ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Million Miler Program as of Dec 2011 (master thd)
Aug 24, 2011, 8:55 pm
#301
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,740
Now if it even is willing to consider it, AA would look at your history of flying and chances are, your history indicates you would be able to use the stickers even though you dont want to.
Aug 24, 2011, 8:56 pm
#302
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: DFW, 3.5 MM, AA EXP, LIFETIME PLATINUM, MARRIOTT LIFETIME PLATINUM, STARWOOD AMBASSADOR 223 NIGHTS, AND LIFETIME GOLD, HILTON DIAMOND, NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ELITE
Posts: 5,847
Am at 3.5M
While it would have been nice to get to that 4.0M in the sky, I am truly grateful for having made it this far in the program.
I honestly can understand why AA is doing this.
I wish everyone good travels in the future.
While it would have been nice to get to that 4.0M in the sky, I am truly grateful for having made it this far in the program.
I honestly can understand why AA is doing this.
I wish everyone good travels in the future.
Aug 24, 2011, 8:58 pm
#303
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: UA 1K,Hyatt Diamond,AA Lifetime Platinum,SPG
Posts: 190
I don't think AA will sell their miles as 1 cent. Even we redeem the reward tickets while it does not affect AA too much since they have the award tickets control.
Unfortunately I disagree. AA is still an airline. Not a bank. Not a lending institution. They need to make their money flying paying pax. On the revenue side only, these frequent flyer bonanzas were terrific for AA, but what AA finally figured out along with its partners is that the bonanza was only smoke and mirrors.
So let's say you are a churner extraordinaire. This year, you enrolled in 3 cards when the 75k promos were available. You also opened a BD CD account and collected bunch more bonus miles that way. Then, a few months later, you close the credit card accounts after you hit the minimum spends of $1500 and you close the BD account as soon as you can. Then you book 4 J tickets on CX through AA with the 440k miles you earned through the bonuses of the cards, BD, Fidelity, etc.
The costs you would incur relative to the revenue you generated have to be staggering. If we assume that all partners paid AA 1 cent per mile, then they would have paid roughly $4,400 to earn your business. And in return, you generated how much revenue for the partners? That's right...a lot less.
And although AA made $4,400 off you by selling miles to its partners, they now have to pay CX for the 4 tix you booked using those miles you earned. And how much do those 4 seats cost AA? That's right...probably more than the $4,400 you generated in revenue.
The only saving grace is that not everyone is a pig and massive churner so those who maintain and continue to use services ultimately pay for at least a portion of the losses that the serial abusers incur at every step. But that said, can't you see why the airlines want to get rid of mileage chasers? The other alternative is to charge more for awards to mitigate the effect of churning/system abuse.
So let's say you are a churner extraordinaire. This year, you enrolled in 3 cards when the 75k promos were available. You also opened a BD CD account and collected bunch more bonus miles that way. Then, a few months later, you close the credit card accounts after you hit the minimum spends of $1500 and you close the BD account as soon as you can. Then you book 4 J tickets on CX through AA with the 440k miles you earned through the bonuses of the cards, BD, Fidelity, etc.
The costs you would incur relative to the revenue you generated have to be staggering. If we assume that all partners paid AA 1 cent per mile, then they would have paid roughly $4,400 to earn your business. And in return, you generated how much revenue for the partners? That's right...a lot less.
And although AA made $4,400 off you by selling miles to its partners, they now have to pay CX for the 4 tix you booked using those miles you earned. And how much do those 4 seats cost AA? That's right...probably more than the $4,400 you generated in revenue.
The only saving grace is that not everyone is a pig and massive churner so those who maintain and continue to use services ultimately pay for at least a portion of the losses that the serial abusers incur at every step. But that said, can't you see why the airlines want to get rid of mileage chasers? The other alternative is to charge more for awards to mitigate the effect of churning/system abuse.
Aug 24, 2011, 9:11 pm
#304
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt GP Diamond, Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 213
I am at 1.1 MM.
Not much flying this year.
Would love to reach the 2MM point, or atleast near to that. I most probably will be flying about 50K miles/yr for the next few years.
Question for all the gurus out there:
I have about 300k Marriott points. Is there any good way I can bring them into AA?
Similarly, what is the best way to bring in Hilton points ==> not much, but around 30k points
Have about 250k Delta miles, is there any good way to bring them in?
Have about 40k United miles, is there any good way to bring them in?
I will have about 300k SPG points by Nov1, and I will bring them in then.
Not much flying this year.
Would love to reach the 2MM point, or atleast near to that. I most probably will be flying about 50K miles/yr for the next few years.
Question for all the gurus out there:
I have about 300k Marriott points. Is there any good way I can bring them into AA?
Similarly, what is the best way to bring in Hilton points ==> not much, but around 30k points
Have about 250k Delta miles, is there any good way to bring them in?
Have about 40k United miles, is there any good way to bring them in?
I will have about 300k SPG points by Nov1, and I will bring them in then.
Last edited by FINASTORY; Aug 24, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Aug 24, 2011, 9:15 pm
#305
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA | DEN
Programs: AA EXP/2.9mm | Marriott LT Titanium 1.6k nights | NEXUS
Posts: 981
Unfortunately I disagree. AA is still an airline. Not a bank. Not a lending institution. They need to make their money flying paying pax. On the revenue side only, these frequent flyer bonanzas were terrific for AA, but what AA finally figured out along with its partners is that the bonanza was only smoke and mirrors.
.
.
Last edited by AATrout; Aug 24, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Aug 24, 2011, 9:17 pm
#306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,227
Question regarding this portion:
Do all AA partner airlines flights count toward lifetime status or just a select few like EQM/EQP/EQS earning OW airlines and AS flights?
Originally Posted by American Airlines
...or any eligible AAdvantage program participating airline...
here. So you'll really be no worse off with or without 1MM status; you'll still have Gold. That sucks why?
Aug 24, 2011, 9:26 pm
#307
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,307
American Airlines's announcement to quit counting every AAdvantage mile towards a flyer's lifetime status is an appalling decision. Every mile should count. Changing the rules for loyal customers in the middle of the game shows no respect for the loyalty received.
Show your support at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Let-Ev...866722?sk=wall
Show your support at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Let-Ev...866722?sk=wall
Aug 24, 2011, 9:33 pm
#308
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,552
...deleted . incorrect
Aug 24, 2011, 9:33 pm
#309
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 102
I don't know what to do. AA is not the cheapest carrier for me, but I viewed the difference in price as an investment toward lifetime status. Now those extra dollars don't have a return. 
Aug 24, 2011, 9:36 pm
#310
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,029
Aug 24, 2011, 9:38 pm
#311
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT, MR Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 61
Totally disappointed. The bonus miles and cc miles counting towards life time elite status were some of the key reasons that I had chosen Aadvantage over other FFPs given that Aadvantage is only a middle of the pack FFP.
Aug 24, 2011, 9:44 pm
#313
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,227
American Airlines's announcement to quit counting every AAdvantage mile towards a flyer's lifetime status is an appalling decision. Every mile should count. Changing the rules for loyal customers in the middle of the game shows no respect for the loyalty received.
Show your support at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Let-Ev...866722?sk=wall
Show your support at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Let-Ev...866722?sk=wall
Aug 24, 2011, 9:44 pm
#314
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: IAH/PHL
Programs: AAdvantage PPro, LT Gold
Posts: 92
Thanks to FT I will cross 1MM in September. I will then push to get as many miles as I can before 12-1-11 to help me on my quest for LTPL.
Aug 24, 2011, 9:44 pm
#315
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
