Ambassador
Jul 20, 01, 5:24 am
Now that we are past the MR xfer deadline, what are the 3 most important mileage strategies prior to the complete shutdown of Aviators on 11/30/01 ???
TWA FFB/Aviators - End of TWA Mileage Strategies ?
View Full Version : End of TWA Mileage Strategies ?
tfjim
Jul 20, 01, 9:44 am
Depends on what you want. If you want to get some form of status on American it would make sense to make mileage runs on TWA before the mileage earning opportunities end. The reason is that as an elite Aviator we earn a minimum of 1,000 miles per flight. That's both flight and status miles. In AAdvantage that minimum is 500 miles no matter what. Because of this and the cheap flights available around the midwest thanks to Southwest competition it's possible to earn status miles quite cheaply. A MCI-STL-IND roundtrip on a $78 fare will earn 4,000 status miles. If you're crazy enough to do 25 of those you get Platinum on TWA leading to Executive Platinum on AA.
Ambassador
Jul 20, 01, 1:01 pm
Thanks..... do you have any other mileage runs that start in STL. I have often considered the route you suggested but the economics don't work becuase you have to originate in IND or MCI.
tfjim
Jul 20, 01, 2:57 pm
Ah, well, there's the rub. One mileage run isn't enough for this and usually involves an overnight. The strategy goes something like this:
Day One
- STL-MCI
- MCI-STL-IND
- IND-STL-ORD
Day Two
reverse the above.
Day One
- STL-MCI
- MCI-STL-IND
- IND-STL-ORD
Day Two
reverse the above.
afang
Jul 20, 01, 11:33 pm
my understanding is that if you have miles in the Aviator account they will be automatically transffered to the Advantage account?
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Al
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Al
tfjim
Jul 21, 01, 8:06 pm
Correct afang. This should happen without intervention from you. However I'd recommend that unless you've received correspondence from AA/TWA about your accounts merging then I would contact them. I've already received two letters about my account(s).
doc
Jul 23, 01, 3:52 pm
Good point, I got nothing so far!
Ambassador
Jul 24, 01, 6:11 am
tfjim
Be sure to keep your eyes open for any killer mileage runs out of STL. I am TW Elite One and would love to go for PLAT before the conversion to AA !
Ambassador
[This message has been edited by Ambassador (edited 07-24-2001).]
Be sure to keep your eyes open for any killer mileage runs out of STL. I am TW Elite One and would love to go for PLAT before the conversion to AA !
Ambassador
[This message has been edited by Ambassador (edited 07-24-2001).]
techgirl
Jul 28, 01, 5:58 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by tfjim:
If you're crazy enough to do 25 of those you get Platinum on TWA leading to Executive Platinum on AA.</font>
Unless something has changed, the highest level of reciprocal transfer between Aviators and AAdvantage will be Platinum on AA. In order to earn Executive Platinum you have to fly 100,000 flown (not elite bonus) miles or 100,000 points. Segments and TWA status won't help in getting you there faster if you don't have the miles (or points if you are flying AA paid first).
If you're crazy enough to do 25 of those you get Platinum on TWA leading to Executive Platinum on AA.</font>
Unless something has changed, the highest level of reciprocal transfer between Aviators and AAdvantage will be Platinum on AA. In order to earn Executive Platinum you have to fly 100,000 flown (not elite bonus) miles or 100,000 points. Segments and TWA status won't help in getting you there faster if you don't have the miles (or points if you are flying AA paid first).
socalterp
Jul 29, 01, 11:29 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by techgirl:
Unless something has changed, the highest level of reciprocal transfer between Aviators and AAdvantage will be Platinum on AA. In order to earn Executive Platinum you have to fly 100,000 flown (not elite bonus) miles or 100,000 points. Segments and TWA status won't help in getting you there faster if you don't have the miles (or points if you are flying AA paid first).</font>
The above information is incorrect. Printed literature from both airlines clearly state that AA will match TW Plats to AA EXP, and have done so for several people I know. (They have gotten their membership packets complete w/ EXP everything)
As far as TW miles in 2001, I don't see why they wouldn't count towards EXP qualification in 2002 as well. Again, AA has clearly stated that miles earned on TW will be combined w/ miles earned on AA for 2002 status. What is not clear is if and how Q-points on TW will be tracked. TW status can indeed help getting to EXP in two ways-
1) 1000 mile minimum per segment allows miles to build up much faster on short mileage runs.
2) Someone who qualifies for Plat on TW should be matched to AA EXP.
Unless something has changed, the highest level of reciprocal transfer between Aviators and AAdvantage will be Platinum on AA. In order to earn Executive Platinum you have to fly 100,000 flown (not elite bonus) miles or 100,000 points. Segments and TWA status won't help in getting you there faster if you don't have the miles (or points if you are flying AA paid first).</font>
The above information is incorrect. Printed literature from both airlines clearly state that AA will match TW Plats to AA EXP, and have done so for several people I know. (They have gotten their membership packets complete w/ EXP everything)
As far as TW miles in 2001, I don't see why they wouldn't count towards EXP qualification in 2002 as well. Again, AA has clearly stated that miles earned on TW will be combined w/ miles earned on AA for 2002 status. What is not clear is if and how Q-points on TW will be tracked. TW status can indeed help getting to EXP in two ways-
1) 1000 mile minimum per segment allows miles to build up much faster on short mileage runs.
2) Someone who qualifies for Plat on TW should be matched to AA EXP.
techgirl
Jul 29, 01, 5:07 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by socalterp:
The above information is incorrect. Printed literature from both airlines clearly state that AA will match TW Plats to AA EXP, and have done so for several people I know. (They have gotten their membership packets complete w/ EXP everything)
As far as TW miles in 2001, I don't see why they wouldn't count towards EXP qualification in 2002 as well. Again, AA has clearly stated that miles earned on TW will be combined w/ miles earned on AA for 2002 status. What is not clear is if and how Q-points on TW will be tracked. TW status can indeed help getting to EXP in two ways-
1) 1000 mile minimum per segment allows miles to build up much faster on short mileage runs.
2) Someone who qualifies for Plat on TW should be matched to AA EXP.
</font>
I stand corrected on the reciprocal memberships... AA originally stated that they would not give a reciprocal TWA membership higher than AA Platinum. It has been widely discussed on the AA board that AA has *never* comped EXP status in the past, but I just looked at my Aviators newsletter and it does state that they were doing comped recipocal status at this level.
The comped statuses on AA are only good through 2-28-2002. To get to EXP for 2002, one will still have to meet AA's qualifying standard. On AA, bonus miles don't count towards status - we get 1,000 miles too, but only 500 of these are qualifying miles. When I asked AA (since I have status on both airlines) how they would count the miles, they said they would be depositing the remaining TWA mileage balance as a lump sum bonus deposit into your AA account and counting the segements and qualifying miles towards AA status for 2002.
On AA, the only way to qualify for EXP (or for these travelers to re-qualify once the comp-ed status ends on 2/28/02) is by flying 100,000 qualifying miles (bonus miles don't count) or 100,000 qualifying points (which equals out to 67,000 flown miles in paid first or 80,000 flown miles in paid business).
Regardless of comped status for 2001, you would still have to accumulate 100,000 flown miles or points during 2001 to qualify for EXP in 2002 (and at the 1,000 mile minimum on TWA, that is still 100 flight segments if they do count the TWA bonus miles towards status).
I am curious if AA will be counting the TWA bonus miles towards status. If they do, it would be unfair to all of AA's existing Platinums as most of us would also be EXPs with our 100% mileage bonus since we have to fly 50,000 miles to qualify (plus a 50,000 mile bonus) which would give us the same 100,000 miles.
You might want to call an AA rep to clarify, but I can tell you that if this has changed since AA originally clarified this, there will be a lot of angry AA Platinums - EXP has always been something that AA has held out with very stringent qualifying standards. Only the true road warriors have been able to get it.
[This message has been edited by techgirl (edited 07-29-2001).]
The above information is incorrect. Printed literature from both airlines clearly state that AA will match TW Plats to AA EXP, and have done so for several people I know. (They have gotten their membership packets complete w/ EXP everything)
As far as TW miles in 2001, I don't see why they wouldn't count towards EXP qualification in 2002 as well. Again, AA has clearly stated that miles earned on TW will be combined w/ miles earned on AA for 2002 status. What is not clear is if and how Q-points on TW will be tracked. TW status can indeed help getting to EXP in two ways-
1) 1000 mile minimum per segment allows miles to build up much faster on short mileage runs.
2) Someone who qualifies for Plat on TW should be matched to AA EXP.
</font>
I stand corrected on the reciprocal memberships... AA originally stated that they would not give a reciprocal TWA membership higher than AA Platinum. It has been widely discussed on the AA board that AA has *never* comped EXP status in the past, but I just looked at my Aviators newsletter and it does state that they were doing comped recipocal status at this level.
The comped statuses on AA are only good through 2-28-2002. To get to EXP for 2002, one will still have to meet AA's qualifying standard. On AA, bonus miles don't count towards status - we get 1,000 miles too, but only 500 of these are qualifying miles. When I asked AA (since I have status on both airlines) how they would count the miles, they said they would be depositing the remaining TWA mileage balance as a lump sum bonus deposit into your AA account and counting the segements and qualifying miles towards AA status for 2002.
On AA, the only way to qualify for EXP (or for these travelers to re-qualify once the comp-ed status ends on 2/28/02) is by flying 100,000 qualifying miles (bonus miles don't count) or 100,000 qualifying points (which equals out to 67,000 flown miles in paid first or 80,000 flown miles in paid business).
Regardless of comped status for 2001, you would still have to accumulate 100,000 flown miles or points during 2001 to qualify for EXP in 2002 (and at the 1,000 mile minimum on TWA, that is still 100 flight segments if they do count the TWA bonus miles towards status).
I am curious if AA will be counting the TWA bonus miles towards status. If they do, it would be unfair to all of AA's existing Platinums as most of us would also be EXPs with our 100% mileage bonus since we have to fly 50,000 miles to qualify (plus a 50,000 mile bonus) which would give us the same 100,000 miles.
You might want to call an AA rep to clarify, but I can tell you that if this has changed since AA originally clarified this, there will be a lot of angry AA Platinums - EXP has always been something that AA has held out with very stringent qualifying standards. Only the true road warriors have been able to get it.
[This message has been edited by techgirl (edited 07-29-2001).]
techgirl
Jul 29, 01, 5:22 pm
Just one quick addition to the above post.
I found the letter from AAdvantage that was sent to Aviators members about the program transfer.
"...when the Aviators program ends, AAdvantage bonus miles equal to the unused ending mileage balance in your Aviators portfolio will be deposited into your AAdvangate account. In addition, for the 2002 elite-status membership year, your qualifying Aviators miles and AAdvantage miles will be combined to determine your AAdvantage membership level."
I think the key phrase here (which goes along with what AA has been telling those of us who have called) is "QUALIFYING Aviators miles and AAdvantage miles".
For the reasons I stated above, I believe AA will determine qualifying miles for Aviators the same way it always has for AAdvantage members.
I found the letter from AAdvantage that was sent to Aviators members about the program transfer.
"...when the Aviators program ends, AAdvantage bonus miles equal to the unused ending mileage balance in your Aviators portfolio will be deposited into your AAdvangate account. In addition, for the 2002 elite-status membership year, your qualifying Aviators miles and AAdvantage miles will be combined to determine your AAdvantage membership level."
I think the key phrase here (which goes along with what AA has been telling those of us who have called) is "QUALIFYING Aviators miles and AAdvantage miles".
For the reasons I stated above, I believe AA will determine qualifying miles for Aviators the same way it always has for AAdvantage members.
socalterp
Jul 29, 01, 8:00 pm
I believe there is a distinction to be drawn here between "Actual" flight miles and Elite bonus miles.
All TWA FF's get a minimum of 750 "Actual" miles on any flight versus 500 on AA. For TW Elites and above, the minimum is 1000 "Actual" miles, regardless of flight length. This 1000 miles is independent of any Elite level bonuses, which do not count towards privilege card qualification.
For example, on the 258 miles STL-ORD flight, a AA Plat would receive 500 actual miles and 500 bonus miles (100% Plat Bonus) for a total of 1000 miles. On the same flight, a TW Elite 1 would receive 1000 actual miles and 500 bonus miles (50% Elite 1 Bonus) for 1500 miles.
I think that one of the important questions that has not been answered yet is if one qualifies for a TW Elite level before 11/30/01 under the old TW rules, if that qualification would be good on the equivalent AA level through Feb 2003. This is especially important for those who would qualify on a fare basis. So, will someone who has already flown on $20K + of TW fares this year qualify for AA EXP through Feb 2003? If TW was still an independent carrier, this person would have qualified for TW Platinum for the remainder of 2001 and all of 2002.
All TWA FF's get a minimum of 750 "Actual" miles on any flight versus 500 on AA. For TW Elites and above, the minimum is 1000 "Actual" miles, regardless of flight length. This 1000 miles is independent of any Elite level bonuses, which do not count towards privilege card qualification.
For example, on the 258 miles STL-ORD flight, a AA Plat would receive 500 actual miles and 500 bonus miles (100% Plat Bonus) for a total of 1000 miles. On the same flight, a TW Elite 1 would receive 1000 actual miles and 500 bonus miles (50% Elite 1 Bonus) for 1500 miles.
I think that one of the important questions that has not been answered yet is if one qualifies for a TW Elite level before 11/30/01 under the old TW rules, if that qualification would be good on the equivalent AA level through Feb 2003. This is especially important for those who would qualify on a fare basis. So, will someone who has already flown on $20K + of TW fares this year qualify for AA EXP through Feb 2003? If TW was still an independent carrier, this person would have qualified for TW Platinum for the remainder of 2001 and all of 2002.
tfjim
Aug 8, 01, 9:10 am
Ok, the $60 Southwest-matching Midwest area fares have blossomed again, making mileage/status runs worthwhile again. These fares are available anyday through January 11 and require only an overnight stay. An example MCI-STL-LIT roundtrip would cost $83 including all taxes. For an elite Aviator they would earn 4,000 status miles, and 7,000 total miles including online booking bonus. Below are some of the city pairs I was able to find:
$60
CMH - BNA IND - BWI (a strange fare) MCI - LIT/BNA OMA - LIT/OKC STL - LIT/OKC/TUL/MCI/OMA/ORD/IND/SDF/CMH/CLE/DTW (note that these are nonstops, 2,000 miles)
$92
ORD - SDF (one night stay)
$112
MCI - SDF (one night stay)
$116
ORD - SDF (no min stay req)
$198
SAN/LAX/SNA/ONT/SFO/PDX/SEA - MCI/STL/LIT/IND/CMH/JAX/TPA/MCO/FLL (these are interesting fares because they are booked in H class, easier availability, and only require an overnight stay)
$60
CMH - BNA IND - BWI (a strange fare) MCI - LIT/BNA OMA - LIT/OKC STL - LIT/OKC/TUL/MCI/OMA/ORD/IND/SDF/CMH/CLE/DTW (note that these are nonstops, 2,000 miles)
$92
ORD - SDF (one night stay)
$112
MCI - SDF (one night stay)
$116
ORD - SDF (no min stay req)
$198
SAN/LAX/SNA/ONT/SFO/PDX/SEA - MCI/STL/LIT/IND/CMH/JAX/TPA/MCO/FLL (these are interesting fares because they are booked in H class, easier availability, and only require an overnight stay)
Karen2
Aug 10, 01, 1:31 pm
You are focusing on status. Let me take another tack for those who may not even have enough miles to have an award, esp if they don't have enough AFTER combining with AA. Join Hilton HHonors, then transfer TWA miles NOW to them because for every 5000 miles you get 10,000 HHonors points. With AA, you only get 5,000 HHonors points. The miles must be transferred in increments of 5000. At least you will have a nice hotel stay out of it!
Island
Aug 10, 01, 5:53 pm
There are several things you can do now to integrate your Aviators account with your AAdvantage account.
You can contact customer service (phone/email). They can link the two accounts together for the Nov 30 transfer, they will actually transfer the miles to AAdvantage if you specify, and they will match elite status.
Elite evaluation with qualifying miles flown during 2001 combined by TWA and AA will not be done until after Nov 30.
[This message has been edited by Island (edited 08-10-2001).]
You can contact customer service (phone/email). They can link the two accounts together for the Nov 30 transfer, they will actually transfer the miles to AAdvantage if you specify, and they will match elite status.
Elite evaluation with qualifying miles flown during 2001 combined by TWA and AA will not be done until after Nov 30.
[This message has been edited by Island (edited 08-10-2001).]
ShuttleBug
Aug 13, 01, 5:22 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Karen2:
You are focusing on status. Let me take another tack for those who may not even have enough miles to have an award, esp if they don't have enough AFTER combining with AA. Join Hilton HHonors, then transfer TWA miles NOW to them because for every 5000 miles you get 10,000 HHonors points. With AA, you only get 5,000 HHonors points. The miles must be transferred in increments of 5000. At least you will have a nice hotel stay out of it!</font>
Excellent point, Karen.
Additionally, some folks may want to consider participating in AA's 20/20 Partners promotion (loads of discussion about this promotion can be found on AA board) for which successful completion will net 20K bonus AA miles. That, together with transfer of Aviators miles, might help some to award level.
You are focusing on status. Let me take another tack for those who may not even have enough miles to have an award, esp if they don't have enough AFTER combining with AA. Join Hilton HHonors, then transfer TWA miles NOW to them because for every 5000 miles you get 10,000 HHonors points. With AA, you only get 5,000 HHonors points. The miles must be transferred in increments of 5000. At least you will have a nice hotel stay out of it!</font>
Excellent point, Karen.
Additionally, some folks may want to consider participating in AA's 20/20 Partners promotion (loads of discussion about this promotion can be found on AA board) for which successful completion will net 20K bonus AA miles. That, together with transfer of Aviators miles, might help some to award level.
Ambassador
Aug 13, 01, 5:35 pm
Hey tfjim !
I found a great way to get some more TWA miles, I just got a call to attend a meeting in London in a couple of weeks. I bought a full fare coach and upgraded for 20k miles. This will probably be the last time I will fly TW international service. I have heard that they are now serving AA menus in first, can you confirm ?
I found a great way to get some more TWA miles, I just got a call to attend a meeting in London in a couple of weeks. I bought a full fare coach and upgraded for 20k miles. This will probably be the last time I will fly TW international service. I have heard that they are now serving AA menus in first, can you confirm ?
socalterp
Aug 13, 01, 6:21 pm
I have heard that AA catering is to start soon, if it hasn't already. I'm off to LGA tomorrow, so we'll see...if it's true, AA would have to do very well to top TW's catering out of CDG.
The food on my last TWOne flight, CDG-STL, was truly outstanding. Lobster or escargot appetizers, a salad served seat-side, then a choice of New Zealand rack of lamb, Beef Tenderloin, Breast of Quail and Seafood Bouillabaise for the Main Course.
Prior to landing, a "snack" consisting of a large seafood plate of shrimp, prawns and scallops, a Croque Monsieur (Ham and Cheese), and a Pear Puff pastry for dessert...
The food on my last TWOne flight, CDG-STL, was truly outstanding. Lobster or escargot appetizers, a salad served seat-side, then a choice of New Zealand rack of lamb, Beef Tenderloin, Breast of Quail and Seafood Bouillabaise for the Main Course.
Prior to landing, a "snack" consisting of a large seafood plate of shrimp, prawns and scallops, a Croque Monsieur (Ham and Cheese), and a Pear Puff pastry for dessert...
tfjim
Aug 14, 01, 9:06 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Ambassador:
Hey tfjim !
I found a great way to get some more TWA miles, I just got a call to attend a meeting in London in a couple of weeks. I bought a full fare coach and upgraded for 20k miles. This will probably be the last time I will fly TW international service. I have heard that they are now serving AA menus in first, can you confirm ?</font>
I can't confirm any international catering, haven't been in TWOne in a while. However, as socal reports the TWOne catering has always been very good.
By the way, why use miles to upgrade? If you have a full-fare ticket (Y) you can upgrade for free. Check your account, you may have an international upgrade certificate you didn't know about. I have one in my account for some unknown reason.
Hey tfjim !
I found a great way to get some more TWA miles, I just got a call to attend a meeting in London in a couple of weeks. I bought a full fare coach and upgraded for 20k miles. This will probably be the last time I will fly TW international service. I have heard that they are now serving AA menus in first, can you confirm ?</font>
I can't confirm any international catering, haven't been in TWOne in a while. However, as socal reports the TWOne catering has always been very good.
By the way, why use miles to upgrade? If you have a full-fare ticket (Y) you can upgrade for free. Check your account, you may have an international upgrade certificate you didn't know about. I have one in my account for some unknown reason.
TWA4Ever
Aug 14, 01, 9:25 am
If anyone know of or finds out about a good run from the DC area (DCA or IAD), I would appreciate the info!
tfjim
Aug 14, 01, 10:10 am
Mileage Run!!
Did someone say mileage run?
How about this:
Elite/Elite1/Platinum
BWI-STL-IND $84 6k / 7k / 9k miles
IND-STL-MCI $128 6k / 7k / 9k miles
MCI-STL-LIT $80 6k / 7k / 9k miles
LIT-STL-OMA $80 6k / 7k / 9k miles
And then return. Do it over a long weekend and get:
Elite: 16,000 status/24,000 total miles
Elite1: 16,000 status/28,000 total miles
Platinum: 16,000 status/36,000 total miles
Total cost: $372
Did someone say mileage run?
How about this:
Elite/Elite1/Platinum
BWI-STL-IND $84 6k / 7k / 9k miles
IND-STL-MCI $128 6k / 7k / 9k miles
MCI-STL-LIT $80 6k / 7k / 9k miles
LIT-STL-OMA $80 6k / 7k / 9k miles
And then return. Do it over a long weekend and get:
Elite: 16,000 status/24,000 total miles
Elite1: 16,000 status/28,000 total miles
Platinum: 16,000 status/36,000 total miles
Total cost: $372
Ambassador
Aug 14, 01, 12:38 pm
tfjim
I had an international upgrade in my account for the longest time. As I matter of fact I had it the last time I went to London in 2000, unfortunately that fare was a discount ticket ($550 rt) and they would not upgrade it. The good news was that when I got to the gate the agent asked me if I would be willing to shell out an additional $250 for a one way upgrade (of course I did !).
I inquired last week about a Y-UP fare, but they do not sell those for international flights. In the mean time, my electronic upgrade must have expired !!
I had an international upgrade in my account for the longest time. As I matter of fact I had it the last time I went to London in 2000, unfortunately that fare was a discount ticket ($550 rt) and they would not upgrade it. The good news was that when I got to the gate the agent asked me if I would be willing to shell out an additional $250 for a one way upgrade (of course I did !).
I inquired last week about a Y-UP fare, but they do not sell those for international flights. In the mean time, my electronic upgrade must have expired !!
tfjim
Aug 14, 01, 1:04 pm
Ah, bummer on no certificate. If I had a means I would give you mine I'm not going to use it. In any case before you go giving up any of your miles I would still call the Aviator's line and see if the fare is upgradeable without miles. You never know, they might just spot you the certificate.
Ambassador
Aug 18, 01, 8:52 pm
tfjim
You are too kind. I wish I could take you up on your offer. I think I will probably just stick with the mileage upgrade and sleep well at night knowing it is taken care of and I have a reserved FC seat. After all I have a comfortable amount of miles still in the account and I will earn about 14,000 more miles (the upgrade cost me 20k) from the trip.
Depending on how this trip goes, I might be flying this route 2-3 more times before the Aviators program shuts down.
I also noticed today that they will not have the "more legroom in coach" config changed on international 767-300's until Oct. Bummer !
Ambassador
You are too kind. I wish I could take you up on your offer. I think I will probably just stick with the mileage upgrade and sleep well at night knowing it is taken care of and I have a reserved FC seat. After all I have a comfortable amount of miles still in the account and I will earn about 14,000 more miles (the upgrade cost me 20k) from the trip.
Depending on how this trip goes, I might be flying this route 2-3 more times before the Aviators program shuts down.
I also noticed today that they will not have the "more legroom in coach" config changed on international 767-300's until Oct. Bummer !
Ambassador
Ambassador
Aug 24, 01, 7:11 pm
Reminder: Only 98 Days left until the Aviators program ends !