[Confirmed] Changes to AAdvantage Lifetime status [From Dec 2011]

[drron]

For some time there have been rumours of changes to the million miles program with Aadvantage.It seems this time there is more substance.From The gate-

Anyway, there have long been rumors that American would be changing their
program, given that it’s just so generous to offer million miler status with a
million miles earned. Well, it appears there’s finally a “hint” of some changes
coming. Per this FlyerTalk thread, the
American Airlines mobile website now lists the following on the account activity
page, which wasn’t there before:

AAdvantage miles earned through select mileage activity count toward Million
MilerSM status.
The Million Miler program rewards AAdvantage members with
additional benefits when specific mileage thresholds are achieved.
To learn
more, read about the Million Miler program
​

 

[anat0l]

News has quickly spread across Boarding Area of this. Now the speculation begins as to what will count and what won't, and how this will weigh up against Million Miler status on, say, United.

 

[serfty]

Meh! If this is to be changed I believe it's about time. It always seemed silly to me that miles earned from non flight activity counted towards lifetime status.

 

[futaris]

Traveling Better Forums - View Single Post - Lifetime Status Program changes (important update 4/28)

Currently, AAdvantage members are recognized and rewarded each time they earn a million total program-to-date miles. This Million Miler program is not a published benefit, and members only hear of it by word of mouth or when they first cross the million mile threshold.

Changes are expected around Summer 2011 to limit MM accrual -- not everything will count as it does today. At that time the program will be publicized and members can keep up with their MM totals online at AA.com. Until the public is notified of upcoming changes, please do not initiate discussion about the program with members.

...

Million Miler status updates are made nightly.Member Mileage Information reflects:

Million Miler Level
Date Achieved
Miles needed for Next Level
Total Million Miler Miles
Miles Earned Prior to August 1, 2011
Miles Earned Since August 1, 2011
Until the new MM program is launched, the same value should be displayed in Program To Date Miles, Total Million Miler Miles and Miles Earned Prior to August 1, 2011. There will be occasional discrepancies, however. The PTD Total is always the most accurate.

Note: The August 1, 2011 date is a place-holder only. Do -not- quote this date to members as it is probably -not- the cutover date for the new program. Once the actual date is set; members will be given approximately 2 months' notice. Until the notification period begins, avoid discussion about the current or future MM program.

 

[drron]

The changes are now confirmed-BIS miles are what you will need from december 1st this year-

The new AAdvantage[SUP]®[/SUP] Million Miler[SIZE=-2][SUP]SM[/SUP][/SIZE] program recognizes and rewards AAdvantage members when Million Miler thresholds are achieved. Starting on December 1, 2011, base miles earned by flying on American Airlines, American Eagle[SUP]®[/SUP] or the AmericanConnection[SUP]®[/SUP] carrier or any eligible AAdvantage program participating airline will count towards Million Miler status. Also, as a limited time offer, one mile for every dollar spent on eligible purchases using the new Citi Executive[SIZE=-2][SUP]SM[/SUP][/SIZE] / AAdvantage[SUP]®[/SUP] World Elite[SUP]™[/SUP] MasterCard[SUP]®[/SUP] credit card that post to billing statements through December 2012 will count toward Million Miler status*. The Citi Executive[SIZE=-2][SUP]SM[/SUP][/SIZE] / AAdvantage[SUP]®[/SUP] World Elite[SUP]™[/SUP] MasterCard[SUP]®[/SUP] credit card account must be open and in good standing by December 1, 2011.

Million Miler Program | AA.com

Also interesting is no more EVIPS passing the 1 million mile mark-
A

t one million (1,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Gold[SUP]®[/SUP] status and 35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles**
At two million (2,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Platinum[SUP]®[/SUP] status and four (4) one-way systemwide upgrades At each additional Million Miler mark, AAdvantage members will receive four (4) additional one-way systemwide upgrades

I doubt too many Aussies will have the Citi Credit cards.

The timing was exquisite.The page I read just before seeing this was my email confirming my passing the 2 million mile mark.

PS to Mods-the title now needs to be changed to Confirmed.
Thanks.

 

[djfuzz]

The timing was exquisite.The page I read just before seeing this was my email confirming my passing the 2 million mile mark.

Congrats on making LTP! The best kind of reward - the kind that no one else but you can have any more!

While this is a reasonable outcome that will end much of the abuse of the system, I do envy the plethora of mileage- and status-earning deals available in the US - will have to make do with my 200 bonus points from EDR for spending $15 on food.

 

[Mal]

I saw this change as inevitable. You cannot sustain a "Frequent Flyer" program where status is granted by how much you push through credit cards / restaurant spend.

As is usual with any change that degrades a benefit, I feel bad for anyone affected (Every change is a reduction in benefits ... Please others, keep that in mind where you don't feel you benefit from a benefit and want to go "Woohoo, it's gone. Not my issue, screw others). Especially those people very close.to the status levels.

I was never going to hit 1 million or 2 million etc, so will not miss it. But those who are close better start pumping miles through AA to get there before the deadline.

 

[futaris]

Yep, I got the e-mail about 2.5 hours ago too.

For most Australians, the 35k is better than the 4 eVIPs anyway. I know you could have traded the eVIPs, but it is sort of against the conditions of the program...

Wonder what those crossing 1MM between now and Dec 1 get, 35k AA miles or 4 eVIPs?

Probably best to see the flyertalk thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...million-miler-program-launches-12-1-11-a.html

 

[TonyHancock]

The timing was exquisite.The page I read just before seeing this was my email confirming my passing the 2 million mile mark.

Timed to perfection! Congratulations drron!

Do the other US airlines have similar schemes where cc spend counts?

 

[serfty]

...

Do the other US airlines have similar schemes where cc spend counts?

Basically, no, not for any major airline loyalty program, AAdvantage was the sole bastion of all points/miles counting.

The AAdvantage Lifetime program was "unpublished" in it's former (still current until November) form.

FWIW, eVIPs/SWU's were very useful for LONEx's

Punters still get them at 2MM BIS mile and every MM thereafter.