a credit or debit card.
Click to confirm and complete the booking.
Sub-heading: 3.6: What Happens Next?
An e-ticket will be issued to the email address you provided for the passenger.
The miles will be deducted from your AAdvantage account.
The traveler can then manage their booking, check in, and fly as usual.
Step 4: Step-by-Step Guide for Transferring Miles to Another AAdvantage Account (Use with Caution!)
As mentioned, this option incurs fees. Only proceed if booking directly isn't feasible or if the situation truly warrants a transfer (e.g., a small top-up).
Sub-heading: 4.1: Log In to Your AAdvantage Account
Navigate to aa.com and log in to your AAdvantage account.
Sub-heading: 4.2: Find the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" Section
Once logged in, look for a section related to "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles." This is usually found under the "AAdvantage" or "Miles" menu. It might also be listed as "Share miles."
Sub-heading: 4.3: Initiate the Transfer
Select the "Transfer Miles" option.
You will be asked to enter the recipient's AAdvantage number and their last name. Accuracy is crucial here!
You'll also need to specify the number of miles you wish to transfer. There are usually minimum and maximum transfer limits.
Sub-heading: 4.4: Understand and Accept the Fees
The system will display the fees associated with the transfer. These typically consist of a per-mile charge and a transaction fee.
Be prepared for these fees to be substantial. Often, purchasing miles directly or booking an award ticket for someone else might be more economical than transferring.
Review the total cost, agree to the terms and conditions, and proceed to payment.
Sub-heading: 4.5: Complete the Payment
Enter your credit or debit card details to pay the transfer fees.
Once the payment is processed, the transfer will be initiated.
Sub-heading: 4.6: Confirmation and Processing Time
You'll receive a confirmation of your transfer.
Transferred miles typically appear in the recipient's account within 24 to 72 hours, though it can sometimes be quicker. It's wise to plan for this processing time if the miles are needed urgently for a specific redemption.
Step 5: Consider Alternatives and Important Notes
Sub-heading: 5.1: Family Pooling (Not Offered by American Airlines)
It's important to note that, unlike some other airlines (e.g., British Airways, JetBlue, United), American Airlines does not offer a formal family pooling program where you can combine miles from multiple family accounts into one shared account for free. This is why booking for others directly from your account is often the best workaround.
Sub-heading: 5.2: Gifting Miles (Buying for Someone Else)
American Airlines also allows you to "gift" miles, which means you are purchasing miles to be deposited into someone else's AAdvantage account. This is different from transferring your existing miles. Gifting miles also comes with a cost, and it's essential to compare the price of gifting miles to the cost of purchasing an award ticket outright or using your own miles to book for them.
Sub-heading: 5.3: Miles Expiration
Remember that AAdvantage miles expire if there's no earning or redeeming activity in your account for 24 months. If you transfer miles, the recipient's miles will also be subject to their own expiration rules. If you book an award for someone, your miles are used immediately, so it doesn't affect their miles expiration.
Step 6: Always Calculate the Value!
Before you transfer miles, or even consider buying them to gift, always do the math! Compare the cost of transferring/gifting miles to the cash price of the flight. Often, paying cash might be cheaper than the fees associated with mile transfers. A general rule of thumb for American Airlines miles is that they are valued around 1.6 cents per mile. If the cost of transferring them exceeds this value, it's likely not a good deal.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my American Airlines AAdvantage mileage balance?
You can easily check your AAdvantage mileage balance by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website (aa.com) or through the American Airlines mobile app. Your current mileage total will be prominently displayed on your account dashboard.
How to book an American Airlines award ticket for a family member online?
Log in to your AAdvantage account on aa.com, select the "Redeem Miles" option during your flight search, enter the family member's travel details (destination, dates, passenger count), and proceed to book the flight in their name using your miles.
How to find the cost of transferring American Airlines miles?
To find the exact cost, log into your AAdvantage account on aa.com, navigate to the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" section, and initiate a mock transfer. The system will display the per-mile fee and processing fee before you confirm the transaction.
How to ensure the recipient receives the transferred miles?
After initiating a transfer, the recipient's AAdvantage account will be credited. It's a good idea to inform the recipient and have them check their account balance within 24-72 hours to confirm receipt.
How to cancel a mileage transfer on American Airlines?
Mileage transfers on American Airlines are generally non-refundable and non-reversible once completed. It's crucial to double-check all details before confirming the transfer.
How to avoid fees when sharing American Airlines miles?
The most effective way to avoid transfer fees is to book an award ticket directly for the other person using your own AAdvantage miles from your account. This bypasses the need for a mile-to-mile transfer.
How to get an American Airlines AAdvantage number for someone new?
They can easily sign up for a free AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website (aa.com) by clicking "Join AAdvantage" or "Enroll Now." It's a quick and simple process.
How to know if transferring miles is a good value?
Calculate the total cost of the transfer (fees + value of miles transferred) and compare it to the cash price of the flight the recipient intends to book. If the cash price is significantly lower, transferring miles is likely not a good value.
How to use American Airlines miles for upgrades for someone else?
You can sometimes use your miles to upgrade another traveler on the same flight, particularly if you are also traveling on that flight and meet the upgrade requirements. Check the "My Trip" section or contact American Airlines reservations for specific details on mileage upgrades for companions.
How to use American Airlines miles for hotel or car rentals for someone else?
Yes, you can often use your AAdvantage miles to book hotels or car rentals for others through the AAdvantage Hotels™ or car rental platforms accessible via aa.com. When prompted for guest details, enter the name of the person who will be checking into the hotel or picking up the car.
