Oh, so you're looking to share the wealth of your American Airlines AAdvantage miles, are we? That's a fantastic idea, especially if you have miles nearing expiration or a loved one needs a boost for their dream trip! While it's not as simple as snapping your fingers and magically moving them, American Airlines does offer a way to transfer miles, albeit with some important considerations.
Let's dive into the step-by-step guide on how you can transfer your American Airlines points (miles) to someone else. Get ready to empower someone's travel plans!
Step 1: Understand the Basics of American Airlines Miles Transfer
Before we even click a button, let's get acquainted with the rules of the game. This isn't a free-for-all, and knowing these points upfront will save you time and potential frustration.
Sub-heading: Why Transfer Miles?
You might consider transferring miles for several reasons:
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Helping a friend or family member: Maybe they're just short of an award flight, and your extra miles can make their trip a reality.
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Preventing expiration: American Airlines miles do expire after 24 months of inactivity. Transferring them (or even buying/gifting miles, which we'll touch on later) can reset the clock on your account activity.
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Consolidating small balances: If you or someone you know has a small, unusable mileage balance, combining it might create enough for a meaningful redemption.
Sub-heading: The Cost of Transferring Miles
This is where many people pause. Transferring American Airlines miles is not free. American Airlines charges a fee for this service. As of recent updates, the cost is typically 0.5 cents per mile. There are generally no additional transaction fees beyond this per-mile cost.
For example, transferring 10,000 miles would cost you $50 (10,000 miles x $0.005).
While this might seem steep, sometimes the value of enabling a flight or preventing miles from expiring outweighs the cost.
Sub-heading: Transfer Limits
QuickTip: Scroll back if you lose track.
American Airlines has limits on how many miles you can transfer:
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You can transfer miles in increments of 1,000 miles.
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You can transfer up to 200,000 miles per calendar year to another AAdvantage member.
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| How Do I Transfer American Airlines Points To Someone Else |
Step 2: Gather What You'll Need
Before you log in, make sure you have the following information handy to ensure a smooth transfer process:
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Your American Airlines AAdvantage account number and password.
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The recipient's American Airlines AAdvantage account number. Make sure it's accurate!
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The recipient's first and last name as it appears on their AAdvantage account.
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A valid credit or debit card to pay the transfer fees.
Step 3: Navigating to the Transfer Miles Section on AA.com
This is where the actual digital journey begins.
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Open your web browser and go to the official American Airlines website:
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Log in to your AAdvantage account. You'll see a "Log In" button usually in the top right corner. Enter your AAdvantage number or username and password.
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Once logged in, look for the "AAdvantage" or "Miles" section. This is typically found in the main navigation menu or under your account summary.
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Within the AAdvantage section, you'll need to find the option for "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles." This is often a prominent link or a subsection.
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Click on "Transfer Miles."
It's crucial to be signed in to the account from which you want to transfer the miles.
Step 4: Initiating the Transfer and Entering Details
You're now on the transfer page. This is where you'll specify the details of the transaction.
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Select "Transfer Miles" if you haven't already.
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Enter the recipient's AAdvantage account number and their last name. Double-check for accuracy! A typo here could send your miles into the abyss or to the wrong person.
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Specify the number of miles you wish to transfer. Remember the 1,000-mile increments and the 200,000-mile annual limit. Start with a smaller amount if you're just testing the waters, or if you're only trying to get an idea of the cost.
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As you enter the number of miles, the page should automatically calculate the associated transfer fee. This allows you to see the exact cost before committing.
Step 5: Reviewing and Completing the Transaction
This is the final hurdle before your miles are on their way!
Tip: Be mindful — one idea at a time.
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Carefully review all the details you've entered:
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Your AAdvantage number
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Recipient's AAdvantage number
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Recipient's name
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Number of miles to transfer
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Total transfer fee
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Read and agree to the terms and conditions for transferring miles. It's always a good idea to skim these, as they outline important policies.
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Enter your payment information (credit or debit card details) for the transfer fees.
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Click "Confirm" or "Complete Transaction." You should receive a confirmation message on the screen and typically an email confirmation shortly after.
Keep a record of your confirmation number for your own reference.
Step 6: Confirming the Transfer
While the transfer is usually quick, it's always good practice to confirm.
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Check your AAdvantage account summary. The transferred miles should be deducted from your balance.
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Advise the recipient to check their AAdvantage account. The miles should appear as a credit to their account. While some transfers are near-instant, they can sometimes take up to 72 hours to fully process. If after 72 hours the miles haven't appeared, contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service.
Alternative Strategy: Booking an Award Flight for Someone Else
Sometimes, the best way to "transfer" miles is not to transfer them at all! If your goal is simply to allow someone else to fly using your miles, you can often book an award flight directly from your AAdvantage account for another person.
Sub-heading: Advantages of Booking Directly
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Avoids transfer fees: This is the biggest advantage. You won't pay the 0.5 cents per mile fee. You'll only pay the standard taxes and fees associated with the award ticket itself, which typically start from $5.60 per person per award.
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Simpler process: No need to go through the transfer portal. Just search for award flights as usual and enter the passenger's details during booking.
Sub-heading: How to Book for Someone Else
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Log in to your American Airlines AAdvantage account.
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Search for award flights as you normally would, entering the desired origin, destination, and dates.
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Select the flight that works for the recipient.
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During the passenger information step, enter the recipient's name and details (making sure it matches their government-issued ID for travel).
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Complete the booking using your miles. The ticket will be issued in the recipient's name, but the miles will be deducted from your account.
This is often the most cost-effective and straightforward way to use your miles for someone else's travel.
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Stop scrolling, read carefully here.
How to check my American Airlines AAdvantage mile balance?
You can easily check your American Airlines AAdvantage mile balance by logging into your AAdvantage account on
How to find out if my American Airlines miles are expiring?
Your American Airlines AAdvantage miles will expire after 24 months of inactivity. You can check your mileage expiration date by logging into your AAdvantage account on
How to reactivate expired American Airlines miles?
American Airlines allows you to reactivate expired miles for a fee. You can typically do this online through your AAdvantage account or by contacting AAdvantage customer service. There are limits on the amount of miles you can reactivate and a timeframe within which they must have expired (usually within 24 months).
How to minimize fees when transferring American Airlines miles?
The most effective way to minimize fees is to avoid transferring miles altogether and instead book an award flight directly for the recipient from your own account. This way, you only pay the standard award ticket taxes and fees, not the per-mile transfer fee.
How to gift American Airlines miles to someone instead of transferring?
Tip: Check back if you skimmed too fast.
American Airlines also offers a "Gift Miles" option on their website, which is distinct from "Transfer Miles." When you gift miles, you are essentially buying miles for someone else's account. The cost structure for gifting miles can be different from transferring and is often higher per mile.
How to use American Airlines miles for upgrades?
You can use your American Airlines AAdvantage miles for upgrades on American Airlines flights, and sometimes on partner airlines like British Airways and Iberia. This is typically done through the "Instant Upgrade" option online or by calling Reservations, subject to availability and fare class restrictions.
How to earn more American Airlines AAdvantage miles?
You can earn more American Airlines AAdvantage miles by flying with American Airlines and its oneworld® alliance partners, using American Airlines co-branded credit cards, shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping mall, dining with AAdvantage Dining, and engaging with various hotel and car rental partners.
How to combine American Airlines miles from two different accounts (yours and another's)?
You cannot "combine" or "pool" American Airlines miles in the traditional sense like some other loyalty programs allow for families. The closest options are either to transfer miles from one account to another (incurring fees) or to book an award flight directly for someone else from your own account.
How to transfer American Airlines miles to a different airline's loyalty program?
You cannot directly transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles to a different airline's loyalty program (e.g., to United MileagePlus or Delta SkyMiles). However, you can use your AAdvantage miles to book flights on American Airlines' oneworld® alliance partners (like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, etc.) directly through American Airlines.
How to tell if transferring miles is worth the cost?
To determine if transferring miles is worth the cost, compare the transfer fee to the cash value of the flight you're trying to book or the cost of buying the needed miles outright. If the transfer fee is significantly less than what the flight would cost in cash, or if it helps you avoid miles expiring, it might be worthwhile. Often, booking an award ticket directly for someone else is the more economical choice.
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