UPDATE:
This morning, December 3, American announced it will extend the non-expiration of miles through the end of February.
– – – – – –
Starting January 1st, American Airlines loyalty program points—AAdvantage Miles—will once again face the danger of expiration if AA members don’t either use them and add to them. American paused the expiration process earlier in the pandemic.
Unlike the other major U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, JetBlue and Southwest, which have all either abandoned expiration or never had it, AA miles expire after 18 months of no activity. Points can be earned or used on AA and partner flights, and through credit card or shopping partners.
For those who are sitting on large or small piles of points and not planning to fly, the miles can be kept alive by earning more with a co-branded credit card, or shopping through the AAdvantage e-shopping mall. American also has a number of partners whose products and services can be paid for with points. Any transaction, no matter how small, keeps the account going.
