Your Comprehensive Guide to Transferring American Airlines Miles
Have you ever found yourself with a stash of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, but they're not quite enough for that dream trip, or perhaps a loved one could really use a boost to their own account? You're not alone! Many AAdvantage members wonder how to leverage their miles effectively, and transferring them to another person is one option. While it's not always the cheapest way to share miles, it can be incredibly useful in specific situations.
Ready to unlock the potential of your American Airlines miles and help someone else get closer to their travel goals? Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand the Basics of AAdvantage Mile Transfers
Before you click any buttons, it's crucial to grasp the fundamental rules and considerations when it comes to transferring American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This isn't like sending an email; there are important factors that determine if it's the right move for you.
What Does "Transferring Miles" Really Mean?
Transferring miles means moving a portion of your AAdvantage miles from your account to another individual's AAdvantage account. This is different from booking a ticket for someone else using your own miles (which is often a more cost-effective alternative, as we'll discuss later). When you transfer miles, the recipient gains ownership of those miles and can use them for their own redemptions, just like their independently earned miles.
Key Considerations Before You Transfer:
Fees, Fees, Fees! This is the most critical aspect. American Airlines charges a fee for transferring miles. This fee is typically calculated per mile transferred, plus a processing fee. While American Airlines has recently lowered their per-mile transfer fee to approximately 0.5 cents per mile, it can still add up quickly. Always calculate the total cost before proceeding.
Minimum and Maximum Transfer Amounts: There are usually minimum and maximum thresholds for how many miles you can transfer in a single transaction and over a specific period (e.g., annually). Be sure to check the current limits on the American Airlines website. Typically, you can transfer miles in increments of 1,000, with a maximum of 200,000 miles per calendar year.
Recipient Needs an AAdvantage Account: The person you're transferring miles to must have their own active American Airlines AAdvantage account. If they don't, they'll need to create one first.
When it Makes Sense: Transferring miles generally makes sense in scenarios like:
To top up an account: If a friend or family member is just a few thousand miles short of a valuable award redemption.
To prevent miles from expiring: While there are other ways to keep miles active (like earning or redeeming a small amount), transferring can be an option if someone's miles are about to expire and they won't use them.
As a thoughtful gift: If you want to give the gift of travel flexibility without directly booking a flight for someone.
Step 2: Accessing the American Airlines Mile Transfer Portal
Once you've decided that transferring miles is the right course of action, the next step is to navigate to the correct section of the American Airlines website.
Sub-heading: Logging into Your AAdvantage Account
Open your web browser and go to the official American Airlines website (aa.com).
Look for the "Log In" or "AAdvantage" section, usually located in the top right corner of the homepage.
Enter your AAdvantage number (or username) and your password to log into your account. If you've forgotten your details, use the "Forgot AAdvantage number" or "Forgot password" links to retrieve them.
Sub-heading: Locating the Transfer Miles Option
Once logged in, navigate to your AAdvantage account dashboard or summary page.
Look for options related to "Miles," "Your Account," or "Buy, Gift, Transfer Miles." American Airlines often groups these functionalities together.
Click on the "Transfer Miles" link. This will typically take you to a dedicated page or a third-party portal managed by American Airlines for these transactions. Be aware that sometimes these transactions are handled by Points.com on behalf of American Airlines.
Step 3: Initiating the Mile Transfer
Now that you're on the transfer page, it's time to input the details of your transaction. Take your time and double-check all information to avoid errors.
Sub-heading: Entering Recipient Details
You will be prompted to enter the recipient's AAdvantage number. Make sure this number is absolutely correct to ensure the miles go to the intended person.
You might also need to enter the recipient's first and last name for verification purposes. This helps prevent fraudulent transfers.
Sub-heading: Specifying the Transfer Amount
You'll see a field where you can enter the number of miles you wish to transfer.
Remember the minimum transfer increments (usually 1,000 miles).
As you enter the number of miles, the system should automatically calculate the associated fees. This is where you'll see the per-mile charge and any processing fees applied. Pay close attention to this total cost.
Step 4: Reviewing and Confirming the Transfer
This is a critical step where you verify all the information before finalizing the transaction.
Sub-heading: Double-Checking Details and Fees
Carefully review the recipient's AAdvantage number and name.
Verify the total number of miles you are transferring.
Examine the total cost of the transfer, including all fees. Make sure you are comfortable with this amount.
Consider if the value of the miles for the intended redemption outweighs the cost of the transfer fees. Sometimes, it's cheaper to simply buy the required miles directly or book the award ticket from your own account.
Sub-heading: Making the Payment
You will be asked to provide your payment information (credit or debit card) to cover the transfer fees.
Enter all required card details accurately.
Read and agree to the terms and conditions for mileage transfers. This is a crucial step – always understand what you're agreeing to!
Sub-heading: Final Confirmation
Click the "Confirm" or "Process Transfer" button to finalize the transaction.
You should receive a confirmation email with the details of your transfer. Keep this email for your records.
Step 5: Post-Transfer Considerations and Alternatives
Congratulations! You've successfully transferred American Airlines miles. But your journey doesn't end there.
Sub-heading: When Do the Miles Appear?
Transferred miles typically appear in the recipient's AAdvantage account within 24-48 hours, though sometimes it can be quicker. Advise the recipient to check their account balance periodically.
Sub-heading: Exploring Alternatives to Direct Transfer
While direct transfer is an option, it's often not the most economical. Here are some alternatives to consider:
Book an Award Ticket for Them: If the goal is to get someone on an American Airlines flight, you can often book an award ticket directly from your own AAdvantage account for another person without incurring any transfer fees. You simply specify their name as the passenger. This is frequently the most cost-effective way to share the value of your miles.
Gift Miles: American Airlines also offers a "Gift Miles" option. This is essentially buying miles and having them deposited into someone else's account. The cost per mile for gifting can sometimes be different (and often higher) than direct transfers. Always compare the fees.
Family Pooling (Not Available for AAdvantage): It's important to note that American Airlines does not offer a free family pooling option like some other airlines (e.g., JetBlue, United). This means you cannot simply combine miles from multiple family members' accounts without incurring transfer fees.
Credit Card Authorized Users: If you have an American Airlines co-branded credit card, adding a family member as an authorized user means their spending will accrue miles to your primary account. This doesn't transfer existing miles, but it can consolidate future earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about transferring American Airlines miles, with quick answers:
How to check the current fees for transferring American Airlines miles? You can check the exact fees by navigating to the "Transfer Miles" section on the official American Airlines website (aa.com) and entering a hypothetical transfer amount. The system will calculate the fees before you commit.
How to know if transferring miles is worth the cost? Calculate the monetary value of the award ticket you plan to book with the transferred miles and compare it to the total transfer fees. If the fees are a significant percentage of the ticket's cash value, it might not be worth it.
How to transfer American Airlines miles to a partner airline's loyalty program? You cannot directly transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles to the loyalty program of a partner airline (e.g., British Airways Executive Club or Qatar Airways Privilege Club). However, you can use your AAdvantage miles to book flights on American's partner airlines directly through the American Airlines website or by calling their reservations.
How to transfer American Airlines miles to a minor? Yes, you can transfer miles to a minor's AAdvantage account, provided they have one. Minors under 21 are exempt from the 24-month mileage expiration rule, which can be a benefit.
How to cancel a mile transfer if I made a mistake? Mile transfers are generally non-refundable and non-reversible once completed. It's crucial to double-check all details before confirming the transaction. Contact American Airlines AAdvantage customer service immediately if you believe a fraudulent or erroneous transfer has occurred.
How to combine American Airlines miles from multiple AAdvantage accounts into one? American Airlines does not offer a free "pooling" or "merging" of miles from different individual AAdvantage accounts. The only way to consolidate miles from separate accounts is through the paid mile transfer process.
How to ensure the transferred miles don't expire in the recipient's account? Once transferred, the miles adhere to the recipient's AAdvantage account expiration policy. To keep them active, the recipient needs to have some earning or redeeming activity (e.g., flying, using a co-branded credit card, making an online purchase through the AAdvantage eShopping portal) at least once every 24 months.
How to transfer a small number of American Airlines miles? American Airlines typically has a minimum transfer amount, usually 1,000 miles. You cannot transfer amounts smaller than this minimum.
How to receive a confirmation of a mile transfer? After completing the transfer, you should receive a confirmation email from American Airlines or their partner (e.g., Points.com) detailing the transaction. The recipient should also see the miles credited to their account.
How to sell American Airlines miles for cash? American Airlines prohibits the selling or brokering of AAdvantage miles. While third-party brokers may offer to buy miles, this activity is against the program's terms and conditions and can lead to the closure of your account and forfeiture of your miles. It's generally not a recommended practice.
