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Are you an American Airlines frequent flyer with dormant miles? It can be frustrating to see your accumulated rewards go to waste. However, there are ways to reactivate your miles and make the most out of your loyalty program. In this article, we will discuss the various options available to reactivate your American Airlines miles and how to choose the best one for your needs.
Reactivate Your American Airlines Miles: A Step-by-Step Guide
Contents
- 1. Understand the American Airlines Mileage Expiration Policy
- 2. Check Your Mileage Expiration Date
- 3. Purchase or Transfer Miles
- 4. Book a Flight or Make a Purchase Through the AAdvantage Shopping Portal
- 5. Use Your American Airlines Credit Card
- 6. Donate Miles to a Charitable Organization
- 7. Reactivate Expired Miles
- 8. Benefits of Reactivating Your American Airlines Miles
- 9. American Airlines Miles vs. Other Airline Miles
- 10. Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What does it mean to reactivate American Airlines miles?
- How can I earn or redeem miles to reactivate my account?
- Can I reactivate my miles for free?
- How long does it take to reactivate my miles?
- What happens if I can’t reactivate my miles?
- Don’t buy American AAdvantage miles. Do this instead!
- How Many Aircraft Does American Airlines Have?
- Is American Airlines Business Class Worth It?
- Can You Have 2 Carry Ons For American Airlines?
1. Understand the American Airlines Mileage Expiration Policy
It is important to know that American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. This means that if you have not earned or redeemed miles within that time frame, your account will become inactive and your miles will expire. However, there are several ways to keep your miles from expiring.
You can earn miles by flying with American Airlines or one of its partners, using an American Airlines credit card, or making purchases through the AAdvantage shopping portal. You can also redeem miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
2. Check Your Mileage Expiration Date
The first step in reactivating your American Airlines miles is to check your mileage expiration date. You can do this by logging into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website and clicking on the “Your account” tab. Your mileage expiration date will be displayed on the right-hand side of the page.
If your miles have already expired, you may still be able to reactivate them by following the steps below.
3. Purchase or Transfer Miles
If you need to extend the life of your miles, you can purchase or transfer miles. American Airlines allows you to purchase up to 150,000 miles per calendar year, and you can transfer up to 200,000 miles per calendar year. The cost of purchasing or transferring miles varies depending on the number of miles and the current promotions.
Keep in mind that purchasing or transferring miles may not be the most cost-effective option, especially if you only need to reactivate a small number of miles. It is important to do the math and compare the cost of purchasing or transferring miles to the cost of booking a flight or making a purchase through the AAdvantage shopping portal.
4. Book a Flight or Make a Purchase Through the AAdvantage Shopping Portal
Another way to keep your miles from expiring is to book a flight or make a purchase through the AAdvantage shopping portal. This will not only extend the life of your miles but also earn you additional miles.
The AAdvantage shopping portal offers a wide variety of retailers, including popular stores like Amazon, Apple, and Walmart. You can earn miles by making purchases through the portal, and the number of miles you earn varies depending on the retailer and the current promotions.
5. Use Your American Airlines Credit Card
If you have an American Airlines credit card, you can use it to earn miles and keep your account active. You can earn miles on all purchases, and some cards offer additional benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding.
Keep in mind that some American Airlines credit cards have annual fees, so it is important to weigh the benefits against the cost of the card.
6. Donate Miles to a Charitable Organization
If you have a small number of miles that are about to expire, you can donate them to a charitable organization. American Airlines allows you to donate miles to several organizations, including the American Red Cross and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Donating miles not only extends the life of your miles but also helps support a good cause.
7. Reactivate Expired Miles
If your miles have already expired, you may still be able to reactivate them. American Airlines charges a fee to reactivate expired miles, and the fee varies depending on the number of miles and the current promotions.
To reactivate your expired miles, log into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website and click on the “Reactivate Miles” link. Follow the instructions to complete the reactivation process.
8. Benefits of Reactivating Your American Airlines Miles
- Save money on future flights and travel-related expenses
- Earn additional miles on flights, purchases, and donations
- Keep your AAdvantage account active and avoid losing your miles
9. American Airlines Miles vs. Other Airline Miles
| American Airlines Miles | Delta SkyMiles | United MileagePlus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expiration Policy | 18 months of inactivity | No expiration date | No expiration date |
| Redemption Options | Flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses | Flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses | Flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses |
| Partners | OneWorld Alliance partners | SkyTeam Alliance partners | Star Alliance partners |
| Elite Status | AAdvantage Elite Status | Delta Medallion Status | United Premier Status |
10. Conclusion
Reactivating your American Airlines miles is easy and can save you money on future flights and travel-related expenses. Whether you choose to purchase or transfer miles, book a flight or make a purchase through the AAdvantage shopping portal, use your American Airlines credit card, donate miles to a charitable organization, or reactivate expired miles, there are several ways to keep your AAdvantage account active and avoid losing your miles.
By understanding the American Airlines mileage expiration policy and taking advantage of the various ways to earn and redeem miles, you can make the most of your AAdvantage membership and enjoy the benefits of being a loyal American Airlines customer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about reactivating American Airlines miles.
What does it mean to reactivate American Airlines miles?
Reactivating American Airlines miles means that you are restoring expired miles to your account, which can then be used towards future flights or other rewards. Miles typically expire after 18 months of account inactivity, but can be reactivated if certain conditions are met.
To reactivate your miles, you typically need to earn or redeem miles through American Airlines or one of its partners. Alternatively, you can pay a reactivation fee to restore your expired miles.
How can I earn or redeem miles to reactivate my account?
To earn or redeem miles to reactivate your account, you can take a flight on American Airlines or one of its partner airlines, use your American Airlines credit card for purchases, or earn miles through one of the airline’s many partners. You can also redeem miles for travel, hotel stays, rental cars, and other rewards to keep your account active.
If you don’t have enough miles to redeem for a reward, you can purchase additional miles through American Airlines to keep your account active. This can also be a good option if you need to top off your account to reach a certain reward level.
Can I reactivate my miles for free?
In some cases, you may be able to reactivate your miles for free by taking a flight on American Airlines or one of its partners. If you have enough miles to redeem for a flight, this can be a good way to keep your account active without paying a reactivation fee.
However, if you don’t plan on traveling soon or don’t have enough miles to redeem for a flight, you will likely need to pay a reactivation fee to restore your expired miles. The fee varies depending on the number of miles you want to reactivate, but can range from $20 to $200 or more.
How long does it take to reactivate my miles?
The time it takes to reactivate your miles can vary depending on how you choose to do it. If you earn or redeem miles through American Airlines or one of its partners, your miles should be credited to your account within a few days or weeks.
If you choose to pay a reactivation fee, your miles should be restored within 24-48 hours of payment. However, it’s always best to check with American Airlines directly to get the most up-to-date information on the reactivation process and timeline.
What happens if I can’t reactivate my miles?
If you are unable to reactivate your miles, you may need to start earning miles from scratch by taking flights, using your credit card, or earning miles through partners. While this can be frustrating, it’s important to keep your account active by earning or redeeming miles regularly to avoid expiration in the future.
You can also consider signing up for American Airlines’ loyalty program or taking advantage of promotions and bonuses to earn miles more quickly and keep your account active.
Don’t buy American AAdvantage miles. Do this instead!
In conclusion, reactivating American Airlines miles is a relatively simple process that can be done in just a few steps. By logging into your account and selecting the “Reactivate Miles” option, you can choose the miles you want to reactivate and pay the corresponding fee. It’s important to note that you must reactivate your miles within 18 months of their expiration date in order to use them for future travel.
If you are someone who frequently travels with American Airlines, it’s important to keep track of your miles and their expiration dates. By regularly checking your account and taking advantage of promotions and bonuses, you can maximize your miles and get the most out of your travel rewards.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to reach out to American Airlines customer service if you have any questions or concerns about reactivating your miles. With their help and guidance, you can quickly and easily reactivate your miles and start planning your next adventure.
