What you can do with American Airlines miles transfers
American Airlines lets you move miles from your AAdvantage account to another person's AAdvantage account, or to transfer partners in their network. You cannot move miles into your account from someone else — transfers only go outward. The person receiving the miles must have an active AAdvantage account, and American charges a fee based on how many miles you send.
Transfers to other AAdvantage members take about one business day to process. Transfers to airline partners can take longer, sometimes up to two weeks, because each partner processes the transaction on their own timeline. Once miles leave your account, American does not reverse the transfer, so confirm the recipient's account number before you submit.
Key Takeaways
- American charges $0.01 per mile transferred to another AAdvantage member, with a $25 minimum and $100 maximum fee per transaction.
- You can transfer miles to 13 partner airlines including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Etihad, each with its own fee structure and processing time.
- The recipient must have an active account with the airline or program before you initiate the transfer.
- Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed once submitted, so verify the account number and recipient identity beforehand.
Transferring miles to another AAdvantage member
To send miles to someone else's AAdvantage account, log into your account on aa.com, go to the "Manage Miles" section, and select "Transfer Miles." You will need the recipient's full name, AAdvantage number, and email address. American will show you the fee before you confirm — it is $0.01 per mile, with a $25 floor and $100 ceiling on any single transfer.
This means transferring 2,500 miles costs $25 (the minimum), transferring 5,000 miles costs $50, and transferring 10,000 miles costs $100 (the maximum). If you want to move more than 10,000 miles to one person, you have to split it into multiple transfers. The recipient does not pay a fee; the cost comes entirely from your account.
The miles land in the recipient's account within one business day. American does not notify the recipient automatically, so if you are sending miles as a gift, let them know to check their account. The transfer is final once submitted — American will not reverse it even if you change your mind or made a mistake with the account number.
Transferring miles to airline partners
American has transfer partnerships with 13 other airlines and programs. The partners are British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, China Eastern, Etihad Guest, Finnair Plus, Iberia Plus, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, LATAM Pass, Qatar Airways Frequent Flyer, Royal Jordanian Royal Club, S7 Airlines, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Each partner has its own fee and processing timeline. Some charge a flat fee per transfer (for example, Cathay Pacific charges $15 to $35 depending on the amount), while others charge per mile or have no fee at all. Processing times range from a few days to two weeks. Before you transfer, check the partner's website or call American at 800-882-8880 to confirm the current fee and how long the transfer will take.
You will need the recipient's account number with the partner airline, not their AAdvantage number. The recipient must already have an active account with that airline — American cannot create an account for them. Once you initiate the transfer through your AAdvantage account, you cannot cancel it, so verify the account number is correct.
When transferring miles makes financial sense
Transferring miles costs money, so the miles you receive have to be worth more than the fee you pay. If you transfer 5,000 miles to someone for a $50 fee, those 5,000 miles need to be worth at least $50 in value to that person — roughly 1 cent per mile or better.
Transfers often make sense when the recipient can use the miles for a specific flight you cannot book with your own balance, or when they are closer to a redemption goal and your miles get them there. They make less sense if you are just moving miles around without a concrete booking in mind. Partner transfers can be worthwhile if the partner airline has better award availability or lower mile costs for a route you want to fly.
Some people transfer miles to family members to pool balances for a joint trip, or to a spouse's account to reach a higher tier faster. Others transfer to partners when they find a good deal on that airline's award chart. In all cases, the math should show that the miles are worth more to the recipient than the fee costs you.
Restrictions and rules you need to know
You cannot transfer miles to yourself or to a business account. American also will not process transfers to accounts that have been inactive for more than 24 months — the recipient's account must show recent activity. If you are sending miles to someone outside the United States, their account must still be a valid AAdvantage or partner account; American does not transfer miles to international-only programs.
Miles transferred as a gift may have tax implications depending on the amount and your relationship to the recipient. American does not issue a tax form, so you may want to consult a tax professional if you are transferring a large balance. Additionally, some credit card issuers have restrictions on how you can use bonus miles — check your card's terms to see if transferring miles to others is allowed, as some cards prohibit it or limit it to family members.
Once a transfer completes, the miles belong to the recipient and you have no claim to them. American will not reverse a transfer even if the recipient does not use the miles or if circumstances change. This is why confirming the account number and recipient identity before you submit is critical.
How to find the best partner for your transfer
Before you transfer to a partner airline, compare award charts and seat availability on that airline's website. Some partners offer better value on specific routes — for example, one partner might charge fewer miles for a transatlantic flight than American does. Others have more award inventory on routes you want to fly.
You can also check partner award charts on sites like AwardWallet or directly on each partner's website. Factor in the transfer fee when you calculate whether the deal is worth it. If a partner charges 50,000 miles for a flight that American charges 60,000 for, but the transfer fee is $35, you save 10,000 miles but spend $35 — still a net win if those 10,000 miles are worth more than $35 to you.
Some partners have limited award availability or charge significantly more miles than American for the same flight. In those cases, transferring does not make sense unless you have a specific seat or date in mind that only that partner can provide. Spend time comparing before you commit to a transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer miles to someone who does not have an AAdvantage account yet?
No. The recipient must have an active AAdvantage account before you transfer miles to them. If they do not have one, they can sign up for free at aa.com, but their account needs to be set up and active before you initiate the transfer. For partner airlines, the recipient must have an account with that specific partner.
What happens if I transfer miles to the wrong account number?
American will not reverse the transfer. The miles will go to whatever account number you entered, and you will have no way to recover them. This is why you must verify the account number and recipient identity before you submit. If you make a mistake, contact American when ready at 800-882-8880, but be aware they may not be able to help.
Do I have to pay taxes on miles I transfer as a gift?
American does not issue a tax form for transferred miles, but the IRS may consider a large transfer taxable income to the recipient depending on your relationship and the amount. Consult a tax professional if you are transferring a substantial balance, especially to someone who is not a spouse or dependent.
How long does a transfer to a partner airline take?
Partner transfers typically take 5 to 14 business days, though some partners process faster. British Airways and Cathay Pacific often complete within a few days, while others may take up to two weeks. Check with the specific partner or call American at 800-882-8880 before you transfer if timing is important.
Can I transfer miles from a business AAdvantage account?
No. American does not allow transfers from business accounts, only from personal AAdvantage accounts. If you have both a personal and business account, you can only transfer from the personal one.