What to do when a AAdvantage account holder dies
American Airlines has a formal process for transferring miles after an account holder dies
OverviewWhen someone dies
AAdvantage Deceased Member Account
Phone1-800-882-8880
Timeline
Transfer request and required documents must be submitted within one year of the event giving rise to the request. AA then runs a minimum Review Period of 6 months per the Terms; AA may extend the Review Period if there are disputed or conflicting claims.
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
Verified May 2026
Under the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions (effective March 1, 2026), accrued AAdvantage Rewards and Benefits do not constitute property of the member or their estate and are not transferable upon death except as expressly permitted by American Airlines in its sole discretion. Under limited circumstances and upon receipt of satisfactory documentation and payment of any applicable fees, American Airlines may elect, in its sole discretion and on a one-time basis only, to credit accrued miles to persons specifically identified in the documentation. 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 minimum Review Period of 6 months or longer to learn of any other claims and to process the request.
How to request a transfer
Follow these steps to initiate a transfer of AAdvantage miles after the account holder's death:
1
Contact AAdvantage Customer Service at 1-800-882-8880 to report the death and request a one-time discretionary transfer of miles.
2
Submit documentation satisfactory to American Airlines, which per the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions may include:
- •A declaration in support of the request for transfer
- •A copy of the member's death certificate
- •A copy of an official document establishing the legal authority of the individual (for example, letters testamentary or letters of administration)
3
Submit the transfer request and required documents within one year of the death. The Terms impose a one-year deadline on the transfer request measured from the date of the event giving rise to the request.
4
Be prepared to pay any applicable fees referenced in the Terms. American Airlines has not published a fixed fee amount on its own website; confirm current charges directly with AAdvantage Customer Service.
5
Allow American Airlines its stated Review Period, which the Terms describe as a minimum of 6 months or longer so that AA can learn of any other claims and conduct its internal review. If there are disputed or conflicting claims, AA may extend the Review Period.
6
Retain copies of all submitted materials and correspondence until the request is resolved. Because the transfer is discretionary, American Airlines is not obligated to approve it.
Required Documents
- Declaration in support of request for transfer (the recipient and the mile amount)
- Copy of the member's death certificate
- Official document establishing the requester's legal authority (for example, letters testamentary, letters of administration, or court order)
Timeline
Transfer request and required documents must be submitted within one year of the event giving rise to the request. AA then runs a minimum Review Period of 6 months per the Terms; AA may extend the Review Period if there are disputed or conflicting claims.
Frequently asked questions
No. Under the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions, 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.
Under limited circumstances and upon receipt of documentation satisfactory to American Airlines and payment of any applicable fees, AA may elect, in its sole discretion and on a one-time basis only, to credit accrued miles to persons specifically identified in the documentation. This may include a declaration in support of the transfer, a copy of the death certificate, and a copy of an official document establishing legal authority.
The Terms describe a minimum Review Period of 6 months or longer so AA can learn of any other claims and process the documentation. If there are disputed or conflicting claims, AA may extend the Review Period.
Yes. Per the AAdvantage Terms and Conditions, the transfer request and required documents must be provided within one year after the date of the event giving rise to the request. Requests submitted after the one-year window are not eligible.
Because any transfer at death is discretionary, the most reliable strategy is to use miles during your lifetime: redeem for flights, upgrades, or gift cards, or book award flights in another traveler's name. Record your AAdvantage account number and sign-in information with your estate planning documents so your executor can contact AA promptly.
The AAdvantage Terms reference "payment of any applicable fees" for discretionary mile transfers but do not publish a specific fee amount. Confirm any current fee directly with [AAdvantage Customer Service](https://www.aa.com/i18n/customer-service/contact-american/aadvantage-customer-service.jsp).
AAdvantage Customer Service at 1-800-882-8880 handles deceased-member inquiries. Have the member's full name, date of death, and AAdvantage account number available.
The recipient can use transferred miles under the program's normal terms. Keeping the deceased account holder's account number and contact details on file simplifies this process for the executor or surviving family.
AAdvantage Deceased Member Account
Phone1-800-882-8880
Timeline
Transfer request and required documents must be submitted within one year of the event giving rise to the request. AA then runs a minimum Review Period of 6 months per the Terms; AA may extend the Review Period if there are disputed or conflicting claims.
WebsiteSubmit claim online →
Verified May 2026
