Are you an American Airlines frequent flyer who’s looking to reinstate your miles? Perhaps you’ve let them expire or you’re unsure of how to go about reinstating them. Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to get those miles back and get you back in the sky.
American Airlines offers various ways to redeem and earn miles, but if you’re not careful, they can expire. However, don’t fret because it’s possible to reinstate them. So, let’s dive into the process and get you on your way to earning those rewards.
Contents
- How to Reinstate American Airlines Miles?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are American Airlines Miles?
- Why would I need to reinstate my American Airlines Miles?
- How do I know if my American Airlines Miles have expired?
- How can I reinstate my American Airlines Miles?
- Is it possible to reinstate American Airlines Miles for free?
- What Is United Airlines Slogan?
- The Top 5 Destinations To Explore With United Airlines
- What Are United Regional Airlines?
How to Reinstate American Airlines Miles?
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and it offers a rewards program called AAdvantage. Members of the program can earn miles by flying with American Airlines or its partners, as well as by shopping, dining, and using credit cards. These miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. However, if you don’t use your miles for a certain period of time, they may expire. In this article, we’ll explain how to reinstate your American Airlines miles and avoid losing them.
Understanding the Mileage Expiration Policy
American Airlines has a mileage expiration policy that states that if your account is inactive for 18 months, your miles will expire. Inactivity is defined as not earning or redeeming miles. This means that if you haven’t flown with American Airlines or its partners, or used your AAdvantage credit card, or earned miles through other activities, your miles may be at risk of expiring.
To keep your miles from expiring, you need to earn or redeem at least one mile every 18 months. This can be done by taking a flight, shopping with participating retailers, dining at participating restaurants, or using your AAdvantage credit card. If you’re not sure whether your account is active or inactive, you can check your account status on the American Airlines website.
Reinstating Expired Miles
If your miles have already expired, you may still be able to reinstate them. American Airlines allows members to reinstate their expired miles for a fee. The fee is $150 for the first 5,000 miles and $25 for every 1,000 miles thereafter. The maximum fee is $350 per account.
To reinstate your expired miles, you need to call American Airlines’ AAdvantage customer service. You’ll need to provide your AAdvantage number and the number of miles you want to reinstate. You’ll also need to pay the reinstatement fee using a credit card.
Once your miles have been reinstated, they’ll be available for use immediately. You can use them to book flights, upgrade your seat, or redeem them for other rewards.
Alternatives to Reinstating Expired Miles
If you don’t want to pay the reinstatement fee or if your miles have expired for more than 18 months, you may still have options to use your miles. American Airlines allows members to donate their miles to charity, transfer their miles to another AAdvantage member, or use their miles to book a flight for someone else.
Donating your miles to charity is a great way to give back to your community. American Airlines partners with several charities, including the American Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. You can donate your miles online through the American Airlines website.
Transferring your miles to another AAdvantage member can be a good option if you have a friend or family member who needs to top up their account. American Airlines allows members to transfer up to 150,000 miles per year. The cost of transferring miles is $12.50 per 1,000 miles, plus a $30 transaction fee.
Using your miles to book a flight for someone else can also be a generous gesture. American Airlines allows members to book award tickets for anyone, even if they’re not a member of the AAdvantage program. You’ll need to provide the passenger’s name, contact information, and payment details.
Benefits of Using American Airlines Miles
Using your American Airlines miles can offer several benefits. First, you can save money on flights and upgrades. American Airlines offers award flights starting at 7,500 miles one way, and you can use your miles to upgrade your seat or purchase a higher class of service.
Second, you can enjoy exclusive perks as an AAdvantage member. These perks include priority boarding, free checked bags, and access to airport lounges. You can also earn elite status by flying with American Airlines or its partners, which can unlock even more benefits, such as complimentary upgrades and bonus miles.
Finally, you can use your miles to book travel with American Airlines’ partners, such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. This can offer you more options for destinations and flights.
AAdvantage Miles vs. Other Rewards Programs
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is just one of many rewards programs available to travelers. Other airlines, hotels, and credit cards offer their own rewards programs, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
One benefit of AAdvantage is its extensive network of partners, which allows you to earn and redeem miles with a variety of airlines and hotels. Another benefit is the ability to earn elite status, which can offer you even more perks and benefits.
However, AAdvantage does have some drawbacks. The program’s redemption rates can be higher than other programs, and availability can be limited, especially during peak travel periods. Additionally, the reinstatement fee for expired miles can be high compared to other programs.
Ultimately, the best rewards program for you will depend on your travel habits and preferences. It’s important to compare different programs and weigh the pros and cons before deciding which one to join.
Conclusion
Reinstating your American Airlines miles can be a good way to avoid losing them and take advantage of the rewards program’s benefits. If your miles have expired, you can reinstate them for a fee or consider other options, such as donating them to charity or transferring them to another member. Using your miles can offer you savings on flights, exclusive perks, and access to a wide network of partners. By understanding the AAdvantage program and its policies, you can make the most of your miles and enjoy your travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are American Airlines Miles?
American Airlines Miles are a loyalty program offered by American Airlines. These miles can be earned by flying with American Airlines or its partner airlines, or by using American Airlines credit cards or other partner services. Members can redeem their miles for award travel, upgrades, and other exclusive benefits.
Why would I need to reinstate my American Airlines Miles?
If you haven’t used your American Airlines Miles in 18 months or more, they may expire. In this case, you’ll need to reinstate your miles to keep them from disappearing. Additionally, if you cancelled a flight booked with miles, you may need to reinstate those miles to use them again.
How do I know if my American Airlines Miles have expired?
You can check the expiration date of your American Airlines Miles by logging into your account on the American Airlines website or app. If your miles have expired, you’ll see a message indicating that they’re no longer valid.
How can I reinstate my American Airlines Miles?
To reinstate your American Airlines Miles, you’ll need to log into your account and pay a fee. The fee varies depending on the number of miles you need to reinstate and the time elapsed since they expired. Once you’ve paid the fee, your miles will be reinstated and you can use them again.
Is it possible to reinstate American Airlines Miles for free?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to reinstate your American Airlines Miles for free. You’ll need to pay a fee to reinstate your miles, and the amount of the fee depends on how many miles you need to reinstate and how long they’ve been expired. However, if you have elite status with American Airlines, you may be eligible for a reduced fee.
In conclusion, reinstating your American Airlines miles is a straightforward process that can be accomplished with a few simple steps. First, be sure to check the expiration date of your miles and decide whether you want to reinstate them or not. If you choose to reinstate them, make sure you have enough miles in your account to cover the reinstatement fee.
Next, contact American Airlines customer service via phone or email to request the reinstatement of your miles, and be prepared to provide your account information and payment details. Once your request is processed, your miles will be restored to your account, allowing you to use them for future flights and other rewards.
Remember, reinstating your American Airlines miles can be a great way to make the most of your rewards program and enjoy the benefits of free travel. By following these simple steps, you can easily get your miles back and start planning your next adventure today!