American Airlines Mileage Account Hold
Sep 27, 2009, 8:43 pm
#62
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MIA
Programs: AA PLT 2mm SPG Gold HH Diamond
Posts: 740
In my book, AA and UA are pretty fungible.[/QUOTE]
Maybe in or near Chicago but not from MIA.
Maybe in or near Chicago but not from MIA.
Sep 27, 2009, 8:44 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
I have not nor do I know anyone who has done this. The thought just occurred to me since so many people say "I have so many miles I don't know what to do with them".
I wish I had that problem.
I thought it would be a win/win for the company and employee, but I see that it is not.
However, this thread has brought up a question for me that I might be doing...if I do give free tickets with my miles to my married daughter and sil (hence different last name), I know that is OK, but will it cause problems because of the name issue? They will be UA tickets, if that matters.
I wish I had that problem.
I thought it would be a win/win for the company and employee, but I see that it is not.
However, this thread has brought up a question for me that I might be doing...if I do give free tickets with my miles to my married daughter and sil (hence different last name), I know that is OK, but will it cause problems because of the name issue? They will be UA tickets, if that matters.
Sep 27, 2009, 8:49 pm
#64
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
Sep 27, 2009, 8:57 pm
#65
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,336
You assume that AA's actions are exactly as described by the OP. I'm not willing to submit to that since the experience of others indicates otherwise.
Sep 27, 2009, 9:04 pm
#66
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
:)
If you think that the OP is some story that was made up for entertainment value, I bet you LOVE OMNI/PR 
Sep 27, 2009, 9:27 pm
#68
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PIT/DFW/MEL; AA Exec. Platinum & 4MM, QF WP
Posts: 7,689
But the scenario you responded to would be illegal if the traveler in question didn't report that $ on their tax returns. Similar scenario to what the NBA refs got busted for.
As to that traveler being ethically compromised, that all depends: Was the employer paying for the ticket aware? If a ticket costs $1k, and someone says "If you give me $500 cash, I'll book the ticket with my miles" and it's all done on the up-and-up with the employer, I don't see anything wrong with that besides a violation of airline T&C.
As to that traveler being ethically compromised, that all depends: Was the employer paying for the ticket aware? If a ticket costs $1k, and someone says "If you give me $500 cash, I'll book the ticket with my miles" and it's all done on the up-and-up with the employer, I don't see anything wrong with that besides a violation of airline T&C.
In the current climate it might be unwise to remind some corporate travel departments that you have a stack of miles earned on company paid for flights that could be used to ticket other business trips ...
Tax implications alone would prevent most companies from even considering reimbursing a traveller for using miles I'd have thought. Nobody in their right minds would open the door quite that wide for the IRS.
Tax implications alone would prevent most companies from even considering reimbursing a traveller for using miles I'd have thought. Nobody in their right minds would open the door quite that wide for the IRS.
There is no way a payment to the employee for a "would-have" fare on a mileage ticket would count as a reimbursed employee expense. As pointed out, that would be no different functionally from the sports refs who were given F tickets but refunded those F tickets for Y ones and pocketed the cash. The pocketed cash was compensation, period, and the IRS cracked down hard. This situation would be functionally indistinguishable from refunding a Y ticket and using a mileage one (since the employer has already abandoned its claim to those miles, they are the employee's alone).
Back to the OP--- if you read the extensive threads on the topic, most folks with frozen accounts are "small fish"; AA wants the big fish-- broker/dealers. Give them the rope they need to net the bigger fish, by cooperating, and the small fry get released in due course.
Sep 27, 2009, 9:27 pm
#69
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NYC&RIC-AA LT PLT w/3.9mm
Programs: Ex-BA Silver; Ex-UA Premier
Posts: 1,135
OP, is something liked this what you received from AA?
Dear olcy310
During a recent audit of your account, violation(s) of AAdvantage program rules were identified.
On a separate page please include the following information. Please remember to sign and date your statement.
During a recent audit of your account, violation(s) of AAdvantage program rules were identified.
On a separate page please include the following information. Please remember to sign and date your statement.
■ Your name, address and telephone number as well as AAdvantage number.
■ How did you learn about this company (newspaper, associate, friend, or internet website).
■ The number of awards or incentive upgrades sold.
■ Name of company and/or name of person you dealt with.
■ Amount of money you received and form of payment (check, cash, etc.).
■ Did you provide this company with a copy of your summary?
■ Who called American Airlines to book the passenger reservation?
■ Who called American Airlines to request the award?
■ Who paid the expedite fee? (If applicable)
■ Did you have any other conversations with the company regarding the sale?
■ Did this company provide you with or advise you to give false or misleading information if questioned by an American Airlines representative?
■ Did this company tell you it was a violation of airline rules to buy or sell AAdvantage awards?
■ Do you possess any documents from the company? (Business cards, checks, ads, faxes, or expedite packages.)
We ask that you return this completed form as soon as possible to the address below. Unfortunately, your account will be on administrative hold pending the information.
■ How did you learn about this company (newspaper, associate, friend, or internet website).
■ The number of awards or incentive upgrades sold.
■ Name of company and/or name of person you dealt with.
■ Amount of money you received and form of payment (check, cash, etc.).
■ Did you provide this company with a copy of your summary?
■ Who called American Airlines to book the passenger reservation?
■ Who called American Airlines to request the award?
■ Who paid the expedite fee? (If applicable)
■ Did you have any other conversations with the company regarding the sale?
■ Did this company provide you with or advise you to give false or misleading information if questioned by an American Airlines representative?
■ Did this company tell you it was a violation of airline rules to buy or sell AAdvantage awards?
■ Do you possess any documents from the company? (Business cards, checks, ads, faxes, or expedite packages.)
Sep 28, 2009, 1:07 am
#70
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
Give them all of the information you have and explain why you don't have other of the requested information. Also, the name of the level is "Executive Platinum". That part makes me a bit suspicious. You have that level for years, it is on the boarding pass, account information, the card you get every year, and on your luggage tages. That said, it might be an honest mistake, due to your nervousness at the potential loss of status, miles, and SWUs. Good luck.... but don't try to hide anything. It was an interesting choice of words to first say AA accused you of selling miles rather than to say AA caught you selling miles. I also find it interesting that you were not aware this was a violation of the rules.
Again, give all of the information you have. It wouldn't surprise me if they have an interest in the other people you have gotten tickets for, and their future award obtainment might also cause the other people they get them from to be investigated. I guarantee they aren't just looking at one transaction.
Again, give all of the information you have. It wouldn't surprise me if they have an interest in the other people you have gotten tickets for, and their future award obtainment might also cause the other people they get them from to be investigated. I guarantee they aren't just looking at one transaction.
Sep 28, 2009, 1:11 am
#71
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
She might have had a change a plans or an irrop occured or she got cold feet, etc
Last edited by mvoight; Sep 28, 2009 at 1:19 am
Sep 28, 2009, 2:13 am
#72
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DC Metro (WAS--DCA/IAD/BWI)
Programs: AA Plat 2MM, OW Sapphire, QF Bronze, Marriott Silver, Starwood Gold; National Emerald
Posts: 2,533
I don't know the meaning of "too many miles" in one's account.
I'm happy having them there for nearly free tickets for many years to come.
Instead of doing a week vacation by driving to the beach, fly international upper class to another beach, and more interesting sightseeing, each year.
If it's a truly disgusting amount of miles you need to consume, offer to take some relatives with you -- shoot up to become the favorite grandpa/ dad/ uncle/ cousin in your extended family.
Even seeing places you have been many times before with family/friends who have never been before let's you see the place again with new eyes.
Steve
I'm happy having them there for nearly free tickets for many years to come.
Instead of doing a week vacation by driving to the beach, fly international upper class to another beach, and more interesting sightseeing, each year.
If it's a truly disgusting amount of miles you need to consume, offer to take some relatives with you -- shoot up to become the favorite grandpa/ dad/ uncle/ cousin in your extended family.
Even seeing places you have been many times before with family/friends who have never been before let's you see the place again with new eyes.
Steve
Sep 28, 2009, 2:41 am
#73
Suspended
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LHR/NYC/DFW/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP 14M, UA-1K, AS-MVP Gold, DL-PL, CO-PL, EK-Gold, BA-Gold, HH-D, SPG-PL
Posts: 403
I had to discontinue my posting due to my flight departure.
Sep 28, 2009, 8:23 am
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,546
Cheers.
Sep 28, 2009, 8:27 am
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,546
For a briefer, more fact-dense and to-the-point treatment of this topic, read here
http://www.travelingbetter.com/forum...ead.php?t=2508
Cheers.
Last edited by brp; Sep 28, 2009 at 9:32 am