You cannot transfer American Airlines miles to another person directly through the program
American Airlines does not allow you to move miles from your AAdvantage account to someone else's account as a gift or transfer. The program's rules treat miles as non-transferable personal property tied to the account holder. If you want to use your miles to help someone else travel, you have a few actual options, but none of them involve moving the miles themselves.
The most common workaround is to book a ticket for another person using your own miles and account. You can purchase a ticket in someone else's name, and they can use it to fly. Another option is to add an authorized user to your account — a limited arrangement that lets a family member or household member use miles from your account under specific conditions. A third path, available only in certain circumstances, is to transfer miles to a spouse or domestic partner through the AAdvantage program's transfer rules, though this requires meeting specific requirements.
Key Takeaways
- American Airlines does not permit direct transfers of miles between unrelated account holders, even as a gift.
- You can book a ticket in another person's name using your own miles, and they can fly on that ticket.
- Spouses and domestic partners registered with American Airlines may transfer miles to each other, but the process requires proof of relationship and enrollment in the transfer program.
- Adding an authorized user to your account lets a household member book flights using your miles, though they cannot withdraw or gift the miles elsewhere.
- Miles expire if your account has no activity for 24 months, so unused miles cannot be held indefinitely for a future transfer.
Booking a ticket in someone else's name with your miles
This is the simplest way to use your miles to pay for another person's flight. Log into your AAdvantage account, search for the flight you want, and when you reach the passenger information screen, enter the other person's name, date of birth, and contact information. The ticket will be issued in their name, and they can use it to check in and board the flight. You pay the miles from your account; they receive the ticket.
The ticket is non-refundable once issued, though the person holding it can change the flight to a different date or route on the same airline at no additional cost if seats are available. If they need to cancel entirely, they receive a travel credit equal to the miles you spent, valid for one year. The credit stays in their name and can only be used by them.
This method works for one-way and round-trip flights. You can also add baggage fees, seat upgrades, and other ancillary services to the booking. The person does not need an AAdvantage account to fly on a ticket you purchase with your miles.
Transferring miles to a spouse or domestic partner
American Airlines allows married couples and registered domestic partners to transfer miles between their accounts. This is the only person-to-person transfer the program permits. To transfer miles to a spouse or domestic partner, both of you must be enrolled in the AAdvantage program, and you must register your relationship with American Airlines.
To register, visit the American Airlines website, log into your account, and look for the "Transfer Miles" or "Manage Relationships" section under account settings. You will need to provide proof of your relationship — a marriage certificate for spouses, or a domestic partnership certificate or affidavit for registered partners. The exact documents required vary by state and country. Once American Airlines verifies your relationship, you can transfer miles to that person's account.
Transfers typically process within a few business days. There is usually a fee per transfer — American Airlines charges a flat amount plus a per-mile charge, though the exact fee structure changes periodically. Check the current fee on the American Airlines website before you initiate a transfer. Miles transferred this way are permanent and can be used by the recipient immediately.
Adding an authorized user to your account
You can designate another person as an authorized user on your AAdvantage account. This person can book flights using your miles, but they cannot transfer miles out of the account, withdraw them, or gift them to someone else. The authorized user must be a family member or household member — American Airlines does not permit unrelated people to be added.
To add an authorized user, log into your account and go to the account settings or profile section. You will provide the person's name and date of birth. Once added, they can use your account number and their own identification to book flights. They will receive their own login credentials so they can view bookings and manage reservations.
An authorized user remains on your account until you remove them. If you remove them, they lose access to book new flights, but any tickets already issued in their name remain valid and can be used for travel. This arrangement is useful for parents managing travel for children or for couples who want to pool their miles for household travel planning.
What happens if you want to gift miles to a friend or unrelated person
American Airlines does not permit this under any circumstance. The program's terms explicitly prohibit transferring miles to anyone outside your immediate family or registered domestic partnership. If you attempt to work around this rule — for example, by having someone else log into your account to book flights — you risk having your account suspended or terminated.
Your only option with an unrelated person is to book the ticket yourself using your miles and issue it in their name. You bear the cost in miles; they receive the ticket. This is a one-way transaction and cannot be reversed once the ticket is issued.
How miles expire and what that means for transfers
American Airlines miles expire if your account has no activity for 24 consecutive months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just logging into your account. If your account becomes inactive and miles expire, they are gone permanently and cannot be recovered or transferred.
This matters if you are planning to transfer miles to a spouse or partner in the future. If you accumulate miles and then do not use your account for two years, those miles will expire before you can transfer them. To keep miles active, log into your account at least once every 24 months, or make sure you have some earning or spending activity during that period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer miles to my adult child?
No, unless your child is registered as a domestic partner, which is not typically applicable to parent-child relationships. You can book a ticket in your child's name using your miles, or add them as an authorized user if they live in your household. Both options let them fly using your miles without a direct transfer.
What if my spouse and I want to combine our miles?
You can transfer miles between your accounts if you are registered as spouses or domestic partners with American Airlines. Each of you can initiate transfers to the other. There is a fee per transfer, and the process takes a few business days. Once transferred, the miles belong to the recipient and can be used or transferred again.
If I book a ticket for someone else, can they change the name on it?
No. Once a ticket is issued in a specific person's name, that name cannot be changed. The person named on the ticket must be the one who flies. If the wrong name was used, you would need to cancel the ticket (receiving a travel credit) and rebook with the correct name.
Do I lose my miles if I add someone as an authorized user?
No. The miles remain in your account and under your control. An authorized user can book flights using your miles, but they cannot move the miles to their own account or withdraw them. You can remove the authorized user at any time, and the miles stay with you.
What if American Airlines closes my account for inactivity?
If your account is inactive for 24 months, your miles expire and are forfeited. The account itself may also be closed. You cannot recover expired miles or transfer them. To prevent this, log into your account or make a transaction at least once every two years.