Programs: AA PLT, UA PremEx. Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 585
I've had good luck using the old awards with the caveat that you have to approach it with a lot of patience- it's getting harder as time goes by to get agents who know the old rules or how to find and interpret them- usually it's taken a few calls and intercession by a supervisor at AAdvantage. Not sure what to advise re FCO as I don't have the old award chart handy. Most of the old awards specified a destination (UK etc) but if there's one that says anywhere AA flies in Europe, you should be good to go.
Programs: AA EXP 5.3 MM, AC, DL GM (1.95MM),Lifetime CRC; All Airlines 8+MM, Hilton Diamond;too many others;
Posts: 482
Use the award codes when talking to AA agents
As previous poster has indicated it takes one of the old timers at AA reservations to handle the old miles awards (AKA "Regular Awards"). If you have the award codes handy when discussing with the agent it helps them retrieve the details of the award quickly. For example I usually ask for the 75A awards (two free First Class "Z" tickets anywhere in the USA including Hawaii, Canada, Carribean for 75,000 old miles). I've used this as recently as within the last 12 months from LAX to SDQ via MIA & JFK. These being transcontinental flights in Z class you get the added benefit of the Flagship lounges at LAX (and now also at JFK) and you don't have to be an EXP.
One of the best values of the old miles is the 20G award which is an upgrade to Business class from any coach fare from the US to Tokyo.
Location: Westford MA - AA PLT, 1.5MM, Lifetime AC, AAdvantage since 1981
Posts: 360
Another great "old miles" award is the 50A, which is an F/C ticket plus an F/C upgrade to anywhere in the US including Hawaii, Canada, Carribean.
But here's the trick: use the free ticket for your companion and use the free upgrade for yourself. You will have to pay for one ticket, but if you use the upgrade on a paid ticket you will get mileage back into your account. Depending on your status and where you fly, you could get as much as 20,000 miles back (5,000 each way plus EXP/PLT bonus).
In other words, two F/C R/T seats for 30,000 miles plus the price of one coach ticket. Not bad! Anyone got any extra "old miles" I can have?
Programs: AA EXP 5.3 MM, AC, DL GM (1.95MM),Lifetime CRC; All Airlines 8+MM, Hilton Diamond;too many others;
Posts: 482
Quote:
Originally Posted by JumboD
What's the price of Y-F upgrades on transcon flights using old miles?
30,000 "old miles" for two upgrades Y-->F using the 30A award but not applicable for Hawaii. You can also use 10,000 "old miles" using 10A award for an upgrade from Y-->F for a coach ticket that does not require advance purchase and again not applicable for Hawaii
Programs: AA EXP, BA Exec Club, LANPASS, Hilton HHonors
Posts: 720
Many moons ago, miles didn't expire. These miles are now referred to as "old miles". From AA.com:
"If your account has no qualifying activity in any 18-month period, all miles in the account will expire except for those miles earned prior to July 1, 1989 in accounts established prior to January 1, 1989 whose mileage credit will not expire"
Many moons ago, miles didn't expire. These miles are now referred to as "old miles". From AA.com:
"If your account has no qualifying activity in any 18-month period, all miles in the account will expire except for those miles earned prior to July 1, 1989 in accounts established prior to January 1, 1989 whose mileage credit will not expire"
And people still haven't used those miles? That is definitely a lot of moons back... Thanks for the clarification.
Location: Westford MA - AA PLT, 1.5MM, Lifetime AC, AAdvantage since 1981
Posts: 360
I have 9,513 old miles in my account, and I have been told I can combine them with a few new miles to redeem a 10A award from the old charts, the only award available for 10,000 miles. Trouble is: a 10A allows you to upgrade from a full fare coach ticket, which AA will do for free.
So my old miles, like JumboD's 5,000 old miles, are worth no more than new miles.
Unless there is a way to combine old miles from multiple accounts!? Is there a way?
I have 9,513 old miles in my account, and I have been told I can combine them with a few new miles to redeem a 10A award from the old charts, the only award available for 10,000 miles. Trouble is: a 10A allows you to upgrade from a full fare coach ticket, which AA will do for free.
So my old miles, like JumboD's 5,000 old miles, are worth no more than new miles.
Unless there is a way to combine old miles from multiple accounts!? Is there a way?
Not on three-class AFS flights. LAX-JFK, LAX-MIA, and SFO-JFK (and returns) can be upgraded Y fare to F for those miles. It's like if AA allowed you to use new miles to upgrade a YUP I fare with miles (which I think many here would do).
I have not had any difficulty using the miles. The easiest solution is have the codes and the agent will punch it in. I am using the 75K two first from Dallas to Honululu and then returning from Maui, that's a neat option.
