If you’re thinking about transferring American Airlines AAdvantage miles, it’s important to know exactly who qualifies, what the rules are, and what your options might be if you don’t meet the requirements. This guide will help you quickly figure out if you can transfer miles, what steps you need to follow, and what to do if you’re not eligible. You’ll also learn about the new transfer fee, recent changes, and alternative ways to get or use AAdvantage miles.
Can You Transfer American Airlines AAdvantage Miles?
Yes, you can transfer AAdvantage miles from your account to another person’s AAdvantage account, but there are specific rules and a transfer fee. You cannot transfer miles to other airline loyalty programs or pool them for free with family or friends. Let’s break down the eligibility and requirements.
Eligibility Criteria for Transferring AAdvantage Miles
To qualify for transferring American Airlines AAdvantage miles, you must meet all of the following:
- You have an active AAdvantage account. Both the sender and the recipient must have their own AAdvantage accounts in good standing.
- You want to transfer at least 1,000 miles. Transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 miles, with a minimum of 1,000 miles per transaction.
- You do not exceed the annual transfer limit. You can transfer up to 200,000 miles per calendar year from your account.
- You are willing to pay the transfer fee. As of August 2025, the fee is $5 per 1,000 miles transferred (0.5 cents per mile), with no extra transaction fees.
Example:
If you want to transfer 20,000 miles to a friend, you’ll pay $100 in transfer fees.
Who Is Not Eligible?
- You cannot transfer miles if you don’t have enough miles in your account. You must have at least the number of miles you want to transfer.
- You cannot transfer less than 1,000 miles or amounts not in 1,000-mile increments.
- You cannot transfer more than 200,000 miles per year from your account.
- You cannot transfer miles to someone who does not have an AAdvantage account.
- You cannot transfer AAdvantage miles to other airline loyalty programs, hotel programs, or credit card programs. The only exception is redeeming miles for flights on partner airlines through the AAdvantage platform, but the miles stay in your account.
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer AAdvantage Miles
If you meet the eligibility criteria, follow these steps:
- Log in to your AAdvantage account at aa.com.
- Go to the “Buy, Gift, or Transfer” section and select “Transfer.”
- Enter the recipient’s AAdvantage number, name, and email address.
- Choose how many miles you want to transfer (in 1,000-mile increments).
- Review the transfer fee and pay using a credit or debit card.
- Complete the transaction. Miles are usually transferred instantly.
Important: The transfer fee is $5 per 1,000 miles. There are no extra transaction fees.
Disqualifying Factors
You will not be able to transfer AAdvantage miles if:
- You try to transfer less than 1,000 miles or not in 1,000-mile increments.
- You do not have enough miles in your account.
- You try to transfer to someone who does not have an AAdvantage account.
- You attempt to transfer more than 200,000 miles in a year.
- You want to transfer miles to another airline’s loyalty program or to a credit card program. This is not allowed.
Example of a Disqualifying Situation:
If you have 800 miles in your account, you cannot transfer them because the minimum is 1,000 miles per transaction.
Recent Changes and the New Transfer Fee
As of August 2025, the transfer fee has been reduced to $5 per 1,000 miles. This is a big drop from the old fee, which was as high as $300 for 20,000 miles. Now, transferring 20,000 miles costs just $100. This change makes it much more affordable for families or friends who want to combine miles for a big trip or to keep miles from expiring.
| Fee Type | Cost | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|
| Current Transfer Fee | $5 per 1,000 miles | No extra transaction fees |
| Previous Transfer Fee | $300 for 20,000 miles | Old fee structure |
No Free Pooling:
Unlike some other airlines, American Airlines does not allow free pooling of miles. Every transfer comes with the stated fee.
Alternative Options If You’re Not Eligible
If you can’t transfer miles, there are other ways to get or use AAdvantage miles:
1. Redeem Miles for Someone Else’s Ticket
You can use your AAdvantage miles to book a flight for anyone, even if you can’t transfer miles to their account. Just enter their name and details when booking the ticket.
2. Earn More Miles Through Credit Card Transfers
As of July 27, 2025, you can transfer Citi ThankYou® Rewards points to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio. You must have a qualifying Citi card, such as Citi Strata Elite℠, Citi Strata Premier®, or Citi Prestige®. Other credit card programs, like Amex Membership Rewards or Capital One, do not allow direct transfers to AAdvantage.
3. Transfer Hotel Points
You can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to AAdvantage at a 3:1 ratio, but you do not get the usual 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points. World of Hyatt and IHG One Rewards also allow transfers, but the rates are not very good. These options are best used only if you need a few extra miles for a specific redemption.
4. Buy Miles Directly
You can buy AAdvantage miles through your account, but this can be expensive. It’s usually better to transfer or earn miles through other means if possible.
How to Improve Your Chances of Qualifying
If you want to make sure you can transfer miles in the future, here are some tips:
- Keep your AAdvantage account active. Make sure your account is in good standing and that you have enough miles for the transfer.
- Plan ahead. If you know you’ll need to transfer miles, keep track of your annual transfer limit and make sure you have enough miles.
- Earn miles through flights, credit card spending, or hotel stays. This will help you build up your balance so you can transfer when needed.
- Consider opening a qualifying Citi credit card. This will allow you to transfer Citi ThankYou® Rewards points to AAdvantage, giving you more flexibility.
Examples and Scenarios
Scenario 1: Family Trip
A family wants to book a trip together, but each person has a small number of miles in their own account. By transferring miles (paying the $5 per 1,000 miles transfer fee), they can combine enough miles in one account to book award tickets for everyone.
Scenario 2: Preventing Miles from Expiring
A friend’s miles are about to expire, but they don’t have enough for a ticket. You can transfer some of your miles to their account (if you pay the transfer fee), helping them keep their miles active and useful.
Scenario 3: Topping Off for a Big Redemption
You’re just a few thousand miles short of a business class ticket. A family member can transfer the needed miles to your account, making your dream trip possible.
Key Points to Remember
- You can transfer AAdvantage miles to another member’s account for a fee.
- The transfer fee is $5 per 1,000 miles, with a 1,000-mile minimum and a 200,000-mile annual limit.
- You cannot transfer miles to other airline loyalty programs or pool them for free.
- Citi ThankYou® Rewards points can now be transferred to AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio with select Citi cards.
- Hotel point transfers are possible but usually not a good value.
For the most up-to-date details and to start a transfer, visit the official American Airlines AAdvantage Program page.
Expert Advice and Final Thoughts
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the new lower transfer fee and the return of Citi ThankYou® Rewards as a transfer partner make it much easier and more affordable to move AAdvantage miles where you need them. However, experts suggest only transferring miles when it’s necessary to complete a booking, since the transfer fee reduces the value of your miles. If you’re not eligible to transfer, consider booking tickets for others directly or using credit card and hotel point transfers to top off your account.
Always check your eligibility, review the latest rules, and think carefully before transferring miles. This will help you get the most value from your American Airlines AAdvantage miles and avoid any surprises with transfer fees or limits. If you have questions, contact AAdvantage Customer Service or call 800-433-7300 for help.
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