As 2025 comes to a close, many travelers are reviewing their loyalty program balances and asking a common question: Should I hold on to my American Airlines miles or sell them before the new year?
While AAdvantage miles remain one of the most valuable loyalty currencies on the market, several factors—including market trends, airline policy changes, and shifting demand—make this a smart time to reassess your strategy.
In this article, we’ll review what happened with American Airlines miles in 2025, look at the risks of carrying miles into 2026, and help you decide whether selling now through Miles123 is the right move.
What Happened With AAdvantage Miles in 2025?
Over the past year, American Airlines continued its shift toward dynamic pricing, making it harder for travelers to predict how many miles they’d need for a given flight. While some travelers found great redemptions—especially on Oneworld partners like Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways—many others struggled with inconsistent pricing and limited award availability.
A few key 2025 trends:
- Increased mileage costs for domestic and international routes
- Fewer “saver” awards and more peak-season restrictions
- Ongoing rumors about future program adjustments in 2026
As a result, many frequent flyers began looking for alternatives—including selling their miles for cash.
The Risks of Holding AAdvantage Miles Into the New Year
While there’s no official announcement yet, many industry analysts expect more changes to loyalty programs in early 2026. These changes often take effect with little warning and can include:
- Redemption rate increases (miles suddenly worth less)
- Stricter partner availability
- New expiration policies or updates to inactivity rules
Even if none of these changes happen right away, miles are not guaranteed to retain their value, and holding onto them too long can be a gamble.
Additionally, if your AAdvantage account has been inactive for 24 months, your miles could expire altogether—meaning you get nothing for them.
What Happens to Resale Value in January?
The first quarter of the year typically sees a slowdown in travel after the holiday rush. That means resale demand for miles may dip slightly in January and February, especially compared to the high rates seen in November and December.
If you’re planning to sell, doing so before year-end or in early January can help you lock in a better rate while buyers are still active and preparing for early Q1 business travel or winter getaways.
Sell Your AA Miles Safely with Miles123
If you’ve decided to cash out your miles, Miles123 makes it easy:
- Visit Miles123.com
- Choose “Sell American Airlines Miles”
- Request your free, no-obligation quote
- We verify your miles securely
- You get paid first, before transferring your miles
It’s fast, secure, and built for travelers who want a safe way to turn loyalty points into cash.
If you don’t have firm travel plans in early 2026—or simply want to protect the value of your AAdvantage miles—now is a great time to sell. With the uncertainty of potential program changes ahead, and January travel patterns impacting resale value, holding your miles could mean missing out on real cash.
Get a free quote from Miles123 today, and start the new year with money in your pocket instead of miles at risk.
