I live in a Delta hub city, Salt Lake City, and therefore rarely fly American Airlines. However, I do still have a sizeable mileage balance with them from credit card signup bonuses in the past. I, therefore, have AwardWallet watch all of my balances and find ways to keep the miles from expiring by having activity on the account.

In the term and conditions, “Effective March 1, 2022, AAdvantage® members must have Qualifying Activity once every 24 months, or be the primary holder of an open AAdvantage® credit card account associated to their AAdvantage® account, in order to retain their miles. “Qualifying Activity” is defined as redeeming any AAdvantage® award or accruing mileage credit on any eligible American, or AAdvantage® airline participant, as well as accruing mileage credit with participating hotels, car rental companies, credit cards, and other service providers offering AAdvantage® mileage credit.”

Today, I found an easy way to keep American Airlines AAdvantage miles from expiring simply by filling up at Shell Gas Stations. Shell runs a loyalty program called Fuel Rewards. You can link your Fuel Rewards account to your American Airlines Advantage account and become eligible for 3 miles per gallon of fuel.

How it Works
Link your AAdvantage® account to your Fuel Rewards account.
Earn 3 AAdvantage Miles for every gallon of Shell fuel you purchase.
Download the Fuel Rewards app to control your earning status for miles or fuel savings.
Ensure your first and last name of your Fuel Rewards account match your AAdvantage® account.

The Details
By linking your AAdvantage account to your Fuel Rewards account, you are automatically opting in to EARN MILES at the pump. This REPLACES YOUR PLATINUM, GOLD, OR SILVER status and you are no longer saving 10, 5, or 3 cents/gallon.
To switch how you earn – MILES or FUEL SAVINGS – go to the Fuel Rewards app and select American Airlines under “Link Partner Accounts”
AAdvantage miles earned through this offer are limited to 20 gallons of fuel per purchase, per vehicle.
AAdvantage miles typically post to your account within 7-10 days

Restrictions apply. Offer valid through 8/1/2024 (the “Offer Period”). Earn a one-time reward of 250 AAdvantage® Miles when you (i) join the Fuel Rewards ® program as a new member; (ii) link your AAdvantage® account to your new Fuel Rewards account; and (iii) after successful registration, complete your first fill-up of at least 5 gallons during the Offer Period. Offer valid for new Fuel Rewards members only. AAdvantage® Miles earned through this offer will be posted to your AAdvantage® account within 45 days of completing the qualifying fill. AAdvantage® Terms & Conditions here.

I read the one-time reward of 250 AAdvantage Miles as valid for new Fuel Rewards members only. Everyone is eligible for the 3 miles a gallon promotion.

I will be linking my fuel rewards to my AAdvantage Miles in order to extend the expiration easily going forward.