If you’ve been diligently collecting AAdvantage miles, you may suddenly wonder: “Wait… when do American Airlines miles expire?” Good news — you’re asking the right question before finding out the hard way!
Miles are a valuable currency in the world of travel, and just like milk, they come with an expiration date if left untouched. But don’t worry — with a little knowledge (and a few easy tips), you can keep your American Airlines miles from expiring and enjoy your rewards for years to come. Here’s a complete guide on when American Airlines miles expire, how to prevent expiration, and what to do if your miles have already taken an unplanned “vacation.”
American Airlines AAdvantage Miles Expiration Rules
Let’s start with the basics question when do American Airlines miles expire? The answer is straightforward: AAdvantage miles expire after 24 months of account inactivity.
“Inactivity” sounds harsh, but it simply means you haven’t earned or redeemed any miles during that period. The bright side? You don’t have to book a flight to keep your miles alive — almost any qualifying activity resets your expiration clock for another 24 months.
Members under the age of 21 are exempt from expiration rules until they hit their 21st birthday. (Lucky them — imagine getting a reward just for turning older!)
Compared to some airlines, American’s 24-month policy is pretty generous (Spirit Airlines gives you 12 months, and Frontier only 6). But compared to programs like Delta SkyMiles or Alaska Mileage Plan (where miles never expire), 24 months can seem like a ticking clock.
What Counts as a Qualifying Activity
Fortunately, you don’t need to book an expensive vacation every two years just to save your miles. Here’s what counts:
Earning Miles:
- Flying with American Airlines or its Oneworld partners.
- Hotel stays booked through AAdvantage Hotels or partners like Hyatt, Marriott, and IHG.
- Car rentals with Avis or Budget.
- Shopping online through the AAdvantage eShopping portal.
- Dining out via AAdvantage Dining (yes, even your guilty pleasure pizza counts).
- Partner programs: Fuel Rewards at Shell, surveys through Miles for Opinions, and more.
Redeeming Miles:
- Booking a flight (even one-way awards starting at 7,500 miles).
- Reserving hotels or rental cars.
- Upgrading seats on American Airlines and partners like Iberia or British Airways.
- Purchasing a one-day Admirals Club lounge pass (because snacks somehow taste better in a lounge).
Other Ways:
- Buying, gifting, or transferring miles.
- Donating miles to charitable causes through American’s Miles for Good programs.
- Transferring points from Marriott Bonvoy (although the transfer rate isn’t the best deal, it works in a pinch).
In short, if it earns or spends miles, it keeps your account active.
How Credit Cards Can Help Protect Your Miles
Here’s a professional travel hack (no secret handshake required):
If you have an AAdvantage credit card, your miles don’t expire.
As long as your credit card account remains open and in good standing, you don’t have to worry about tracking mileage expiration.
Popular options include:
- American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
If you cancel your card, your expiration clock starts ticking again — your miles will expire either 4 months from card closure or 24 months from your last qualifying activity (whichever gives you more time).
How to Quickly Earn Miles if Expiration Is Near
If you realize your 24-month window is closing fast, don’t panic.
Here’s how to quickly breathe life back into your account:
- Apply for an AAdvantage credit card (easy if you qualify).
- Book a flight, even a cheap one, just to earn miles.
- Reserve a hotel stay through American Airlines Hotels.
- Buy something small through the AAdvantage eShopping portal (think socks, not a Tesla).
- Eat at a participating restaurant using AAdvantage Dining.
- Donate miles to one of American’s charitable partners.
You don’t need a grand gesture. A small qualifying action — even earning 1 mile — can extend your miles for another 24 months.
What Happens If Your Miles Expire?
If you missed the window (hey, life happens), it’s not the end of the road.
You can reactivate expired miles within 24 months of their expiration — but you’ll need to pay a reactivation fee. The cost depends on how many miles you want back, but it generally starts around $60 for 5,000 miles and scales upward. You can reactivate online through your AAdvantage account or by calling customer service. However, keep in mind that reactivated miles won’t count toward earning elite status.
When Can American Airlines Close Your AAdvantage Account?
Just because your miles expire doesn’t mean your account automatically vanishes.
American Airlines will only consider closing your account if:
- You have zero miles,
- You’ve been inactive for 36 months,
- You don’t have an active AAdvantage credit card,
- You lack lifetime benefits like Million Miler or Lifetime AirPass.
If you meet even one positive condition (like having a credit card or elite benefits), your account stays alive and ready for action.
Quick Tips to Keep Your Miles Safe
- Set calendar reminders 18–20 months after your last activity.
- Do a small transaction (shop, dine, book) once a year just to be safe.
- Hold a co-branded credit card if it fits your travel lifestyle.
- Track your activity every few months to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Stay in Control of Your Miles
American Airlines’ 24-month expiration window gives travelers flexibility — but only if you stay a little proactive. The good news? There are dozens of ways to reset the clock without boarding a plane. Whether it’s shopping online, dining out, or simply getting a co-branded credit card, protecting your AAdvantage miles is easier than ever. A little action now saves a lot of disappointment later!
How We Can Help You
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