Tango...

It's like Randy Petersen always states, "Buyer beware." I would hate to purchase the miles, open the account and have AA find out in some way, shape or form who I am. The consequences are certainly not worth the act.

I do not know what the laws are, but I do know that AA's rules are a lot more stringent than programs like Southwest. Also, I am sure that people get away with selling their AAdvantage miles everyday without getting caught. However, for my hard earned AAdvantage miles, it simply is not worth getting caught for a few boxes of cereal or a few bucks on eBay.

I have a couple of Kellogg's coupons in front of me now and there is nothing written on the coupons that states the coupons cannot be sold, bartered or whatever. But, as AAdvantage members, we should all know better because we are all subject to the rules that state "Any AAdvantage miles cannot be sold, bartered or whatever.

I agree with most of your previous posts, that most people generally do not read the rules and regs and sell their miles out of ignorance. Furthermore, I find it absolutely careless and irresponsible for American Airlines (and not Kellogg's because they are in the cereal biz) not to post those very words on the back of each certificate. By placing these miles certificates on the back of a "mainstream" product like a box of cereal, they are attempting to attract more new customers for American Airlines...and they are attracting people who are just joining the AAdvantage program for the first time who are not familiar with the rules and regulations. As someone who caters their business to "mainstream consumers," I firmly believe you cannot expect these "newbies" to instantly become aware of the rules overnight and these people are more apt to find a value to these certificates and list them on eBay. For AA's "eBay Police" to send such a harsh letter out to a potential new customer is like practicing bad, punitive marketing toward the very people who they are attempting to attract.

In other words, all it would take is a simple "disclaimer" on the back of each certificate which states the miles and certificates cannot be sold or bartered. The irresponsible part of this whole thing from AA is that this promo has been going on for well over a year and they have not learned from their mistakes. AA is just content to send "just say no" emails to their potential good customers who "violate" their policies on eBay.

Bad marketing!

Perhaps AA's marketing people will learn something valuable from this. For those of us who save and value AAdvantage miles, this is a fantastic promotion that I am certain we all hope will last beyond the expiration date. Personally, I have purchased more Kellogg's cereal than I have ever purchased in my lifetime, just in the past eighteen months of this promotion! I can attest that this promo has worked in my household...my pantry rivals Jerry Seinfeld's now!

Please let me know what you all think about my views...this is a very interesting subject which is receiving a lot of deserved attention!

Be well and safe travels to all!

Bob Linderman
Fairlawn, OH