At about 950K lifetime miles, my employer decided to "move" me to Belfast. I stayed there for about 6 months, crossed the 1 MM mark and received 4 e-VIPs because of my foreign address. I didn't care about what the e-mail said, all I cared about was the 4 e-VIPs and my new EXP card with the 1 MM mark.
Amazingly enough I was told to go back home right after I crossed the 1MM marker.
Amazing how thinghs just work differently for everybody.
Why would you receive FEWER e-VIPs by having a non-US address? Isn't that when you might need MORE?
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Why would you receive FEWER e-VIPs by having a non-US address? Isn't that when you might need MORE?
A US (Canada, Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Mexico) residents get 8 500 mile stickers when crossing the 1st MM. All other AAdvantage members get 4 e-VIPs on top of whatever else you're are entitled to at the moment.
Why would you receive FEWER e-VIPs by having a non-US address? Isn't that when you might need MORE?
Fewer than what? Fewer than someone gets for making EXP? Totally different situations. (AA members outside North America get eVIPs for 1MM instead of stickers on the basis that they're less likely to be able to use stickers, they don't represent that many people as a fraction of all members so it doesn't cost AA much, and they tend to fly lots of trans-oceanic flights so it's worth something to AA to keep them happy.) Most everyone would value even four eVIPs as worth more than eight stickers, since any flight worth upgrading is likely to require two or more stickers.
Fewer than what? Fewer than someone gets for making EXP? Totally different situations. (AA members outside North America get eVIPs for 1MM instead of stickers on the basis that they're less likely to be able to use stickers, they don't represent that many people as a fraction of all members so it doesn't cost AA much, and they tend to fly lots of trans-oceanic flights so it's worth something to AA to keep them happy.) Most everyone would value even four eVIPs as worth more than eight stickers, since any flight worth upgrading is likely to require two or more stickers.
I would imagine that most people would consider two eVIPs (or even possibly one eVIP) more valuable than 8 stickers. Upgrading an international ticket is a lot more expensive than $250 or so.
The happiest day of my AA life, other than hitting EXP for the first time was hitting 2MM last November.
Lifetime PLT for now is quite an achievement for me. Most of my miles are BIS and then my PLT/EXP bonus, not too many promotions work for SEA-based fliers.
Now, I just book who I want to go where I want instead of looking at AA's schedule.
lala
Well, I don't know that is was the happiest day of my life , but I was pleased to get lifetime platinum, since my travel does fluctuate. Will never hit EXP but also will never drop to GLD. No more calculating remaining trips, etc.
Well, I don't know that is was the happiest day of my life , but I was pleased to get lifetime platinum, since my travel does fluctuate. Will never hit EXP but also will never drop to GLD. No more calculating remaining trips, etc.
And this explains why there is no lifetime EXP - a few of the posts here after people have achieved lifetime Plat have said " no more mileage runs/ calculating remaining miles for me" or have indicated that they don't need to worry about flying AA all the time now - the lifetime status is actually a sort of disincentive to keep flying AA - you don't need to as you have the status you need...
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The luggage has landed - just not where I did...
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Gold
Posts: 28
This weekend I returned home and found in the mail a letter from AA congratulating me on achieving 2MM, announcing my lifetime Platinum status, and 8 "Your Someone Special" sheets for me to recognize employees of the airline. There was also a new Platinum card through 2009.
The problem are, I achieved 2MM over two years ago and received this same letter at that time; I am currently Executive Platinum; and there are seldom any employees of AA that do anything to warrant the recognition these sheets confer.
The mistake wasn't too costly for them... there were no upgrades included this time around.
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, OW Emerald, QF Bronze, Marriott Silver, Starwood Gold; National Emerald
Posts: 2,358
Quote:
Originally Posted by simongr
And this explains why there is no lifetime EXP - a few of the posts here after people have achieved lifetime Plat have said " no more mileage runs/ calculating remaining miles for me" or have indicated that they don't need to worry about flying AA all the time now - the lifetime status is actually a sort of disincentive to keep flying AA - you don't need to as you have the status you need...
It definately won't be a disincentive for me! All my flying is out of my own pocket, so while it will be a relief to no longer have to earn all the EQMs to re-qual for Plat each year, AA will still be the only airline I will have status on, I'll still do MRs to accumulate more miles for award trips, just that I will be able to book them more to my schedule rather than a 50k EQM schedule. Therefore I will most definately want to focus my flying with them to get the maximum benifits of my status.
Lifetime Plat for me will mean a lifetime on AA.
Steve
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AA Miles 1/30/06 = 61k => 5/24/07 = 1MM => 5/6/09 = 2MM
No Work Miles ooFlyerTalk oooMy Flight Memory
At about 950K lifetime miles, my employer decided to "move" me to Belfast. I stayed there for about 6 months, crossed the 1 MM mark and received 4 e-VIPs because of my foreign address. I didn't care about what the e-mail said, all I cared about was the 4 e-VIPs and my new EXP card with the 1 MM mark.
Amazingly enough I was told to go back home right after I crossed the 1MM marker.
Amazing how things just work differently for everybody.
I'm sure that if sufficient people are "lucky" enough that their employers decide to temporarily "move" them then things will work out exactly the same for everybody.
I'm just glad that I've crossed 1mm before abuse of the system leads to another perk for non-US members being taken away.
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Nem melhor, nem pior, só Campeã! Salgueiro, explode o Coração!!
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, OW Emerald, QF Bronze, Marriott Silver, Starwood Gold; National Emerald
Posts: 2,358
Since this thread has been dredged up and "inquiring minds want to know", here is the language of the letter:
CONGRATULATIONS ON ACHIEVING 1 MILLION MILES
June 2007
Dear Mr. Steve32,
When an AAdvantage member has the rare disdtinction of earning 1,000,000 total program miles, it's our pleasure to celebrate that achievement. Congratulations on becoming our newest Million Miler. We're sure you'll enjoy being a member of this exclusive group.
Enclosed is your new membership card, with it's distinctive Million Miler emblem. Please take a moment to substitute it for your current card. We also hope you will proudly display these personalized luggage tags as an indication of just how far you have come in our program. If you wish to purchase extra tags, you may order online at aa.com/luggagetags.
As another reward for attaining Million Miler status, eight 500-mile upgrades have been deposited into your account. Please enjoy these upgrades with our compliments. If you'd like a refresher on your upgrade privileges or any other elite benefits, your elite Benifits Guide is available online at AA.com.
Another benefit of being a Million Miler is vested AAdvantage Gold membership for the lifetime of the AAdvantage Gold program. In future membership years, you will enjoy no less than AAdvantage Gold status regardless of your annual elite-qualifying activity. Of course, if you meet the criteria for a higher elite level, then that's what you'll receive.
Finally, we've enclosed personalized recognition certificates that you can use to express your thanks when an American Airlines or American Eagle employee goes the extra mile for you. Many of you have asked for an easy way to thank reservations representatives, Admirals Club and Premium Customer Services staff, airport agents, flight attendants, pilots and many others. Our people strive to make a difference when you fly, and they will be honored to receive a "round of applause" from you.
The special recognition and benefits we offer to our Million Milers is our way of saying thank you for all of your business and loyalty. In fact, thanks a million!
Best Wishes,
Dan Garton
Executive Vice President
Marketing
Included was eight "Round of Applause" certificates to give to AA employees.
I had been waiting for those certificates for a while, expecting them to be issued to those with elite flying status. I'm quite surprised that they do not seem to be generally issued to elites (I haven't received any certificates to give out since the original set a year ago despite retaining Plat status).
Curiously, the certificates are considerably smaller in size this time (making it harder to legibly write in the requested info).
Steve
__________________
AA Miles 1/30/06 = 61k => 5/24/07 = 1MM => 5/6/09 = 2MM
No Work Miles ooFlyerTalk oooMy Flight Memory
And this explains why there is no lifetime EXP - a few of the posts here after people have achieved lifetime Plat have said " no more mileage runs/ calculating remaining miles for me" or have indicated that they don't need to worry about flying AA all the time now - the lifetime status is actually a sort of disincentive to keep flying AA - you don't need to as you have the status you need...
Since I have no status on any other airline, I continue to use only AA or occasionally AS, when AA is not an option. Having lifetime PLT is no disincentive whatsoever.
Programs: AA EXP/3mm miles, Starwood, HiltonHonors
Posts: 175
EVIP Problem
I booked a RT BNA-JFK/MIA-EZE-MIA/BNA trip on Friday, with EVIPs solid on the over the waters. Asked the AC @ BNA on Saturday to roll the res till Monday for purchase, making sure the upgrades were secure. He assured me they would be, and AC desk @ LAX confirmed that next day when I passed through there. Yesterday when I went t purchase, the upgrades had disappeared. EXP desk is working on it now, but what's the best tack to take if they say they can't put the upgrades in?
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Danwriter/EXP/3 million lifetime (a dubious achievement)
Location: Ezekiel 25:1-17. It's his house. I'm just renting.
Posts: 7,337
Quote:
Originally Posted by SeAAttle
Since I have no status on any other airline, I continue to use only AA or occasionally AS, when AA is not an option. Having lifetime PLT is no disincentive whatsoever.
Absolutely agreed. It's one of the smartest things AA could've done. They know folks loyal to AAdvantage aren't going to keep up the activity forever. Lifetime status keeps them loyal to AA for incremental travel that might otherwise go elsewhere and keeps them active and invested in the AAdvantage program where the money is *really* made. If you hit 1MM overall activity in AAdvantage, it's almost a certainty you're not a bottom-feeder.
I went from zero miles to 1.2MM within two months back in 2002 thanks to Valuemags and made 2MM in 2004. I'm currently on track to hit 3MM by the end of this year. I only flew 26k last year and have done 49k this year. Don't forsee requalifying for Exec unless they put more 'cheese back on the pizza'. But AA has picked up around $12k in flying from me this year (and well over $80k overall since 2002) and that's as much due to how AAdvantage is structured as to how well the airline serves me.
Lady JDiver made 2M August 7, 2007, and the miles posted Aug 11; she received no e-mail. Her packet arrived while we were away, so prior to Aug 25, anyway. The wording is as follows:
Dear Lady JDiver,
When you first became a Million Miler, you may not have thought about future milestones, but we have! In fact, you’re crossed a threshold that very few members ever will. Congratulations on earning 2,000,000 total program miles and being part of a very exclusive group – members with multi-Million Miler status.
Enclosed is your new membership card, with its distinctive multi-Million Miler emblem. Please take a moment to substitute it for your current card. We also hope you will proudly display these personalized luggage tags as an indication of just how far you have come in our program. If you wish to purchase extra tags, you may order online at aa.com/luggagetags
As another reward for attaining multi-Million Miler status, you have received four systemwide upgrades, which enable you to confirm upgrades to the next class of service at time of booking (subject to availability) when you are flying on most Business and Economy Class fares. These one-way systemwide upgrades are stored electronically until you’re ready to use them. Simply call your elite Service Desk to make your reservations and be sure to complete your travel by January 28, 2009 (full details are available at aa.com/update). We send periodic emails with systemwide upgrade balance information to members who have subscribed to the AAdvantage eSummary™ email. If you wish to update your subscription options, please visit aa.com/subscribe.
Keep in mind that one benefit of multi-Million Miler is vested AAdvantage Platinum membership for the lifetime of the AAdvantage Platinum Program. In future membership years you will enjoy no less than AAdvantage Platinum status regardless of your elite-qualifying activity. Of course, if you meet the criteria for a higher elite level, then that’s what you’ll receive.
Finally, we’ve enclosed personalized recognition certificates that you can use to express your thanks when an American Airlines or American Eagle employee goes the extra mile for you. Many of you have asked for an easy way to thank reservation representatives, Admirals Club and Premium Customer Services staff, airport agents, flight attendants, pilots and many others. Our people strive to make a difference when you fly, and they will be honored to receive a “round of applause” from you.
As you work on your next million, please know how much we appreciate your business and your loyalty. The special recognition and benefits we offer to our multi-Million Milers is our way of saying thank your for all your support.
Best wishes,
Dan Garton
Executive Vice President
Marketing
Attachments:
One EXP card and two EXP baggage tags with (2) Million logos.
Insert with Systemwide Terms and Conditions.
Two pages of five 4 x 1.75" / 13 x 4cm "Applause!" certificates (considerably smaller than the previous ones, which were ~7+ x 2.5" / 18 x 6.5cm each.)
The letter comprised the inside back piece of the folded heavy paper letter in white with small light gray pinstriping; the inside front has the tags fastened on with adhesive, the front says "C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S Lady JDiver on achieving MILLION MILES, and the entirety is bound with a silvered paper band watermarked with the eagle logo and saying "AADVANTAGE EXECUTIVE PLATINUM".
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