American Airlines lets you transfer miles to another person for free, but only if you meet their requirements

You can move your American Airlines miles from your account to someone else's account at no cost. American Airlines does not charge a transfer fee. However, the person receiving the miles must have an AAdvantage account (American's loyalty program), and you can only transfer to accounts registered in the United States or certain other countries. The transfer itself takes place online through your AAdvantage account dashboard, and the miles land in the recipient's account within a few business days.

The main catch is that American has rules about who you can transfer to and how often. You cannot transfer miles to a brand-new account — the recipient's account must be at least 30 days old. You also cannot transfer miles more than once per calendar year to the same person, and you cannot transfer to multiple people in a single transaction. If you need to move miles to several family members, you will have to do each transfer separately and space them out across different calendar years if you are doing more than one per person.

Key Takeaways

  • American Airlines does not charge a fee to transfer miles, but the recipient must have an active AAdvantage account that is at least 30 days old.
  • You can transfer miles only once per calendar year to the same person, and you must complete each transfer individually through your online account.
  • The transfer takes a few business days to process, and miles cannot be transferred to accounts outside the United States or a small list of approved countries.
  • Once miles land in the recipient's account, they can use them to book flights, upgrade seats, or redeem other rewards just like any other miles in their account.

How to transfer miles through your AAdvantage account online

Log into your AAdvantage account on the American Airlines website. Go to the "Account" section and look for the option labeled "Transfer Miles" or "Send Miles" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on when American last updated the site. Click that option and you will be asked to enter the recipient's AAdvantage number and the number of miles you want to transfer.

Before you complete the transfer, American will show you a summary of what you are about to send and confirm that you understand the miles cannot be returned once sent. You will also see any applicable restrictions — for example, if you have already transferred to this person once this calendar year, the system will tell you that you cannot transfer again until January 1 of the next year. Review everything carefully, then click to confirm. The miles will leave your account when ready, but they may take up to five business days to appear in the recipient's account, though most transfers show up within two to three days.

Who you can and cannot transfer miles to

The recipient must have an AAdvantage account that has been open for at least 30 days. If someone you want to transfer to just opened their account, you will need to wait a month before you can send them miles. The account must also be registered to someone in the United States, Canada, Mexico, or a handful of other countries that American has approved for mile transfers. If the recipient's account is registered to an address outside these countries, the transfer will not go through.

You cannot transfer miles to a business account, a corporate account, or an account that American has flagged for fraud or violation of their terms. If you are trying to transfer to someone and the system rejects it without explanation, contact American Airlines customer service — they can tell you whether the recipient's account has a restriction that blocks transfers.

Limits on how many times you can transfer

You can transfer miles to the same person only once per calendar year. This means if you transfer 10,000 miles to your sister in March, you cannot transfer to her again until January 1 of the following year. The limit resets on January 1, not on the anniversary of your transfer, so a transfer in December and another in January of the next year would both be allowed.

There is no limit on the total number of miles you can transfer in a single transaction, so you could send 100,000 miles to one person if you wanted to — but you would then be locked out of transferring to that person again until the new calendar year. If you need to move miles to multiple people, each person counts as a separate transfer, and you can do those in the same calendar year as long as each person receives only one transfer per year.

What happens after the miles arrive

Once the miles land in the recipient's account, they become part of their AAdvantage balance and can be used exactly like any other miles they have earned. They can book flights, pay for seat upgrades, redeem gift cards, or use miles for other rewards that American offers through the AAdvantage program. The miles do not expire as long as the recipient keeps their AAdvantage account active (which requires at least one account activity every 18 months, such as earning or redeeming miles).

The recipient does not have to do anything to accept the miles — they will straightforward appear in their account. There is no confirmation step or waiting period on their end. If the recipient's account is closed or suspended when the miles arrive, American will typically hold the miles for a period of time, but you should contact American to confirm what happens in that situation rather than assuming the miles will be safe indefinitely.

Alternatives if you cannot transfer directly

If the person you want to give miles to does not meet American's requirements — for example, their account is less than 30 days old or registered outside approved countries — you have a few other options. You can use your miles to purchase a gift card from American Airlines, which the recipient can then use to book their own flights. You can also book a flight for someone else using your miles by providing their name and confirmation details when you make the reservation.

Another option is to use your miles to purchase a ticket and give it to the person as a gift. American allows you to book a ticket in someone else's name and then transfer it to them or have them use it directly. This is different from a direct mile transfer, but it accomplishes the same goal of letting someone else benefit from your miles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer miles to someone who just opened their AAdvantage account?

No. The recipient's account must be at least 30 days old. If you want to transfer to someone new, have them open their account and then wait a month before you initiate the transfer. You can tell them about the miles you plan to send in the meantime.

What if I transfer miles and then change my mind?

Once miles are transferred, American does not reverse them. The miles leave your account when ready and cannot be returned. Make sure you want to send the miles before you confirm the transfer, because there is no undo button.

Do I have to pay taxes on miles I transfer to someone else?

American does not charge a fee for transfers, and the IRS does not treat transferred miles as taxable income to the recipient. However, tax law can be complex and depends on your specific situation. If you have questions about the tax treatment of miles transfers, consult a tax professional.

Can I transfer miles to someone in another country?

Only if their AAdvantage account is registered to an address in the United States, Canada, Mexico, or one of the other countries American has approved for transfers. If the account is registered outside these countries, the transfer will not go through, even if the person lives in the US temporarily.

How long does it take for transferred miles to show up?

Most transfers appear within two to three business days, though American allows up to five business days. If the miles have not arrived after five days, contact American customer service with the recipient's account number and the date you initiated the transfer.