Last edit by: Prospero
Preventing AAdvantage Miles and Accounts from Expiring:
What can I do? Alternatives for miles use and discussion.
To check your miles expiration date: Look for the Wallet link on the website or in the app.
AAdvantage members who are under 21 are not subject to mileage expiration if their birthday is associated with their account.
But note:
ANY account activity, earning or using miles, will extend the expiration date of all AA miles by an additional 18 months.
When days count, be aware: it's the transaction date, not the posting date, that counts to extend miles' validity. It can take some time for miles activity to fully post, including the new expiration date. But, read on. Be aware of some vendors’ delayed posting, however.
For other relevant threads and resources see:
aa.com and Others:
Using or getting rid of miles
FlyerTalk:
Here are some suggestions from members on how to prevent miles from expiring easily and/or automatically. Please post your suggestions here.
For previous posts on this topic, please see ARCHIVE: Prevent AA miles / account from expiring / alternate use of miles
Nov 12, 2020 - Formatting % font size
What can I do? Alternatives for miles use and discussion.
To check your miles expiration date: Look for the Wallet link on the website or in the app.
From AAdvantage Terms and Conditions: "AAdvantage members must have mileage earning or redeeming activity once every 18 months in order to retain their miles. If your account has no qualifying activity in any 18-month period, all miles in the account will expire. Qualifying activity extends the expiration date of all unexpired mileage credit in your account for 18 months from the date of the qualifying activity. Qualifying activity is defined as redeeming any AAdvantage award or accruing mileage credit on any eligible American, American Eagle® or AAdvantage airline participant as well as accruing mileage credit with participating hotels, car rental companies, credit cards, telecommunication providers and other service providers offering AAdvantage mileage credit." Gufting or donating miles, doing anything that will cause an increase or decrease in the number of award miles in an AAdvantage account resets the expiration clock by 18 months.
But note:
Pausing AAdvantage® mile expiration through June 2021
You’ve worked hard to earn your AAdvantage® miles, and we recognize you may need more time than usual to keep them active. We’ve paused the expiration of miles through June 30, 2021. If your miles are scheduled to expire on or before June 30, 2021, they will now expire in July 2021, if there’s no additional activity in your account before then. You can find the expiration date of your miles in the Wallet section of your AAdvantage® account.
You’ve worked hard to earn your AAdvantage® miles, and we recognize you may need more time than usual to keep them active. We’ve paused the expiration of miles through June 30, 2021. If your miles are scheduled to expire on or before June 30, 2021, they will now expire in July 2021, if there’s no additional activity in your account before then. You can find the expiration date of your miles in the Wallet section of your AAdvantage® account.
When days count, be aware: it's the transaction date, not the posting date, that counts to extend miles' validity. It can take some time for miles activity to fully post, including the new expiration date. But, read on. Be aware of some vendors’ delayed posting, however.
"Activity date" is how the airline sees it, but beware that the date as reported by the shopping portal vendor can be a "gotcha." From my own experiences of various online vendors, the "activity date" reported can be the date you placed the order, OR the date your order was "received", OR the date your order was "processed", OR the date a transaction "hold" was placed on your credit card, OR the date your credit card company actually approved the transaction, OR the date your order was shipped, OR the date it was picked up (if in-store, for example), OR...etc., etc. And, don't forget time zone differences, too, if your cutoff date is very close (is it the time zone/date of where you ordered, or the vendor's website server, or the vendor's physical store, or...?) In other words, each online vendor may define and report the activity date to the airline in ways you didn't expect. I have seen an instance, for example, where the reported activity date was almost 2 weeks past the actual date I placed the order, simply because a part was on back-order, thus the full order was not "completed" and therefore the credit card not billed until later. Another example is flower delivery, especially if the flowers aren't scheduled for delivery until much later. Buyer beware -- the airline will refer you to the vendor for clarification.
aa.com and Others:
- Link to AA restricts expired miles reactivation within 18 months of expiration (2019) thread
- Link to How to Reactivate / Restore Expired Miles – Reengagement Challenge thread
- Link to Miles for Opinions surveys - not many miles, but it resets the clock.
- Link to Car Rental partners
- Link- Business and Financial: Earn AAdvantage miles when you buy, sell, or move your home with American HomeMiles by SIRVA, BankDirect, Fidelity, Lifelock, Network Solutions, PreFlight parking, Regus, etc.
- Link Buying, Gifting, Sharing AA Miles (Points.com)
- Link- Charities: Contributing Money (Earning Miles): Susan G. Komen, National Cancer Research Foundation, USO
- Link- Financial and Business: Earn AAdvantage miles when you buy, sell, or move your home with American HomeMiles by SIRVA, BankDirect, Fidelity, Lifelock, Network Solutions, PreFlight parking, Regus, etc.
- Link - Home and Health: DIRECTV, Energy Plus, Everything Energy, because Energy, Reliant, Spafinder Wellness 365
- Link to ALL Hotel partners
- Links to Hotel Bookings via pointshound.com, rocketmiles.com and Kaligo.com
- Link - Retail And Dining: AAdvantage eShopping Mall, AAdvantage Dining Program, FTD, Teleflora, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Vinesse Wine
- Linkaa.com - Reactivating expired miles (for fee)
Using or getting rid of miles
- Redeem Miles:- Link
Includes Hotel rooms and auto rentals, Newspapers, Gift Cards, Lifelock.
Includes link to Link to Use AA Miles: (redeem for car rentals and lodging) - Link - Charities: Donating Miles Miles for All Who Serve, Miles for Kids in Need, Miles of Hope.
Here are some suggestions from members on how to prevent miles from expiring easily and/or automatically. Please post your suggestions here.
- Sign up and register a credit card with AAdvantage Dining, go dine at an enrolled restaurant. (Sign up with your email address for notifications for 3 miles per dollar spent instead of one mile; dine 11 times in one year and earn 5 miles per dollar.)
- Make any purchase through https://www.aadvantageeshopping.comthat earns AA miles.
- Another easy/cheap route is ordering photos from Walgreens.com. It specifically says in the terms "photo orders picked up in-store are eligible." Prints are as cheap as US$0.29, but I'd purchase at least $1 worth to make sure you get your miles (2miles/$1).
For previous posts on this topic, please see ARCHIVE: Prevent AA miles / account from expiring / alternate use of miles
Nov 12, 2020 - Formatting % font size
Prevent AA miles / account from expiring / expiration & spend for other than flying
#286
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: UA S, Marriott P
Posts: 1,154
If they meant something else - it should have been specified in the contract. But what do I know - the miles have expired with an open account in good standing.
#287
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
#288
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Francisco, California USA (SFO)
Posts: 262
Thanks, but I believe the card issuer and card holder have a contract, that clearly defines terms. The terms state: Miles earned and outstanding do not expire provided your Account remains open and in good standing.
If they meant something else - it should have been specified in the contract. But what do I know - the miles have expired with an open account in good standing.
If they meant something else - it should have been specified in the contract. But what do I know - the miles have expired with an open account in good standing.
Besides, their website even specifically mentions this:
https://home.barclaycardus.com/cards...astercard.html
goto the FAQs section on the bottom and then click on "Do my AAdvantage® miles expire?" where it specifically says:
"Do my AAdvantage® miles expire?
Yes, earned miles will expire if there is no mileage earning or redeeming activity at least once every 18 months on your AAdvantage® account. Mileage earned from use of the AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red World Elite Mastercard® for at least one purchase every eighteen (18) months qualifies as activity on your AAdvantage® account that will prevent miles from expiring. Please visit https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...conditions.jsp for more information about the AAdvantage program terms and conditions, including the mileage expiration policy."
Last edited by vincepoy; Jul 23, 2017 at 2:10 pm
#289
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
How long does it take a dine from Rewardsnetwork to show up in the account?
I did a dine yesterday 7/20. It hasn't shown up in the Rewardsnetwork account yet.
My miles expiration is 7/29.
If the restaurant and/or Rewardsnetwork is slow to update my AAdvantage account, but still shows the 7/21 dine date, will AA recognize the activity as having occurred before the expiration?
Lets say Rewardsnetwork doesn't update the activity before the 7/29 date?
I did a dine yesterday 7/20. It hasn't shown up in the Rewardsnetwork account yet.
My miles expiration is 7/29.
If the restaurant and/or Rewardsnetwork is slow to update my AAdvantage account, but still shows the 7/21 dine date, will AA recognize the activity as having occurred before the expiration?
Lets say Rewardsnetwork doesn't update the activity before the 7/29 date?
#290
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
a relative of mine had their miles expired and had to pay to restore them. They did not have any transactions in a long time. However they are Barclays Aviator credit card owner. For some reason barclays is not charging them annual fee. Perhaps it was removed a year or two back after account was threatened to close.
The T&C of the credit card state that miles do not expire as long as account is in good standing. It doesnt state anything about annual fee. AA claims that having credit card is not enough, there must be some activity on the account.
Is there any grounds for escalation here?
Thanks!
The T&C of the credit card state that miles do not expire as long as account is in good standing. It doesnt state anything about annual fee. AA claims that having credit card is not enough, there must be some activity on the account.
Is there any grounds for escalation here?
Thanks!
No cause for escalation; sorry. But AA has sometimes allowed lapsed members to "challenge" for expired miles reinstatement; normally that would require buying airline tickets and flying, iirc. See
How to Reactivate / Restore Expired Miles – Reengagement Challenge (consolidated)
Listed in the Wikipost atbthe top of the page (just increased the link's prominence).
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 24, 2017 at 9:58 am
#291
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
Went for the easy option of using eShopping to order some photographs with Walgreens to keep my few AAdvantage miles active.
Unfortunately after ordering I read on the eShopping site:
''*Eligible Amount: Some merchants do not offer rewards for certain products and services such as gift certificates. Also, taxes and shipping fees are not eligible for rewards. You can get specific details on the information page for each merchant by searching for the merchant name.''
I ordered two photos - total of 58 cents, and S&H (presumably Shipping) was 99 cent, and sales tax was 10 cents. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something will credit...but expecting that it won't!
Anybody used Walgreens lately? How long do they take to post miles?
EDIT: To be on the safe side I did the AwardWallet trick for 5 miles! I'll post back if I get any miles from Walgreens.
Unfortunately after ordering I read on the eShopping site:
''*Eligible Amount: Some merchants do not offer rewards for certain products and services such as gift certificates. Also, taxes and shipping fees are not eligible for rewards. You can get specific details on the information page for each merchant by searching for the merchant name.''
I ordered two photos - total of 58 cents, and S&H (presumably Shipping) was 99 cent, and sales tax was 10 cents. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that something will credit...but expecting that it won't!
Anybody used Walgreens lately? How long do they take to post miles?
EDIT: To be on the safe side I did the AwardWallet trick for 5 miles! I'll post back if I get any miles from Walgreens.
Last edited by headingwest; Jul 27, 2017 at 7:37 am
#292
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
So the Walgreens purchase for 58 cents, mentioned in the post above, actually earnt me 1 AAdvantage mile.
#293
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 31
To be clear, if I have the Barclays Aviator credit card, I can't just register another credit card to my AA frequent flyer account and use this credit card to purchase something on AA or dine out to keep my FFP account active?
#294
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 31
The credit card company controls your credit card account, not the airline Frequent Flyer account. So: Miles don't expire as long as the airline frequent flyer account is in good standing. Which it isn't, if there has been no activity in 18 months, as stated in posts above.
No cause for escalation; sorry. But AA has sometimes allowed lapsed members to "challenge" for expired miles reinstatement; normally that would require buying airline tickets and flying, iirc. See
How to Reactivate / Restore Expired Miles – Reengagement Challenge (consolidated)
Listed in the Wikipost atbthe top of the page (just increased the link's prominence).
No cause for escalation; sorry. But AA has sometimes allowed lapsed members to "challenge" for expired miles reinstatement; normally that would require buying airline tickets and flying, iirc. See
How to Reactivate / Restore Expired Miles – Reengagement Challenge (consolidated)
Listed in the Wikipost atbthe top of the page (just increased the link's prominence).
I mean all I have to do is just close the Barclays credit card account and just work on keeping the FFP account active with some transactions?
#295
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Sure you can. ANY activity counts (on any card).
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
As long as activity is posted to your AA account, you are good to go. You're not required to use your Aviator card for the credit. You should earn miles for the spend on the card and you should get miles for the dine, so a double-dip.
#297
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: AC SE; SPG Plat
Posts: 38
Using AwardWallet to extend expiry
Any idea how AwardWallet works if you have more than one AA account linked to AwardWallet?
I have 3 out of 4 AA accounts near expiry and trying to use AwardWallet as a possible solution. How would AwardWallet know which account to award the miles to? Appreciate if someone could share their experience.
Thanks
I have 3 out of 4 AA accounts near expiry and trying to use AwardWallet as a possible solution. How would AwardWallet know which account to award the miles to? Appreciate if someone could share their experience.
Thanks
#298
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
Any idea how AwardWallet works if you have more than one AA account linked to AwardWallet?
I have 3 out of 4 AA accounts near expiry and trying to use AwardWallet as a possible solution. How would AwardWallet know which account to award the miles to? Appreciate if someone could share their experience.
Thanks
I have 3 out of 4 AA accounts near expiry and trying to use AwardWallet as a possible solution. How would AwardWallet know which account to award the miles to? Appreciate if someone could share their experience.
Thanks
Very easy.
#299
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
This is true, I manage my family Air, hotel accounts and have them all linked to awardwallet. I use awardwallet to extend the AA miles, at end of comment it allows to choose which account to credit. Takes about 24hrs to credit.
#300
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Feeder Band Land (South FL)
Programs: seeking best cc sign-up & spend bonus offers
Posts: 865
novice requesting advice MIA-EZE-MIA x2 busn
I have 100K AA mi to expire 12/2/17;
Wife has 500K AA mi;
MIA-EZE-MIA busn Saver 4x57500 available;
AA phone rep suggests buy 1 segment my miles,
3 segments wife's miles...
Do those reading this agree?
When time comes & I see rt availability,
I should do this in rapid fashion?
Always a chance of buying 1 segment & being
locked out of immediately aftwards buying
remaining 3 segments? Any advice appreciated.
57500 is best possible MIA-EZE one-way busn rate?
If not, please suggest!! Thanks. ^ ^
Wife has 500K AA mi;
MIA-EZE-MIA busn Saver 4x57500 available;
AA phone rep suggests buy 1 segment my miles,
3 segments wife's miles...
Do those reading this agree?
When time comes & I see rt availability,
I should do this in rapid fashion?
Always a chance of buying 1 segment & being
locked out of immediately aftwards buying
remaining 3 segments? Any advice appreciated.
57500 is best possible MIA-EZE one-way busn rate?
If not, please suggest!! Thanks. ^ ^
Last edited by TravelPhotographer; Oct 4, 2017 at 1:18 pm