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
#482
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,010
EDIT: (previously - why did all our expiration dates change/disappear?) OK, I found where they hid expiration date. Of course it's under "Wallet" and not account summary
Youngest - no expiration date - did I recently read somewhere no expiration for under 21?
Oldest - Looks like 18 months after she turned 21 - same?
Me & MsCP - July 8, 2021. Last activity was October 5, 2019. Any explanation for this date?
Does Miles for Opinions still work? I've never tried it - always bought something small at Home Depot.
Youngest - no expiration date - did I recently read somewhere no expiration for under 21?
Oldest - Looks like 18 months after she turned 21 - same?
Me & MsCP - July 8, 2021. Last activity was October 5, 2019. Any explanation for this date?
Does Miles for Opinions still work? I've never tried it - always bought something small at Home Depot.
Last edited by CPRich; Dec 11, 2020 at 10:35 am
#483
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
Since retiring, I haven't tracked AA as closely, but a couple of months ago all of my families account said miles would expire somewherein the Feb-April timeframe. I went to check today, before making some small AA eShopping purchases and AwardWallet now says anywhere from 7 months to 1.2 years.
Example - my youngest daughter's last activity was October 2019, but AW says 1.2 years. I thought the site has an expiration date next to her "Award Miles" listing when I checked a month or two ago, but nothing's there now (nor on the other 3 in the family)
Has AA changed/extended expiration dates recently?
Is there somewhere on the account where it shows expiration date?
Example - my youngest daughter's last activity was October 2019, but AW says 1.2 years. I thought the site has an expiration date next to her "Award Miles" listing when I checked a month or two ago, but nothing's there now (nor on the other 3 in the family)
Has AA changed/extended expiration dates recently?
Is there somewhere on the account where it shows expiration date?
AA has been giving 100 ff miles (resulting in a new 18 month expiry date) or other gift for logging in and going to the promotions tab
FT thread--->AAdvantage holiday gift (every member gets a gift, promo Dec 2, 2020)
To receive your gift, simply login to your account on AA.com or through the mobile app, starting on Dec. 2. Click on the “Promotions” tab to reveal your offer.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Dec 11, 2020 at 10:35 am
#484
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
EDIT: (previously - why did all our expiration dates change/disappear?) OK, I found where they hid expiration date. Of course it's under "Wallet" and not account summary
Youngest - no expiration date - did I recently read somewhere no expiration for under 21?
Oldest - Looks like 18 months after she turned 21 - same?
Me & MsCP - July 8, 2021. Last activity was October 5, 2019. Any explanation for this date?
Does Miles for Opinions still work? I've never tried it - always bought something small at Home Depot.
Youngest - no expiration date - did I recently read somewhere no expiration for under 21?
Oldest - Looks like 18 months after she turned 21 - same?
Me & MsCP - July 8, 2021. Last activity was October 5, 2019. Any explanation for this date?
Does Miles for Opinions still work? I've never tried it - always bought something small at Home Depot.
#485
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
<snip>
Keeping your miles
Recognizing that some members need more time to keep their AAdvantage accounts active during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, American has extended its pause on mileage expiration through June 30, 2021. The AAdvantage program provides members several ways to maintain account activity through flights, hotels, car rentals and everyday activities such as shopping and dining.
As a reminder, the miles belonging to our youngest AAdvantage members, under the age of 21, do not expire.
<snip>
Keeping your miles
Recognizing that some members need more time to keep their AAdvantage accounts active during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, American has extended its pause on mileage expiration through June 30, 2021. The AAdvantage program provides members several ways to maintain account activity through flights, hotels, car rentals and everyday activities such as shopping and dining.
As a reminder, the miles belonging to our youngest AAdvantage members, under the age of 21, do not expire.
<snip>
#486
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
EDIT: (previously - why did all our expiration dates change/disappear?) OK, I found where they hid expiration date. Of course it's under "Wallet" and not account summary
Youngest - no expiration date - did I recently read somewhere no expiration for under 21?
Oldest - Looks like 18 months after she turned 21 - same?
Me & MsCP - July 8, 2021. Last activity was October 5, 2019. Any explanation for this date?
Does Miles for Opinions still work? I've never tried it - always bought something small at Home Depot.
Youngest - no expiration date - did I recently read somewhere no expiration for under 21?
Oldest - Looks like 18 months after she turned 21 - same?
Me & MsCP - July 8, 2021. Last activity was October 5, 2019. Any explanation for this date?
Does Miles for Opinions still work? I've never tried it - always bought something small at Home Depot.
Miles for Opinions still works.
#488
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: DTW
Posts: 59
Expiry is still 18 months after last eligible activity
AA has been giving 100 ff miles (resulting in a new 18 month expiry date) or other gift for logging in and going to the promotions tab
FT thread--->AAdvantage holiday gift (every member gets a gift, promo Dec 2, 2020)
AA has been giving 100 ff miles (resulting in a new 18 month expiry date) or other gift for logging in and going to the promotions tab
FT thread--->AAdvantage holiday gift (every member gets a gift, promo Dec 2, 2020)
We are not frequent American flyers but my wife and I each have enough points for a shorter r/t or one way from Detroit. Had till this summer, but was nonetheless concerned we weren't going to use them.
#490
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Soprano Land / North Jersey
Programs: MSC Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, RCCL Platinum, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 204
Miles expiring.. WTD?
Hi all - My miles are expiring Oct 2021. I am planning travel Nov 2021. In order to use my miles do I have to travel by Oct 2021 or book by then?
Also, I have the Citi AAdvatage Platinum Select card. Can using this card help me extend my miles?
Thanks...
Also, I have the Citi AAdvatage Platinum Select card. Can using this card help me extend my miles?
Thanks...
#491
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,030
In USA not hard to keep AA ff miles alive
---->Prevent AA miles / account from expiring / expiration & spend for other than flying
#494
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP/OWE, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 880
Also if you have a co-branded credit card with AA, you could buy something as small as a soda and hit the "earning" activity requirement.