ARCHIVE: AAdvantage Million Miler Program as of Dec 2011 (master thd)
Aug 24, 2011, 2:07 pm
#121
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,047
Absolutely, with this change AAdvantage is way behind United. If I were starting today to select a frequent flyer program and was interested in lifetime status, I would select United since it is much easier to fly 1 million miles for lifetime mid-tier on United versus needing 2 million miles on American. As an additional sweetener for United, 3 million miles gives lifetime top-tier on United, while there is no lifetime top-tier on American.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:07 pm
#122
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Home Airports: CAE/CLT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, National Executive
Posts: 5,452
Bummer.
I understand the reason, I got to the party just a little too late.
(Sitting at 640K lifetime)
I understand the reason, I got to the party just a little too late.
(Sitting at 640K lifetime)
Aug 24, 2011, 2:08 pm
#123
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
I would tend to think that AA could have set itself off from DL/UA by counting elite bonus miles as an incentive/reward to elite flyers, particularly PLT and EXPs. Also, AA could have included using the higher of miles or points to reward those flyers purchasing higher fare tickets although AA's technology may have found accomodating that feature a difficult task to achieve.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:08 pm
#124
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/SFO & ORD
Programs: LT Gold/BA Executive Club/AS MP/Marriott
Posts: 1,646
And for some general commentary...the Lifetime program on AA has been way too lax for years and has in my opinion rewarded the wrong kinds of folks. The churners, the serial abusers etc. Those of us who are going on 10 years EXP have really been disproportionately disadvantaged in some ways.
I appreciate the new move to reward those who truly support the backbone of AA's existence....flying on their aircraft. I reckon that of my 2.6MM miles that about 1-1.2MM are BIS.
Say what you want, but unlike other airlines, AA looks out for us top tier elites. Whether it's making lifetime status tougher or not handing out lifetime EXP, I appreciate that my business on a year to year basis is appreciated and its benefits protected by AA.
I appreciate the new move to reward those who truly support the backbone of AA's existence....flying on their aircraft. I reckon that of my 2.6MM miles that about 1-1.2MM are BIS.
Say what you want, but unlike other airlines, AA looks out for us top tier elites. Whether it's making lifetime status tougher or not handing out lifetime EXP, I appreciate that my business on a year to year basis is appreciated and its benefits protected by AA.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:08 pm
#125
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, HH Gold, and SPG Gold
Posts: 408
It's good that the airline lets us know beforehand.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:09 pm
#126
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 7,710
I recently picked up Silver in the Radisson program since I could get over 30,000 of their points from 2 hotel stays and 4 car rentals. The 6 bookings totaled about $600, and had I credited them to AA, I would have only received 900 miles.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:10 pm
#127
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Utqiagvik (Barrow) Alaska and Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Charter Member Delta Diamond Medallion, Lifetime AA Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hilton & Marriott Gold
Posts: 630
I achieved lifetime gold this year. I would like to exchange my 8 unused upgrade certificates for 35,000 miles but did not see any explination of how to do this.
Last edited by ceieoc; Aug 26, 2011 at 5:37 am
Aug 24, 2011, 2:10 pm
#128
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
oh well... no LT PLT for me... 
Aug 24, 2011, 2:11 pm
#129
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington VA
Posts: 5,735
I am at 1.7m program to date. I have 133k SPG points and 300k + Amex points. If I transfer some of these before Dec 1 they'll count for lifetime plat status, correct? I will have Plat next year regardless (even if I don't hit Exp this year) so I wouldn't transfer all 300k miles... but a 200k transfer would mean that BIS flying between now and Dec 2012 would put me at enough for lifetime plat.
Am I insane for giving up hotel/membership reward points to get them to count towards lifetime plat?
What other good options are there to get a ton of points fast? Other hotel/point programs? 90 CD at some internet bank?
Thanks
Am I insane for giving up hotel/membership reward points to get them to count towards lifetime plat?
What other good options are there to get a ton of points fast? Other hotel/point programs? 90 CD at some internet bank?
Thanks
Aug 24, 2011, 2:11 pm
#130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
AmericanAirlines: As has been pointed out by a number of posters here, a deep discount Economy flyer would earn the same progress towards lifetime status than a full fare First flyer, when the latter has possibly paid many times the fare paid by the former. When it comes to qualifying for regular elite status (Gold, Platinum or EXP), premium flyers are rewarded through the Elite Qualifying Points system.
I agree (like many others here) that it makes sense to not count bonus miles earned fairly cheaply from the likes of credit cards, etc. However, is it truly a sound business decision to treat premium flyers exactly the same as deep discount flyers when it comes to Lifetime Status?
This isn't a concern of most on these forums, given that the vast majority of FTers fly deep discount and try to maximize their elite status at the lowest cost. However, for the few of us that do pay premium fares consistently, it would be helpful if these comments and concerns were passed on to Maya or the relevant decision makers. The Lifetime Program may have been announced but given that it doesn't fully implement until 12/1, there may yet be time to incorporate some (positive from a business standpoint) changes.
I agree (like many others here) that it makes sense to not count bonus miles earned fairly cheaply from the likes of credit cards, etc. However, is it truly a sound business decision to treat premium flyers exactly the same as deep discount flyers when it comes to Lifetime Status?
This isn't a concern of most on these forums, given that the vast majority of FTers fly deep discount and try to maximize their elite status at the lowest cost. However, for the few of us that do pay premium fares consistently, it would be helpful if these comments and concerns were passed on to Maya or the relevant decision makers. The Lifetime Program may have been announced but given that it doesn't fully implement until 12/1, there may yet be time to incorporate some (positive from a business standpoint) changes.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:13 pm
#131
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 752
I applied for a new card and was turned down.
Last edited by ethang801; Aug 24, 2011 at 2:27 pm
Aug 24, 2011, 2:14 pm
#132
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 262
Delta did the same a few years ago
As many have said, this has been expected for a while. Delta did the same thing a few years back, and also grandfathered everyone. Bu with their current mileage levels to get an award ticket (140,000 miles to get to Honolulu in December vs. 75,000 on AA or UA), I would still rather fly UA or AA.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:14 pm
#133
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
In contrast, AA recognizes flights like LAX-LHR on BA, or HKG-AMS on CX. Having AA count international flights on their partners to the MM counter is a big plus over UA.
Aug 24, 2011, 2:14 pm
#134
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 54
1.5 lifetime for me.
I knew this day would come but was hoping it would be a couple more years so I could hit Plat. At least I made Gold.
If only they would honor my CitiBusiness Mastercard for another year I could pull it off...
I knew this day would come but was hoping it would be a couple more years so I could hit Plat. At least I made Gold.
If only they would honor my CitiBusiness Mastercard for another year I could pull it off...
Aug 24, 2011, 2:15 pm
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
In another (long) thread here on FT, the changes to the MM program are discussed in great (and repeated) detail. But the general consensus was that they will give 2 months notice, aa is being extra nice
, they are giving us 3 months notice.
, they are giving us 3 months notice.