miles for wedding gifts?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA PLT PRO, AGR, Strawberry (Nordic Choice), Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 4,226
miles for wedding gifts?
Although I just posted another eshopping question, since this is a different topic, it merits a new thread.
What do people think about this scenario?
1) Bride and groom register their wedding gift list on some of the sites which are accessible through the AA eshopping website.
2) Guests purchasing gifts are encouraged to enter the bride/groom's AA numbers and names on the eshopping portal to credit them with the miles along with the present they would buy.
3) Bride and groom get the miles and the present concerned!
Note that there don't seem to be restrictions on crediting the miles to different accounts, so it would seem like a good idea, if the wedding guests were able and willing to type in the extra information and click through the AA portal.
The only problem is that I seem to remember hearing somewhere (do others know about how to verify this?) that items bought using the eshopping portal links are sometimes more expensive than items purchased by going to the respective stores directly. I have not verified this and am not sure how one might do it other than by a laborious, manual process of comparison.
In any case, what of the ethics of such a request/suggestion? Does the idea seem tacky to people here? Perhaps it is presumptuous and impertinent!
Of course, the miles from the purchases concerned would add up nicely for the bride and groom...
Interested in your thoughts here...
What do people think about this scenario?
1) Bride and groom register their wedding gift list on some of the sites which are accessible through the AA eshopping website.
2) Guests purchasing gifts are encouraged to enter the bride/groom's AA numbers and names on the eshopping portal to credit them with the miles along with the present they would buy.
3) Bride and groom get the miles and the present concerned!
Note that there don't seem to be restrictions on crediting the miles to different accounts, so it would seem like a good idea, if the wedding guests were able and willing to type in the extra information and click through the AA portal.
The only problem is that I seem to remember hearing somewhere (do others know about how to verify this?) that items bought using the eshopping portal links are sometimes more expensive than items purchased by going to the respective stores directly. I have not verified this and am not sure how one might do it other than by a laborious, manual process of comparison.
In any case, what of the ethics of such a request/suggestion? Does the idea seem tacky to people here? Perhaps it is presumptuous and impertinent!
Of course, the miles from the purchases concerned would add up nicely for the bride and groom...
Interested in your thoughts here...
#2
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: AA; Marriott; SPG; HH
Posts: 3,473
I've purchased a few things using the links on eshopping and the price is the same as the regular site. It's just one extra layer of navigation.
As far as making the suggestion to use AA, I find it very tacky. Yea, it doesn't cost them anything to enter this link, but it's going to far. The wedding registry is enough - you're already making ppl buying a gift you want - that should end there. Your friends are getting married, not canonized.
As far as making the suggestion to use AA, I find it very tacky. Yea, it doesn't cost them anything to enter this link, but it's going to far. The wedding registry is enough - you're already making ppl buying a gift you want - that should end there. Your friends are getting married, not canonized.
#3
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Houston
Programs: CO Plat; Marriott Silver; Hilton Gold
Posts: 623
I kinda' figure the miles are my reward for buying the wedding gift in the first place....
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: AA Plat, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Plat, SPG, National Exec
Posts: 311
Very tacky thing to do IMO...I know you are trying to get them miles along with their gifts, but I personally wouldn't do it as it seems cheap.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, UA Prem Exec, *Wood Gld, Hilton Silver, Marriot Plat, NWA Silver, Avis 1st, Hertz 5*
Posts: 46
Def. seems like a very tacky thing for your "friend" to do and would make me wonder if they are going to charge me admission to come to the wedding!
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I think it would be much more straightforward to use one's miles to acquire airline tickets for them.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
I'm in a mood right now with all of our lousy weather, so take that into account when I say......skip buying the gift items and buy or gift them with miles via AA.com.
Take the short cut!
Take the short cut!
Last edited by oldpenny16; May 3, 2007 at 7:47 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
#9
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: LHR/LGW
Programs: DL Gold, CO Silver
Posts: 1,036
Take a few singles to the wedding-you'll be doing the Dollar dance !! These guys want "value for money" out of their guests
I sort of see the viewpoint that if the buyer is not a FF then those miles would be "wasted" otherwise but I still think it's tacky.
Seriously OP if it's your wedding think carefully before doing this-weddings are a big enough minefield and some people might find this idea a step too far.
I sort of see the viewpoint that if the buyer is not a FF then those miles would be "wasted" otherwise but I still think it's tacky.
Seriously OP if it's your wedding think carefully before doing this-weddings are a big enough minefield and some people might find this idea a step too far.
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 60
I'd definitely say no to this idea. As already said, I feel like any rewards earned for the purchase should go to the person spending the money (would you like my Amex points from the purchase too)?
The only time I have seen something like this implemented was for a friend's wedding where they directed people to use a shopping portal that donated a portion of your purchases to a charity. That was fine but a miles site would be too much.
The only time I have seen something like this implemented was for a friend's wedding where they directed people to use a shopping portal that donated a portion of your purchases to a charity. That was fine but a miles site would be too much.
#11
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 593
Just register for AA gift certificates and earn the miles by going somewhere nice!
#12
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Primary: LAX Secondary: JFK and LHR Currently: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Admirals Club, TrueBlue, AF/KLM Flying Blue
Posts: 393
Tacky is an understatement.