AA100k

UKtravelbear

Just to clarify if the aunt said 'yes I paid him the $37.47 for the taxes and fees' (and that indeed was the actual amount) would that be OK or would that still be verboten?

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

I think AA saw that someone brought a huge number of miles then suddenly booked a ticket for someone that may have not had a clear family relationship. I think these two acts in combination would draw security. With different last names and addresses (I assume) AA would not know there was a family relationship. Add in the fact that AA was likely initially looking at the account due to a Craigslist posting and you understand why AA cancelled the ticket and took away a large chunk of miles. The best thing the OP can do is come clean and provide some kind of proof that the ticket was given free of monetary exchange to his Aunt. What kind of proof AA would demand IDK.

Gig103

Email through Craigslist is anonymous, at least until you start communicating and IT professionals can start tracking the mail headers. Phone number is a good point though, lots of people put that in for texts. I was thinking that a potential buyer would want proof of the miles, which would give the evidence needed, and is why I asked if there were any bites -- if so maybe they were Secret AAgents.

no1cub17

But why would you buy so many miles without having a know use for them first (i.e. multiple awards on hold)? That makes literally no sense to burn thousands of dollars buying miles when you don't even have a plan of how to use them. For as much money you spent buying miles, you could've just bought the tickets you wanted. Not sure who's giving you advice on such matters but it's time to make new friends.

SJCFlyerLG

A couple of decades ago, before airlines required ID when flying, I had a multi-segment business trip booked by my company. Something came up, and the company decided I needed to stay in the office, and they sent a colleague in my place. The ticket was discounted, so it was not refundable. Without my knowledge, the company simply gave my tickets (with my AA number) to my colleague, and he flew under my name. On his segment home, he wanted to change flights. He never traveled with cash, so he presented his credit card for the change fee. The gate agent noticed the names were different, then seized the ticket and made some threats. He had to buy a new ticket.

He came home and told me the story, which unnerved me, to say the least. I received a letter from AA, informing me that it was a violation, but no no penalties were assessed - just warned never to do it again. They did revoke the miles awarded for that trip, which was fair.

Hawes7701

carlosdca

Also, a couple of decades ago, there was no craiglist.
Miles redemption had to be done over the phone.
Anybody could go all the way to the gate, with or without ticket.
And, there was a time when stickers were actually stickers.

seat38a

I'm guessing that AA and other airlines have some agreement worked out with Craigslist to find and report such posting. I highly doubt that someone at AA is sitting around trying to contact people who post on CL. Most likely they flag the post and have some sort of ability or agreement to get the posters email/contact information directly. Either that or Craigslist could be sending a daily list directly to AA's relevant department.

no1cub17

Really? I would think it's safer to assume that AA actively monitors CL, reddit, FT, any other social platform. AA's fraud prevention folks certainly aren't passive when it comes to enforcing the rules.

JonNYC

They do. Routinely.

MarkCron

less than 150k ( the non for sale miles) is really irrelevant; would he be happier if AA took all his miles (which they have every right to do)?

guv1976

I should think that doing so would violate the Craigslist privacy policy:

"Circumstances in which we may disclose user data:

• to vendors and service providers (e.g. payment processors) working on our behalf.
• to respond to subpoenas, search warrants, court orders, or other legal process.
• to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of users of CL or the general public.
• with your consent (e.g. if you authorize us to share data with other users).
• in connection with a merger, bankruptcy, or sale/transfer of assets.
• in aggregate/summary form, where it cannot reasonably be used to identify you."

https://www.craigslist.org/about/privacy.policy

Often1

Bullet #3 clearly covers AA and any other property or rights holder.

guv1976

Maybe. But if Craigslist were cooperating with airlines about ads offering frequent-flyer miles, wouldn't you expect Craigslist to have a policy prohibiting such ads in the first place?