"bonus" miles for hotels???
 

I just converted 30K Mariott Rewards points to 10K AA miles. Actually a fair conversion I'd say. The only problem is they just posted them to the "Bonus" column of my account. My understanding was all conversions will count as a partner and all "bonus miles" would be excluded. What todays official word on conversions posting as bonus miles??...thanks all

It counts as a partner!

I thought so too, but received this email yesterday (7-30), that four points transfers from hotels were not eligible.


QUOTE:

Dear Mr. nnn,

Thank you for visiting the American Airlines Web site and for your
recent e-mail to AAdvantage Customer Service. I appreciate the
opportunity to assist you.

Currently, we have you down for 17 partners: Radisson, AAdvantage Auto
and Recreation Program, MCI, Citibank, Kellogg's, Hyatt, Sheraton, Avis,
1-800-Flowers, American Airlines, National, Hilton, ClickRewards, Time
Warner, Points.com, AOL and US Airways.

It appears that the extra partners you have counted were included due to
confusion surrounding how points transfers count. While points
transfers can count as the only transaction from a particular hotel
chain, they cannot not count as a second, separate transaction when you
also have a hotel stay with that hotel chain. This is because it is the
hotel chain that is the partner, and both the stay and the transfer are
from the same hotel chain, and thus the same partner. Transfers are not
partners. Please allow me to apologize for the confusion.

Thank you for participating in the AAdvantage program. I hope you will
continue to favor us with your business.

Regards,

Jason Earll
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines

P.S. We now have more room in coach! In fact, we have the most spacious
coach cabin among the major airlines as our entire domestic fleet has
now been reconfigured with more legroom. Experience the difference!

Further reply from the same AAdvantage rep, just received. I asked if making a Starwood transfer would negate all of the Starwood group property stays (Westin, W, Sheraton, etc)

Dear Mr. nnn,

Thank you for your reply.

That is actually not correct. Regardless of whether you have a Starwood
points transfer, stays at all of the different brands of Starwood
hotels, Caesar's World, Four Points, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton,
St. Regis, W and Westin, all count as separate partners for the purposes
of the 20 Partners promotion. It is only the points transfer that does
not count if you also have a stay at any of the aforementioned hotels.
Please allow me to apologize for the confusion.

Thank you for participating in the AAdvantage program. I hope you will
continue to favor us with your business.

Regards,

Jason Earll
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines

P.S. We now have more room in coach! In fact, we have the most spacious
coach cabin among the major airlines as our entire domestic fleet has
now been reconfigured with more legroom. Experience the difference!

The reason, I believe, is that Four Points is the same (in AAdvantage's mind and Starwood's) as a Sheraton. ie, Sheraton Four Points hotel.



[This message has been edited by AAExecPlatFlier (edited 07-31-2001).]