buyAAmiles®, giftAAmiles(sm) and shareAAmiles program Terms and Conditions

1. About the buyAAmiles^® and giftAAmiles^sm programs

Q:What are the buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles programs and how do they work?
A:The buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles programs allow AAdvantage members to purchase miles for themselves or other AAdvantage members. You must be a current AAdvantage member in order to buy miles for your own AAdvantage account. Accepted methods of payment are a valid Visa^®, MasterCard^®, American Express^®, JCB, Diners Club^® or Discover^® Card. The price per mile is US 2.95¢ for purchases of 1,000 to 80,000 miles, plus a 7.5% Federal Excise Tax and a processing fee per transaction. THE PER TRANSACTION PROCESSING FEE FOR THE PURCHASE OF MILES is $35 AND FOR THE GIFTING OF MILES IS $35. Allow 72 hours for the AAdvantage account to be updated. buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles transactions are not refundable, and purchased and received miles are not exchangeable. Other terms may apply. All standard AAdvantage program rules and conditions apply. AAdvantage award travel seats may be subject to capacity controls and travel embargo dates and may not be available on all flights.
Q:How much does it cost to purchase miles?
A:The price per mile is US 2.95¢ for purchases of 1,000 to 80,000 miles, plus a 7.5% Federal Excise Tax and a processing fee per transaction. THE PER TRANSACTION PROCESSING FEE FOR THE PURCHASE OF MILES IS $35 AND FOR THE GIFTING OF MILES IS $35. GST/HST applies to Canadian residents. buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles transactions are not refundable, and purchased and received miles are not exchangeable.
Q:Which credit cards may I use?
A:You may use any valid Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club or Discover Card.
Q:If I purchase miles using my Citi^® / AAdvantage^® credit card, will I also earn miles for the transaction?
A:Yes. For example, if you are a U.S. resident and you use your Citi^® / AAdvantage^® credit card to buy AAdvantage miles, you will earn miles on the cost of the miles, the applicable tax, and on any applicable transaction fee.
Q:What will be reflected on my credit card statement when I receive my monthly bill?
A:Your statement will indicate a purchase from Points.com. The description will read "buyAAmiles.points.com".
Q:Is American Airlines charging my credit card, or is Points.com?
A:Points.com will charge your credit card for your buyAAmiles or giftAAmiles purchase, on behalf of American Airlines. American Airlines and the AAdvantage program have partnered with Points.com to offer the buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles programs.
Q:How do I know that I completed the buyAAmiles or giftAAmiles transaction successfully?
A:When you complete the online transaction you will receive a confirmation number. It's a good idea to keep your confirmation number handy until the miles are deposited. You will also receive two emails. The first (a receipt) is sent when you complete the online transaction. The second (a confirmation) is sent when the full transaction is completed.
Q:How soon are purchased or gifted miles deposited into the AAdvantage account?
A:If you purchase between 12am and 9pm the miles usually post that same evening, (overnight). However, please allow 24-72 hours for the AAdvantage miles purchased under the buyAAmiles or giftAAmiles programs to be posted to your AAdvantage account.
Q:How can I see the miles in my account?
A:After 24-72 hours, you can view the miles in your AAdvantage account when you login to the AA.com Web site with your AAdvantage number and secure password. If you haven't received a confirmation email after 72 hours, contact AAdvantage Customer Service.
Q:Will you notify me when the miles have been credited to my account?
A:Yes, you will receive a confirmation email when the miles have been deposited into your account. If you are giving miles as a gift, you can include the recipient's email during the transaction to send notification of your gift.
Q:Can I purchase miles if I am traveling today and would like to use them to claim an award?
A:No. Processing takes up to 72 hours. The miles may not be used until they have been posted to the account.
Q:If I call AAdvantage Customer Service or Reservations, can they post the miles any sooner than 72 hours?
A:No, miles may only be purchased online using the buyAAmiles or giftAAmiles program. The 72-hour posting schedule cannot be expedited. Note however, if you purchase between 12am and 9pm the miles usually post that same evening, (overnight). However, please allow 24-72 hours for the AAdvantage miles purchased to be posted to your AAdvantage account.
Q:Can I purchase miles if I don't have an AAdvantage account number?
A:No, but you can instantly obtain an AAdvantage number by enrolling in the program via the AA.com Web site.
Q:Is there a maximum number of miles that I can purchase or receive as a gift?
A:Using the buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles programs, you can purchase a maximum of 80,000 AAdvantage miles for yourself. You may also purchase a maximum of 80,000 miles per person as a gift for others. Using the buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles programs, you may receive a combined maximum of 80,000 AAdvantage miles per calendar year.
Q:Do the miles I buy or receive help me qualify for AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Executive Platinum status?
A:No, the miles purchased with the buyAAmiles program and received with the giftAAmiles program do not count towards AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, or AAdvantage Executive Platinum qualification.
Q:Will the miles I buy or receive expire?
A:Miles purchased with the buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles programs, like all other AAdvantage miles, will not expire provided you earn or redeem miles at least once every 18 months. A new 18-month non-expiration period begins each time a member has qualifying account activity by earning or redeeming miles.
Q:Can I get a refund of a buyAAmiles or giftAAmiles transaction?
A:No. The miles purchased through the buyAAmiles and giftAAmiles programs are non-refundable, non-transferable and non-exchangeable.
Q:Is the personal order information I provide confidential?
A:American Airlines recognizes that it must maintain and use customer information responsibly. We use customer information for American Airlines and AAdvantage marketing and promotional purposes only. We do not sell member information to any outside company or third party.
Q:Are my online transfers secure?
A:Protecting your order is a priority. American Airlines and Points.com make every effort to protect your online order information by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. SSL encrypts your order information to avoid the decoding of that information by anyone other than American Airlines and Points.com. To check the security of your connection, look at the lower left-hand corner of your browser window after accessing the server. If you see an unbroken key or a closed lock (depending upon your browser), then SSL is active.
Q:Who is Points.com^®?
A:Points.com is a company that provides online marketing and technology solutions to loyalty programs and also offers loyalty program members, including AAdvantage members, the world's first loyalty program currency exchange - pointsxchange^TM. Points.com has been contracted by American Airlines to develop and operate components of the AAdvantage program. For more information please visit www.points.com.

2. About the shareAAmiles^® program

Q:What is the shareAAmiles program and how does it work?
A:The shareAAmiles program allows AAdvantage members to transfer miles from their AAdvantage account into other AAdvantage members' accounts. Members may transfer a maximum of 100,000 AAdvantage miles from their accounts per calendar year, and members may receive a maximum of 100,000 AAdvantage miles transferred from other accounts per calendar year. The only accepted methods of payment are a valid Visa^®, MasterCard^®, American Express^®, JCB, Diners Club^®, or Discover^® Card. The Mileage Transfer Cost is based on the number of miles transferred to each recipient: The Mileage Transfer Cost starts at USD $12.50 for transfers of 1,000 up to USD $625 for transfers of 50,000, plus a USD $20 processing fee per transaction. GST/HST applies for Canadian residents.

Allow 3 business days for the AAdvantage accounts to be updated. shareAAmiles transactions are not refundable, and transferred miles are not exchangeable. Other terms may apply. All standard AAdvantage program rules and conditions apply. AAdvantage award travel seats may be subject to capacity controls and travel embargo dates and may not be available on all flights.
Q:What is the difference between the shareAAmiles program and the giftAAmiles program?
A:With the shareAAmiles program, a member transfers miles that were already earned in the member's account to another member's account. With the giftAAmiles program, a member purchases new miles that are deposited into another member's account. In a shareAAmiles transaction, miles will be deducted from the transactor's account and deposited into the recipient's account. In a giftAAmiles transaction, no miles are deducted from the transactor's account.
Q:Does the member sharing miles have to be related to the member receiving the miles?
A:No, miles may be transferred into any account as long as the recipient has not exceeded the 100,000 mile maximum per year.
Q:How much does it cost me to transfer my miles?

A:The Mileage Transfer Cost is based on the number of miles transferred to each recipient. The Mileage Transfer Cost is as follows: GST/HST applies to Canadian residents.

# of miles	cost*
1,000	$12.50
2,000	$25.00
3,000	$37.50
4,000	$50.00
5,000	$62.50
6,000	$75.00
7,000	$87.50
8,000	$100.00
9,000	$112.50
10,000	$125.00
11,000	$137.50
12,000	$150.00
13,000	$162.50
14,000	$175.00
15,000	$187.50
16,000	$200.00
17,000	$212.50
18,000	$225.00
19,000	$237.50
20,000	$250.00
21,000	$262.50
22,000	$275.00
23,000	$287.50
24,000	$300.00
25,000	$312.50
26,000	$325.00
27,000	$337.50
28,000	$350.00
29,000	$362.50
30,000	$375.00
31,000	$387.50
32,000	$400.00
33,000	$412.50
34,000	$425.00
35,000	$437.50
36,000	$450.00
37,000	$462.50
38,000	$475.00
39,000	$487.50
40,000	$500.00
41,000	$512.50
42,000	$525.00
43,000	$537.50
44,000	$550.00
45,000	$562.50
46,000	$575.00
47,000	$587.50
48,000	$600.00
49,000	$612.50
50,000	$625.00
* Plus a USD $20 transaction fee applies to all transactions. GST/HST applies to Canadian residents.

Q:Which credit cards may I use?
A:You may use any valid Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club or Discover Card
Q:If I transfer miles using my Citi^® / AAdvantage^® credit card, will I also earn miles for the transaction?
A:Yes. For example, if you use your Citi^® / AAdvantage^® to transfer 8,000 AAdvantage miles to your spouse, you will pay USD $100, and you will earn 100 AAdvantage miles on the transaction, plus any applicable transfer fee.
Q:What will be reflected on my credit card statement when I receive my monthly bill?
A:Your statement will indicate a transfer from Points.com. The description will read "buyAAmiles.points.com."
Q:Is American Airlines charging my credit card, or is Points.com?
A:Points.com will charge your credit card for your shareAAmiles transaction, on behalf of American Airlines. Points.com has been contracted by American Airlines to operate the shareAAmiles program.
Q:How do I know that I completed the shareAAmiles transaction successfully?
A:When you complete the online transaction you will receive a confirmation number. It's a good idea to keep your confirmation number handy until the miles are deposited. You will also receive two emails. The first (a receipt) is sent when you complete the online transaction. The second (a confirmation) is sent when the shareAAmiles transaction is completed in full. Your recipient will also receive a confirmation email at that time.
Q:When will the recipient see the miles in their account?
A:Please allow 3 business days for the AAdvantage miles to post to each recipient's account.
Q:How soon after I transfer miles out of my account can I check to see if they have been deposited into the recipient's account?
A:Your miles will be posted within 3 business days of the transfer. You and your recipient will both be notified by email when the posting is complete. You can view your mileage balance online when you login to the AA.com Web site with your AAdvantage number and secure password. If you haven't received a confirmation email after 3 business days, contact AAdvantage Customer Service.
Q:Will you notify me when the miles have been deducted from my account and credited to the recipient's account?
A:You will receive a confirmation email when the miles have been deducted from your account and deposited into each recipient's account. In order for the recipient to receive an email, that person's email address must be provided during the shareAAmiles transaction.
Q:Can the recipient of my miles claim an award the same day that I complete the shareAAmiles transaction?
A:No, processing may take up to 3 business days and the recipient may not use the miles until they have been posted to the account.
Q:If I call AAdvantage Customer Service or Reservations can they post the miles any sooner than 3 business days?
A:No, miles may only be transferred online using the shareAAmiles program.The 3 business days posting schedule cannot be expedited.
Q:Do the miles I transfer through the shareAAmiles program help the recipient qualify for AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Executive Platinum status?
A:No, transferred miles do not count toward elite status qualification for AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, or AAdvantage Executive Platinum membership.
Q:Is there a maximum number of miles that I can transfer or receive?
A:Using the shareAAmiles program, you may transfer up to 100,000 miles out of your account per calendar year. Each recipient may receive a maximum of 100,000 AAdvantage miles transferred from other accounts per calendar year. For example, you may transfer 25,000 miles to each of four different AAdvantage members, totaling 100,000 miles out of your account. For recipients, the 100,000 mile maximum applies to all the miles transferred into the account, but it is in addition to any miles purchased through the buyAAmiles or giftAAmiles programs.
Q:Is there a limit on the number of accounts to which I may transfer miles?
A:No, miles may be transferred into multiple accounts as long as the 100,000-mile limit has not been exceeded.
Q:Will the miles I receive through the shareAAmiles program expire?
A:The miles transferred with the shareAAmiles program, like all other AAdvantage miles, will not expire, provided you have qualifying account activity at least once every 18 months. A new 18-month non-expiration period begins each time a member has qualifying account activity by earning or redeeming miles.
Q:Can I return miles into my account once I have transferred them to another member's account?
A:No, once the miles have been transferred, they cannot be put back into the original account. The transfer fee is non-refundable. However, once the miles have been transferred into an account, they may be shared with another member using the shareAAmiles program.
Q:Is the personal order information I provide confidential?
A:American Airlines recognizes that it must maintain and use customer information responsibly. We use customer information for AAdvantage marketing and promotional purposes only. We do not sell member information to any outside company or third party.
Q:Are my online transfers secure?
A:Protecting your order is a priority. American Airlines and points.com make every effort to protect your online order information by using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. SSL encrypts your order information to avoid the decoding of that information by anyone other than American Airlines and Points.com. To check the security of your connection, look at the lower left-hand corner of your browser window after accessing the server. If you see an unbroken key or a closed lock (depending upon your browser), then SSL is active
Q:Who is Points.com^®?
A:Points.com is a company that provides online marketing and technology solutions to loyalty programs and also offers loyalty program members, including AAdvantage members, the world's first loyalty program currency exchange - pointsxchange^TM. Points.com has been contracted by American Airlines to develop and operate components of the AAdvantage program. For more information please visit www.points.com.

3. Technical FAQs

Q:What browsers are required for Buy, Gift or Share transactions?
A:
Windows
Macintosh
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
Firefox 1.5 or higher
Firefox 1.5 or higher
Q:How do I determine which browser I am using?

Windows	Macintosh
From your browser, go to the Help menu and choose "About...." A screen will appear showing which browser and version you are using.	From your browser, go to the Help menu and choose "About...." A screen will appear showing which browser and version you are using.

Q:How do I upgrade to another browser?

Internet Explorer	Netscape
Go to Microsoft Internet Explorer Download. Instructions provided there will help you with download and installation.	Go to Netscape Download. Instructions provided there will help you with download and installation.

Q:Some of the site's functionality doesn't work? What are some possible causes?
A:Browsers: Using older browsers, non-compatible browsers or disabling browser features, such as Javascript, cookies and SSL, may reduce site functionality.
Firewalls: If you are accessing AA.com through a firewall or proxy, check with your Network Administrator to determine if cookies are permitted.
Pop-Up Blockers: If you have a pop-up blocker installed, it may also prevent some functionality on our site.
Q:How come I get a blank screen?
A:If you experience a blank screen during a transaction there could be many reasons (ie: internet disconnection), please exit the browser and re-try the transaction again. If problem still persists please try the transaction on another computer.

Windows	Macintosh
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher Firefox 1.5 or higher	Firefox 1.5 or higher