Key Takeaways
- American Airlines generally charges to transfer miles between AAdvantage accounts, so direct account-to-account transfers are rarely free.
- There are legitimate, effectively free ways to move value to another person: transfer hotel points that convert to AAdvantage, or simply use your miles to book an award for someone else.
- Some transferable currencies that used to move 1:1 to AAdvantage have ended, so always confirm live transfer partners before you move points.
- Best practical options: Transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to AAdvantage, book award tickets in someone else’s name, or use temporary Citi ThankYou windows when available.
If you need to get American Airlines AAdvantage miles to a friend or family member, the simplest idea is to log in and transfer miles. The catch is American charges for direct transfers between accounts, which makes that method expensive for anything but small amounts. Fortunately there are reliable, effectively free alternatives that accomplish the same goal.
This guide shows the current options, step-by-step methods, and the tradeoffs so you can move travel purchasing power without throwing away value.
Want to compare real-world tricks and success stories? Join the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to see how members move miles and book awards for others.
Quick reality check, before we start
- Direct AAdvantage account-to-account transfers are allowed, but American charges a fee (currently about $5 per 1,000 miles, with minimum and yearly caps), so this is not free. If you see dramatic-sounding “free transfer” hacks online, double-check the math.
- Transfer partners and promotions change, sometimes quickly. A partner that worked last year may be gone now, so always verify live before transferring.
Free or effectively free ways to get miles for someone else
Below are the practical methods that let you achieve the same result as a free transfer, with pros, cons, and steps.
1) Book the award for the other person, using your miles (free)
This is the fastest option, and it is completely free. You can use your AAdvantage miles to book an award ticket in someone else’s name, without moving miles between accounts. The traveler shows their own ID at the airport, but the ticket was paid with your miles. This avoids transfer fees entirely and is the most recommended approach if your goal is to get travel for another person.
How to do it:
- Log into aa.com with your AAdvantage account.
- Search award flights with “Redeem miles” selected.
- Input the other person as the traveler when booking, and complete the redemption.
- Save the booking reference and share it with the traveler.
When to use this: any time you want someone else to fly on a ticket you pay for. It is especially useful for one-off gifts, family travel, or helping someone with urgent plans.
2) Transfer hotel points that convert to AAdvantage (effectively free)
Some hotel programs let you convert hotel points to AAdvantage miles at no transfer fee. Marriott Bonvoy is the most common example, transfers go at roughly 3:1 Marriott points to 1 AAdvantage mile. There is no per-mile cash fee to move Marriott points into AAdvantage, though the conversion ratio is not 1:1, so value per point drops. This method is “free” in terms of fees, but not free in value, you should run the math to make sure it’s worth it for your situation.
How to do it:
- Log into your Marriott Bonvoy account.
- Select “Convert Points to Miles,” choose American Airlines, and follow prompts.
- Transfer into the recipient’s AAdvantage number if Marriott allows specifying the recipient, otherwise transfer into your AA account and book an award for the recipient.
Caveats: Marriott-to-AA transfers do not always trigger transfer bonuses, and the 3:1 ratio can be a poor deal if you value Marriott points highly. Check timing and conversion rules before you move large balances.
3) Use transferable currency partners, when available
Historically Bilt and Citi ThankYou have offered transfer windows to AAdvantage at 1:1, but these partnerships change. Bilt’s ability to transfer to AA ended in past windows, and Citi transfers have been intermittent. If you hold points in a transferable program that can move to AAdvantage, that’s effectively a fee-free transfer, but these opportunities are rare and short-lived. Always verify now, before you move points.
Tip: check your transferable currency portal, and search “American AAdvantage” before you hit transfer.
4) Transfer hotel points into an AAdvantage account, then gift or redeem
If your hotel program does not allow the miles to land directly in another person’s AAdvantage account, transfer into your AA account, and then either:
(a) book an award for the other traveler, or
(b) transfer miles between AA accounts and accept the one-time transfer fee only if the math still favors it.
Things that are not free, but people ask about
- Buying or gifting miles directly from American costs money, and usually is not economical.
- Transferring miles between AAdvantage accounts via AA’s “Share or Transfer” tool costs money, so it is not “free.”
Decision table, quick pick
| Goal | Best free/effective option | Notes |
| Get a ticket to someone else right now | Book an award in their name with your miles | Fast, no transfer fees, recommended. |
| Move hotel points into AA miles for someone | Convert Marriott Bonvoy to AA, then book award for them | Transfer is fee-free, ratio is 3:1, value varies. |
| Move points instantly 1:1 | Use transferable program only if live partner exists | Rare, check portals before transfer. |
Step-by-step example: book an award for someone else (best free method)
- Log in to aa.com, choose “Redeem miles” and search dates.
- Find an award seat, select it, and on the passenger page enter the traveler’s full name and passport info for international travel.
- Complete the redemption and email the itinerary and confirmation to the traveler.
- If the traveler needs to check in, they can do so with the booking reference and their photo ID.
This is free, immediate, and avoids the $5 per 1,000 mile transfer charge or other fees.
Final tips and warnings
- Always check current transfer partners and fees before moving any points. Promotions and partnerships change, sometimes without long notice.
- If you do pay AA’s transfer fee, check if the fee plus lost award availability still makes sense compared to booking directly for the other person.
- Keep receipts and screenshots when you initiate transfers, because hotel and airline transfers can take time and occasionally require follow-up.
Want real-world examples of members who used Marriott or booked awards for others? Join the Talk Travel United Airlines Forums to compare notes and learn what worked for travelers on your route.
FAQs
1. Can I transfer American Airlines miles to another person for free?
No. Direct account-to-account transfers through AAdvantage usually carry a fee, so they are not free. However, you can avoid that fee by booking an award for the other person with your miles.
2. Are there any point programs that transfer to AA for free?
Hotel programs like Marriott Bonvoy can convert points to AAdvantage miles without a cash fee, though conversion ratios are often 3:1, so run the numbers before transferring.
3. Can I transfer Marriott points directly into someone else’s AAdvantage account?
Marriott’s interface sometimes allows specifying the recipient, but if not, transfer into your AA account and then book an award for the recipient to avoid transfer fees. Always check Marriott’s transfer flow first.
4. Did Bilt still transfer 1:1 to American Airlines?
No. Bilt’s direct 1:1 transfer partnership with AAdvantage ended, and these partnerships have changed in recent years, so don’t count on it. Confirm current partners before you move points.
5. What’s the safest, lowest-cost way to give someone an AA ticket?
Use your AAdvantage miles to book an award ticket in their name. It’s free, immediate, and avoids transfer fees. Make sure to have correct passport or ID details for international travel.
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