The effects of Sn and Ga additions on the glass forming ability (GFA) of (Al86La5Ni9)(100-x) Sn (x) (x=0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 and 2 at.%) and (Al86La5Ni9)(100-x) Ga (x) (x=0, 0.2, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 at.%) alloys were systematically investigated. Unlike common microalloying methods, both Sn and Ga have a positive heat of mixing with the main component of Al. Our analysis confirmed that proper Sn addition can suppress the strong formation of alpha-Al and enhance the GFA due to the positive heat of mixing between Sn and Al and the large difference in their atomic sizes. While the addition of Ga to the base alloy acted as the nucleation cites for alpha-Al and accelerated precipitation of the alpha-Al phase, thus deteriorating the GFA.