Have you ever found yourself with a stash of American Airlines AAdvantage miles, but they're sitting in an account that isn't quite right for your upcoming travel plans? Maybe a family member needs a few extra miles to book that dream vacation, or you're trying to consolidate some leftover balances. Whatever the reason, transferring miles can be a valuable tool – but it comes with a cost. Understanding these costs and the process involved is crucial to making an informed decision.
This comprehensive guide will break down everything you need to know about transferring American Airlines AAdvantage miles, including the exact costs, step-by-step instructions, and important considerations.
The Cost of Transferring American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Let's get straight to the point: transferring American Airlines AAdvantage miles is not free. American Airlines charges a fee for this service.
Step 1: Understand the Per-Mile Fee!
Did you know that American Airlines recently slashed its mileage transfer fees? Previously, it could be quite expensive. However, as of recent changes, American Airlines charges $5 per 1,000 miles transferred. This means the cost is effectively 0.5 cents per mile.
For example, if you want to transfer 10,000 miles, it would cost you $50. If you transfer 50,000 miles, it would be $250. This fee includes any taxes and discounts.
Step 2: Know the Minimum and Maximum Transfer Amounts.
You can transfer AAdvantage miles in increments of 1,000 miles.
There's also a maximum limit: you can transfer up to 200,000 miles per calendar year to another AAdvantage member.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Transfer American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Ready to transfer your miles? Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Access the American Airlines "Buy, Gift, and Transfer Miles" Page.
First things first, you'll need to head to the dedicated section on American Airlines' website. Open your web browser and navigate to AA.com. Look for the "AAdvantage program" section, and within it, you'll typically find an option for "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles."
Alternatively, a quick search on AA.com for "transfer miles" should lead you directly to the correct page.
Step 2: Log In to Your AAdvantage Account.
Once you're on the "Buy, Gift, and Transfer Miles" page, you'll be prompted to log in with your AAdvantage credentials. This includes your AAdvantage number and password. Ensure you're logging into the account from which you wish to transfer the miles.
Step 3: Select the "Transfer Miles" Option.
After logging in, you'll usually see three main options: "Buy Miles," "Gift Miles," and "Transfer Miles." Click on "Transfer Miles."
Step 4: Enter the Recipient's Information.
This is a critical step! You'll need to provide the following details for the person you're transferring miles to:
Recipient's AAdvantage Number: Make sure this is accurate to avoid any issues.
Recipient's Last Name: This helps verify the account.
Recipient's Email Address: They will likely receive a notification about the transferred miles.
Step 5: Specify the Number of Miles to Transfer.
Now, you'll enter the exact number of miles you wish to transfer. Remember the 1,000-mile increments and the 200,000-mile annual limit. The system should automatically calculate the associated fee as you enter the amount.
Step 6: Review and Confirm the Transfer Details.
Before you finalize anything, take a moment to meticulously review all the information. Double-check the recipient's AAdvantage number, the number of miles, and most importantly, the total cost of the transfer. American Airlines will clearly display the fee.
Step 7: Provide Payment Information.
You'll need a valid credit or debit card to pay the transfer fee. Enter your payment details as prompted.
Step 8: Complete the Transaction.
Once you've confirmed everything and entered your payment information, click to complete the transaction. You should receive a confirmation email from American Airlines shortly after, detailing your transfer. The miles should reflect in the recipient's account within a short period, typically immediately or within a few hours.
Important Considerations When Transferring Miles
While transferring miles can be convenient, it's essential to consider these factors:
Is it Worth the Cost?
The 0.5 cents per mile fee can add up quickly. Always evaluate if the value of the award you're trying to book with the combined miles outweighs the cost of the transfer. Often, buying miles outright during a promotion or simply booking the award ticket for the other person from your own account (if possible) might be more cost-effective.
For example, if you transfer 10,000 miles for $50, are those 10,000 miles going to unlock a flight that's worth significantly more than $50? If not, it might not be the best use of your funds.
Alternatives to Transferring Miles:
Book an Award Ticket for Someone Else: This is often the best and most cost-effective alternative. If you have enough miles in your own account, you can simply book a flight for another person directly from your AAdvantage account without incurring any transfer fees. American Airlines allows you to redeem miles for anyone.
Consider Buying Miles: American Airlines frequently runs promotions where you can buy miles at a discounted rate. Sometimes, buying the additional miles needed might be cheaper than transferring them, especially if you need a large quantity.
Credit Card Point Transfers: If you have transferable points from a credit card (like American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, or Citi ThankYou Rewards), check if they partner with American Airlines or a oneworld alliance airline. Transferring credit card points to your AAdvantage account (or a partner airline's program) is often a better value than transferring AAdvantage miles between accounts.
Family Pooling (Not for American Airlines, but a concept to know): While American Airlines doesn't offer a direct "family pooling" option for AAdvantage miles, some other airlines do (e.g., JetBlue, British Airways Avios). This allows family members to combine their miles for free. Keep this in mind for other loyalty programs.
Mileage Expiration:
Transferred miles typically follow the same expiration rules as regular AAdvantage miles. Currently, AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. This means you need to have some earning or redeeming activity in your account at least once every two years to keep your miles from expiring. A mileage transfer counts as activity and can reset the expiration clock for the recipient.
Taxes and Fees on Award Tickets:
Remember that even when you use miles for an award ticket, you'll still be responsible for paying taxes and carrier-imposed fees. These fees vary by itinerary. The cost of transferring miles is separate from any taxes and fees associated with the actual award flight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about American Airlines Mile Transfers
Here are 10 common questions related to transferring American Airlines miles, with quick answers:
How to transfer American Airlines miles to another person? You can transfer AAdvantage miles online through the "Buy, Gift, or Transfer Miles" section on AA.com by logging into your account and providing the recipient's AAdvantage number and details.
How to calculate the cost of transferring American Airlines miles? The cost is $5 per 1,000 miles transferred, or 0.5 cents per mile. Multiply the number of thousands of miles you want to transfer by $5.
How to avoid fees when transferring American Airlines miles? The most effective way to avoid transfer fees is to book the award ticket directly from your own AAdvantage account for the person you intend to share miles with, rather than transferring the miles to their account.
How to know if transferring American Airlines miles is worth it? It's worth it if the value of the award flight or redemption you can achieve by combining the miles significantly outweighs the transfer fees incurred. Calculate the value you're getting from the award flight versus the transfer cost.
How to transfer American Airlines miles to another airline program? You cannot directly transfer American Airlines AAdvantage miles to another airline's loyalty program. However, you can use your AAdvantage miles to book flights on American's oneworld alliance partners.
How to transfer a small number of American Airlines miles? The minimum transfer increment is 1,000 miles. You cannot transfer fewer than 1,000 miles.
How to ensure a successful American Airlines mile transfer? Double-check the recipient's AAdvantage number and name before confirming the transaction. Ensure you have sufficient funds on your payment method for the transfer fee.
How to confirm a completed American Airlines mile transfer? You should receive an email confirmation from American Airlines after the transfer is processed. The recipient's AAdvantage account balance should also update, typically within a few hours.
How to transfer American Airlines miles for a gift? You can use the "Gift Miles" option on AA.com, which functions similarly to transferring, allowing you to purchase and send miles to another AAdvantage member, subject to the same fees.
How to use American Airlines miles to book for family members without transferring? Log in to your AAdvantage account on AA.com, search for award flights, and during the booking process, you can add passengers to the reservation using your miles without needing to transfer them to their individual accounts.
