Fidelity miles posted this morning and that put me over the one million mark! Thanks to everyone for all the tips. Now I will be Gold for my trip to Montreal next month (at least now the bags will be free).

Now to await my official notice and then call AA to change the upgrade stickers for miles.

DaveOKC

Congrats! :D

Just checked the American website and they already have me listed as GOLD, plus on my upcoming flight they are allowing access to the better seats and first class upgrade- that did not take long (one day)!

OK, got my email from American welcoming me to the Million Miler Club (two days after it appeared on my account). The 8 stickers were posted, so I called Aadvantage and after a long hold finally got a live operator who was well aware of the option of trading the 8 stickers for 35,000 miles (she said that alot of folks were doing this and that it was a smart move in her opinion).
It should be posted in the morning she said.

One thing - I would call the Gold desk 800-848-4653 to get faster (and more knowledgable) service on this issue.

All done now with the new program and can use it on my upcoming trip!

DaveOKC

It's gonna be said sooner or later so I'll get in there first! There is no Gold desk. The Gold # just bumps you up the queue so you definitely get faster service. As to whether it's more knowledgeable depends entirely on whether you get a good AAgent or not but you would have spoken to someone from the regular pool of AAgents.

Congrats on reaching the MM marker before the new rules start. Wish I was in a position to do the same but some way off yet :(

Thanks for the clarifacation. The person I talked to was easy to understand (for a change) and seemed to really know the program (about the exchange).
The thing I really wanted to address to users is to use the Gold number for quicker access.

Update - AA posted my 35,000 miles and took away my 8 stickers the next morning after I called. One unexpected thing - the 35,000 miles counted toward my lifetime miles (although I serious doubt I will ever get to the next million!).
DaveOKC

Congratulations to all who are somehow getting to the 1MM and 2MM points.

Am at 3.5MM - no way I'll make it to 4MM , yet I am sincerely very grateful to AA for everything.

17 segments left to go to EXP..:)

New MileagePlus benefits!
 

Hi,

Just read the new MM MP benefits on http://mileageplusmergerupdates.com/...rogramOverview

This seems to rewards their members so much better compared to the AA program. I understand that it is true BIS miles, but still looks so much more attractive with the perks that comes with it. Here you have at least the chance to earn even the "invited" GS status!

Hopefully over time AA will also perk up the benefits of the program. I think most other programs that starts the MM program will have to use the new MP program as the new level.

Cheers!

They only count BIS on United or Copa, which is a major blow for me. It clearly targets business customers only. American counts all oneworld and other partners, so you will earn those millions of miles much faster, if you are a heavy global traveller.

They do offer some nice perks, but under their new program they have gutted the benefits offered to anyone flying less than 75k per year.

This is an example of why AA probably changed the MM program to BIS miles. I just don't understand the value of giving someone GLD or higher status if they couldn't reach that level with flying...While I appreciate the mileage expenditures one needs through mortgages, credit cards, etc, VIP status on AA gives you a flight advantage...makes no sense to me to give you status for not really flying...

Aww. You're right of course, but why begrudge those that have accomplished the level some satisfaction? They played by the rules and they earned it.
AA was fully aware of the implications and opportunities of the program; and now that business is tough, they've changed it. That should give some people some satisfaction.

Even though 90% of my 3.1MM were earned flying I understand that others have done it a different way.
It's ok. I sleep well at night and dream that I might make it another 900K.

I understand your thoughts and generally agree with it. In my case, 90% of my miles were earned by flying on business (BIS) over 30 years on AA (I have one of the earliest Aadvantage acounts), but after I retired I stopped flying on AA. I was 40-50,000 miles short of the million miles program, but I never knew about it so I did not try to go out of my way to fly AA or earn points on them. I never had an AA miles credit card nor earned any significant miles on hotels, car rentals and the like. Also, I traveled alot on American PRIOR to them even having a frequent flyer program - so do I get to get credit for those miles???

Once AA woke me up to the program, of course I had to move to make it before the window closed.

If AA would like to go back and only count BIS miles and give us better benefits based on this, I would be all for it.

DaveOKC

AA million miler change...
 

Congrats AA on your change to make only flight miles count toward the million miler Exec Gold Status. Screw you AA...heres what you have done...I should have by the end of the year 630k lifetime miles all from charging and useing e-shopping mall. Now sense you are screwing us loyal cardholders and other addvantage members who still earn miles based on your promos thoughout your website...here comes what you deserve...I will no longer use my addvantage mastercard. i will no longer use aa's e-shopping mall or anyother promo that will not give me miles that count toward the lifetime reward. AA you, wrongly, assume that flight miles make you more than other income streams...well do the math again sweetheart! You do not! The cost of those companies purchasing addvantage miles from you is pure profit vs. the cost of doing business to give someone 10k miles on a round trip flight. Now clearly, on full fare tickets that is not the case...but most seats sold are at discounted fares. I hope, and strongly believe, the backlash will be wide felt and strong. You don't change a program with 90 days notice. AA should show some class and give members at least 1 year to try to complete the 1 million miles. AA should show some class and maybe could have soften the blow by starting a lifetime Exec Silver status for 500k. You dont screw your loyal base.

Now I know all you flyers here will disagree...BUT LET ME BE VERY CLEAR...if all us "non status" cardholders stopped using our creditcards and using or shopping for products from companies that pay AA tens of (if not 100s) of millions a year to buy addvantage miles to reward us...all you flyers would have no planes to fly in.

I will now, as of 12-31-11 cut up my addvantage mastercard and apply for a starwoods amex plat card. if i need a visa/mastercard i will use my united visa.

I hope this is what you wanted AA!!!

sweet meltdown