"AMR, the parent of American Airlines, has raised $2.9bn (£1.8bn) of new financing to help it through the global downturn in air travel.

The group said $1bn of the total came from advanced sales of frequent flyer miles to Citigroup bank. "

With this purchase of AA miles by Citi, they are going to be looking for more ways to give promotional bonuses. So, fatten up your mileage accounts as long as the party lasts.