Have you ever found yourself with a surplus of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, perhaps from business travel or a credit card sign-up bonus, and wished you could share them with a loved one? Maybe a family member is just a few miles short of that dream vacation, or you want to surprise a friend with a flight. Gifting miles can be a thoughtful gesture, but it's important to understand the associated costs and procedures before you hit that "confirm" button.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about gifting American Airlines miles, from the exact costs to step-by-step instructions, and even some smart alternatives. Let's dive in!
Understanding the Costs of Gifting American Airlines Miles
Gifting miles on American Airlines isn't a free endeavor. American Airlines, like most carriers, charges fees for this service. These fees can add up quickly, so it's crucial to be aware of them before proceeding.
The Per-Mile Cost
American Airlines charges a fee per mile when you gift them. While this can fluctuate, a common rate for gifting (or buying) miles is around 3.5 cents per mile. This means for every 1,000 miles you gift, you could be looking at a charge of $35.
Processing Fees and Taxes
In addition to the per-mile cost, there might be additional processing fees and potentially taxes associated with the transaction. These can vary, so always review the final cost breakdown before completing your purchase.
Example Scenario: Let's say you want to gift 10,000 AAdvantage miles.
At a rate of 3.5 cents per mile, the cost for the miles alone would be $0.035 x 10,000 = $350.
Then, you'd add any applicable processing fees and taxes to this amount.
As you can see, the cost can be substantial. This is why it's often advised to consider alternatives, which we'll discuss later, before opting to gift miles directly.
Step-by-Step Guide: Gifting Miles on American Airlines
Ready to gift those miles? Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth transaction.
Step 1: Is Gifting Miles the Best Option for You?
Before you even think about logging in, take a moment to consider if gifting miles is truly the most economical and efficient way to help someone travel. As highlighted above, it can be quite expensive. Often, booking a flight directly for someone else using your own miles is a much more cost-effective solution, as you avoid the per-mile gifting fees. American Airlines generally allows you to book award tickets for anyone you choose from your own AAdvantage account without any extra fees.
If you've considered the alternatives and still want to gift miles, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Access the American Airlines "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" Page
To initiate the gifting process, you'll need to navigate to the designated section on the American Airlines website.
Sub-heading 2.1: Locate the Right Section
Go to the official American Airlines website (aa.com).
Look for the "AAdvantage" or "Loyalty Program" section, usually found in the top navigation bar or footer.
Within the AAdvantage section, you'll typically find an option for "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles." Click on this.
Step 3: Log In to Your AAdvantage Account
You'll need to be logged into your own AAdvantage account to gift miles.
Sub-heading 3.1: Enter Your Credentials
On the designated page, you'll be prompted to enter your AAdvantage number or username and password.
Once logged in, you'll see options for buying, gifting, or transferring miles. Select the "Gift Miles" option.
Step 4: Specify the Recipient and Amount of Miles
This is where you'll define who receives the miles and how many.
Sub-heading 4.1: Enter Recipient Information
You will need the recipient's full name (as it appears on their AAdvantage account) and their AAdvantage account number. Ensure this information is accurate to avoid any delays or issues.
The recipient must be an existing AAdvantage member to receive gifted miles. If they aren't, they'll need to sign up first (which is free and quick).
Sub-heading 4.2: Choose the Number of Miles to Gift
You'll be presented with various increments of miles you can gift.
Be mindful of the costs here. The system will display the total price for the selected amount of miles, including any per-mile fees, processing fees, and taxes. Review this total carefully.
There are usually limits on the minimum and maximum number of miles you can gift in a single transaction and per calendar year. American Airlines generally allows you to gift up to 150,000 miles per calendar year.
Step 5: Review and Confirm the Transaction
This is the final crucial step before your card is charged.
Sub-heading 5.1: Double-Check All Details
Before confirming, meticulously review all the details: the recipient's information, the number of miles, and especially the total cost.
Make sure you understand that miles purchased or gifted are generally non-refundable.
Sub-heading 5.2: Complete Payment
Enter your payment information (credit or debit card details).
Agree to the terms and conditions.
Click the "Confirm" or "Purchase" button to finalize the transaction.
Step 6: Confirmation and Mileage Posting
After a successful transaction, you'll receive a confirmation.
Sub-heading 6.1: Receive Confirmation
You should receive an email confirmation of your gifted miles.
The miles typically post to the recipient's account within 24-72 hours, though it can sometimes be faster.
Sub-heading 6.2: Inform the Recipient
It's a good idea to let the recipient know that you've gifted them miles so they can check their AAdvantage account balance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Gifting American Airlines Miles
Here are 10 common questions about gifting American Airlines miles, with quick answers:
How to calculate the exact cost of gifting miles on American Airlines?
The exact cost is typically shown on the American Airlines "Gift Miles" page after you select the number of miles. It's usually a per-mile fee (around 3.5 cents per mile) plus any applicable processing fees and taxes.
How to gift American Airlines miles to someone without an AAdvantage account?
You cannot gift miles directly to someone without an AAdvantage account. The recipient must first sign up for a free AAdvantage membership before you can gift them miles.
How to find the American Airlines "Gift Miles" page?
Go to aa.com, navigate to the "AAdvantage" section, and then look for "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles."
How to avoid high fees when gifting American Airlines miles?
The best way to avoid high gifting fees is to book an award flight directly for the recipient using your own miles from your AAdvantage account. This usually incurs only standard award taxes and fees, not the per-mile gifting charge.
How to confirm if the gifted miles have been received?
You will receive an email confirmation after the transaction. The recipient can also log into their AAdvantage account to see the new mileage balance.
How to know the maximum number of miles I can gift per year?
American Airlines typically allows you to gift up to 150,000 AAdvantage miles per calendar year.
How to reverse a gifted miles transaction if there was a mistake?
Gifting miles transactions are generally non-refundable and non-reversible. It's crucial to double-check all details before confirming. In case of an immediate error, contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service as soon as possible, but be aware that reversals are rare.
How to use gifted miles once received?
Gifted miles are treated the same as any other AAdvantage miles. The recipient can use them to book award flights on American Airlines or its partner airlines, upgrade flights, or for other AAdvantage redemptions.
How to find out if there are any promotions for gifting miles?
American Airlines sometimes runs promotions with bonus miles or reduced fees for buying or gifting miles. Check the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" page on aa.com or sign up for AAdvantage emails to be notified of such offers.
How to gift miles if I don't know the recipient's AAdvantage number?
You will need the recipient's AAdvantage number to gift them miles. It's essential to obtain this from them before starting the gifting process.
