Reactivated miles are credited to your account as a mileage bonus and don't count toward AAdvantage^® status qualification or Million Miler™ status. Reactivated miles will not expire as long as your account has mileage earning or redeeming activity once every 24 months.

Under the American Airlines AAdvantage program rules for 2026, miles do not expire as long as there is "qualifying activity" in your account at least once every 24 months. If you pay to reinstate miles that have already expired, those specific miles become part of your general balance and follow the same 24-month rule. "Qualifying activity" includes earning miles through flights, using an AAdvantage credit card, or making a purchase through the AAdvantage eShopping portal. It also includes redeeming miles for flights or car rentals. It is important to note that miles for members under the age of 21 do not expire. If you fail to have any activity for 24 months, your entire balance—including any miles you previously paid to reinstate—will be forfeited. Therefore, the best high-fidelity strategy is to ensure you have a small earning or redemption event at least once every two years to keep your reinstated investment safe, as American Airlines does not differentiate between "earned" and "reinstated" miles regarding expiration logic.