Thinking about making the leap to American Airlines, whether it's for an upcoming trip or to consolidate your travel points? Excellent choice! American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, offers an extensive global network. But "transferring to American Airlines" can mean a few things. Are you looking to transfer miles, credit card points, or even an existing flight ticket? This comprehensive guide will walk you through each scenario, step-by-step. Let's get started, shall we?
How to Transfer to American Airlines: A Comprehensive Guide
 |
| How To Transfer To American Airlines |
Step 1: Identify What You Want to Transfer - Let's Get Specific!
Before we dive into the how-to, it's crucial to clarify what kind of "transfer" you're aiming for. This will dictate the entire process. Are you:
A. Transferring existing flight credit or an American Airlines ticket to another person?
B. Transferring miles or points into your AAdvantage® account from other loyalty programs or credit cards?
C. Simply looking to book a flight on American Airlines using points from a partner airline or credit card travel portal?
Take a moment to consider which of these best describes your situation, as the steps below will be tailored accordingly.
Step 2: Scenario A: Transferring an American Airlines Ticket or Flight Credit to Another Person - The Personal Touch
This is often the most asked-about and unfortunately, the most restrictive type of "transfer." American Airlines tickets are generally non-transferable and are tied to the individual named on the ticket. However, there are nuances and potential workarounds.
2.1: Understanding the General Policy
American Airlines, like most major airlines, has a strict policy: tickets are issued in the name of the traveler and are not transferable to another person. This is to prevent ticket scalping and to maintain security. You generally cannot change the name on an already issued ticket.
2.2: Potential Exceptions and What to Do
While direct transfers are rare, here's what you might be able to do:
Name Corrections (Minor Errors): If there's a minor spelling mistake on the ticket (e.g., "John Smith" instead of "Jon Smith"), American Airlines may allow a name correction.
Action: Immediately contact American Airlines Reservations. Be prepared to provide identification that matches the correct spelling. They will assess if it's a legitimate correction.
Cancellations and Rebooking: If you no longer plan to use your ticket, and it's a refundable fare, you can cancel it and receive a refund. Then, the new traveler can purchase a new ticket. For non-refundable fares, you'll likely receive a flight credit in your name, which generally cannot be transferred to another person.
Action: Go to "Manage trips" on aa.com or the American Airlines app. You can cancel your trip there. Be aware of any cancellation fees and the type of credit you will receive.
Voluntary Changes (Same Person, Different Flight): If you (the original ticket holder) want to change your flight date, time, or even destination, this is generally possible, though fare differences and change fees may apply (though change fees have largely been eliminated for many fare types).
Action: Log in to your AAdvantage® account or use your confirmation code on aa.com under "Manage trips" to initiate a change.
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
2.3: Important Considerations for Flight Credits
If you cancel a non-refundable flight, you'll often receive a Flight Credit or Trip Credit. These credits are almost always non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger for future travel. Always check the specific terms and conditions of your credit.
Step 3: Scenario B: Transferring Miles or Points into Your AAdvantage® Account - Boosting Your Balance
This is where things get a bit more strategic. While American Airlines AAdvantage® program has fewer direct transfer partners than some other airline loyalty programs, there are still ways to boost your AAdvantage® mile balance.
3.1: Understanding AAdvantage® Transfer Partners
American Airlines AAdvantage® program currently has a limited number of direct transfer partners, primarily from hotel loyalty programs. Notably, major transferable credit card points programs like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards generally do not directly transfer to AAdvantage.
3.2: Hotel Loyalty Program Transfers
Marriott Bonvoy: You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to AAdvantage® miles. The general ratio is 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 AAdvantage® mile. If you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you'll often receive an extra 5,000 bonus miles, effectively making 60,000 Bonvoy points equal to 25,000 AAdvantage® miles.
Action: Log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on their website. Navigate to the "Redeem" or "Transfer Points" section and select American Airlines AAdvantage as your transfer partner. Enter your AAdvantage® number and the amount of points you wish to transfer.
World of Hyatt: You can also transfer World of Hyatt points to AAdvantage® miles. The transfer ratio is generally 1,250 Hyatt points to 500 AAdvantage® miles.
Action: Similar to Marriott, log in to your World of Hyatt account and look for the option to transfer points to airline partners. Select American Airlines.
3.3: Indirect Transfers via oneworld® Alliance Partners
Since American Airlines is part of the oneworld® alliance, you can indirectly use points from other credit card programs to book American Airlines flights by transferring those points to other oneworld® airline partners that do have direct credit card transfer options. Then, you can use those partner miles to book an American Airlines flight. This is a more advanced strategy but can be very effective.
Key Partners with Good Transfer Ratios to American Airlines (via oneworld®):
British Airways Executive Club (Avios): Many credit card programs (like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Bilt Rewards) transfer to British Airways Avios. You can then use Avios to book American Airlines flights.
Iberia Plus (Avios): Similar to British Airways, Iberia is another Avios partner.
Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios): Another Avios partner. You can even transfer Avios between British Airways, Iberia, and Qatar Airways.
Qantas Frequent Flyer: Transfers from some credit card programs are possible.
Etihad Guest: While not a oneworld® member, Etihad has partnerships with some credit card programs and also partners with American Airlines on specific routes.
3.4: Step-by-Step for Indirect Transfers (Example: Chase to British Airways to American Airlines)
Check Credit Card Partner List: Confirm your credit card points program (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards) allows transfers to a oneworld® partner like British Airways Executive Club.
Link Accounts: Ensure your credit card rewards account is linked to your chosen airline loyalty program (e.g., British Airways Executive Club).
Transfer Points: Initiate the transfer from your credit card program to the partner airline's loyalty program (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards to British Airways Avios). Be aware of transfer times, which can vary from instant to several days.
Search for American Airlines Flights on Partner's Website: Once the points are in the partner airline's account (e.g., British Airways Avios), go to their website and search for award flights. When searching, select the option to search for partner airline flights.
Book the Flight: If American Airlines award space is available, you can then book the flight using the miles from the partner airline's program.
QuickTip: Re-reading helps retention.
 |
3.5: Important Note on Transfer Ratios and Value
Always compare the value you're getting. Transferring points directly to AAdvantage® from hotels might not always yield the best value due to unfavorable ratios. Indirect transfers through oneworld® partners often provide better redemption opportunities for American Airlines flights.
Step 4: Scenario C: Booking American Airlines Flights with Credit Card Travel Portals - The Simpler Approach
If you're not looking to transfer points into your AAdvantage® account, but simply want to use your credit card points to pay for an American Airlines flight, using your credit card's travel portal is a straightforward option.
4.1: Accessing Your Credit Card Travel Portal
Most major credit cards with rewards programs (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Travel, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Amex Travel) have their own online travel booking portals.
4.2: Searching for American Airlines Flights
Log In: Access your credit card's rewards portal.
Navigate to Travel: Look for a section like "Travel," "Book Travel," or "Redeem for Travel."
Search for Flights: Enter your desired American Airlines flight details (origin, destination, dates, number of passengers).
Select Flight: The portal will display available flights, including those operated by American Airlines. Select the American Airlines flight that suits your needs.
4.3: Paying with Points
On the payment screen, you'll typically have the option to pay with your points, a combination of points and cash, or entirely with cash. The value of your points (e.g., 1 cent per point, 1.5 cents per point) will depend on your specific credit card.
4.4: Pros and Cons
Pros: Simple, direct, and no need to deal with separate airline loyalty programs. You often get a fixed value for your points.
Cons: May not offer the best "sweet spot" redemptions that you can sometimes find by transferring to airline partners. The value per point is fixed, unlike dynamic award pricing that can sometimes yield higher value.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
Conclusion: Navigating the American Airlines "Transfer" Landscape
Whether you're looking to change the name on a ticket (unlikely), transfer loyalty points to boost your AAdvantage® balance, or simply use your existing points to book an American Airlines flight, understanding the specific rules and options is key. While direct ticket transfers are generally a no-go, and direct points transfers to AAdvantage® are limited, strategic use of oneworld® partners and credit card travel portals can open up a world of possibilities for your American Airlines travel. Always double-check the latest terms and conditions with both your points provider and American Airlines, as policies can change!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to transfer miles to American Airlines from credit cards?
Generally, you cannot directly transfer points from major credit card programs like American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards directly to American Airlines AAdvantage. However, you can transfer them to American Airlines' oneworld® alliance partners (like British Airways, Iberia, or Qatar Airways) and then use those partner miles to book American Airlines flights.
How to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines?
To transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to American Airlines AAdvantage, log in to your Marriott Bonvoy account on their website. Navigate to the "Redeem" or "Transfer Points" section, select American Airlines AAdvantage, enter your AAdvantage® number, and choose the number of points to transfer. The ratio is typically 3 Marriott Bonvoy points to 1 AAdvantage® mile, with a bonus for larger transfers.
How to transfer World of Hyatt points to American Airlines?
You can transfer World of Hyatt points to American Airlines AAdvantage by logging into your World of Hyatt account and finding the option to convert points to airline miles. The transfer ratio is generally 1,250 Hyatt points to 500 AAdvantage® miles.
How to transfer an American Airlines flight credit to someone else?
Generally, American Airlines flight credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger. There are very few exceptions, and typically a name change on an existing flight credit is not permitted.
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
How to change the name on an American Airlines ticket?
You typically cannot change the name on an American Airlines ticket to transfer it to a different person. Minor name corrections (e.g., spelling errors) may be possible by contacting American Airlines customer service directly, provided you can prove it's the same person.
How to book an American Airlines flight using British Airways Avios?
First, ensure you have British Airways Avios (e.g., by transferring from a credit card partner like Chase Ultimate Rewards). Then, go to the British Airways Executive Club website, log in, and search for award flights. When searching, select the option to include partner airlines. If American Airlines award space is available, you can book it using your Avios.
How to use American Airlines flight credit for a new booking?
To use an American Airlines flight credit, go to "Manage trips / Check-in" on aa.com or the American app, select "View travel credits," and enter your last name and the confirmation code or 13-digit credit/ticket number. When ready to book a new flight, apply the credit on the payment screen.
How to transfer American Airlines miles to another AAdvantage account?
American Airlines AAdvantage program generally does not allow direct transfers of miles between individual AAdvantage accounts, except in very specific, limited circumstances (e.g., during certain promotions, which may incur fees). Miles are usually intended for the individual earning them.
How to confirm if a flight is eligible for transfer or change on American Airlines?
You can check if your flight is eligible for changes or if any fare differences apply by logging into your AAdvantage® account or using your confirmation code on aa.com under the "Manage trips" section. The website will guide you through available options.
How to get compensation if I'm involuntarily bumped from an American Airlines flight?
If you are involuntarily denied boarding (bumped) from an oversold American Airlines flight, you may be entitled to compensation based on Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. The airline must offer volunteers first, and if not enough, they will select passengers based on their criteria. You should receive a written statement detailing your rights and compensation.
 |
