Programs: AA EXP, BA Exec Club, LANPASS, Hilton HHonors
Posts: 718
Quote:
Originally Posted by Khabibul35
My AA account recently had all the miles in it expire. It had been dormant for 22-24 months. I had 25K+ miles, at the time of last time I used the mileage expiration was for 3 years. Then, suddenly, AA changed the policy to become 18 months.
Does anyone feel like this retroactive change is a bit unfair? I took issue with this policy change and emailed care. I told them that:
1) The change is not fair, because I noted in an excel file the expiration of the miles, and had no idea when the miles would expire
2) I was not notified, neither via e-mail nor via phone of the change. Which I was not.
AA eCare wasn't of much help, just said to look for activity before the expiration date which will reactivate the miles. They did not at all address the issue of the retroactive change and lack of notification.
I've read about people reactivating miles by finding hotel stays etc but all of those are done under my spouse, so that's not an option.
Also, the challenge option I guess is possible.... but really, I don't know how it works.
I would really prefer though to just have AA reinstate it, because I feel that was a really unfair thing to do on their part. I would understand if they said, 18 month policy would apply once the first 36 months passed, but they made it immediate and thus changed the current expiration of my miles, not the rolling renewal for the miles.
Do you guys think I have a case? How do I get someone to listen to me?
I feel like they may not even have read the email honestly.
Personally, no I don't think you have any case whatsoever. AA can even terminate the entire AAdvantage program with 6 months' notice. As a frequent flyer program, it is not unreasonable to expect people to fly fairly frequently to prevent their miles from expiring but you don't even have to do that - ANY activity, no matter how small, extends the life of the miles for another 18 months. Very generous in my opinion.
If you were signed up for any of the emails, this change to the program was well advertised at the time. Did you seriously expect AA to phone every AAdvantage member to tell them about this change?
If the Reactivate challenge is still available, that is your best option.
I'm sure they read your original email. Based upon the "Waaahhh AA took away my miles" thread somewhere on here, I'm pretty sure they have received thousands just like it. You did have someone listen to you, but they just didn't give you the answer you wanted.
You definitely don't have a case. Since it's been quite some time since this change was announced, I doubt they'll grant you any special exception. But why not try the re-engagement challenge? There's no fee or anything; they just want you to get involved again in the program.
Do you guys think I have a case? How do I get someone to listen to me?
NO.
1) First and Utmost, program T&C changes are the exclusive rights of AA's. It is all spelled out in the Program Rules and it is your responsibility to keep up with them.
2) The 18 months expiration change happened in 2007 - that is looong time ago.
3) If your email address is kept up to date, you would have received AA email notification LONG BEFORE the actual change date.
4) There are many many ways to keep your mileage account active without flying. All you need is 1 single activity in 18 months, including dining out, staying in a hotel, renting a car, shopping online, donating to some charity, the list goes on and on. It is very generous on the airlines part.
5) AA even offers the re-engagement challenge, and the requirement is very easy to meet.
Then, suddenly, AA changed the policy to become 18 months.
Actually, there was nothing sudden about it. It's unfortunate that you missed seeing any of the notices, but the change certainly didn't take place with no advance warning. For example, it was clearly announced on aa.com and here on FT.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Khabibul35
Do you guys think I have a case? How do I get someone to listen to me?
As others have said, no, you really don't have a case. But if you will take time to listen to - and follow - the wise advice given in the previous posts, you should be able to get your miles reinstated. Good luck.
__________________ "When you have nothing to say, call the other guy an AApologist and hope nobody notices your deficiency."
You have received some Sterling advice here, Khabibul35.
As a nearly four year member of FlyerTalk, it probably surprises some of us you do not check your miles / points account at least annually, and that you did not make any kind of qualifying activity in over two years to your AAdvantage (er, dare I say it? Frequent Flyer...) account. I'd also recommend keeping your contact information up to date - most of us received several notices about the pending (now well institutionalized) change.
Good luck.
__________________ Lend a hand up with Kiva; far more than a hand out.
My miles are about to expire on Friday of this week...
I just make a donation to Susan G Komen on the AA website - you get 5 miles for each dollar... and I bought some nice looking AA vintage bags.
It states the miles take 6 to 8 weeks to post. Since I made the purchase before the expiration date, will they take this into account or am I likely to have to fight to get any expired miles reinstated?
My miles are about to expire on Friday of this week...
I just make a donation to Susan G Komen on the AA website - you get 5 miles for each dollar... and I bought some nice looking AA vintage bags.
It states the miles take 6 to 8 weeks to post. Since I made the purchase before the expiration date, will they take this into account or am I likely to have to fight to get any expired miles reinstated?
Should I call them to let them know perhaps?
I've never come close to expiration, but in my experience any issue that involves a date it is always the date of the transaction (flight, purchase, etc..) and not the date when the miles post that counts. So I'm pretty sure you're ok. With that said, if it's going to bug you for 6 to 8 weeks you may as well call and get yourself some peace of mind.
IMHO redeeming miles for magazines, is a super deal--the "cheapest" mag costs only 300 miles and the most expensive 3300--and you get these for months to come. In the worst case scenario (assuming you don't read any mags), you won't have to buy toilet paper for a year.
My miles are about to expire on Friday of this week...
I just make a donation to Susan G Komen on the AA website - you get 5 miles for each dollar... and I bought some nice looking AA vintage bags.
It states the miles take 6 to 8 weeks to post. Since I made the purchase before the expiration date, will they take this into account or am I likely to have to fight to get any expired miles reinstated?
Location: Huntington Beach, CA; AA EXP, AA 1.7 MM, SPG Gold, Hhonors Diamond, IC Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 1,831
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny Rocket
Since I made the purchase before the expiration date, will they take this into account or am I likely to have to fight to get any expired miles reinstated?
I wouldn't take the chance. Redeem some miles or buy 1,000 miles, and that will post right away. Then you don't have to worry. You can redeem for a flight a year from now, and hope that there is a schedule change in the next year. Then you will be able to redeposit your miles without charge.
I wouldn't take the chance. Redeem some miles or buy 1,000 miles, and that will post right away. Then you don't have to worry. You can redeem for a flight a year from now, and hope that there is a schedule change in the next year. Then you will be able to redeposit your miles without charge.
That post was from Jan. The OP said the miles were due to expire later that week.. although you've provided good advice for anyone else who may have the need in the future, it won't help the OP now.
One of their charities??? Do you mean of the agent's charity you are speaking with, or a charity sponsored by AA?
Quote:
Originally Posted by elliot
I have been lurking here since the beginning of time. I just never had anything to ask or answer. BUT, AA took my miles away, too. To be accurate - they took away 110,000 miles from family members. That didn't seem fair, so I went back to see what the experts on this forum were saying and I was surprised.
The suggestions were completely useless to our co-FF'er, Heather. Ranging from -
"How is it possible that you were unaware" to "don't you check your emails", etc.
The only attempt at a helpful answer was to make use of AA obscene offer to buy back your own miles at above the market price for new miles.
So here is the right answer for Heather and all other people who don't check their SPAM emails from the airlines on a regular basis. Call up AA. Wish the agent a happy holiday and offer to donate 250 miles to one of their charities. On the spot (if you run into the same good fortune) you will get all you miles back. They restored 6 accounts for me.
I am amazed that the people at AA turned out to be nicer and more helpful than my fellow FF'ers. These forums are here to help other frequent flyers not to back up airline policy. And don't judge others by how many miles they have. If I am participating in this forum - I am a frequent flyer.
) account. I'd also recommend keeping your contact information up to date - most of us received several notices about the pending (now well institutionalized) change. 
