AA Million Miler Doesnt Reward Long Term Loyalty... Learn From My Mistake
#76
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, 1MM
Posts: 643
Lifetime Platinum is exactly the same as the annual platinum
Lifetime Gold is exactly the same as annual gold
When you were earning miles in the 90s and 00s , all miles ( flown, bonus, credit card etc ) counted towards earning Lifetime status , so if earning 100% bonuses as a platinum or executive platinum member, you needed to fly only 500k for Gold and 1M for Platinum ( 5 years as an EP member could easily get lifetime platinum )
It offers noting beyond this, but never has ; once you earn the lifetime platinum status, can just rest on ones laurels and enjoy what it offers
What do you expect AA to do for you once you have completed its highest lifetime status? if you studied the programme , you must have known that you had everything to offer, many years ago
Lifetime Gold is exactly the same as annual gold
When you were earning miles in the 90s and 00s , all miles ( flown, bonus, credit card etc ) counted towards earning Lifetime status , so if earning 100% bonuses as a platinum or executive platinum member, you needed to fly only 500k for Gold and 1M for Platinum ( 5 years as an EP member could easily get lifetime platinum )
It offers noting beyond this, but never has ; once you earn the lifetime platinum status, can just rest on ones laurels and enjoy what it offers
What do you expect AA to do for you once you have completed its highest lifetime status? if you studied the programme , you must have known that you had everything to offer, many years ago
#77
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,428
In fairness, it should be remembered that until 2011 the MM scheme was opaque, at best. It was discussed on FT, but my recollection is that it was not referenced in the Aadvantage terms and conditions. From memory, it was pointed out on here that it was referred to on the Irish AA website, but nowhere else. OP hasn't said this is his situation, but it is possible that there are customers who received gold at 1MM, platinum at 2MM and accordingly expected executive platinum at another threshold. Since 2011, however, the rules have been clear.
My thinking would still be that the value of the FF miles and other status benefits ( such as SWUs that the OP would have received ) would be more than going elsewhere at that point to try and get LT Emerald status. I don't think that 1st class lounge access is that amazing a benefit ( and def not one to lose other benefits for )
#78
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,663
the only benefit that LtPlt really has for us is we are not at the bottom of the heap when an IRROPS happens. My miles, SWUs, and businessextra points go to the kids and friends. Doing KLM in a couple of weeks to see how that works out because it had the best schedule/price. Same for an LH flight in January. But no font changes in my posts......
And I am much better positioned to get away from OW since I optimized my CSR usage.
And I am much better positioned to get away from OW since I optimized my CSR usage.
#79
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Florida
Programs: AA
Posts: 22
I mean you get better seat selection, a better shot at upgrades, but you're gonna be at the bottom of the list if you're not flying.
Same goes for people who achieved plat last year but havent flown yet this year, you get checked bags free, priority boarding.
Same goes for people who achieved plat last year but havent flown yet this year, you get checked bags free, priority boarding.
#81
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,302
you crossed 2 million and got LT Plat
went for another million to 3, got nothing new. chalk it up to well maybe it's at 4 I'll get something new
went for another million to 4, got nothing new. chalk it up to well maybe it's at 5 I'll get something new
and so on...all the way to EIGHT MILLION.
...and you are saying you weren't paying attention? Understatement of the decade.
Either that was a TON of wasted effort that would take decades for most people after 2011, or it was pre-2011 and a lot of manufactured spending on credit cards that made it happen very quickly.
I just find it hard to believe the OP woke up 6 million miles later and never noticed there were no additional lifetime benefits after the first 2 millions. Who knows. Happy travels though.
#82
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
so you crossed 1 million and got LT Gold
you crossed 2 million and got LT Plat
went for another million to 3, got nothing new. chalk it up to well maybe it's at 4 I'll get something new
went for another million to 4, got nothing new. chalk it up to well maybe it's at 5 I'll get something new
and so on...all the way to EIGHT MILLION.
you crossed 2 million and got LT Plat
went for another million to 3, got nothing new. chalk it up to well maybe it's at 4 I'll get something new
went for another million to 4, got nothing new. chalk it up to well maybe it's at 5 I'll get something new
and so on...all the way to EIGHT MILLION.
I mostly got off the AA loyalty program hamster wheel long before AA could make me into its fool; but if I hadnt and thus felt burned by AA, I would probably hope that others wouldnt over-invest themselves into the AA loyalty program game and repeat the mistakes of the past.
#83
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,647
A few more points:
1. The OP doesn't indicate how many of those 8MM were real BIS miles (not Elite bonus, CC spend, etc. This only changed to BIS maybe 5 years ago)
2. On the side of the OP - history shows that Airlines have increased their Liftetime Status from what was once published. CO/UA is an example. One might have thought there was a chance that AA would add more LT tiers. I think AA might have - just that I don't think they had/have the lifetime AAdvantage BIS miles saved anywhere.
Continental only added counting and showing lifetime miles when their IT contractor at that time told them they had all the OnePass data archived on tape. I guess EDS at the time was looking for more revenue and it took about a year and CO added in the LT miles and created the MM'er program. I believe CO paid over a Million $ to have this data put in a data base. Which then added status match for significant others, and the LT threshold levels at 1 to 3 MM. Later after merging with UA - the MM program was updated (from UA) to more closely match CO's program and then it added LT Global Services as an option at 4 MM. I know people who have earned LT GS from flying 4MM (none of which is CC or bonus). If I haded switched to AA to UA 6-7 years ago - I would be on my way to those 4MM on United.
Once CO completed the effort - they sent out emails to a MM'ers with their LT status. This was about 10-11 years ago.
1. The OP doesn't indicate how many of those 8MM were real BIS miles (not Elite bonus, CC spend, etc. This only changed to BIS maybe 5 years ago)
2. On the side of the OP - history shows that Airlines have increased their Liftetime Status from what was once published. CO/UA is an example. One might have thought there was a chance that AA would add more LT tiers. I think AA might have - just that I don't think they had/have the lifetime AAdvantage BIS miles saved anywhere.
Continental only added counting and showing lifetime miles when their IT contractor at that time told them they had all the OnePass data archived on tape. I guess EDS at the time was looking for more revenue and it took about a year and CO added in the LT miles and created the MM'er program. I believe CO paid over a Million $ to have this data put in a data base. Which then added status match for significant others, and the LT threshold levels at 1 to 3 MM. Later after merging with UA - the MM program was updated (from UA) to more closely match CO's program and then it added LT Global Services as an option at 4 MM. I know people who have earned LT GS from flying 4MM (none of which is CC or bonus). If I haded switched to AA to UA 6-7 years ago - I would be on my way to those 4MM on United.
Once CO completed the effort - they sent out emails to a MM'ers with their LT status. This was about 10-11 years ago.
#84
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
Just finished my morning cuppa, interesting posts from everyone, but just wondering, why do we chase status on airlines with so much passion. ( I am now, not really bothered that much)
its not like any airline will treat us like family /friends.. is it a boost for our ego's to say that we are EXP this, or DM that or lifetime gold on BA?
Does having status with hotels, car rentals, etc really make us feel better about ourselves?
anyway, just thinking
its not like any airline will treat us like family /friends.. is it a boost for our ego's to say that we are EXP this, or DM that or lifetime gold on BA?
Does having status with hotels, car rentals, etc really make us feel better about ourselves?
anyway, just thinking
On the other hand, elite status still has it's value: lounge access, priority check-in lines (every time I see those Main Cabin lines I add the minutes saved to the butcher's bill,) priority boarding to make sure your rollerboard is not ten rows behind your seat, etc. Same with Hertz, PC so I can pick what I want to drive at a reasonable price point, and hotels, Marriwood PLT so I don't have to pay for breakfast and may get some decent UPG's.
I'm sure that the OP, especially as CK, got plenty of UPG's. I've had no problem using my SWU's though I can fly the midweek, off-peak schedules and am flexible so I can check which flights might have the best chances. Complimentary UPG's as well.
As the saying goes: the rules change but the game remains the same. Pay for what you want, or roll the dice and hope to win.
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I got my 2MM for L PLAT largely on bonus miles, sometimes achieved at 4 times actual or minimum miles (Triple miles plus PLT/EXP bonus) at fares that sometimes (not too often) went below $100 for 10K miles, back at at time where the only time I had ever heard of lifetime status was on FT, because AA had not yet published. I will be at 3MM shortly, and do not now or ever expect anything beyond what AA has published. Lifetime status is great because it is useful if I want to use it, and if other airlines are going to be more useful, I will fly them, as I have even flown Allegiant Air because it had nonstops between PIE and PIA, and I lived in Clearwater and used it to visit family in the Peoria area. The cost was a lot less than connecting with AA or others, even with bag fees and preferred seating fees, and because I saved hours over connecting.
#86
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
A few more points:
1. The OP doesn't indicate how many of those 8MM were real BIS miles (not Elite bonus, CC spend, etc. This only changed to BIS maybe 5 years ago)
2. On the side of the OP - history shows that Airlines have increased their Liftetime Status from what was once published. CO/UA is an example. One might have thought there was a chance that AA would add more LT tiers. I think AA might have - just that I don't think they had/have the lifetime AAdvantage BIS miles saved anywhere.
Continental only added counting and showing lifetime miles when their IT contractor at that time told them they had all the OnePass data archived on tape. I guess EDS at the time was looking for more revenue and it took about a year and CO added in the LT miles and created the MM'er program. I believe CO paid over a Million $ to have this data put in a data base. Which then added status match for significant others, and the LT threshold levels at 1 to 3 MM. Later after merging with UA - the MM program was updated (from UA) to more closely match CO's program and then it added LT Global Services as an option at 4 MM. I know people who have earned LT GS from flying 4MM (none of which is CC or bonus). If I haded switched to AA to UA 6-7 years ago - I would be on my way to those 4MM on United.
Once CO completed the effort - they sent out emails to a MM'ers with their LT status. This was about 10-11 years ago.
1. The OP doesn't indicate how many of those 8MM were real BIS miles (not Elite bonus, CC spend, etc. This only changed to BIS maybe 5 years ago)
2. On the side of the OP - history shows that Airlines have increased their Liftetime Status from what was once published. CO/UA is an example. One might have thought there was a chance that AA would add more LT tiers. I think AA might have - just that I don't think they had/have the lifetime AAdvantage BIS miles saved anywhere.
Continental only added counting and showing lifetime miles when their IT contractor at that time told them they had all the OnePass data archived on tape. I guess EDS at the time was looking for more revenue and it took about a year and CO added in the LT miles and created the MM'er program. I believe CO paid over a Million $ to have this data put in a data base. Which then added status match for significant others, and the LT threshold levels at 1 to 3 MM. Later after merging with UA - the MM program was updated (from UA) to more closely match CO's program and then it added LT Global Services as an option at 4 MM. I know people who have earned LT GS from flying 4MM (none of which is CC or bonus). If I haded switched to AA to UA 6-7 years ago - I would be on my way to those 4MM on United.
Once CO completed the effort - they sent out emails to a MM'ers with their LT status. This was about 10-11 years ago.
I think the first time I heard about lifetime elite status on Continental was in the mid or late-1990s when I was told it exists and a NY-area, InsideFlyer magazine-reading male porn star already had it from flying back and forth to California a lot.
#87
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,302
No, they came with new system wide upgrades at each threshold. Maybe a new card and luggage tags too.
I mostly got off the AA loyalty program hamster wheel long before AA could make me into its fool; but if I hadnt and thus felt burned by AA, I would probably hope that others wouldnt over-invest themselves into the AA loyalty program game and repeat the mistakes of the past.
#88
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
Posts: 1,035
My guess is that OP didn't pay any attention to the MM program when they were CK/Exp and only realized that it maxes out at 2MM/LTP when they didn't renew at those levels.
#89
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,302
Yeah, i think we're saying the same thing. It's just that flying an additional SIX MILLION MILES and "not noticing" that you're not getting anything new in the way of recognition/status or whatever beyond the standard SWU's, seems kind of late to be complaining at that point.
#90
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
When youre busy traveling a lot more so with OPM somethings just may not be a high priority at the time. It might be shocking news to some FTers, but most people dont spend a lot of time doing their travel shopping by digging into the minutiae of what all options are out there with regard to airline frequent flyer programs. And when people say old habits die hard, the same goes for how people shop.