You can transfer American Airlines miles to another person through the AAdvantage program, but the process has specific rules about who can receive them and how much it costs.
American Airlines allows you to move miles from your AAdvantage account to someone else's account, but you cannot transfer to just anyone. The recipient must be a family member or household member — American defines this as a spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling. You can also transfer to someone you live with who is not related to you, though American may ask for proof of your household relationship.
The transfer itself happens through your AAdvantage account online, and the cost depends on how many miles you move. American charges a base fee of $15 plus an additional $0.01 per mile transferred. So transferring 10,000 miles costs $15 plus $100, for a total of $115. There is no maximum number of miles you can transfer in a single transaction, but you can only transfer miles once per calendar year to the same recipient.
Key Takeaways
- You can transfer miles only to a spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, or household member you live with.
- The cost is $15 plus $0.01 per mile, so moving 50,000 miles costs $515 total.
- You initiate the transfer through your AAdvantage account online, and the miles arrive in the recipient's account within one business day.
- You can transfer to the same person only once per calendar year, though you can transfer to different people more frequently.
How to Start a Transfer Through Your AAdvantage Account
Log into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website using your username and password. Once you are logged in, look for the "Account" or "Manage Account" section, then find the option labeled "Transfer Miles" or "Send Miles." American's website layout changes periodically, so if you cannot locate it when ready, use the search function on the site or call AAdvantage customer service at 800-882-8880.
When you click on the transfer option, you will be asked to enter the recipient's name and AAdvantage account number. The recipient must already have an active AAdvantage account — you cannot transfer miles to someone who does not have one yet. If the person you want to send miles to does not have an account, they will need to open one first at aa.com. After you enter their information, you will specify how many miles to transfer and review the fee that will be charged to your account.
Once you confirm the transfer, American will deduct the miles and the fee from your account when ready. The miles themselves typically appear in the recipient's account within one business day. You will receive a confirmation email, and the recipient will also receive notification that miles have been added to their account.
Restrictions on Who Can Receive Your Miles
American Airlines has a defined list of people you can transfer miles to, and the person must fall into one of these categories: spouse, domestic partner, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling. You can also transfer to someone who lives in your household but is not related to you — for example, a roommate or a partner you live with but are not married to.
If you transfer to someone outside your when ready family or household, American may ask you to verify the relationship. This typically means providing documentation such as a lease showing you live at the same address, a utility bill in both names, or a signed statement confirming your household arrangement. Keep this documentation in case American requests it after you initiate the transfer.
You cannot transfer miles to a friend who does not live with you, a business associate, or anyone else outside these defined relationships. If American discovers that you have transferred miles to someone who does not meet the relationship requirements, they may reverse the transfer and close your account.
The Cost of Transferring Miles and Annual Limits
The fee structure for mile transfers is straightforward but can add up quickly with large transfers. American charges $15 as a base fee, then adds $0.01 for every mile you transfer. This means a transfer of 5,000 miles costs $65 total ($15 base plus $50 in per-mile fees). A transfer of 25,000 miles costs $265. A transfer of 100,000 miles costs $1,015.
The fee is charged to your account at the time you initiate the transfer, separate from the miles themselves. You pay with whatever payment method is on file for your AAdvantage account. The miles are deducted from your balance, and the fee is charged as a separate transaction.
You can transfer miles to the same person only once per calendar year. However, you can transfer to different people multiple times in the same year — for example, you could transfer to your spouse in January and to your child in March. If you try to transfer to the same person twice in one calendar year, American will block the second transfer until January 1st of the following year.
What Happens After the Miles Arrive
Once the recipient receives your miles, they can use them when ready for any AAdvantage redemption — flights, seat upgrades, vacation packages, or transfers to American's partner airlines. The miles have no restrictions based on how they were received; transferred miles work exactly the same as miles the recipient earned themselves.
The recipient does not need to do anything to accept the miles. They will straightforward appear in their account balance, and they can start using them right away. There is no waiting period or set up step required on their end.
If the recipient's account is closed or inactive, American may not process the transfer. An account is considered inactive if there has been no account activity — no flights, no mile transactions, no website logins — for 24 months. If you are transferring to someone whose account might be inactive, ask them to log in to their account or make a small transaction first to reactivate it before you initiate the transfer.
Alternatives to Transferring Miles Directly
If you want to help someone use your miles but do not want to transfer them outright, you have other options. You can book a flight for someone else using your miles and have them travel on that ticket. You can also add someone as an authorized user on your AAdvantage account, which gives them access to view your miles balance and make redemptions on your behalf, though the miles remain in your account.
Another option is to transfer your miles to an American partner airline. American has partnerships with airlines including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and others. If your recipient has an account with one of these airlines, you could transfer your American miles to that airline's program instead. However, this route involves different fees and rules depending on which airline you choose, and the miles may not transfer at a one-to-one ratio.
You can also donate your miles to charity through American's AAdvantage Charity program. While this does not directly transfer miles to another person, it allows you to put your miles toward a cause. American partners with organizations including Make-A-Wish, Feeding America, and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer miles to someone I just met or a friend who does not live with me?
No. American only allows transfers to family members or people in your household. A friend who does not live with you does not meet the requirements, and American may reverse the transfer if they discover it. If you want to help a friend travel, you can book a flight for them using your miles instead.
What if the person I want to transfer to does not have an AAdvantage account yet?
They need to open one before you can transfer miles to them. They can create an account at aa.com for free. Once their account is active and they have an account number, you can proceed with the transfer through your account.
Can I transfer miles back to myself if I change my mind?
No. Once miles leave your account, you cannot get them back. American does not reverse transfers except in cases of fraud or error. Before you initiate a transfer, make sure you are certain about the amount and the recipient.
How long does it take for the miles to show up in the other person's account?
The miles typically appear within one business day. If more than one business day has passed and the miles have not arrived, contact AAdvantage customer service at 800-882-8880 to check the status of your transfer.
Can I transfer miles if my account has been inactive?
Yes, you can transfer miles from an inactive account. However, if the recipient's account is inactive, American may not process the transfer. Ask the recipient to log in to their account or make a small transaction to reactivate it before you send the miles.