Latest AA Bonus Miles Offer (ends Dec31)

[VAG newbie]

From my experience the 14 day old account rule did not matter, they still processed my points purchase. Done multiple purchases on Points.com thru SPG & AA.com never had an issue with my Westpac card.
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I thought so, I didn't think the 14 day block was the cause. I knew what the block was like. They wouldn't even allow you to put credit card detail with Alaska and US airways.

Another conspiracy theory I came across is that you need a US billing address, but it seems like everyone here is OK, so that's not it...

So I seem to be the only one with the problem? Bummer! Why?

 

[Jane-Doe]

This happened to me. The points purchased transaction showed as card declined, so I tried another two times - with minor variations on my address. Then I received a call from Citibank checking the transaction. According to Citi the transaction had been approved three times. I purchased on an Amex with no problems. The Citibank card showed a very low balance available but the actual transactions never went through. After a week the available balance returned to normal. The points never showed.

1/ Positive news - Citibank will alert customers immediately suspect transactions are billed
2/ Bad news - transaction is declined due to minor differences between the address and phone entered into the form when compared to the address/phone recorded with the card
3/ Recommendation - use the simplest version of your address and remove punctuation when recording your address and phone with your card. Avoid "/" and "-" and "." in addresses.Try to keep only the first line and suburb (avoiding a second address line before the suburb)

My cards with the simplest address and phone listings are accepted for points transactions with AAdvantage online.

Hi,

Sorry they didn't tell me how they fixed it. What I think is happening is points.com is getting an authorisation before they work out if you are eligible.

I wish HSBC was like CBA and showed you the pending transactions.


Dale.

 

[VAG newbie]

This happened to me. The points purchased transaction showed as card declined, so I tried another two times - with minor variations on my address. Then I received a call from Citibank checking the transaction. According to Citi the transaction had been approved three times. I purchased on an Amex with no problems. The Citibank card showed a very low balance available but the actual transactions never went through. After a week the available balance returned to normal. The points never showed.

1/ Positive news - Citibank will alert customers immediately suspect transactions are billed
2/ Bad news - transaction is declined due to minor differences between the address and phone entered into the form when compared to the address/phone recorded with the card
3/ Recommendation - use the simplest version of your address and remove punctuation when recording your address and phone with your card. Avoid "/" and "-" and "." in addresses.Try to keep only the first line and suburb (avoiding a second address line before the suburb)

My cards with the simplest address and phone listings are accepted for points transactions with AAdvantage online.

Thanks, nice to know I'm not the only one and there is a solution to it.

I suspect my problem is phone number, as my address is as simple as I could put it. (Although I put my suburb in the "city" field, as it is a essential line)

How did you enter your number? They requested area code to be included. My phone number with the bank is a mobile phone number, so I put in the form of 614xx_xx_xx instead of 04xx_xx_xx. The latter is the one I have on file with the bank as we don't need area code within Australia.

 

[anat0l]

I thought so, I didn't think the 14 day block was the cause. I knew what the block was like. They wouldn't even allow you to put credit card detail with Alaska and US airways.

Another conspiracy theory I came across is that you need a US billing address, but it seems like everyone here is OK, so that's not it...

So I seem to be the only one with the problem? Bummer! Why?

I think the 14 day rule is a fairly recent one introduced on promos. Someone can vouch or otherwise for this. (Wouldn't really affect me as I've had my AAccount open for yonks before buying AA miles became fashionable).

I've had no problems using my credit cards to purchase miles from US DM, AA, SPG and IHG (nee Priority Club) - all use the points.com portal. I do tend to call my credit card providers in advance and tell them that a (or a few) big transaction(s) are coming my way (for a particular ballpark amount); usually only the first time when I've done that kind of transaction or where I haven't done such a transaction within 6-9 months, and if the transaction is time critical (i.e. to make the deadline of a promotion). I usually don't call them now because at least my main card has been through enough of this it should be nothing unusual.

As for billing address differences, can't comment on that, but mine have always worked. I tend to use the one street address line, city, state (where provided), country and zip/postcode; this works fine. (There are some "tricks" you need on AA's booking engine but not purchasing points, as it were). I also have a PO box address which I use from time to time. For example, my address would be entered:

Street Address: 29 Anatol Drive
City: Frequent Heights
State: QLD (or Queensland if available via drop-down box)
Zip/Postcode: 4999

I know some people put the suburb as the second line of address and the city as "Brisbane" or "Sydney" or whatever; in reality it shouldn't make a difference except I guess that may throw up some automatic systems when data matching (if that is exactly what happens).

For phone number, I use my mobile written in proper international dialling format, i.e. 61401234567

I am rather surprised that you had at least two cards declined to follow through with this transaction. I'd like to think it was something other than the cards rather than the cards themselves, though; however, you did say that the accounts were of the correct age.

 

[burmans]

LOL, what a load of rubbish, companies cannot see what the rewards program's are for the cards they are transacting with, especially with a third party processor like points.com, and regardless there is no difference between costings for one card to another if they are both in the same category, ie Visa Platinums all cost the same when it comes to merchant charge.

Youve got to love the conspiracy theories, but yes I agree this would breach Privacy laws and a few others to share this information. And frankly why would points.com/AA give a **** whether Westpac are having to give you rewards for your purchase, they have absolutely zero relationship!

 

[VAG newbie]

Youve got to love the conspiracy theories, but yes I agree this would breach Privacy laws and a few others to share this information. And frankly why would points.com/AA give a **** whether Westpac are having to give you rewards for your purchase, they have absolutely zero relationship!

You'd be surprised how many theories are out there!

 

[DC3]

I've purchased AA miles on multiple occasions using only my Australian address.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

I'm in a similar boat - tried to purchase points, my 28 Degree card got "declined" though an authorisation was taken from it. Tried again, slightly different address format (I live in an apartment, so my address with GE is <apartment>/<street number> street) as Points.com doesn't allow a forward slash and still declined but they still wanted money from my CC! Now to wait for the authorisations to clear off the card.

Here's hoping there's a similar deal in February again... didn't have any problems last year!

 

[VAG newbie]

I'm in a similar boat - tried to purchase points, my 28 Degree card got "declined" though an authorisation was taken from it. Tried again, slightly different address format (I live in an apartment, so my address with GE is <apartment>/<street number> street) as Points.com doesn't allow a forward slash and still declined but they still wanted money from my CC! Now to wait for the authorisations to clear off the card.

Here's hoping there's a similar deal in February again... didn't have any problems last year!

So you've had success before but failed this time with the same credit card? Then the conspiracy theory might be true that the airlines are trying to block out Aussies now. So people who had success before might be declined again.

Another conspiracy theory is that FBI is behind all this. Now that Bin Laden is dead, Al Queda lost the financial support, so they can't afford to buy tickets in F or J. But if they fly in coach, they would have no chance of hijacking the plane as the aisles will be blocked by food trolleys and passengers lining up to go to the loo! They will never reach the coughpit! The way around it is to buy miles! Fly F/J with the cost of coach! So FBI is blocking our CC.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

So you've had success before but failed this time with the same credit card? Then the conspiracy theory might be true that the airlines are trying to block out Aussies now. So people who had success before might be declined again.

No, last year it was with an ANZ Debit Visa on different AAdvantage accounts.

Another conspiracy theory is that FBI is behind all this. Now that Bin Laden is dead, Al Queda lost the financial support, so they can't afford to buy tickets in F or J. But if they fly in coach, they would have no chance of hijacking the plane as the aisles will be blocked by food trolleys and passengers lining up to go to the loo! They will never reach the coughpit! The way around it is to buy miles! Fly F/J with the cost of coach! So FBI is blocking our CC.

Stop drinking the kool aid.

 

[Bofter]

My email came through this morning and I have selected my 20% extra bonus miles.

They didn't appear to post immediately (not that I would expect that) however the confirmation screen makes it look like the 10% discount code would appear immediately for anyone who selects that.

 

[VAG newbie]

Hmmm according to 28 Degrees my credit card was charged despite being advised by points website it was declined. Susbequently it kept declining because there was no more available balance. I've got no confirmation emails or anything so this could get interesting. Also teh account is less than 14 days old so unlikely to have gone ahead anyhow.

Will have to hit up points.com live chat at some point and then hope AA have a similar deal next month..

It's useless to contact either one of them. AA says points.com sells the point and takes credit cards. Any issues with credit cards, go talk to points.com.

Contacted points.com, they said AA has jurisdiction of AA miles so please contact AA.

Useless.....

 

[dalereardon]

Contact 28 Degrees and get them to do a chargeback to get your money back as you never received the product. This could result in points.com banning your card for future transactions though.

I have found that any problems with AA have always been resolved through contacting them via twitter. Their twitter people are amazing and quite fast at responding also. Explain to them you are getting the runaround and I am sure they will help.

Dale.

 

[Jane-Doe]

I used mobile. I don't recall including the country code

 

[DC3]

For those who have not seen it yet, there is now a newer and current Latest AA Bonus Miles Offer (ending on 31st January), with discussion at this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....advantage/aa-buy-gift-points-offer-56850.html

The bonus is up to 15,000 miles for a 45,000 to 60,000 miles purchase. Not as lucrative as some in the past, however still a 25% bonus on 60,000 miles (or 33% on 45,000 miles).

Now, whether it's worth buying or not, as it's not very good value compared to previously? But will better offers appear? :?:



AA website information: https://buy.points.com/PointsPartne...p=AAdvantage&f=buy&l=en&CAMPAIGNCODE=MktgPgUS

 

[Jane-Doe]

Citi cards were declined. I previously owned an Amex Centurion card, which was accepted with no issues whatsoever. I need to use another Amex card in the house, as I said goodbye to my Amex in 2012.

The address on file with Citibank is more complicated than the address on file with the Amex card. I will take action to update the complex address.

 

[Sethor]

For those who have not seen it yet, there is now a newer and current Latest AA Bonus Miles Offer (ending on 31st January), with discussion at this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....advantage/aa-buy-gift-points-offer-56850.html

The bonus is up to 15,000 miles for a 45,000 to 60,000 miles purchase. Not as lucrative as some in the past, however still a 25% bonus on 60,000 miles (or 33% on 45,000 miles).

Now, whether it's worth buying or not, as it's not very good value compared to previously? But will better offers appear? :?:

View attachment 22406

AA website information: https://buy.points.com/PointsPartne...p=AAdvantage&f=buy&l=en&CAMPAIGNCODE=MktgPgUS

I would hold off til the last week of the offer, as they may sweeten the offer again like they did last year.

 

[DC3]

I would hold off til the last week of the offer, as they may sweeten the offer again like they did last year.

Yes, I tend to agree. If only ...

 

[Sethor]

Or actually the best way to take advantage of this offer is to buy 45k (15k bonus) then 15k (4k bonus), which will give you 19k bonus miles (32%~).

 

[Bofter]

Has anyone had their bonus bonus miles post yet (the extra 20% bonus of 12,000 miles)?

I did the selection right after receiving the email and got confirmation screens and emails, but am not sure when to get worried that they aren't there yet (I note that selection of the bonus choice remains open until Jan 21).