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)
Jan 5, 2014, 12:13 pm
#91
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Southern California
Programs: Alaska MVPG,AA EXP, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 50
Many of us spend our own money to do mileage runs, choose AA to fly on (even if it means paying more, extra connections), etc.
I don't like promises and then have the other end of the promise taken away after I've fulfilled my obligations.
We've seen what has happened with UA after they've done exactly that.
I don't like promises and then have the other end of the promise taken away after I've fulfilled my obligations.
We've seen what has happened with UA after they've done exactly that.
Jan 5, 2014, 12:22 pm
#92
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: AA EXP,LFP~3 MM; MarriottRewards, LFP; Avis 1st; Hertz Gold
Posts: 150
FWIIW, there is a legal doctrine called "inducement." What that means is that the inducements (as published) at the time of the person acting to their "detriment" (a legal term meaning taking an action based on the inducement) constitutes an offer. The execution of the detrimental behavior is "acceptance." Offer+Acceptance=Contract.
Outside of some very defined circumstances (such as Real Estate) you do NOT need a writing to create a contract.
I know there is always "subject to change without notice" squirrel words but a substantive change would be pretty solid legal grounds for suit.
Outside of some very defined circumstances (such as Real Estate) you do NOT need a writing to create a contract.
I know there is always "subject to change without notice" squirrel words but a substantive change would be pretty solid legal grounds for suit.
Jan 5, 2014, 3:37 pm
#93
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Southern California
Programs: Alaska MVPG,AA EXP, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 50
FWIIW, there is a legal doctrine called "inducement." What that means is that the inducements (as published) at the time of the person acting to their "detriment" (a legal term meaning taking an action based on the inducement) constitutes an offer. The execution of the detrimental behavior is "acceptance." Offer+Acceptance=Contract.
Outside of some very defined circumstances (such as Real Estate) you do NOT need a writing to create a contract.
I know there is always "subject to change without notice" squirrel words but a substantive change would be pretty solid legal grounds for suit.
Outside of some very defined circumstances (such as Real Estate) you do NOT need a writing to create a contract.
I know there is always "subject to change without notice" squirrel words but a substantive change would be pretty solid legal grounds for suit.
Why do people have to sue? eventually if enough people do then all these wonderful programs will go away! Cant people just accept that things are subject to change like the policy states and be happy when its good and suck it up when its bad???? Arent airlines exempt from most law suits anyways???
Life goes on and the miles are great, but man some people get out of hand with it and what they feel they should get in return.
Jan 5, 2014, 3:37 pm
#94
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
Many of us spend our own money to do mileage runs, choose AA to fly on (even if it means paying more, extra connections), etc.
I don't like promises and then have the other end of the promise taken away after I've fulfilled my obligations.
We've seen what has happened with UA after they've done exactly that.
I don't like promises and then have the other end of the promise taken away after I've fulfilled my obligations.
We've seen what has happened with UA after they've done exactly that.
Jan 5, 2014, 4:21 pm
#95
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: AA EXP,LFP~3 MM; MarriottRewards, LFP; Avis 1st; Hertz Gold
Posts: 150
[/quote]
Arent airlines exempt from most law suits anyways???
Life goes on and the miles are great, but man some people get out of hand with it and what they feel they should get in return.
Jan 5, 2014, 4:50 pm
#96
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
The only contract that exists is the "contract of carriage". Whcih means that when you buy an airline ticket, the airline is obligated to fly you to your destination. And if they can't, they must find an alternative, or refund you your money. Are they not doing that? Anything else that the airline provides with that ticket purchase is a perk.
Last edited by Fanjet; Jan 5, 2014 at 4:55 pm
Jan 5, 2014, 5:10 pm
#97
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
As long as any of the existing U.S. carriers are flying, though, they should honor the promises made to those who attained lifetime status. UA offered a very specific package of benefits and they were publicized on their website and via e-mail. AA, on the other hand, only recently added material to their website on the million miler program, and that coincided with press releases announcing the current program counting only BIS miles (which is how UA's program always worked). Unless you saw the occasional discussion of the AA MM program on FT, you might not have known it even existed and that credit card spend, among other methods, could be used to get there. You would not have found material about it on the AA website until they made the public announcement and changed the qualification rules. It was kept pretty quiet compared to the UA program. I found out about AA's million miler program here on FT when I made the jump to AA as my primary carrier in 2002, just before the UA bankruptcy.
The viability of either UA or AA did not really factor into my decision to reach million miler status. They just happened to be the carriers I flew and I was aware of those programs. On UA it took me 18 years (did take a break in there when they went bankrupt), and on AA I had 1MM at 3 years, 2MM at 6 years, and 3MM at 9 years.
UA's decision to eliminate 1MM benefits caused me to stop flying with them entirely. I'm still burning UA miles (will be on Lufthansa later this month). Bring back my MM benefits and I'd buy tickets with them today. My original plan was to fly 100K on AA and 50K on UA each year. Now it all goes to AA. Makes no sense to fly the 50K on UA and get 50% bonus miles when I can get 100% at AA.
Do you have million miler status with AA or UA? In my reading of the UA thread the last two years, it seems that the point of view differs depending on whether one is a pre-merger million miler or not. Do you have million miler status with AA or UA? Anything at risk if the million miler program changes?
Jan 5, 2014, 5:35 pm
#98
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
Do you have million miler status with AA or UA? In my reading of the UA thread the last two years, it seems that the point of view differs depending on whether one is a pre-merger million miler or not. Do you have million miler status with AA or UA? Anything at risk if the million miler program changes?
For me having MM status is a nice fallback option. Not a retirement plan. In fact, since FF miles constantly get devaluated, it is a terrible retirement plan.
Jan 5, 2014, 5:35 pm
#99
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
The only contract that exists is the "contract of carriage". Whcih means that when you buy an airline ticket, the airline is obligated to fly you to your destination. And if they can't, they must find an alternative, or refund you your money. Are they not doing that? Anything else that the airline provides with that ticket purchase is a perk.
If AA markets the promotion, posts it on its website, sometimes provides a link to register, and sends it out in e-mail advertising, does that make them exempt from providing the promised benefits at some future date? I don't see million miler status any differently. It's a marketing program with specific benefits and it takes years, and for some over a decade, to reach the goal post. If those benefits are not delivered, why should we just walk away and say "Oh, well, lost that one"?
Jan 5, 2014, 5:45 pm
#100
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
If you registered for an AA promo today, such as a DEQM promo, which would of course not be mentioned in the conditions of carriage, and AA did not provide you the benefits, would that be OK? How about a "challenge" that provided an accelerated route to EXP? Won't see that in the conditions of carriage, either. Would AA hear from you if they didn't give you the status? Would you expect the promised benefits? You won't even see elite status mentioned in the conditions of carriage.
If AA markets the promotion, posts it on its website, sometimes provides a link to register, and sends it out in e-mail advertising, does that make them exempt from providing the promised benefits at some future date? I don't see million miler status any differently. It's a marketing program with specific benefits and it takes years, and for some over a decade, to reach the goal post. If those benefits are not delivered, why should we just walk away and say "Oh, well, lost that one"?
If AA markets the promotion, posts it on its website, sometimes provides a link to register, and sends it out in e-mail advertising, does that make them exempt from providing the promised benefits at some future date? I don't see million miler status any differently. It's a marketing program with specific benefits and it takes years, and for some over a decade, to reach the goal post. If those benefits are not delivered, why should we just walk away and say "Oh, well, lost that one"?
Jan 5, 2014, 5:47 pm
#101
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I'm not giving up my EXP status anytime soon, so falling back on PLAT lifetime status is probably years out (and I stopped stacking serious miles the day UA went into bankruptcy and I had over 700K with them). I'm happy that AA has the 100% bonus miles in play when that point comes, and clearly disappointed that UA will only recognize my years of travel with 50%. Pretty clear where future travel will be in years to come. If AA were to get rid of the 100% bonus, though, not sure what I would do there as there wouldn't be anywhere to get the 100% bonus miles from at midtier, factoring in lifetime or not.
Jan 5, 2014, 5:54 pm
#102
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,319
Jan 5, 2014, 5:59 pm
#103
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
I'm not giving up my EXP status anytime soon, so falling back on PLAT lifetime status is probably years out (and I stopped stacking serious miles the day UA went into bankruptcy and I had over 700K with them). I'm happy that AA has the 100% bonus miles in play when that point comes, and clearly disappointed that UA will only recognize my years of travel with 50%. Pretty clear where future travel will be in years to come. If AA were to get rid of the 100% bonus, though, not sure what I would do there as there wouldn't be anywhere to get the 100% bonus miles from at midtier, factoring in lifetime or not.
Jan 5, 2014, 10:41 pm
#104
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/SFO & ORD
Programs: LT Gold/BA Executive Club/AS MP/Marriott
Posts: 1,646
I was actually keeping my miles for quite some time (>1 million), now I spend them freely on my family.
For me really, its about exit row seating, international lounge access on other OneWorld carriers (I have my own AC membership), priority boarding, multiple luggage. Don't get me wrong, I love the 100% bonus but I doubt I would switch carriers if AA went down to 50% bonus for PLT flyers.
When you do mileage runs, are you doing them for the current benefits you will receive by doing them (ie attaining EXP status vs PLT status)? Or are you doing them specifically to build up you MM balance? And if it's the latter, what guarantees do you have that AA will exist 10 or 20 years from now?
Right now I don't have too much of a problem achieving PLT/EXP on a yearly basis and as I mentioned above, getting the 100% bonus is great.
Jan 6, 2014, 6:20 am
#105
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,714
As the choice for retirement is to either have MM lifetime status or not have it, what do you suggest a retirement plan should look like?