Latest AA Bonus Miles Offer (ends Dec31)

[dalereardon]

And don't count 100% on the transfer ratio being 1:1 It probably will be but it isn't guaranteed. Just saying you need to build your risk tolerance into these things. Personally I think it should be less than 1:1 because the USDM are cheaper to buy.

Dale.

 

[quokka77]

I would think it very unwise to buy USDM assuming you can transfer / use as AA miles within a month. Maybe. But I doubt it. Have a listen to the latest pointshoarder podcast ( PointsHoarder - Building a Better Trip by Hoarding Points ) where the tie-up and dates for various aspects of the airlines are discussed. The merger may also be the perfect opportunity for the merged entity to unleash a United / Delta style devaluation. Caveat emptor. If I wanted to buy USDM, I'd be looking to redeem them under current (known) rules. Of course, if you want to hoard 'em on the chance they become AA miles (and the assumption that AA miles retain their current value), go right ahead. It might be a great idea. Just don't cry too loudly if it doesn't turn out that way.

 

[markis10]

And don't count 100% on the transfer ratio being 1:1 It probably will be but it isn't guaranteed. Just saying you need to build your risk tolerance into these things. Personally I think it should be less than 1:1 because the USDM are cheaper to buy.

Dale.

Its guaranteed by the CEOs prior to the merger to be 1:1, as Mr Parker went on the record to confirm it at a CEO teleconference.

Mr. Parker said there would be a one-to-one transfer of miles (one Dividend mile will equal one AAdvantage mile), swelling American’s program to more than 100 million members. So I had to ask: Will scoring an upgrade be more difficult?

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/t...hould-fliers-expect.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

 

[LuisT]

I think the main question is when that will occur. I thought I read somewhere that the integration between the two programs was at least a year away?

 

[markis10]

I think the main question is when that will occur. I thought I read somewhere that the integration between the two programs was at least a year away?

Integration is likely to be a cleaning up exercise, given they leave Star in March and join One World, its likely the same redemption options will be available from that time in terms of levels needed for awards.

 

[LuisT]

Integration is likely to be a cleaning up exercise, given they leave Star in March and join One World, its likely the same redemption options will be available from that time in terms of levels needed for awards.

So the redemption levels/rules are likely to shift to AA when they leave Star, or stay the same but on OW airlines?

 

[serfty]

I think the main question is when that will occur. I thought I read somewhere that the integration between the two programs was at least a year away?

On the 9th they announced not to expect full integration for possibly more than a year -2015 is looking likely.

 

[markis10]

So the redemption levels/rules are likely to shift to AA when they leave Star, or stay the same but on OW airlines?

I would expect them to adopt the AA redemption chart, why reinvent the wheel when you have said the points are of equal value, that's not to say the levels will be the same as now (ie I am expecting a devaluation), but the principle of equal value but not equal cost to aquire suggests DM are a better buy regardless.

 

[serfty]

So the redemption levels/rules are likely to shift to AA when they leave Star, or stay the same but on OW airlines?

I suspect in the short term redemption level would indeed stay the same ... especially given the continued redemption for some non *O partner airlines.

In the longer term? Certain AAdvantage type rules ...

 

[bcworld]

Somewhat on the subject of integration - I haven't received it myself but I've seen it reported elsewhere that US sent an email yesterday which stated:

We'll be exiting Star Alliance on March 30, 2014. You'll be able to earn and redeem Dividend Miles on Star Alliance carriers until that date. Any existing reservations for travel on a codeshare flight with a Star Alliance partner after March 30, 2014 are safe, however, you'll be rebooked with a new flight number from the carrier operating the flight and you'll no longer earn Dividend Miles or receive Star Alliance Gold or Silver benefits.

Since the legal close of our merger with American on December 9, 2013, we no longer offer codeshare flights for sale with United Airlines. When we exit Star Alliance on March 30, 2014, we will no longer offer codeshare flights for sale with Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa or SWISS. Any existing reservations are safe, but you will not earn Dividend Miles for flights on these carriers after March 30, 2014.

We plan to continue relationships with the following airlines, so you can continue to earn and redeem Dividend Miles on these select partners even after we've exited Star Alliance: Aegean, Air China, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Ethiopian Airlines, Eva, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM, TAP and Turkish Airways.

...my bolding, but that part is interesting!

 

[raleyoz]

is there a way to see one the website when i purchased the last 9ok offer , it feels like many moons ago, but i can not find it on the website, any ideas?

 

[bcworld]

is there a way to see one the website when i purchased the last 9ok offer , it feels like many moons ago, but i can not find it on the website, any ideas?

The last 90k offer ran, I think, through Dec 2012.

 

[cove]

Here am I hoping that US Air Miles switch to AA miles works a treat.
My year is still preventing another purchase on AA as I did one in 2013.
I guess I could do two accounts in my sons names but the offer is not really that generous at 30% bonus.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Here am I hoping that US Air Miles switch to AA miles works a treat.
My year is still preventing another purchase on AA as I did one in 2013.
I guess I could do two accounts in my sons names but the offer is not really that generous at 30% bonus.

well its 50% bonus with the new promo if you buy a full 60k

 

[cove]

Thanks Aussie_flyer I will get my two sons onto it tonight seeing it is more generous than I had thought.

 

[anat0l]

Thanks Aussie_flyer I will get my two sons onto it tonight seeing it is more generous than I had thought.

Do note it's a "delayed" credit situation - you get 60k + 30% bonus now... later in January you'll get an option to opt for the remaining 20%. But to enable this you need to buy the full 60k.

 

[bcworld]

A sign of devaluation to come...?

American's New Hong Kong Flight Now Bookable - But Look At Award Rates! - One Mile at a Time - One Mile at a Time

 

[smit0847]

A sign of devaluation to come...?

American's New Hong Kong Flight Now Bookable - But Look At Award Rates! - One Mile at a Time - One Mile at a Time

Hate to say I told you so but I don't think the award levels will be going down next year....

 

[serfty]

A sign of devaluation to come...?

American's New Hong Kong Flight Now Bookable - But Look At Award Rates! - One Mile at a Time - One Mile at a Time

Would not worry too much in that being an example of general award reduction - new product/route and all.

QF did not open up Award buckets for First on their transpac 388 routes until many months after they had been plying the airs.

 

[anat0l]

A sign of devaluation to come...?

American's New Hong Kong Flight Now Bookable - But Look At Award Rates! - One Mile at a Time - One Mile at a Time

The discussion is on the AAnytime awards. Whilst I've normally seen it at 2x Saver, the fact is I guess I'm not surprised they might be higher, but these are meant to be at a premium for awards that essentially are "any seat, any time".

Bit of a stupid title by the blogger. "Look at the rates!" yeah, bl**dy oath those are AAnytime rates. Not many people are going to be booking those any time (pun intended) soon. It would be more accurate to say there's just no award availability on the route yet. Storm in a teacup, maybe, but as a seasoned traveller etc. that particular blogger should know better.

Hate to say I told you so but I don't think the award levels will be going down next year....

Geez, bl**dy cynical, aren't you?!

I don't think there was many - if, any - person who claimed that award levels will be going down. In fact, most of us kind of admitted the inevitable and said that we hope prices won't go up and if they are doomed to do so (like a drought is finally broken by the rain), then hopefully it doesn't happen too soon, especially before people who have moved from US DM have some chance to use their merged miles on awards they would like to burn them on.

"Told you so" my foot - this is hardly any evidence yet. Once we get into the meat of this merger early next year and if AA decide to suddenly up their prices a la "Delta style" (i.e. with no announcement or 3 month grace), then you may safely wallow in your schadenfreude.

Would not worry too much in that being an example of general award reduction - new product/route and all.

QF did not open up Award buckets for First on their transpac 388 routes until many months after they had been plying the airs.

That thought had occurred to me. It's unusual in ways as some carriers that start new routes just release the space, and others don't. The fact that there's only AAnytime space available does suggest to me that general award space is not released yet (i.e. you could be any other oneworld airline trying to redeem space on that flight and there will be zilch availability).

The only thing that seems suspicious may be the rumoured redefinition of the award zones to move Hong Kong into another zone. If that happens, ah well, it's not all going to hell. I don't know if this counts as "material change" under the conditions of AA (but whether they have such terms anyway in relation to material changes is another thing; after all, they could just pull a "Delta").