American Airlines does not allow free transfers of miles between accounts
American Airlines AAdvantage miles cannot be transferred to another person's account at no cost. The program does not offer a free transfer feature. If you want to move miles from your account to someone else's, you will need to pay a fee, which American Airlines sets at $30 per transfer plus $0.01 per mile transferred.
There are a small number of exceptions where miles can move between accounts without a fee, but they are narrow: miles can pass to a spouse or domestic partner through the estate after death, or to a family member under age 21 if the account holder dies. Outside those circumstances, any transfer requires payment.
If you are looking to help someone use your miles, there are other paths that do not involve transferring the miles themselves. Those options may save you money and still accomplish what you need.
Key Takeaways
- American Airlines charges $30 plus $0.01 per mile to transfer miles to another person's account, with no free transfer option available.
- Miles can pass to a spouse, domestic partner, or minor family member only after the account holder's death, without a fee.
- You can book a ticket for someone else using your miles without transferring the miles themselves, and this costs nothing.
- Adding an authorized user to your account lets that person book flights with your miles, though they cannot access the miles independently.
- Combining miles with a spouse or domestic partner through the AAdvantage program requires a request but does not charge a fee.
Book a ticket for someone else without transferring miles
The most straightforward way to use your miles for another person is to book their ticket directly. You log into your AAdvantage account, search for the flight they want, and pay with your miles. The ticket goes to them, and your miles stay in your account—you simply spend them on their behalf.
This method works for any person: a family member, friend, colleague, or anyone else. You do not need their permission to book, though you will need their name and date of birth to complete the reservation. The ticket will be issued in their name, and they can use it to check in and fly.
The only limitation is that the person cannot change or cancel the ticket themselves—only you can, since you booked it. If plans change, you will need to manage the modification through your own account.
Add an authorized user to your account
An authorized user is someone you designate to book flights using your AAdvantage miles. They can log into a separate account linked to yours, search for flights, and book tickets with your miles balance. This is useful if you want to give someone regular access without transferring miles permanently.
To add an authorized user, you contact American Airlines directly through their website or by phone. You will provide the person's name, date of birth, and relationship to you. American Airlines does not charge a fee to add an authorized user, though there may be restrictions on how many you can add or how the account works operationally.
The authorized user cannot withdraw miles, transfer them elsewhere, or access them outside the booking system. They can only use the miles to book flights. If you remove them later, they lose access immediately.
Combine miles with a spouse or domestic partner
If you are married or in a domestic partnership recognized by American Airlines, you can request to combine your AAdvantage miles with your partner's account. This pools the miles into one account, giving both of you access to a larger balance for booking.
To combine miles, both account holders must submit a request to American Airlines together, usually through their website or by calling customer service. You will need to provide proof of your relationship—a marriage certificate for spouses, or documentation of domestic partnership status depending on your state. American Airlines does not charge a fee for this consolidation.
Once combined, the miles belong to the joint account. Either person can book flights using the shared balance. If you later separate, you can request to split the miles back into individual accounts, though American Airlines may have rules about how the balance divides.
What happens to miles after death
If you pass away, your AAdvantage miles do not automatically disappear. A spouse, domestic partner, or family member can request that the miles transfer to their account without paying the transfer fee. This is the only circumstance where American Airlines waives the $30 plus per-mile charge.
The person requesting the transfer will need to provide a death certificate and proof of their relationship to the deceased account holder. The process is handled by American Airlines' customer service team and can take several weeks. The miles then become part of the recipient's account and can be used normally.
If no one requests the transfer, the miles remain in the deceased account indefinitely. There is no automatic expiration, though the account itself may be closed by American Airlines after a period of inactivity.
The cost of transferring miles if you choose to pay
If you decide to transfer miles despite the fee, the cost is $30 per transfer plus $0.01 for each mile moved. A transfer of 10,000 miles would cost $30 + $100 = $130. A transfer of 50,000 miles would cost $30 + $500 = $530.
You initiate the transfer through your AAdvantage account online or by contacting customer service. You will need the recipient's name, AAdvantage account number, and relationship to you. American Airlines processes the transfer within a few business days, and the miles appear in the recipient's account.
Once transferred, the miles belong entirely to the other person. You cannot reverse the transfer or reclaim them. Make sure you are certain about the transfer before you authorize it.
Alternatives if transferring miles does not make sense
Before paying to transfer miles, consider whether you actually need to. If the goal is to help someone take a trip, booking their ticket directly with your miles costs nothing and accomplishes the same thing. If you want to give them ongoing access, adding them as an authorized user is free and lets them book whenever they want.
Another option is to use your miles for a ticket you would have bought anyway, freeing up money in your budget to give to them in cash. This is often more flexible than miles, since they can use the cash for any part of the trip—hotels, rental cars, meals—rather than just the flight.
If you have miles you will not use and want to help someone else, transferring them makes sense only if the value of the miles to that person exceeds the $30 fee plus the per-mile cost. For small balances, the fee often outweighs the benefit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer miles to my child?
You cannot transfer miles to a child during your lifetime, even if they are a minor. The only exception is after your death, when a family member under age 21 can inherit your miles without a fee. While your child is alive and you are alive, you would need to pay the $30 plus per-mile fee to transfer, or use one of the free alternatives like booking a ticket for them or adding them as an authorized user.
What if I want to give miles to a friend?
Transferring miles to a friend requires paying the $30 fee plus $0.01 per mile. There is no free transfer option for friends. Your cheaper alternatives are to book a flight for them directly using your miles, or to give them cash instead and let them purchase their own ticket.
Do I lose my miles when I combine them with my spouse?
No. When you combine miles with a spouse or domestic partner, the miles pool into one account that both of you can access. You do not lose them—they simply become part of a shared balance. If you later separate and split the account, American Airlines will divide the miles according to their policy at that time.
How long does it take to transfer miles if I pay the fee?
American Airlines typically processes a paid miles transfer within a few business days. The miles appear in the recipient's account once the transfer is complete. You can track the status through your account or by contacting customer service.
Can I transfer miles to multiple people at once?
No. Each transfer is a separate transaction to a single recipient account. If you want to give miles to three different people, you would need to make three separate transfers and pay the $30 fee three times, plus the per-mile cost for each transfer.