<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JSD:
Just curious... how did they differentiate the "old miles" from your "new miles" in your AAdvantage account? And why have "old miles" at all? Did the program fundamentally change sometime around 1989?
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In 1989, the programs shifted from miles with no expiration to miles that expired in 3 years. For several years, in the early 90s, it didn't matter how much you flew - you had to burn the miles within 3 years of earning them. Because of the outcry this policy change caused, miles that we had as of June 30, 1989, were grandfathered - no expiration, and could be used on the award chart of that time.
These miles are listed separately on my mileage statement. The line item simply says "Miles with no expiration".
Many of the awards were partner awards, with SQ, QF, and BA. For example, 40K would have allowed a one class upgrade on BA across the Atlantic. Remember that in 1989, AA did not have any transatlantic flights. However, only the AA awards are still valid.
Examples:
10K F class upgrade on any coach ticket without an advance purchase requirement (RT upgrade, I believe) - not Hawaii
50K 2 free domestic coach tickets.
60K 2 free coach tickets to Caracas
80K Free companion F ticket on AA between US and Tokyo