Can You Transfer American Airlines Miles To A Family Member?

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American Airlines miles are a valuable asset for frequent flyers who want to earn and redeem rewards. But what if you want to share the love with your family members? Can you transfer American Airlines miles to your spouse, children, or parents? The short answer is yes, but there are some rules and limitations to keep in mind. In this article, we’ll explore how to transfer American Airlines miles to your loved ones and what you need to know before you do it.

Can You Transfer American Airlines Miles to a Family Member?

Transferring American Airlines Miles to a Family Member

Understanding American Airlines Mileage Transfer Policies

American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, and it offers a loyalty program called AAdvantage. This program rewards frequent flyers with miles that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel perks. However, if you have accumulated a large number of miles and you want to transfer them to a family member, you may wonder if this is possible.

The answer is yes, but there are some restrictions and rules that you should be aware of. First, American Airlines allows members to transfer miles to another person only if they are part of the same household. This means that you must share the same physical address with the family member you want to transfer miles to.

Second, American Airlines charges a fee for transferring miles. The fee is $12.50 per 1,000 miles, with a minimum transfer of 1,000 miles. This means that if you want to transfer 10,000 miles, you will have to pay a fee of $125.

How to Transfer American Airlines Miles to a Family Member

If you meet the eligibility criteria and you want to transfer your American Airlines miles to a family member, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Log in to your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website.
2. Click on “My Account” and then select “Buy, Share, or Gift Miles.”
3. Choose “Transfer Miles” and enter the recipient’s AAdvantage number and last name.
4. Enter the number of miles you want to transfer and confirm the transaction.
5. Pay the transfer fee using a credit card.

Keep in mind that the transfer may take up to 24 hours to be completed, so plan your travel accordingly.

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Benefits of Transferring American Airlines Miles to a Family Member

Transferring American Airlines miles to a family member can be a smart move if you want to help your loved ones travel for free or at a reduced cost. For example, if you have accumulated a large number of miles but you don’t have any immediate travel plans, you can transfer your miles to a family member who needs them for a trip.

This can also be a way to share the benefits of the AAdvantage program with your family members. By transferring your miles, you can help them reach elite status faster, which comes with additional perks such as lounge access, priority boarding, and waived fees.

The Downsides of Transferring American Airlines Miles to a Family Member

While transferring American Airlines miles to a family member can be beneficial, there are also some downsides to consider. First, as mentioned earlier, there is a fee for transferring miles, which can add up if you are transferring a large number of miles.

Second, there is no guarantee that the recipient will use the miles for the intended purpose. Once you transfer the miles, they become the property of the recipient, and they can use them for any purpose they want. This means that if you are transferring miles to help someone pay for a specific trip, you may not have control over how the miles are used.

Alternatives to Transferring American Airlines Miles to a Family Member

If you are hesitant to transfer your American Airlines miles to a family member, there are other ways to help them travel for less. For example, you can book award flights for them using your miles. This way, you can ensure that the miles are used for the intended purpose, and you can avoid paying the transfer fee.

Another option is to book flights using a co-branded credit card that earns American Airlines miles. Many American Airlines credit cards offer bonus miles for signing up, as well as miles for every dollar spent. By adding a family member as an authorized user on your account, you can help them earn miles faster and qualify for travel perks.

Conclusion

Transferring American Airlines miles to a family member can be a convenient way to share your travel rewards and help your loved ones travel for less. However, it’s important to understand the rules and fees involved, as well as the limitations of the transfer process. By weighing the pros and cons and exploring alternative options, you can make an informed decision about how to share your American Airlines miles with your family members.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process for transferring American Airlines miles to a family member?

Unfortunately, American Airlines does not allow the transfer of miles to a family member. The only way to share miles with a family member is by booking an award ticket for them using your miles. However, you can use your miles to purchase a ticket for someone else as long as you are the one making the booking and the ticket is for travel on American Airlines.

If you want to share your miles with family members, you can consider booking award tickets for them using your miles. This can be helpful if you have excess miles and want to use them for someone else’s travel.

Can I transfer American Airlines miles to my spouse?

No, American Airlines does not allow the transfer of miles to a spouse or any other family member. However, you can use your miles to book an award ticket for your spouse or family member as long as you are the one making the booking and the ticket is for travel on American Airlines.

If you want to share your miles with your spouse, you can consider booking an award ticket for them using your miles. This can be helpful if you have excess miles and want to use them for your spouse’s travel.

Can I transfer American Airlines miles to a friend?

No, American Airlines does not allow the transfer of miles to a friend or any other individual. However, you can use your miles to book an award ticket for your friend as long as you are the one making the booking and the ticket is for travel on American Airlines.

If you want to share your miles with a friend, you can consider booking an award ticket for them using your miles. This can be helpful if you have excess miles and want to use them for your friend’s travel.

What are the fees associated with booking award tickets for family members using my American Airlines miles?

The fees associated with booking award tickets for family members using your American Airlines miles depend on the itinerary and the type of award ticket you book. In general, you will have to pay taxes and fees on the ticket, which can range from $5.60 for a domestic one-way ticket to several hundred dollars for an international round-trip ticket.

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You may also have to pay a close-in booking fee if you book the ticket within 21 days of travel, and a redeposit fee if you need to cancel or change the ticket after booking it. These fees can vary depending on your elite status with American Airlines and the type of award ticket you book.

Can I combine my American Airlines miles with my spouse’s miles to book an award ticket?

No, American Airlines does not allow the pooling or combining of miles between accounts. However, you can use your miles to book an award ticket for your spouse as long as you are the one making the booking and the ticket is for travel on American Airlines.

If you want to maximize your miles for a particular trip, you can consider booking separate award tickets for each traveler using their own miles. This can help you use up all your excess miles and get the most value out of your rewards.

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In conclusion, transferring American Airlines miles to a family member is possible, but it comes with some restrictions. You can transfer miles to anyone who is an authorized user on your credit card, or to a spouse or domestic partner. However, there are fees involved, and you can only transfer up to a certain amount each year.

It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits of transferring miles. If you have a large number of miles that you won’t be using, it may make sense to transfer them to a family member who can put them to good use. On the other hand, if you’ll be using your miles soon, it might not be worth paying the transfer fee.

Overall, American Airlines miles can be a valuable asset for families who love to travel. By understanding the rules and limitations around transferring miles, you can make the most of your rewards and share the gift of travel with those closest to you.

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