Want to help out a friend or family member with their travel dreams, or consolidate miles for that dream vacation? If you've got American Airlines AAdvantage miles, you can transfer them to another AAdvantage member! While it's not always the most economical option due to fees, it's definitely possible and can be super helpful in certain situations.
Let's dive into the step-by-step process of how to transfer American Airlines miles using their app, and explore everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
Transferring American Airlines Miles on the App: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to get those miles moving? Let's begin!
 |
| How Do You Transfer American Airlines Miles On The App |
Step 1: Get Ready! Ensure You and the Recipient Have AAdvantage Accounts
Before you even think about tapping buttons in the app, the absolute first thing you need to confirm is that both you and the person you're sending miles to have active American Airlines AAdvantage accounts.
Hey there! Are you both AAdvantage members? If not, the recipient will need to sign up for a free account on the American Airlines website before you can proceed. Go ahead and confirm that first!
Sub-heading: Why an AAdvantage Account is Essential
Mile transfers are strictly between AAdvantage members. This ensures proper tracking and adherence to program rules. Without an active account, the system simply won't have a place to send the miles.
Step 2: Download and Log In to the American Airlines App
If you don't already have it, the American Airlines app is your portal for managing your AAdvantage account and initiating transfers.
Download the App: Head to your smartphone's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS) and search for "American Airlines." Download and install the official app.
Log In: Open the app and log in using your AAdvantage number or username and password. If you've forgotten your details, there are options within the app to retrieve them. Make sure you're logged into the account you want to transfer miles FROM.
QuickTip: Use posts like this as quick references.
Step 3: Navigate to the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" Section
Once you're logged in, you'll need to find the dedicated section for mileage transactions. The exact navigation might vary slightly with app updates, but generally, you'll look for something like:
Main Menu/Dashboard: Look for a menu icon (often three horizontal lines) or a direct link to your AAdvantage account summary on the app's main screen.
"AAdvantage" or "Miles": Tap on the section related to your AAdvantage program or miles.
"Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles": Within the AAdvantage section, you should see an option clearly labeled "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" or something similar. This is your destination!
Step 4: Select the "Transfer Miles" Option
Within the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" section, you'll likely have a few choices (buy miles, gift miles, transfer miles).
Carefully select the "Transfer Miles" option. Gifting miles is different; gifting is essentially buying miles for someone else, whereas transferring moves miles you already possess from your account to theirs.
Step 5: Enter Recipient's Details and Transfer Amount
This is where you'll specify who receives the miles and how many.
Sub-heading: Required Recipient Information
You will need:
Recipient's AAdvantage Number: Double-check this number! A single digit error could send your miles to the wrong place, and transfers are generally non-reversible.
Recipient's Last Name: This helps confirm the AAdvantage account belongs to the intended person.
Sub-heading: Specifying the Mileage Amount
Minimum Transfer: American Airlines typically has a minimum transfer amount, often 1,000 miles.
Maximum Transfer: There are also maximum limits per transaction and per calendar year. Be aware of these limits, which can be found on the American Airlines website or within the app's transfer terms.
Enter the Amount: Input the exact number of miles you wish to transfer.
Step 6: Review Fees and Confirm the Transfer
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
This is a crucial step where you understand the cost involved. American Airlines charges a fee for transferring miles. These fees can be substantial and are usually calculated per mile, plus a processing fee.
Sub-heading: Understanding Transfer Fees
Cost Per Mile: American Airlines generally charges a fee per 1,000 miles transferred. For instance, you might see a charge of $10-$15 per 1,000 miles.
Processing Fee: There's often an additional flat processing fee per transaction.
Total Cost: The app will display the total cost of the transfer, including all fees, before you confirm. Review this carefully! Is the value of the transferred miles worth the fee you're paying? Sometimes, it's more cost-effective to simply book an award flight for the recipient directly from your account using your miles, thus avoiding transfer fees entirely.
Sub-heading: Payment Information
You'll need a valid credit or debit card to cover the transfer fees. Enter your payment details securely within the app.
Step 7: Complete the Payment and Finalize
 |
Once you've reviewed all the details – recipient, mileage amount, and especially the fees – and are satisfied, proceed to complete the payment.
Confirm: Tap the "Confirm Transfer" or "Complete Payment" button.
Confirmation: You should receive a confirmation message in the app, and often an email confirmation as well.
Step 8: What Happens Next? Mileage Appearance
After successfully completing the transfer, the miles typically appear in the recipient's account within a few hours, though it can sometimes take up to 24-72 hours.
Recipient Verification: Encourage the recipient to log into their AAdvantage account on the app or website to confirm the miles have been credited.
Transaction is Final: Remember, once you transfer your miles, the transaction is generally final and cannot be reversed.
Important Considerations for Transferring Miles
While the process itself is straightforward, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
Cost-Effectiveness: As mentioned, transferring miles can be expensive. Always calculate the fees and compare them to the value of the miles being transferred. If the primary goal is to book a flight for someone, booking it directly from your account is almost always the cheaper option.
Promotions: Occasionally, American Airlines runs promotions on mileage transfers, offering reduced fees or bonuses. Keep an eye out for these to maximize your value.
Elite Status: Transferred miles generally do not count towards earning AAdvantage elite status for the recipient. They are solely for award redemptions.
Expiration: Be mindful of mileage expiration policies. Transferred miles typically reset the recipient's mileage expiration clock.
Tip: Watch for summary phrases — they give the gist.
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 account on the American Airlines app or their website (AA.com). Your current mileage total will be displayed prominently on your account summary page.
How to find the AAdvantage number of someone I want to send miles to?
You will need to ask the recipient directly for their AAdvantage number and their last name as it appears on their account. For security and privacy reasons, American Airlines will not provide this information to you.
How to know if transferring miles is cheaper than buying new ones?
To determine this, you need to compare the cost per mile. Calculate the "cost per mile" for transferring (total transfer fee / number of miles transferred) and compare it to the "cost per mile" for buying miles directly from American Airlines. Often, buying miles can be cheaper, especially during promotional periods.
How to book an award flight for someone else with my miles without transferring?
Simply log into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines app or website, search for award flights, and during the booking process, you can select the option to "Book for Another" or add a passenger who is not yourself. You'll use your miles for their ticket, and you won't incur any transfer fees.
QuickTip: A careful read saves time later.
How to reverse an American Airlines mileage transfer if I made a mistake?
Unfortunately, American Airlines mileage transfers are generally final and non-reversible once completed. It's crucial to double-check all details, especially the recipient's AAdvantage number, before confirming the transaction.
How to find promotions for American Airlines mileage transfers?
Keep an eye on the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" section of the American Airlines website or app. American Airlines often announces these promotions directly there, or you might receive email notifications if you're subscribed to their AAdvantage newsletters.
How to transfer American Airlines miles if I don't want to use the app?
You can also transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles via the American Airlines website (AA.com). The process is very similar to the app, involving logging into your account and navigating to the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" section.
How to contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service for transfer issues?
You can find the AAdvantage customer service contact number on the American Airlines website under the "Contact Us" or "AAdvantage Support" sections. Be prepared with your AAdvantage number and details of the transaction.
How to know if the transferred miles will extend the recipient's mileage expiration date?
Yes, generally, any qualifying activity, including receiving transferred miles, will extend the expiration date of all miles in the recipient's AAdvantage account for 24 months from the date of the activity.
How to use transferred American Airlines miles?
Once the miles are in the recipient's AAdvantage account, they can be used just like any other miles they've earned. This includes booking award flights on American Airlines or partner airlines, upgrading flights, or redeeming for other travel products and experiences offered through the AAdvantage program.
 |
