Dec 18, 2019, 12:31 pm
Last edit by: wyogold
Related discussions in other Flyertalk forums:
AA potentially closing accounts due to credit card churning/churn
How to know if you're locked: (as of 12/22/2019)
- Call in to aadvantage reservations (800-882-8880) If you locked, you'll be forwarded to customer service instead of getting to the automated reservations system
- If you want to stay on the line, ask CSR if your account is locked (you tried to make a reservation but it wouldn't let you). CSR will inform you there's a note on your account and that corporate security will contact you
- Try to make a reservation for a super cheap hotel through useaamiles.com. There are 1000 miles / night hotels in New Delhi, so at worst you'll risk 1K miles. If you're locked, you'll see "Unable to process points. Please call our customer service for assistance."
So far, nobody seems to have gotten unlocked and gotten access to their miles back. Accounts with upcoming travel seem to be the ones that are getting terminated at the highest rate.
AA potentially closing accounts due to credit card churning/churn
How to know if you're locked: (as of 12/22/2019)
- Call in to aadvantage reservations (800-882-8880) If you locked, you'll be forwarded to customer service instead of getting to the automated reservations system
- If you want to stay on the line, ask CSR if your account is locked (you tried to make a reservation but it wouldn't let you). CSR will inform you there's a note on your account and that corporate security will contact you
- Try to make a reservation for a super cheap hotel through useaamiles.com. There are 1000 miles / night hotels in New Delhi, so at worst you'll risk 1K miles. If you're locked, you'll see "Unable to process points. Please call our customer service for assistance."
So far, nobody seems to have gotten unlocked and gotten access to their miles back. Accounts with upcoming travel seem to be the ones that are getting terminated at the highest rate.
AA accounts restricted (Nov/Dec 2019)
Jan 12, 2020, 7:20 pm
#1561
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Moderator reminder
Please do not post personal characterizations of others, including people who are not currently posting in this thread. Write about ideas, not people.
Jan 12, 2020, 7:42 pm
#1562
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
I don't understand the question.
Citi started officially limiting SUBs on public AA credit card offers quite a few years ago, first with 18 month language, then 24 month language, now 48 month language (but with different rules too when the number of months changed).
But Citi also has a history of creating "loopholes" around that:
First there was the World -> World Elite "loophole", where if you applied and got a World card, and then shortly afterwards Citi updated you to a World Elite card, that wiped out their memory that you'd applied for that card before, and you could apply yet again right away.
After that ended, people discovered that certain forms (not all forms) of mailers were missing the 24 (later 48) month language, and started using mailers (generally intended for other people) as another "loophole".
So are you asking about whether they've started limiting SUB on public applications (yes, many years ago, though with "loopholes" at times) or specifically on all mailers (that I don't know, the only thing close to a "mailer" that I've received recently is a card which told me to go a link for a not-the-best public offer, it had the 48 month language, and it had no codes of any length, so while I got it in the mail -- addressed to "RESIDENT", btw! -- it wasn't a "mailer" in the way that term is used in this forum)?
Citi started officially limiting SUBs on public AA credit card offers quite a few years ago, first with 18 month language, then 24 month language, now 48 month language (but with different rules too when the number of months changed).
But Citi also has a history of creating "loopholes" around that:
First there was the World -> World Elite "loophole", where if you applied and got a World card, and then shortly afterwards Citi updated you to a World Elite card, that wiped out their memory that you'd applied for that card before, and you could apply yet again right away.
After that ended, people discovered that certain forms (not all forms) of mailers were missing the 24 (later 48) month language, and started using mailers (generally intended for other people) as another "loophole".
So are you asking about whether they've started limiting SUB on public applications (yes, many years ago, though with "loopholes" at times) or specifically on all mailers (that I don't know, the only thing close to a "mailer" that I've received recently is a card which told me to go a link for a not-the-best public offer, it had the 48 month language, and it had no codes of any length, so while I got it in the mail -- addressed to "RESIDENT", btw! -- it wasn't a "mailer" in the way that term is used in this forum)?
Jan 13, 2020, 6:46 am
#1563
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: FAT
Posts: 146
I realize nobody knows much, but I'm looking for opinions on what you would do in my situation. I have two international trips booked for March and April on AA metal. Account has been locked since sometime in early to mid December. I churned mailers and emailers heavily for years. Should I just assume my account and those trips are toast and book paid flights on another carrier, and if so, when? I could wait a few more weeks to see if more DPs roll in, but I don't want to wait so long that I lose good flight options on my airline of choice.
What’s your plan if you get shutdown right before your return in March? Because AA has left multiple people halfway around the world with no return trip in these shutdowns.
I have a trip in a few months, I’ve gotten around half a dozen SUBs in the last 2 years and I am locked (can’t redeem). Assuming account is toast. I booked backup flights and will eat the change/cancel fee on those if I survive that long. It’s given me the peace of mind I needed. Especially because I don’t want to spend the time at my destination wondering if I’m gonna get shutdown a few hours before my flight home.
Jan 13, 2020, 6:56 am
#1564
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
Double-checked
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
Jan 13, 2020, 8:20 am
#1565
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
Double-checked
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
Jan 13, 2020, 9:12 am
#1566
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 805
Double-checked
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
I'm expecting them to terminate the accounts of anyone who only purchases discounted fare tickets since they abuse them by not buying regularly priced tickets as well.
Jan 13, 2020, 10:41 am
#1567
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: FAT
Posts: 146
Double-checked
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
Jan 13, 2020, 11:11 am
#1568
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
They are called members in good standing. 
Besides maybe a one-off here or there, I don't think there are any substantial suspensions/closings of accounts as you describe above. In those cases, if they exist, you can search the original thread and see some are successfully reinstated.
Besides maybe a one-off here or there, I don't think there are any substantial suspensions/closings of accounts as you describe above. In those cases, if they exist, you can search the original thread and see some are successfully reinstated.
Double-checked
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
4 personal + 2 business.
1st and 2nd personal and 1st business were from the web links (all 2016 time frame)
2nd business was from an envelope invite (2019)
3rd personal WAS from a post card type target offer with some code (2017)
4th personal WAS from an expired post card type target offer with some code (also 2017)
(in all cases, person applying matched name on the offere - was even prepopulated in the web form)
None in 2018.
Miles from all 6 cards including regular purchases (no MS) less than 300k
Total miles on the terminated account over 1.5M (from USair, recent partner travels, Bankdirect, Online purchases)
if this case is considered "not abuse" but victim of algorithm, what is the best recourse ?
whom to wtite politely to take a second look at the account?
Last edited by 84fiero; Jan 13, 2020 at 11:23 am
Jan 13, 2020, 11:48 am
#1569
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
There are indeed a number of such folks locked and shut down though except for desi I don't believe you'll find any of those DPs on FT. Likely there are more who don't even know they are locked and haven't been shut down yet. I'm not aware of anyone becoming unlocked.....
Don't think so.
Jan 13, 2020, 1:03 pm
#1570
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Jan 13, 2020, 1:50 pm
#1572
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: JFK
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 325
Count me as someone who's received targeted mailers for cards I already have. Not just Citi -- Barclays does this too.
Jan 13, 2020, 1:54 pm
#1573
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Jan 13, 2020, 2:00 pm
#1574
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: JFK
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 325
Citi has sent us targeted mailers w/o time limit languages.
Barclays has sent us mailers with time limit language, but their computers gave the bonus anyway. (not for the Aviator, however, only their house brands like Venture and QS)
Barclays has sent us mailers with time limit language, but their computers gave the bonus anyway. (not for the Aviator, however, only their house brands like Venture and QS)
Jan 13, 2020, 2:05 pm
#1575
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
As I consider investing in another new AA promotion (the Bask Bank savings account promotion), I still haven't seen anything yet that indicates that those with multiple sign-up bonuses that
1) Only received one kind of any particular card
2) Responded only to mailed promotions that were targeted to them
Have been impacted as of yet. Though if anyone fits that criteria is around, please let us know
1) Only received one kind of any particular card
2) Responded only to mailed promotions that were targeted to them
Have been impacted as of yet. Though if anyone fits that criteria is around, please let us know