Originally Posted by
p1cunnin
I've had an AAdvantage account since 1991. I'll admit that I've not done a lot of flying on AA in that time. But I maintain my account data and should the opportunity arise, I would consider AA. Not anymore. Apparently I am some sort of freeloader and unless I book a flight or somehow generate some revenue for AA, they will close my account. Nice. Way to value a customer. That's their privilege as a business, but it is a dumb way to endear yourself to your customers.
In the future, I'm not going to create an AAdvantage account just for the privilege of flying on AA and having to repopulate all of my data. There's a reason that many of us maintain multiple accounts across various travel companies, even when we don't use those accounts all the time. In my case, it is for convenience when I do go to book some travel. But hey, AA can pound sand.
So to be clear, they NEVER said buy a ticket in 30 days or we'll close your account? That is the title you used and is simply not true.
Originally Posted by
p1cunnin
Yes I am guilty of lack of activity. But that is true of many of my other frequent travel programs as well. And this is not simply taking miles in the bank away, this is closing my account. From the email,
We noticed your account has been inactive and may be closed unless you act within the next 30 days. To keep it active, engage with your AAdvantage® account in some way such as, book a flight with us or earn at least 1 AAdvantage® mile.
The fine print limits "engagement" to something that generates miles. Simply logging in or updating the account is not sufficient. And yes, I suppose I could do something to generate one measly mile.
My point is that my account is maintained and updated. It is not abandoned. But the prospect of losing that account and related stored data disincents me from considering AA for any future trip. Yes, I favor UA. Yes, AA has the right to decide what customer accounts they choose to maintain.
I just find this approach to be problematic. I think a nicer approach would have been, "Hey, we notice that you haven't logged in for a while and we'd like to know if you want to keep your AAdvantage account. Simply log in and check your data for accuracy. And while you're at it, check out some great fares to some great places that we fly."
I don't think this is about your miles expiring, right? Do you even have miles? If you do you should be thanking them for giving you a heads up. Do an AAdvantage dining or a survey or something. Or donate miles.
But when was the last time you flew AA? I am not sure what you really mean by "repopulate all of my data"?
If you choose not to fly on AA if they are the best price, best seats, best times for your future travel - you show them! Don't do it! Just so that you don't have to type in traveler info and form of payment. SMH
Edit to add: Others who are commenting on miles expiring. I think we need an answer to the question are there any miles? I think this is just a shell account (I think years ago my company put me up in a Hyatt and I tried to use my number and it had LONG been deactivated - without notice.)