Estate planning as a AAdvantage account holder

American Airlines AAdvantage is one of the largest airline loyalty programs in the world, with miles earned through flights, credit card spending, and partner purchases. Miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and gift cards. Miles expire after 24 months of account inactivity (credit card holders are exempt). AAdvantage miles are explicitly "not property" of the member, but American Airlines has a formalized process for requesting a discretionary one-time transfer after death.

American Airlines reviews transfer requests for AAdvantage miles on a case-by-case basis after the account holder's death. Approval is at the company's sole discretion, and documentation requirements must be met before any transfer is considered.

The program allows miles to be purchased as gifts, giving members a way to share value with others. Members can also redeem miles on behalf of someone else.

What happens at death

Under the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions (effective March 1, 2026), Section 2.G (Death of an AAdvantage member) provides that accrued AAdvantage Rewards and Benefits do not constitute property of the member or their estate, have no residual property rights value, and are not transferable upon death except as expressly permitted by American Airlines in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise permitted by American Airlines, upon the death of a member the account is terminated and the AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points forfeited. As a narrow exception, under certain limited situations and upon receipt of documentation satisfactory to American Airlines and payment of any applicable fees, American Airlines may elect, in its sole discretion and on a one-time basis only, to credit eligible accrued miles of the deceased member to persons specifically identified in documentation satisfactory to American Airlines, which may include (i) a declaration in support of request for transfer, (ii) a copy of the member's death certificate, and (iii) a copy of an official document establishing the legal authority of the individual in applicable circumstances. Section 2.F, the transfer provision that cross-references the death exception, adds that any decision American Airlines makes in response to a transfer request is final and not subject to further review, and that the transfer request and required documents must be provided within one year after the date of the applicable event giving rise to the request. American Airlines may require a Review Period of a minimum of 6 months or longer to learn of any other claims to the account and to conduct its internal review; that Review Period commences as of the submission date of all requested documentation and may be extended in American Airlines' sole discretion, including where there are disputes or conflicting claims.

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