Jan 15, 2015, 5:11 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Future of AA / US Lifetime Status / Million Miler program (consolidated)
Until the new (and current) Million Miler program was launched December 2011, any miles from all sources (all redeemable miles) counted as Million Miler miles. Lifetime status granted was the same as today: Gold at 1,000,000 miles ever earned, and Platinum at 2,000,000 lifetime miles ever earned; no lifetime top tier (EP / EXP) status was, or is, offered. Further million miles thresholds earn 4 SWUs.
The current Million Miler program "grandfathered" existing MM counts because until now there existed no way to differentiate miles for MM count. With the announcement of the new program, AA announced only Base / Elite-Qualifying Miles would count and be added to one's Million Mile counter.
AAdvantage® Million MilerSM program recognizes and rewards AAdvantage members when Million Miler thresholds are achieved. Base miles earned by flying on American Airlines, American Eagle® or any eligible AAdvantage program participating airline will count toward Million Miler status.
AAdvantage members will enjoy the following benefits when Million Miler status is reached:
At one million (1,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Gold status and 35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles*
At two million (2,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status and four one-way systemwide upgrades
At each additional Million Miler mark, AAdvantage members will receive four additional one-way systemwide upgrades
For all members, your beginning Million Miler balance will include every AAdvantage mile you ever earned in the program. This Program to Date balance is currently reflected in your AAdvantage account on aa.com. Million Miler activity will be displayed in your AAdvantage account on aa.com separately from award miles so progress toward reaching this special designation can be easily tracked.
It's a special honor to be recognized with Million Miler status - and it is our distinct pleasure to reward such loyalty.
US has had a lifetime status / million mile program, and it counts PQM.
The greatest likelihood is current million miler counts will be merged, and that there is no way to "beat the system" by trying to inflate Redeemable miles counts in AA or US accounts; they both differentiate the kinds of miles, and no indication the Million Miler program will include lifetime Redeemable miles counts when USDM accounts are brought over and merged into AAdvantage (nor has anyone who has already caused an account merger stated to the contrary).
In the second quarter of 2015, we’ll combine your million mile balances (if you have both a Dividend Miles and AAdvantage® account) or transfer your million mile balance to the AAdvantage program.
AAdvantage Million Miler program:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/millionMiler.jsp
Delta's comparable program (no lifetime top tier status):http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...er-status.html
United's comparable program (lifetime top tier status granted):
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont.../lifetime.aspx
Until the new (and current) Million Miler program was launched December 2011, any miles from all sources (all redeemable miles) counted as Million Miler miles. Lifetime status granted was the same as today: Gold at 1,000,000 miles ever earned, and Platinum at 2,000,000 lifetime miles ever earned; no lifetime top tier (EP / EXP) status was, or is, offered. Further million miles thresholds earn 4 SWUs.
The current Million Miler program "grandfathered" existing MM counts because until now there existed no way to differentiate miles for MM count. With the announcement of the new program, AA announced only Base / Elite-Qualifying Miles would count and be added to one's Million Mile counter.
AAdvantage® Million MilerSM program recognizes and rewards AAdvantage members when Million Miler thresholds are achieved. Base miles earned by flying on American Airlines, American Eagle® or any eligible AAdvantage program participating airline will count toward Million Miler status.
AAdvantage members will enjoy the following benefits when Million Miler status is reached:
At one million (1,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Gold status and 35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles*
At two million (2,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status and four one-way systemwide upgrades
At each additional Million Miler mark, AAdvantage members will receive four additional one-way systemwide upgrades
For all members, your beginning Million Miler balance will include every AAdvantage mile you ever earned in the program. This Program to Date balance is currently reflected in your AAdvantage account on aa.com. Million Miler activity will be displayed in your AAdvantage account on aa.com separately from award miles so progress toward reaching this special designation can be easily tracked.
It's a special honor to be recognized with Million Miler status - and it is our distinct pleasure to reward such loyalty.
US has had a lifetime status / million mile program, and it counts PQM.
The greatest likelihood is current million miler counts will be merged, and that there is no way to "beat the system" by trying to inflate Redeemable miles counts in AA or US accounts; they both differentiate the kinds of miles, and no indication the Million Miler program will include lifetime Redeemable miles counts when USDM accounts are brought over and merged into AAdvantage (nor has anyone who has already caused an account merger stated to the contrary).
In the second quarter of 2015, we’ll combine your million mile balances (if you have both a Dividend Miles and AAdvantage® account) or transfer your million mile balance to the AAdvantage program.
AAdvantage Million Miler program:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/utility/millionMiler.jsp
Delta's comparable program (no lifetime top tier status):http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...er-status.html
United's comparable program (lifetime top tier status granted):
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/cont.../lifetime.aspx
AA Lifetime Status / Million Miler program - discussion, speculation (consolidated)
Dec 19, 2013, 2:46 pm
#46
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
For the question upthread about long dormant accounts, I doubt any airline keeps information like miles flown forever so expecting miles that were in a FF account back in the 1990s to still be available is expecting too much. Chalk it up as the cost of letting FF accounts go dormant for a long time - all miles become unretriviable.
Dec 19, 2013, 3:30 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
I wouldn't be at all surprised. While airlines are required to keep all kinds of data for various periods of time, aircraft and employee records are about the only thing retained long-term (the life of the plane or career of the employee).
Jim
Jim
Dec 25, 2013, 6:57 pm
#48
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I'm personally hoping to get a boost from my US miles too. I'm at about 945,000 on AA lifetime and I'm not sure how many US miles I have but I would guess upwards of 30,000. Let's hope AA is generous!
Dec 27, 2013, 6:41 am
#49
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: US CP
Posts: 23
While several have mentioned being told that lifetime miles earned in now dormant US accounts are gone forever, I can now confirm the same for dormant AA accounts.
I called yesterday to discuss my AA account (not used for about 10 years) and was told that it was "archived" and that my lifetime balance would begin again at zero. I don't think I lost that much, maybe 50k, but still hurts a bit.
I will start rebuilding next month with some long flights on Qatar Airlines, crediting to this new AA account rather than US - where they would not contribute EQM. Hopefully the the two accounts will combine EQM later in the year.
Too bad that I guessed wrong about the merger and booked UA to Brazil in May. What will I do without *Gold perks?
I called yesterday to discuss my AA account (not used for about 10 years) and was told that it was "archived" and that my lifetime balance would begin again at zero. I don't think I lost that much, maybe 50k, but still hurts a bit.
I will start rebuilding next month with some long flights on Qatar Airlines, crediting to this new AA account rather than US - where they would not contribute EQM. Hopefully the the two accounts will combine EQM later in the year.
Too bad that I guessed wrong about the merger and booked UA to Brazil in May. What will I do without *Gold perks?
Dec 27, 2013, 10:12 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Million Miles status (with combined US/AA miles)
I am thankful that I paid tribute $ to US to resurrect miles when they expired last year. The lifetime balance was significantly larger than the RDM total, and that will help with the next MM threshold on AA.
Dec 31, 2013, 12:01 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: US
Posts: 92
Guys,
I have a quick question.
I am currently at 1,930,000 LT miles, so I have about 70000 miles to go to achieve LT PLT status on AA.
I am nothing on US, just have about 30k miles (most are BIS earned in 2010-2011).
-Do you all think I should aggresively obtain the remaining 70k miles on AA to lock in the LT PLT status (assuming/hoping they at least retain LT statuses post merger of FF accounts)?
-What is the general consensus on US miles balance being added into AA miles balance? I assume all miles earned prior to 2014 will just be credited as miles (not count toward EQM for 2014)?
Thanks
KG
I have a quick question.
I am currently at 1,930,000 LT miles, so I have about 70000 miles to go to achieve LT PLT status on AA.
I am nothing on US, just have about 30k miles (most are BIS earned in 2010-2011).
-Do you all think I should aggresively obtain the remaining 70k miles on AA to lock in the LT PLT status (assuming/hoping they at least retain LT statuses post merger of FF accounts)?
-What is the general consensus on US miles balance being added into AA miles balance? I assume all miles earned prior to 2014 will just be credited as miles (not count toward EQM for 2014)?
Thanks
KG
With the above in mind:
1)What is the gut feel/strong opinion of FT'ers on whether the MM program with the LT status benefits will survive?
2)If not, when do you all think they will do away with this benefit?
I am just hoping that AA at least gives me until 2/28/15 to earn my LT PLT status, of course assuming LT PLT and MM program stays..
Dec 31, 2013, 1:25 pm
#52
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
My account just rolled over to 1,002,362 program miles, oh how I wish they never changed things
At least I'm only 50,000 or so new miles from 1MM.
At least I'm only 50,000 or so new miles from 1MM.
Jan 1, 2014, 5:43 pm
#53
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
Programs: Marriott, Southwest, American, Delta, Amtrak,Multiple others
Posts: 564
Piedmont Miles for US
I finally learned how many lifetime miles I have on US and it is obvious that it doesn't include at least 70k miles I had flown on Piedmont. I can't recall what happened to my Piedmont account after the acquisition, but am curious whether any other FT'ers know whether their lifetime Piedmont miles transferred to US.
Jan 1, 2014, 7:22 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: san antonio, texas
Programs: 3.2MM AA, 1.4MM UA,StwdLftPlt
Posts: 1,586
It is a bit more complicated than that. There is currently parity in the AA and US systems for counting MM. Both use BIS miles only.
You are absolutely correct though that for years AA's MM counter included elite bonus miles, credit card miles, promotion bonus miles, AAdvantage shopping miles, etc, etc, everything. That changed in summer 2011 when AA moved to the BIS miles only.
So at this point, we have 2.5 years of 'BIS only' parity (and by the time merging occurs perhaps 3.5 years of parity). It could get quite complicated indeed to calculate an uplift amount only for US miles prior to summer 2011 while not uplifting US miles earned summer 2011 and later.
(If all US miles are uplifted, than AA miles from summer 2011 onward would have to uplifted as well to maintain parity)
You are absolutely correct though that for years AA's MM counter included elite bonus miles, credit card miles, promotion bonus miles, AAdvantage shopping miles, etc, etc, everything. That changed in summer 2011 when AA moved to the BIS miles only.
So at this point, we have 2.5 years of 'BIS only' parity (and by the time merging occurs perhaps 3.5 years of parity). It could get quite complicated indeed to calculate an uplift amount only for US miles prior to summer 2011 while not uplifting US miles earned summer 2011 and later.
(If all US miles are uplifted, than AA miles from summer 2011 onward would have to uplifted as well to maintain parity)
Jan 2, 2014, 6:48 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
One thing for sure, the New AA won't be following AC's example. When it introduced its MillionMiler/Lifetime status it only included BIS miles flown on AC metal. And this only from 1989, omitting the first 4-1/2 years of the program on the grounds that it didn't have elite tiers until that year. Not only that, but AC merged with CP in 2000, but refused to consider a single mile flown on that carrier in its MM program! So not only did I not get credit for 250K+ of BIS AC miles flown before 1989, I also received nothing for the 750K+ BIS CP miles flown up until the merger.
So consider yourselves lucky to have had such reasonable and generous MM outcomes from previous mergers and what's likely from this one.
So consider yourselves lucky to have had such reasonable and generous MM outcomes from previous mergers and what's likely from this one.
Jan 3, 2014, 10:40 pm
#56
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southern California
Programs: The usual for over 7 Million paid miles flown to date... My first paid flight was on a DC3.
Posts: 1,518
Future of AA / US Lifetime Status / Million Miler program (consolidated)
As an AA multi-Million Miler member for a number of years, I've had AAdvantage permanent Platinum membership as a well-deserved benefit from years of AIS travel on AA as well as Reno Air, TWA and AA Codeshares, in addition to many miles on other non-affiliated airlines.
With the AA turmoil of the past couple years and the US merger, I've been eager to see what my 2014 Platinum card would look like and how AA would word their annual loyalty statement accompanying my new card.
I received my 2014 card in today's mail and was pleased to read... "As a multi-Million Miler member, you'll enjoy AAdvantage Platinum membership for the lifetime of the AAdvantage Platinum program." I get the vibe that the program looks good to continue in the future. The card is attractive, with new AA logo and my "5 Million Miles" indicated thereon. Also, this is the first year I can remember when I received the card in the first week of the new year. Hell, last year I think it arrived at the end of February!
*
With the AA turmoil of the past couple years and the US merger, I've been eager to see what my 2014 Platinum card would look like and how AA would word their annual loyalty statement accompanying my new card.
I received my 2014 card in today's mail and was pleased to read... "As a multi-Million Miler member, you'll enjoy AAdvantage Platinum membership for the lifetime of the AAdvantage Platinum program." I get the vibe that the program looks good to continue in the future. The card is attractive, with new AA logo and my "5 Million Miles" indicated thereon. Also, this is the first year I can remember when I received the card in the first week of the new year. Hell, last year I think it arrived at the end of February!
*
Jan 3, 2014, 11:21 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP, Hhonors Gold, National Executive, Identity Gold, MLife Gold
Posts: 2,687
Jan 3, 2014, 11:46 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
Since AA and US each have a million miler program, and more importantly, so do DL and UA, why do people think that it will go away with this merger? 
Jan 3, 2014, 11:57 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
Personally I don't, but there's no denying the possibility no matter how small. Doesn't the US program only give lifetime Silver? If so, what's to prevent Parker from making that change? Doesn't UA have a 2 or 4 million mile lifetime status? Where is US equivalent? In other words, just because the competition offers some lifetime benefit doesn't mean the Parker will offer the same.
Jim
Jim
Last edited by BoeingBoy; Jan 4, 2014 at 12:04 am