Best Method to Accumulate AA & Delta Points
Nov 9, 2009 | 5:20 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Premier Gold, AA, DL, IHG Platinum Amb, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,688
Look into e-miles.com, too. You won't rack up tens of thousands of miles, but a couple of thousand easy Delta miles per year is possible, if you aggressively participate.
And I second the recommendation of Rewards Network for dining miles. Sure, it's not as lucrative as in years past, and very much dependent on having access to decent RN-affiliated restaurants. But if you do a bunch of cheap dines early in the year to get yourself up to VIP level (highest earning level=5 miles/$ spent), then take advantage of the various promotions, there's potentially thousands of extra miles that can be earned from that program. You can open an AA dining account as well as a Delta dining account, then focus on earning the bonuses in one or both of the accounts as they are offered.
And I second the recommendation of Rewards Network for dining miles. Sure, it's not as lucrative as in years past, and very much dependent on having access to decent RN-affiliated restaurants. But if you do a bunch of cheap dines early in the year to get yourself up to VIP level (highest earning level=5 miles/$ spent), then take advantage of the various promotions, there's potentially thousands of extra miles that can be earned from that program. You can open an AA dining account as well as a Delta dining account, then focus on earning the bonuses in one or both of the accounts as they are offered.
Nov 10, 2009 | 5:41 am
#33
Join Date: May 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: DL ♦M MM|HH♦|Marr Slvr|CO UA AA US|Pri Cub Plat|SPG|Avis 1st|Htz 5*
Posts: 5,044
If you rent cars, then that's a good way to add to Delta. Delta routinely has richer car rental bonuses than AA, so even though I'm primarily with AA, I more often steer car rentals to Delta (and mostly increase my Delta miles only with car rentals lately!).
But you have to know where to look. Avis has a bonus which gives 5000 bonus miles for 4+ day rentals and 2500 bonus miles for 3 day rentals (US+ airport locations, any car class) through the end of 1999, but they've removed the promo page from the Delta website, so you have to go to the Avis forum here on FlyerTalk and find the recent thread about the Delta 5000 mile bonus and on the first page of the thread someone has a saved picture of the original web page showing the coupon codes and the terms. And everyone eho's been using it lately (including me), even after Delta rmoved the page from the web, has still been getting the bonus per the original (through Dec 31 2009, no GPS add-on required) terms using the original coupon codes.
Here's a link to that thread in the Avis forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis/...ill-alive.html
(Depending on how your browser feels at the moment, post #4 in that thread may show the picture inside the thread, or you may have to click on the link to see the picture. One way, or another, though, post #4 gives you the picture of the original promo page.)
But you have to know where to look. Avis has a bonus which gives 5000 bonus miles for 4+ day rentals and 2500 bonus miles for 3 day rentals (US+ airport locations, any car class) through the end of 1999, but they've removed the promo page from the Delta website, so you have to go to the Avis forum here on FlyerTalk and find the recent thread about the Delta 5000 mile bonus and on the first page of the thread someone has a saved picture of the original web page showing the coupon codes and the terms. And everyone eho's been using it lately (including me), even after Delta rmoved the page from the web, has still been getting the bonus per the original (through Dec 31 2009, no GPS add-on required) terms using the original coupon codes.
Here's a link to that thread in the Avis forum:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis/...ill-alive.html
(Depending on how your browser feels at the moment, post #4 in that thread may show the picture inside the thread, or you may have to click on the link to see the picture. One way, or another, though, post #4 gives you the picture of the original promo page.)
Here: Budget/Delta 3K for 1-day rental until Dec 31, 2009 - MUAZ002
Nov 11, 2009 | 3:35 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
Don't forget Bankdirect.com as well for AA miles, 100 miles for each $1000 in checking each month. No fees and pretty brainless. It is figured on the average daily balance and is based in Dallas, TX in the heart of AA land. You also get an extra 1000 if you are referred and after open get 1000 for each referral you make up to 10. They are also transferable for 2x Hilton points. I still have referrals left available as well as other FT members.
I second on the dining. Check all bonuses on the FT board, there are always ones to sign up for, even just doing a survey for some dines gets you 500 miles. I eat at the same deli 3x a week and get miles on a different program every visit. Also great for those airline promos that need a hit or activity. If a chain restaurant near you is not on the program, but one in your travels is, buy gift cards there and use them at home. I have alot of Perkins GC's all bought in 1 day all over Naples $25 at a time in multiple transactions with 3 different credit cards. That was a great day, and now holiday pies for all!!
JudyJFLA
I second on the dining. Check all bonuses on the FT board, there are always ones to sign up for, even just doing a survey for some dines gets you 500 miles. I eat at the same deli 3x a week and get miles on a different program every visit. Also great for those airline promos that need a hit or activity. If a chain restaurant near you is not on the program, but one in your travels is, buy gift cards there and use them at home. I have alot of Perkins GC's all bought in 1 day all over Naples $25 at a time in multiple transactions with 3 different credit cards. That was a great day, and now holiday pies for all!!
JudyJFLA
Nov 11, 2009 | 4:13 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: DL ♦M MM|HH♦|Marr Slvr|CO UA AA US|Pri Cub Plat|SPG|Avis 1st|Htz 5*
Posts: 5,044
I second on the dining. Check all bonuses on the FT board, there are always ones to sign up for, even just doing a survey for some dines gets you 500 miles. I eat at the same deli 3x a week and get miles on a different program every visit. Also great for those airline promos that need a hit or activity. If a chain restaurant near you is not on the program, but one in your travels is, buy gift cards there and use them at home. I have alot of Perkins GC's all bought in 1 day all over Naples $25 at a time in multiple transactions with 3 different credit cards. That was a great day, and now holiday pies for all!!
JudyJFLA
JudyJFLA
When I'm on the road and eating alone I might as well eat at a Rewards Network restaurant. I too buy gift certs at chain restaurants for use at home. Great value! I never worry about program miles expiring because a cheap dine on the registered card restarts the clock. Judy is correct that there are many dining bonuses through RN. I earn at least 1000 miles a month just from dining on biz trips and at home.
Nov 12, 2009 | 12:25 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: aeroplan, Delta, Miles & More
Posts: 5
I have Amex membership rewards - but dont see bonuses anywhere - how often do they come and where should I look for them?
Nov 12, 2009 | 12:35 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: aeroplan, Delta, Miles & More
Posts: 5
I'll start off with a few quick things I've done to help accumulate points with both programs.
American Airlines
opinionplace.com - has given me 75-250 miles for doing surveys
erewards.com - collect points and turn them into 2000 AA miles
citi credit cards - 25K miles(give or take) and they seem to allow churning of cards if you want to try it.
SPG points transfer - Transfer 20K starwood points for 25K miles...or after our Capetown stay, we turned in 60K starwood points for free nights plus 50K AA miles.
Delta
Erewards.com - same as above
SPG - same as above
Delta AMEX - Various miles, 25K(give or take) special bonuses
Bonuses..bonuses... Watch Delta for partner bonuses, transfer bonuses, etc. Last December turned in 20K Starwood points and my wife ended up with 62,500 delta miles. Car rental bonuses and promotions. Watch flyertalk for various options.
Hopefully a good start to more ideas...
American Airlines
opinionplace.com - has given me 75-250 miles for doing surveys
erewards.com - collect points and turn them into 2000 AA miles
citi credit cards - 25K miles(give or take) and they seem to allow churning of cards if you want to try it.
SPG points transfer - Transfer 20K starwood points for 25K miles...or after our Capetown stay, we turned in 60K starwood points for free nights plus 50K AA miles.
Delta
Erewards.com - same as above
SPG - same as above
Delta AMEX - Various miles, 25K(give or take) special bonuses
Bonuses..bonuses... Watch Delta for partner bonuses, transfer bonuses, etc. Last December turned in 20K Starwood points and my wife ended up with 62,500 delta miles. Car rental bonuses and promotions. Watch flyertalk for various options.
Hopefully a good start to more ideas...
Nov 12, 2009 | 2:03 am
#40
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,674
Not sure where you are based but e-Rewards program in the U.S. has more sponsors/partners. Since your sponsor will have an effect on your (future) redemption choices, choose your sponsor wisely when you do get an invite.
Visit our S.P.A.M. Forum, where is the home forum for e-Rewards inquiries on FT, and join the discussion. Two threads for your special attention though:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...ough-them.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/s-p-m...er-thread.html
BTW, welcome to FT!
Last edited by lin821; Nov 12, 2009 at 2:09 am
Nov 12, 2009 | 3:55 am
#41
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
JudyJFLA
Nov 12, 2009 | 6:19 am
#42
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Highland PArk,IL,USA -- AA Lifetime Platinum, IHG Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Radisson Gold, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 2,367
Since you are looking at getting miles, it can be assumed you would like to use them.
From all the threads, and my experience with 3 Million miles in both DL and AA you are way better to accumulate AA miles. With DL, especially overseas, you will need to accumulate twice as many miles for awards. Read all the threads on DL about how difficult it it to use their miles. They just don't seem to have standard awards until it is so close to flight that you need to pay fees.
With AA it is WAY easier to use miles for awards.
From all the threads, and my experience with 3 Million miles in both DL and AA you are way better to accumulate AA miles. With DL, especially overseas, you will need to accumulate twice as many miles for awards. Read all the threads on DL about how difficult it it to use their miles. They just don't seem to have standard awards until it is so close to flight that you need to pay fees.
With AA it is WAY easier to use miles for awards.
Nov 14, 2009 | 1:23 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,603
AAdvantge eShopping has a good double miles promotion for retailers such as Gap and Piperlime if you are interested. After $250 spending on any Mastercard credit or debit card, you will receive a $25 Mastercard gift card too.
Nov 17, 2009 | 7:07 am
#44
Join Date: May 2005
Location: FLL
Programs: DL ♦M MM|HH♦|Marr Slvr|CO UA AA US|Pri Cub Plat|SPG|Avis 1st|Htz 5*
Posts: 5,044
Nov 17, 2009 | 10:29 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: MCO
Programs: UA Gold, AirBerlin Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 163
Since you are looking at getting miles, it can be assumed you would like to use them.
From all the threads, and my experience with 3 Million miles in both DL and AA you are way better to accumulate AA miles. With DL, especially overseas, you will need to accumulate twice as many miles for awards. Read all the threads on DL about how difficult it it to use their miles. They just don't seem to have standard awards until it is so close to flight that you need to pay fees.
With AA it is WAY easier to use miles for awards.
From all the threads, and my experience with 3 Million miles in both DL and AA you are way better to accumulate AA miles. With DL, especially overseas, you will need to accumulate twice as many miles for awards. Read all the threads on DL about how difficult it it to use their miles. They just don't seem to have standard awards until it is so close to flight that you need to pay fees.
With AA it is WAY easier to use miles for awards.
I lucked out last year when DL/NW merger was going on. I was able to transfer my DL miles to NW and book DL international flights through NW portal (the same flights did not show as available on DL website).
I wish I found FT sooner. There is a wealth of information here.