Confused about miles exp after talking to an agent
May 30, 2022, 8:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 256
Confused about miles exp after talking to an agent
I`ve read that reinstated miles are only valid for 12 months after initial redemption (unlike DL ad UA, which don`t have that restriction). I asked an agent to clarify this, and she said that there is no 12 months limit. The agent was pretty knowledgable (well, I fed her the legs, but still, some of them can`t even do that), but now I am really confused who to believe.
For example, if I redeem 100K miles on June 1, 2022, then cancel the ticket on September 1 and reinstate the miles - do I have to use those 100K before June 2023, otherwise, they will expire?
Thanks in advance.
For example, if I redeem 100K miles on June 1, 2022, then cancel the ticket on September 1 and reinstate the miles - do I have to use those 100K before June 2023, otherwise, they will expire?
Thanks in advance.
May 30, 2022, 8:52 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,470
I`ve read that reinstated miles are only valid for 12 months after initial redemption (unlike DL ad UA, which don`t have that restriction). I asked an agent to clarify this, and she said that there is no 12 months limit. The agent was pretty knowledgable (well, I fed her the legs, but still, some of them can`t even do that), but now I am really confused who to believe.
For example, if I redeem 100K miles on June 1, 2022, then cancel the ticket on September 1 and reinstate the miles - do I have to use those 100K before June 2023, otherwise, they will expire?
Thanks in advance.
For example, if I redeem 100K miles on June 1, 2022, then cancel the ticket on September 1 and reinstate the miles - do I have to use those 100K before June 2023, otherwise, they will expire?
Thanks in advance.
So if you redeposit that award on September 1 all of your miles expiration is reset.
May 30, 2022, 8:56 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 256
I am not worried about miles expiration per se (I keep the account active by earning miles - flying or else), but I am confused about those redeemed miles to be wasted if not reused within 12 months after initial redemption.
May 30, 2022, 9:05 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
Once you cancel the booking, the miles just return to your account - there is no need to reuse them; they become like any other miles and will only expire should you have no activity for 18 months
May 30, 2022, 9:05 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,813
Where did you read about this special miles expiration time period?
May 30, 2022, 9:12 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 256
You can cancel your award ticket anytime on aa.com. We will reinstate your AAdvantage® miles up to 1 year after the ticket issue date as long as you cancel your ticket before the first flight departs. If you cancel your trip on aa.com, your miles will be reinstated automatically in many cases.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-ser...ntage-faqs.jsp
May 30, 2022, 9:19 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,595
This is from AA.com:
You can cancel your award ticket anytime on aa.com. We will reinstate your AAdvantage® miles up to 1 year after the ticket issue date as long as you cancel your ticket before the first flight departs. If you cancel your trip on aa.com, your miles will be reinstated automatically in many cases
You can cancel your award ticket anytime on aa.com. We will reinstate your AAdvantage® miles up to 1 year after the ticket issue date as long as you cancel your ticket before the first flight departs. If you cancel your trip on aa.com, your miles will be reinstated automatically in many cases
May 30, 2022, 9:30 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 256
Ok, thank you! I guess I was confused by that "up to 1 year" is because other airlines don`t mention this time frame for cancelation. So no fees to cancel on AA and no restrictions.
May 31, 2022, 7:46 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
Sort of. Just make sure the miles are redeposited after you cancel the itinerary. I've never personally cancelled an award ticket, so I'm not sure if that's automatic or if you need to explicitly request it like you would a regular refund.
May 31, 2022, 10:06 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Other airlines should mention it. It's very standard for tickets to expire in a year, and any value still on the ticket is lost when it expires. This applies to tickets purchased with money as well.
In the case of award tickets, usually the miles are automatically reinstated when you cancel, but (apparently) not always. If they aren't then you need to do it manually before the ticket expires. That's the point of the paragraph you posted.
May 31, 2022, 10:36 am
#11
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
I cancelled an award ticket about a month ago and the miles were automatically redeposited. But I've seen mentions of people who had to call to get them reinstated.