Do AAdvantage Miles Expire?

American Airlines AAdvantage miles expire after 18 months of inactivity. Fortunately, the expiration date resets when you earn or redeem miles. Here are some ways you can keep your AAdvantage miles from expiring: 

Use a Co-branded credit card

Using a co-branded credit card for everyday spending to earn AAdvantage miles is an easy way to prevent miles from expiring. Not only that, but you can receive welcome bonuses, bonus miles for specific categories, and various perks like a free checked bag when you use a qualifying card. Some co-branded credit cards include:  

• Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite^™ Mastercard^®
• CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®
• Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite^™ Mastercard^®
• American Airlines AAdvantage MileUpâ„  Card

Dine out 

The American Airlines dining program allows you to earn miles for every dollar you spend at participating restaurants. With over 10,000 dining partners, you’re likely to find a restaurant near you. This is another simple way to earn miles for everyday activities while keeping your miles from expiring. 

Shop online 

Most airline frequent flyer programs offer an online shopping portal. Just log into the American Airlines AAdvantage portal, search for your desired online merchant, and click through their online store. You’ll earn a set number of miles per dollar at that merchant and another 18 months before your AAdvantage miles expire. 

Fly with American Airlines or a partner airline

Whether you’re flying with American Airlines or an American partner airline such as those in the Oneworld program, you’ll earn AAdvantage miles. Partner airlines include Air Tahiti, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and more. Just remember to credit and deposit your miles to your American Airlines frequent flyer account after booking your flight. This way, the expiration date on your AAdvantage miles will reset.

Book an American Airlines vacation or cruise package

Booking a trip through the American Airlines vacation or cruise portal also allows you to earn AAdvantage miles. Doing so not only extends the life of your AAdvantage miles but gives you access to special offers such as bonus miles or free onboard ship credits. 

Convert hotel points to AAdvantage miles

You can convert hotel points to AAdvantage miles from programs like Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Wyndham, and more to keep your rewards from both programs from expiring. For instance, the points you earn towards the Hilton Honors program expire after 12 months of inactivity. By transferring these points to your American Airlines account, you are simultaneously extending the life of both your Hilton Honors points and AAdvantage miles. 

Rent a car or use a shuttle service

If you’re renting a car from Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Payless, or Thrifty, note that you can credit your rental to your American Airlines account. You’ll also earn miles for taking a shuttle service with GroundLink or SuperShuttle. 

Donate to charity 

American Airlines partners with various charities like the American Red Cross or National Foundation for Cancer Research to which you can earn miles just by donating. As long as you meet the required $25+ donation, you’ll earn 10x miles for every dollar donated. 

Bottom line

Given the number of ways to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles, you’ll find it relatively easy to prevent your miles from expiring. Furthermore, the flexibility and ease enables you to accumulate a substantial number of miles and redeem them for bigger rewards. From booking your next flight to upgrading your cabin seat, the American Airlines frequent flyer program is one to take advantage of.