Donating SWU / eVIPs as prize for charity auction
Sep 28, 2016, 10:01 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
It's not the contribution of an SWU that's the problem - it's the sale of the SWU by the charity that's the problem.
Many years ago, I asked an AA station manager about the chances of approval for a similar gift to a charity fundraiser (not SWUs), and the response was "forget that, I'll just give your charity two worldwide T award tickets that you can auction." I'm confident that those two tickets brought the organization more revenue than my scheme would have. Today, with SWUs somewhat difficult to clear in advance (to put it mildly) and very difficult to clear late in the game unless the holder has EXP or Plat status, I wouldn't do it even if AA said "go ahead and do it."
Sep 29, 2016, 5:46 am
#17
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
Regardless of your theorizing, any sale, barter or using an AA instrument such as an award or upgrade as a prize is against AAdvantage terms and conditions.
Unless you get specific approval from AA, you are to some extent risking your account and the travel of the individual you donate the SWU to. The AAdvantage Fraud unit in Corporate Security is quite good at ferreting things like this out. There's a reason why FlyerTalk excludes AA from the Coupon Connection, etc.
Unless you get specific approval from AA, you are to some extent risking your account and the travel of the individual you donate the SWU to. The AAdvantage Fraud unit in Corporate Security is quite good at ferreting things like this out. There's a reason why FlyerTalk excludes AA from the Coupon Connection, etc.
There's your answer right there in bold. End of discussion. The upgrades are void if purchased, and bidding on the SWU at a charity auction is "purchasing" the SWU. Doesn't matter that you, the donor, aren't the one selling the SWU.
It's not the contribution of an SWU that's the problem - it's the sale of the SWU by the charity that's the problem.
Many years ago, I asked an AA station manager about the chances of approval for a similar gift to a charity fundraiser (not SWUs), and the response was "forget that, I'll just give your charity two worldwide T award tickets that you can auction." I'm confident that those two tickets brought the organization more revenue than my scheme would have. Today, with SWUs somewhat difficult to clear in advance (to put it mildly) and very difficult to clear late in the game unless the holder has EXP or Plat status, I wouldn't do it even if AA said "go ahead and do it."
It's not the contribution of an SWU that's the problem - it's the sale of the SWU by the charity that's the problem.
Many years ago, I asked an AA station manager about the chances of approval for a similar gift to a charity fundraiser (not SWUs), and the response was "forget that, I'll just give your charity two worldwide T award tickets that you can auction." I'm confident that those two tickets brought the organization more revenue than my scheme would have. Today, with SWUs somewhat difficult to clear in advance (to put it mildly) and very difficult to clear late in the game unless the holder has EXP or Plat status, I wouldn't do it even if AA said "go ahead and do it."
Does OP really wish to put her/his EXPness at risk for a charity?
Possible solution: When MrsDallas49er and I choose to (charity of our choice(s)), or get roped into, buying a table (for a friend/client/whatever's pet charity) and an "Auction Item", and since we have tons of multiple hotel program points: We auction "2 nights in a suite, in the city of your choice. Planet Earth only.". We usually use pictures of the Danieli, Sheraton Hong Kong, and a St. Regis. It makes for great conversations, and friendships with people we might never have met.
Last edited by Dallas49er; Sep 29, 2016 at 5:54 am
Sep 29, 2016, 11:24 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: AA MM; UA-S; HH-D; Marriott-LTP
Posts: 223
Appears to be a no-go...
"At no time may AAdvantage mileage credit or award tickets be purchased, sold, advertised for sale or bartered (including but not limited to transferring, gifting, or promising mileage credit or award tickets in exchange for support of a certain business, product or charity and/or participation in an auction, sweepstakes, raffle or contest). Any such mileage or tickets are void if transferred for cash or other consideration. Violators (including any passenger who uses a purchased or bartered award ticket..."
"At no time may AAdvantage mileage credit or award tickets be purchased, sold, advertised for sale or bartered (including but not limited to transferring, gifting, or promising mileage credit or award tickets in exchange for support of a certain business, product or charity and/or participation in an auction, sweepstakes, raffle or contest). Any such mileage or tickets are void if transferred for cash or other consideration. Violators (including any passenger who uses a purchased or bartered award ticket..."
Sep 29, 2016, 1:05 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Dallas
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,523
3 respected members of our community have opined that this is ... crappy idea.
Does OP really wish to put her/his EXPness at risk for a charity?
Possible solution: When MrsDallas49er and I choose to (charity of our choice(s)), or get roped into, buying a table (for a friend/client/whatever's pet charity) and an "Auction Item", and since we have tons of multiple hotel program points: We auction "2 nights in a suite, in the city of your choice. Planet Earth only.". We usually use pictures of the Danieli, Sheraton Hong Kong, and a St. Regis. It makes for great conversations, and friendships with people we might never have met.
Does OP really wish to put her/his EXPness at risk for a charity?
Possible solution: When MrsDallas49er and I choose to (charity of our choice(s)), or get roped into, buying a table (for a friend/client/whatever's pet charity) and an "Auction Item", and since we have tons of multiple hotel program points: We auction "2 nights in a suite, in the city of your choice. Planet Earth only.". We usually use pictures of the Danieli, Sheraton Hong Kong, and a St. Regis. It makes for great conversations, and friendships with people we might never have met.