| Redeeming points and miles can help you offset travel costs and add more value to your purchases.. But, if you don't use them, you risk award charts being devalued or, worse, your points/miles expiring.. Fortunately, points and miles don't expire for Delta, United, and Southwest Airlines.. Unfortunately, American Airlines miles do expire. Your American Airlines miles expire after 24 months of account inactivity.. Once every 24 months, you must earn or redeem AAdvantage miles for qualifying purchases.. Each time you complete an activity, the countdown clock resets your balance.. Fortunately, there are easy ways to keep your account active. One way to work around the 24-month rule is to have an American Airlines credit card.. Fortunately, the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card, a $0 annual fee option, earns 2x miles at grocery stores.. There are also premium options, like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, that come with complimentary Admirals Club® membership for you and up to two guests traveling with you ($650 value).. These cards also come with the opportunity to earn signup bonuses of up to 65,000 miles. You can buy miles, join the AAdvantage dining program, and shop at the various AAdvantage eShopping partners to keep your account in good standing.. And there's always the most pleasurable, tried-and-true way to show activity on your account—taking a flight! Here are several ways to redeem American Airlines miles to give you ideas. | 
