Suppose you have a cache of American Airlines AAdvantage miles saved up, perhaps from an incredible international trip. Or maybe you accumulated miles through some sleight-of-hand shopping done through the airline’s online shopping portal. Days and months go by without any sign of having to use the miles, and then it happens: the disturbing question crawls in – when do American Airlines miles expire?
The short answer? Sooner than you might think—unless you stay on top of a few simple rules. But don’t worry. We’ll break down exactly how long your miles last, how to keep them from vanishing, and what to do if you’re just not going to use them in time.
So, When Do American Airlines Miles Expire?
Miles earned by AAdvantage members on American Airlines will expire or be forfeited after an account remains inactive for 24 months. This would mean that you have two long years during which you should not earn or burn a singular mile to have your otherwise thick stack of miles evaporate, much like your old snacks on that languorous red-eye flight.
It might seem generous compared to programs like Spirit Airlines (where miles expire after 12 months) or Frontier (6 months!), but it’s not as forgiving as Delta or JetBlue, where miles never expire.
The key word here is activity. Any qualifying activity—earning or redeeming miles—resets your expiration clock and gives your balance a fresh 24-month life extension.
Exceptions to the Rule: When You’re Safe From Expiration
Wondering if the 24-month rule applies to everyone? Good news: It doesn’t.
Here are the two main exceptions where your miles won’t expire:
Members Under Age 21
If you’re under 21 years old, your miles are protected. They’re basically on vacation until you turn 21, at which point the 24-month clock starts ticking.
AAdvantage Credit Cardholders
If you’re the primary cardholder of an AAdvantage co-branded credit card, your miles are exempt from expiration—as long as your credit card account stays open. Even if you haven’t swiped your card in months, you’re still in the clear. It’s one of the hidden perks of being a cardholder (aside from free checked bags and early boarding, of course).
What Counts as Account Activity?
The best part about keeping your AAdvantage miles active? You don’t have to book a flight. There are plenty of easy, everyday ways to reset your expiration clock without heading to the airport.
Here’s what qualifies as account activity:
- Booking and taking a paid flight with American Airlines or its partners
- Redeeming miles for award travel or upgrades
- Spending on an AAdvantage credit card
- Earning miles through hotel stays, car rentals, or dining partners
- Shopping through the AAdvantage eShopping portal
- Donating miles to charity
- Transferring points from programs like Marriott Bonvoy
- Taking surveys through AA’s survey partners
- Even buying miles (though we recommend only if you need to)
Just one of these actions will extend the life of your miles by another 24 months. Yes, even redeeming 1,000 miles for a magazine subscription or a $10 donation counts. Small effort, big reward.
What Happens If Your Miles Expire?
If your account has been inactive for 24 months, your miles will expire and vanish from your balance. However, all is not lost—you may be able to reinstate them.
American Airlines allows members to reinstate up to 500,000 miles that expired within the last 24 months. But here’s the catch: It’s going to cost you.
The fee depends on how many miles you want to restore. For example:
- 25,000 miles might cost $225
- 50,000 miles? Around $400
- 100,000 miles could run you $700 or more
These fees can add up quickly, and reinstated miles do not count toward elite status. So while this option exists, it’s not the most economical move unless you’re working with a significant number of miles you plan to use soon.
Common Misconceptions (And the Truth)
Let’s debunk a few myths we’ve heard floating around in the frequent flyer world:
“Miles only expire if you don’t fly.”
False. Flying is just one of many ways to stay active. You can shop, dine, or even donate to keep your account alive.
“Closing my credit card doesn’t affect my miles.”
False. Once your AAdvantage card is closed, the exemption disappears. Your miles may expire 4 months after account closure or 24 months from your last activity—whichever is later.
“Redeeming miles doesn’t count as activity.”
False. Redeeming even a small number of miles (on flights, upgrades, or donations) resets your expiration clock.
Easy Ways to Prevent Expiration (Even Without Traveling)
Don’t want to travel just to save your miles? No problem.
Here are some low-effort methods to keep your account active:
- Spend $5 through the AAdvantage eShopping portal
- Use the AAdvantage Dining program
- Make a small donation using your miles
- Complete a quick survey for bonus miles
- Transfer a few hotel points into your account
- Use or open an AAdvantage credit card
It takes less time than scrolling your Instagram feed—and could save you hundreds of dollars in lost rewards.
So, When Do American Airlines Miles Expire?
Let’s recap. When do American Airlines miles expire? After 24 months of inactivity—but you’ve got lots of ways to keep them alive. Whether you’re flying, spending, shopping, or donating, just about any movement in your AAdvantage account will buy you more time.
If you’re under 21 or an AAdvantage cardholder, you’re automatically protected. Everyone else just needs to mark their calendar—or better yet, set a recurring reminder to do something small with their account every year.
Don’t Let Miles Expire—Turn Them into Cash Instead
If your miles are on the verge of expiration and you don’t want to deal with shopping portals or credit cards, we’ve got you covered.
At Cash for My Miles, we help travelers like you sell American Airlines miles before they disappear. Our process is quick, secure, and trusted by thousands. Why risk losing the value of your points when you can turn them into real money—instantly?
