How to squeeze value out of AA
Mar 17, 2019, 10:29 am
#91
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
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Mar 17, 2019, 1:14 pm
#92
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
(A lemonade stand could be very profitable as a percentage, but that doesn't mean much alone.
Simplistic example since this thread is already off in the land of the absurd)
Mar 17, 2019, 2:11 pm
#93
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,086
Back on topic. To OP- As many have mentioned before, I'd be focusing on getting the best value for your miles redemptions, regardless of the impact to AA. I believe that looking at it as a positive opportunity ultimately is a more rewarding experience (pun totally intended).
Last edited by teemuflyer; Mar 17, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Mar 17, 2019, 2:32 pm
#94
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Mar 17, 2019, 5:31 pm
#95
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Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAX, BOS, and Seat 1A
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Posts: 387
Well if you want to "scam" American Airlines (and I have no idea why, what did AA "personally" do to you?) you could sell them to a broker. That is of course against the rules. Your account could be locked. I'm not saying to do this and would advise against it. But if you feel some kind of "revenge" I guess this would be one way. Again, what any airline could do to ruin your life is beyond me.
i literally could not care less if AA "locked" my account or banned me. I dont want to continue that relationship.
They wont sue me unlike that dude who scammed NW by complaining. Even if they did, i'd make myself unserveable.
Mar 17, 2019, 6:49 pm
#96
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 862
I have a friend who has AA miles like this. He has flown the family here, there, and everywhere. One of his daughters works as a Disney princess and was stationed at an overseas Disneyland, for example, so he flew family out to visit. On another occasion he met a total stranger who was in the middle of a life crisis and needed to get somewhere, so he got the guy a ticket using miles.
From one perspective, miles are a form of an alternative currency, and you should enjoy them. The highest value (in terms of cents/mile) is obtained from first- and business-class redemptions, so take a holiday, for cryin' out loud. If you really want to maximize the cost to AA, pop for a few months of Expert Flyer and set it up to send you an email alert when first- or business-class seats become available on a route you're interested in. But I agree with others, Asian carriers can offer better service.
From one perspective, miles are a form of an alternative currency, and you should enjoy them. The highest value (in terms of cents/mile) is obtained from first- and business-class redemptions, so take a holiday, for cryin' out loud. If you really want to maximize the cost to AA, pop for a few months of Expert Flyer and set it up to send you an email alert when first- or business-class seats become available on a route you're interested in. But I agree with others, Asian carriers can offer better service.
Mar 17, 2019, 7:33 pm
#97
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,663
Mar 17, 2019, 9:01 pm
#98
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
OP isn't trying to optimize every last mile. OP is trying to hurt AA.
Would you be so kind as to define "more than necessary"? How much is "necessary"?
Perhaps nk15 made a mistake? Perhaps you're not aware that people cannot delete posts. How did you get to a point in life where you are so suspicious?
Would you be so kind as to define "more than necessary"? How much is "necessary"?
Perhaps nk15 made a mistake? Perhaps you're not aware that people cannot delete posts. How did you get to a point in life where you are so suspicious?
Mar 17, 2019, 11:21 pm
#99
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
Go for it, OP, THAT'LL TEACH 'EM not to mess with ya
Mar 17, 2019, 11:33 pm
#100
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I think you are confusing profit (an absolute number) with margin (a percentage)
Mar 18, 2019, 12:47 am
#101
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Nope.
Profit and profit margin. Two different expressions based on the same data.
That lemonade stand could be profitable but without revenue to profit off its irrelevant as a public company.
A company the size of AA needs/seeks both revenue and profit.
<and that's enough on this aside>
Profit and profit margin. Two different expressions based on the same data.
That lemonade stand could be profitable but without revenue to profit off its irrelevant as a public company.
A company the size of AA needs/seeks both revenue and profit.
<and that's enough on this aside>
Mar 18, 2019, 1:01 am
#102
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LAX, BOS, and Seat 1A
Programs: DL Plat, VS Gold, UA Plat, VX Gold (RIP), AS MVP 75K, Starriot Plat, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 387
need guacaomole
Is there any way to convert AA points into Guacamole? Have a family event coming up and need lots of guac.
Mar 18, 2019, 2:03 am
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
It's pretty much the exact opposite of sticking it to AA, but you could convert your miles to grocery store or Amazon gift cards on points. com. I think you'll get about a quarter cent per mile?
Mar 18, 2019, 3:21 am
#104
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,663
Show is over, we failed to stick it to AA this time, we are still stuck with 975k miles and some mediocre ideas and not even any guac.... Thanks for coming everybody, better luck next time, and y'all come back now, you hear? 
Mar 18, 2019, 5:13 am
#105
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
Use your miles for a dozen admirals club memberships and join the hipsters for avocado toast in the morning (which I haven't seen the last two times I've been in the AC in the morning)....