So what you are saying is your [sic] just posting to argue. Most people that earn something, pay attention to where that *thing* that is earned is.
Not at all. This is a discussion forum. You clearly posted the facts, but I assume you did not expect no responses or discussion. People here (myself included) are discussing what we think about this, despite the fact that we can't do anything about it. That's part of what FT is about.
Programs: AAdvantage Superstaaa. My views are my own.
Posts: 227
Quote:
Originally Posted by acf573
The one thing that pisses me off about these shortened expiration times is how all of the airlines are making them retroactive. Currently my AAdvantage summary has something that says, "Miles with Expiration Deferred Through 5/17/10." Let's say I don't have any activity between now and Dec 15. When exactly will it change to saying expiration deferred through 11/17/08?
And more pertinently, let's say my last activity was 6/15/06 instead. Then presumably my expiration date on AA.com would currently state 6/15/09. So at some point over the next 6 months, AA is going to have to say, oops, sorry, we lied to you. Your expiration date is now 12/15/07. (or perhaps they'll just let 12/15/07 slip by--caveat emptor) And if I checked it say right now and didn't know about the upcoming change, I might not look at my account for another year since AA just told me it was good for another 2 years.
Incidentally, I also find it quite curious how worked up the OP is over this issue, almost as if he/she has a personal stake in this change.
Naw, no personal stake. I just am curious how people think. I'm a marketing student. Oh and I like to argue. And I am poor so I usually fly SW.
From the way I read it, any miles people have that would expire between now and Dec 15 are suspended. And because AA sends statements with expiration dates on it, you can't not check your account unless you willfully don't opt in. And then, since they say they can change their program anytime, you don't have a leg to stand on.
Last edited by trinity_in_texas; May 31, 07 at 1:01 pm.
Reason: cause I wanted to.
Programs: AAdvantage Superstaaa. My views are my own.
Posts: 227
Quote:
Originally Posted by brp
Not at all. This is a discussion forum. You clearly posted the facts, but I assume you did not expect no responses or discussion. People here (myself included) are discussing what we think about this, despite the fact that we can't do anything about it. That's part of what FT is about.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrzej
Isn't this the same thing as a rebate or discount coupon for next purchase included with your item?
Both of the above have expiration dates. You paid for your purchase, received the rebate or discount coupon, but if you don't use it by certain date, sorry......
Well, if it is the same thing, what they've done is decided that they are not going to honor the expiration date on the coupon they gave you, which is now going to be 18 months sooner and if you don't happen to know about it, too bad...
It doesn't seem very fair to me, but since I think it's very easy to keep inactive accounts active by making small purchases at the online shopping malls (I do this, as I have a number of FF accounts on several airlines I fly only occasionally and, when I do, generally prefer to credit my miles to VS), I'm not upset by it.
IMO, they have been watching other airlines that have cut back miles longevity in unused accounts and figured it's working for them, and they can cut down their accrued obligations. If anyone complains, it will be someone who has not flown on AA in 18 months (or longer,) or even used an AA linked credit card, etc. From the AA perspective, no major losses, some significant gains, I'd guess.
given the way miles are accounted for, the savings can't mainly be in reduction of liability. the accounts that get expired, for the most part (loud exception threads on FT duly noted), would be low-balance accounts not even having enough miles to claim a free coach domestic trip. the overhead of servicing them is mainly what would be saved.
You fly Air Namibia? Wow, I didn't realize their route network was so wide.
Quote:
Originally Posted by trinity_in_texas
And because AA sends statements with expiration dates on it, you can't not check your account unless you willfully don't opt in.
Herein lies the problem. They sent statements out with an expiration date saying, for example, "your miles will expire on 5/31/10".
Then, the member doesn't have any activity for 18 months and the miles expire, even though they have something in print stating the contrary.
DL and UA have implemented these changes very poorly. I hope AA does better.
While I would prefer a longer expiration period (not so much for my accounts, but for the accounts of family members whom I help with miles issues), the change is okay but should be phased in so as not to apply retroactively.
Location: Austin, Executive Platinum, Explat since inception, Plat or higher for 16 years, 7 MMer, would walk or swim before flying UA
Posts: 3,727
Quote:
Originally Posted by brp
In theory, yes. I have a feeling that people who fall into this 18-month loss (or maybe looss, to use the apparent vernacular of this thread) scenario weren't much competition for frequent fliers on mileage redemption.
Cheers.
Probably true but its still moves in a helpful direction for those of us with active accounts.
given the way miles are accounted for, the savings can't mainly be in reduction of liability.
There may not be a huge reduction in actual liability, but there may be an on-the-books liability if all miles are assigned a certain cash value.
Quote:
Originally Posted by martin33
the accounts that get expired, for the most part (loud exception threads on FT duly noted), would be low-balance accounts not even having enough miles to claim a free coach domestic trip.
You fly Air Namibia? Wow, I didn't realize their route network was so wide.
Herein lies the problem. They sent statements out with an expiration date saying, for example, "your miles will expire on 5/31/10".
Then, the member doesn't have any activity for 18 months and the miles expire, even though they have something in print stating the contrary.
DL and UA have implemented these changes very poorly. I hope AA does better.
While I would prefer a longer expiration period (not so much for my accounts, but for the accounts of family members whom I help with miles issues), the change is okay but should be phased in so as not to apply retroactively.
Didn't they make arrangements the last time they did this, so miles earned before a certain date had different expiration than ones earned after?
If so the above scenario would be moot, and correct me if I'm wrong but I think there's already an AA precedent for having an account with X miles in it, where some of the miles expire at different times than others....
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rfrost
Well, if it is the same thing, what they've done is decided that they are not going to honor the expiration date on the coupon they gave you, which is now going to be 18 months sooner and if you don't happen to know about it, too bad...
or 5.5 months later for anybody with activity on or after June 1, 2004.
No worries.
