Account Suspensions/Closures on Accusations of Fraud/Brokering
Apr 26, 2015, 7:21 pm
#16
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The chances of AS doing anything for OP here are between slim and nil. He was caught out, had a good explanation and was given back limited use of his account. He then ignored that limitation. He doesn't live in an AS market and has no AS spend. So, to AS this is all downside.
The lesson for others is not to play cute with these things. Of course AS had OP's account noted and when he violated the restriction, alarms went off.
The lesson for others is not to play cute with these things. Of course AS had OP's account noted and when he violated the restriction, alarms went off.
Apr 26, 2015, 7:36 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,537
The chances of AS doing anything for OP here are between slim and nil. He was caught out, had a good explanation and was given back limited use of his account. He then ignored that limitation. He doesn't live in an AS market and has no AS spend. So, to AS this is all downside.
The lesson for others is not to play cute with these things. Of course AS had OP's account noted and when he violated the restriction, alarms went off.
The lesson for others is not to play cute with these things. Of course AS had OP's account noted and when he violated the restriction, alarms went off.
Unless fraud has been proven, it's a very strong overreaction. The OP said he bought miles LAST year, so it's been at a minimum 4 months. Certainly long enough to know if the payment method was fraudulent.
Trying to enforce a restriction on ticketing after mileage purchase is nonsense. Every FF program allows them to dissolve the program with no compensation. That doesn't mean it's right or fair.
I recall many people buying AS miles for EK J and F redemptions. Australians got some good deals on the flights. It's the FT way to get a good deal, isn't it?
Apr 26, 2015, 10:17 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 14
He was caught out? For doing what? Trying to book an award with miles?
Unless fraud has been proven, it's a very strong overreaction. The OP said he bought miles LAST year, so it's been at a minimum 4 months. Certainly long enough to know if the payment method was fraudulent.
Trying to enforce a restriction on ticketing after mileage purchase is nonsense. Every FF program allows them to dissolve the program with no compensation. That doesn't mean it's right or fair.
I recall many people buying AS miles for EK J and F redemptions. Australians got some good deals on the flights. It's the FT way to get a good deal, isn't it?
Unless fraud has been proven, it's a very strong overreaction. The OP said he bought miles LAST year, so it's been at a minimum 4 months. Certainly long enough to know if the payment method was fraudulent.
Trying to enforce a restriction on ticketing after mileage purchase is nonsense. Every FF program allows them to dissolve the program with no compensation. That doesn't mean it's right or fair.
I recall many people buying AS miles for EK J and F redemptions. Australians got some good deals on the flights. It's the FT way to get a good deal, isn't it?
Apr 26, 2015, 10:26 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,037
OP may have been using the Fly & Buy "trick" to purchase miles -- http://thepointsguy.com/2014/01/how-...rates-tickets/
For awhile, you could buy a refundable fare on AS and then use "Fly & Buy" to purchase miles at < 2 cents/mile, and then cancel your ticket and still keep the miles. They have since tightened up the restrictions on the program and now subject the miles to additional fees (2.75 cents/mile) should you cancel your ticket. Not terribly surprising that AS would flag accounts that only bought refundable tickets to buy Fly & Buy miles and refunded all the tickets.
For awhile, you could buy a refundable fare on AS and then use "Fly & Buy" to purchase miles at < 2 cents/mile, and then cancel your ticket and still keep the miles. They have since tightened up the restrictions on the program and now subject the miles to additional fees (2.75 cents/mile) should you cancel your ticket. Not terribly surprising that AS would flag accounts that only bought refundable tickets to buy Fly & Buy miles and refunded all the tickets.
Last edited by xliioper; Apr 26, 2015 at 10:47 pm
Apr 27, 2015, 2:19 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 759
OP may have been using the Fly & Buy "trick" to purchase miles -- http://thepointsguy.com/2014/01/how-...rates-tickets/
It's possible we're not getting the full picture, but sounds like a different case here.
Apr 27, 2015, 11:28 am
#21
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,533
Someone who only buys miles and redeems for others looks like a mileage broker, whether or not they got reimbursed or profited from the third party redemption.
Hence the restriction to only book tickets for yourself
Hence the restriction to only book tickets for yourself
Apr 27, 2015, 2:00 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 227
If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks likes a duct, then it probably is a duck.
Just my opinion.
When Starwood or Points.com offers any type of discount, there will be a spike in customers opening AS Mileage Plans from outside of AS's typical customer base. I think it hurts AS Mileage Plan members as members will find it harder to locate Partner Award travel. I am glad AS is doing this.
Would I feel differently if the OP lived somewhere AS flew to or maybe had AS Credit Card, or did ANY type of business with AS? Absolutely!!
Apr 27, 2015, 5:21 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,537
Are you saying a broker would spend a lot of money on miles, and wait a year to redeem them. Seems unlikely.
Apr 27, 2015, 5:25 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I wish AS would restrict purchasing of miles to those with US address or at least 1 flight on AS metal. The Australians are taking up what little premium cabin space there is between US and Australia.
Apr 27, 2015, 6:03 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YVR to SEA
Posts: 2,533
Alaska gave the OP benefit of the doubt once, and reopened his account with conditions. Flaunting it a second time sealed it.
Are you located out of US/Canada/Mexico (ie out of Alaska's network), credit zero flight miles to the Alaska program while purchasing all your miles to redeem for friends and family and not yourself? If so, then perhaps Alaska was a bit heavy handed in this case relative to you.
Apr 27, 2015, 10:58 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,908
A broker would probably buy miles on sale, and SPG has a cap on purchased miles I believe.
Alaska gave the OP benefit of the doubt once, and reopened his account with conditions. Flaunting it a second time sealed it.
Are you located out of US/Canada/Mexico (ie out of Alaska's network), credit zero flight miles to the Alaska program while purchasing all your miles to redeem for friends and family and not yourself? If so, then perhaps Alaska was a bit heavy handed in this case relative to you.
Alaska gave the OP benefit of the doubt once, and reopened his account with conditions. Flaunting it a second time sealed it.
Are you located out of US/Canada/Mexico (ie out of Alaska's network), credit zero flight miles to the Alaska program while purchasing all your miles to redeem for friends and family and not yourself? If so, then perhaps Alaska was a bit heavy handed in this case relative to you.
Apr 28, 2015, 1:54 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
While I also don't like people who would never fly on AS buying miles and taking up the meager premium seats available, AS sold the miles to him so he should be able to use them. No different to all of us that bought LifeMiles, very few of us actually flew Avianca.
When AS sold the miles to OP, did they state then that he can only book tickets for himself? If not, then I don't think the restriction is reasonable.
Apr 28, 2015, 10:34 am
#28
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: SMF/HPN
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, TSA PreCheck
Posts: 464
I'm really confused as to why AS would limit the OPs ability to redeem miles for a friend. I've done it before -- actually, it was the only time I've ever redeemed miles on AS.
Apr 28, 2015, 10:44 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 759
Not saying that's the case, but accounts that only redeem tickets for other people look much more suspicious, especially when they don't have a flight history with AS.
Apr 28, 2015, 10:42 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,646
Sometimes calling back in to get the answer you want doesn't pay.