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American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the United States, serving millions of passengers every year. It offers various rewards and loyalty programs to its customers, including loyalty points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other perks. However, a common question that often arises is whether these loyalty points expire or not.
If you are an American Airlines customer, you may be wondering if your loyalty points have an expiry date. In this article, we will explore the policies and rules regarding American Airlines loyalty points and help you understand whether you need to worry about losing your hard-earned rewards. So, let’s dive in and find out if American Airlines loyalty points expire or not.
Contents
- Do American Airlines Loyalty Points Expire?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are American Airlines loyalty points?
- How long do American Airlines loyalty points last?
- Can American Airlines loyalty points be transferred?
- What happens to American Airlines loyalty points if a customer cancels a flight?
- What other benefits are included with American Airlines loyalty programs?
- Why I’m not a fan of American Airlines’ new Loyalty Points program
- How Many Aircraft Does American Airlines Have?
- Is American Airlines Business Class Worth It?
- Can You Have 2 Carry Ons For American Airlines?
Do American Airlines Loyalty Points Expire?
American Airlines loyalty program, AAdvantage, is one of the most popular loyalty programs in the world, with millions of members. The program offers a variety of ways to earn points, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. But the question on every member’s mind is, do American Airlines loyalty points expire? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide you with all the information you need to know about the AAdvantage program.
Overview of American Airlines AAdvantage Program
American Airlines AAdvantage program is designed to reward loyal customers with exclusive benefits and perks. Members can earn points by flying with American Airlines, its partners, or using a co-branded credit card. Points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotels, and other travel-related expenses.
Earning Points
Members can earn points by booking flights with American Airlines, its partners, or using a co-branded credit card. Points can also be earned by booking hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses through American Airlines’ partners. Members earn points based on the distance flown and the fare class purchased.
Redeeming Points
Points can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotels, and other travel-related expenses. Members can also use their points to purchase merchandise, gift cards, and other non-travel-related items. The number of points required for redemption varies based on the type of reward and the destination.
Do American Airlines Loyalty Points Expire?
The short answer is yes, American Airlines loyalty points expire. However, the expiration policy has changed over the years, and it’s essential to understand the current policy to ensure you don’t lose your hard-earned points.
Current Expiration Policy
As of January 1, 2021, American Airlines’ loyalty points expire after 18 months of account inactivity. Account inactivity is defined as not earning or redeeming points during the 18-month period. If you have any activity in your account, such as earning or redeeming points, your points’ expiration date will be extended by 18 months from the last activity date.
Exceptions to the Expiration Policy
There are a few exceptions to the expiration policy. Members with elite status, such as Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum, have their points’ expiration date extended by 12 months. Additionally, members under 21 years of age do not have their points expire.
Benefits of American Airlines AAdvantage Program
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program offers several benefits to its members, including:
Free Flights and Upgrades
Members can redeem their points for flights and upgrades, allowing them to travel more for less.
Lounge Access
Elite members and those with co-branded credit cards can access American Airlines’ lounges, offering a comfortable and relaxing airport experience.
Premium Boarding and Baggage Handling
Members with elite status receive priority boarding and baggage handling, making the airport experience more efficient.
Partner Benefits
Members can earn and redeem points with American Airlines’ partners, including hotels, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
American Airlines AAdvantage Program vs. Competitors
The AAdvantage program is one of the most popular loyalty programs in the world, but how does it compare to its competitors?
Delta SkyMiles
Delta’s SkyMiles program offers similar benefits to American Airlines’ AAdvantage program, including free flights, upgrades, and partner benefits. However, Delta’s expiration policy is more lenient, with points expiring after 24 months of account inactivity.
United MileagePlus
United’s MileagePlus program offers similar benefits to American Airlines’ AAdvantage program, including free flights, upgrades, and partner benefits. However, United’s expiration policy is more restrictive, with points expiring after 18 months of account inactivity.
Conclusion
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is a popular loyalty program with millions of members worldwide. While loyalty points do expire, the current policy is lenient compared to its competitors. Members can earn and redeem points for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses, making the AAdvantage program a great option for frequent travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are American Airlines loyalty points?
American Airlines loyalty points are a type of reward that customers can earn through the American Airlines loyalty program. These points can be redeemed for a variety of benefits, including free flights, upgrades, and other perks.
Customers can earn American Airlines loyalty points by booking flights with American Airlines or its partners, as well as by using American Airlines credit cards and participating in other promotions and offers.
How long do American Airlines loyalty points last?
American Airlines loyalty points do expire, but the exact length of time before they expire depends on the customer’s loyalty status and the specific terms of their account. Generally, lower-tier members may see their points expire after 18 months of inactivity, while higher-tier members may have more time before their points expire.
It’s important for customers to keep track of their points and ensure they are using them before they expire. Some customers may be able to extend the life of their points through certain activities, such as making a purchase with an American Airlines credit card.
Can American Airlines loyalty points be transferred?
Yes, American Airlines loyalty points can be transferred to another member’s account, but there are some restrictions and fees associated with this process. Customers can transfer up to 150,000 points per year, with a fee of $12.50 per 1,000 points transferred.
It’s important for customers to carefully consider the risks and benefits of transferring points, as well as the fees involved, before initiating a transfer.
What happens to American Airlines loyalty points if a customer cancels a flight?
If a customer cancels a flight that they booked using American Airlines loyalty points, the points will be returned to their account. However, the exact process and timeline for this refund may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the cancellation.
It’s important for customers to review the terms and conditions of their loyalty program and flight booking to understand the rules around cancellations and refunds.
What other benefits are included with American Airlines loyalty programs?
American Airlines loyalty programs offer a variety of benefits beyond just earning and redeeming points. These benefits may include priority boarding, access to exclusive lounges and clubs, free checked bags, and more.
Customers can review the specific benefits available to them based on their loyalty status and program membership, and can also explore other ways to earn and use points for maximum value.
Why I’m not a fan of American Airlines’ new Loyalty Points program
In conclusion, American Airlines loyalty points do expire, but the time frame varies depending on the program and the account activity. It is important for members to stay active in the program by earning or redeeming points regularly to avoid losing them. American Airlines also offers options for extending the expiration date of points, such as purchasing or transferring points, or using a co-branded credit card.
Overall, American Airlines loyalty program can be a great way to earn and redeem rewards for frequent flyers. By understanding the expiration policies and taking advantage of the various ways to keep points active, members can maximize their benefits and enjoy the perks of the program. So, start earning your points, redeeming them for travel and other rewards, and enjoy the benefits of being a loyal American Airlines customer.
