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Are you an American Airlines frequent flyer with miles that are about to expire? Don’t let those hard-earned miles go to waste! There are plenty of ways to use them before they expire, from booking flights to upgrading your travel experience. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best options for what to do with expiring American Airlines miles. So, buckle up and let’s get started!
Contents
- What to Do With Expiring American Airlines Miles?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are American Airlines Miles?
- What are the options to keep my American Airlines Miles from expiring?
- Can I extend the expiration date of my American Airlines Miles?
- What are the best ways to redeem my American Airlines Miles?
- What should I do if my American Airlines Miles have already expired?
- What Is United Airlines Slogan?
- The Top 5 Destinations To Explore With United Airlines
- What Are United Regional Airlines?
What to Do With Expiring American Airlines Miles?
If you’re a frequent flyer, you understand the importance of airline miles. They can help you save money on flights, upgrade to first class, and even pay for hotel stays. However, if you’re not careful, your miles could expire before you even get a chance to use them. American Airlines miles have an expiration date of 18 months from the last activity on your account. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best ways to use your expiring American Airlines miles before they disappear.
1. Book a Flight
The most obvious way to use your expiring American Airlines miles is to book a flight. You can use your miles to book a one-way or round-trip ticket, and you can mix and match miles with cash to pay for your ticket. American Airlines’ award chart varies based on the destination and time of year, so make sure to do your research before booking. You can also use your miles to upgrade your seat or book a flight for someone else.
If you’re having trouble finding award availability, consider using American Airlines’ partner airlines. American Airlines is part of the Oneworld alliance, which includes airlines such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. You can use your American Airlines miles to book flights on these airlines, which can be a great way to find award availability to popular destinations.
2. Redeem for Gift Cards
If you don’t have any upcoming travel plans or can’t find award availability, consider redeeming your American Airlines miles for gift cards. American Airlines offers gift cards to a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Starbucks. You can also use your miles to purchase American Airlines gift cards, which can be used to book flights or pay for in-flight purchases.
Keep in mind that the value of your miles may be lower when redeeming for gift cards compared to booking a flight. Make sure to compare the value of your miles to the cost of the gift card before redeeming.
3. Donate to Charity
Another way to use your expiring American Airlines miles is to donate them to charity. American Airlines partners with several charities, including the American Red Cross and Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can donate as little as 1,000 miles, and American Airlines will match a portion of your donation.
Not only will you be helping a good cause, but you’ll also be extending the life of your miles. When you donate your miles, they won’t expire as long as you continue to donate at least 1,000 miles every 18 months.
4. Book a Hotel Stay
If you’re planning a vacation but don’t need to book a flight, consider using your American Airlines miles to book a hotel stay. American Airlines partners with several hotel chains, including Hilton, Marriott, and InterContinental Hotels Group. You can use your miles to book a room or upgrade your existing reservation.
Make sure to compare the value of your miles to the cost of the hotel stay before booking. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to book directly through the hotel or use a travel rewards credit card.
5. Rent a Car
If you need to rent a car for an upcoming trip, consider using your American Airlines miles to book a rental car. American Airlines partners with several car rental companies, including Avis, Budget, and Hertz. You can use your miles to book a car or upgrade your existing reservation.
Make sure to compare the value of your miles to the cost of the rental car before booking. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to book through a third-party website or use a travel rewards credit card.
6. Shop with Miles
American Airlines offers a shopping portal where you can use your miles to purchase merchandise from retailers such as Apple, Nike, and Sephora. You can also earn additional miles for every dollar you spend.
While this can be a fun way to use your miles, keep in mind that the value of your miles may be lower compared to booking a flight or hotel stay. Make sure to compare the value of your miles to the cost of the merchandise before making a purchase.
7. Transfer Miles to Another Account
If you have a friend or family member who needs American Airlines miles, consider transferring your miles to their account. American Airlines allows you to transfer miles for a fee of $12.50 per 1,000 miles. You can transfer as few as 1,000 miles or as many as 150,000 miles per calendar year.
Keep in mind that once you transfer your miles, you won’t be able to use them yourself. Make sure to consider your own travel plans before transferring your miles.
8. Buy or Gift Miles
If you’re just short of the miles you need for a flight or other redemption, consider buying or gifting miles. American Airlines allows you to buy up to 150,000 miles per calendar year, and you can gift up to 150,000 miles per calendar year to another account.
However, buying or gifting miles can be expensive, and the value of your miles may be lower compared to other redemptions. Make sure to compare the cost of buying or gifting miles to the cost of the redemption before making a purchase.
9. Use a Co-Branded Credit Card
If you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer, consider using a co-branded credit card to earn miles on your everyday purchases. American Airlines partners with several credit card issuers, including Citi and Barclays, to offer co-branded credit cards.
These cards offer sign-up bonuses, earn rates on everyday purchases, and other perks such as free checked bags and priority boarding. Make sure to compare the benefits and fees of each card before applying.
10. Keep Your Account Active
Finally, one of the best ways to avoid losing your American Airlines miles is to keep your account active. You can do this by earning or redeeming miles at least once every 18 months. This can be as simple as making a purchase through the American Airlines shopping portal or using a co-branded credit card.
If you’re not sure when your miles will expire, log in to your American Airlines account and check your account summary. You’ll see the expiration date for your miles and a list of activities that count as account activity.
In conclusion, there are several ways to use your expiring American Airlines miles before they disappear. From booking a flight to donating to charity, make sure to explore all of your options to get the most value out of your miles. With a little planning, you can turn your expiring miles into a memorable vacation or a good deed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are American Airlines Miles?
American Airlines Miles are a form of loyalty program offered by American Airlines to its frequent flyers. These miles can be earned by flying with American Airlines or through various credit card rewards programs. Once earned, these miles can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits.
American Airlines Miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. This means that if you do not earn or redeem miles within 18 months, your miles will expire and you will lose them. Therefore, it is important to keep track of your miles and use them before they expire.
What are the options to keep my American Airlines Miles from expiring?
There are several ways to keep your American Airlines Miles from expiring. The easiest way is to earn or redeem miles within 18 months of your last activity. This can be done by taking a flight with American Airlines, using an American Airlines credit card, or using the miles to book a hotel stay or car rental.
Another way to keep your miles from expiring is to donate them to a charity. American Airlines has partnered with several charities that accept mile donations, including the American Red Cross and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Can I extend the expiration date of my American Airlines Miles?
Yes, you can extend the expiration date of your American Airlines Miles by purchasing or gifting miles. When you purchase or gift miles, your account will show activity and your miles will be extended for another 18 months.
Another way to extend the expiration date of your miles is to use the American Airlines AAdvantage Dining program. This program rewards you with miles when you dine at participating restaurants and your miles will be credited to your account, extending the expiration date.
What are the best ways to redeem my American Airlines Miles?
The best way to redeem your American Airlines Miles is to use them for flights. American Airlines has several partners and routes that you can use your miles for, including international flights. You can also use your miles to upgrade your seat or to book a hotel stay or car rental.
Another great way to redeem your miles is to use them for merchandise or gift cards. American Airlines has a shopping portal where you can use your miles to purchase items from various retailers, including Apple, Bose, and Nike.
What should I do if my American Airlines Miles have already expired?
If your American Airlines Miles have already expired, you may still be able to reinstate them by paying a fee. The fee varies depending on the number of miles you want to reinstate, but it is usually around $200 for up to 50,000 miles.
To reinstate your miles, you will need to contact American Airlines customer service and request the reinstatement. Keep in mind that reinstatement is not guaranteed and you may not be able to get all of your expired miles back. Therefore, it is important to keep track of your miles and use them before they expire.
In conclusion, if you have expiring American Airlines miles, there are several options available to you. First, consider using them to book a flight, upgrade your seat, or purchase a vacation package. Second, you can donate your miles to a charitable organization or a friend in need. Lastly, you can extend the expiration date of your miles by using your American Airlines credit card or purchasing additional miles.
It’s important to keep track of the expiration date of your miles and plan ahead to avoid losing them. Don’t wait until the last minute to redeem your miles, as availability may be limited. Consider setting a reminder or using the American Airlines app to stay on top of your miles.
Remember, American Airlines miles can be valuable and provide great travel benefits. Don’t let them go to waste, explore your options and make the most out of your miles before they expire. Happy travels!
