Originally Posted by
craz
I simply feel that CO shouldnt close any acct up unless they knew 1000% for sure that the ad was placed in fact by the owner of the miles. The only way to know this is to let the transaction go thru amd watch the acct to see what if anything happens. since there are some $$ due for taxes or other fees CO will have a way to track the payment and who made it, so if its the sellers CC that was used they be hard pressed to explain how they knew nothin about the selling of the miles. Thats why AA doesnt run into this problem they caught everyone with the hands in the cookie jar and theres nothing that can be said except to admitt the truth and beg AA for forgiveness. Also that way AA knows the seller wont be doing it again and will remain a customer. COs way they lost a customer.
I think they're both valid means of preventing account fraud, each with respective flaws and benefits. There are going to be instances where no airline could be "1000% for sure that the ad was placed in fact by the owner of the miles." The airlines are looking out for violations of their T&C and want to enforce globally and with minimum effort. AA is unusual in their willingness to (sometimes) forgive first-time offenders who come clean - other airlines don't care so much about retention of customers who have violated their T&C.
My main issue with the original situation is communication. If CO had contacted the OP earlier in the process, and a conversation easily occurred regarding the suspected sale of miles, maybe it would be quickly resolved, and they don't necessarily lose a customer. Likewise, once the OP sends a letter, the ball is back in CO's court - if they find the OP in the clear and reverse their decision, they may also not lose a customer.