American Changes Million Miler Program

It’s been long rumored that American’s super generous million miler program would be coming to an end. In fact, when Maya Liebman, the head of American AAdvantage, was asked in April, she said no decisions had been made.

Well, apparently a decision has been made and they are taking away the opportunity to earn Million Miler miles from all other sources, except flying and using their new Citi Executive/AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard, starting on December 1, 2011. They will allow the Executive card-holders to earn Million Miler miles until December 2012 and then they are cut off as well.

So this is clearly a huge push by American and Citi to get people to sign-up for their $450 a year credit card and to end the gravy train for everyone else. This will surely be a disappointment to many, though it isn’t really surprising since American is now in line with most other airlines with respect to Million Miler qualification. It was good while it lasted! And you can still get in on the action until December 1, 2011 – the 225,000 miles earned from the Citi AA Visa/Amex and business card will get you nearly 25% of the way there without stepping foot on a plane! You can also transfer hotel points into American miles, which will count towards status until that December 1, 2011 date.

FYI the million miler programs of the major US airlines are as follows:
American: Calculation: Flown AA & partner airline miles and all miles earned, including credit card spend, dining and hotel transfers (now until December 1, 2011 and Dec 2012 for Executive Cardholders). Award: One million= Lifetime Gold Status.  Two Million= Lifetime Platinum Status. You also get 8 upgrade stickers (US Residents) or 4 EVips (international addresses) for the first million. 4 Evips are awarded for each additional million accrued.
Continental: Calculation: Flown Continental & partner airline miles and all other Elite Qualifying Miles (from credit card, class of service bonuses and promotions). Award: One million= Silver Status, Two million= Gold Status, Three million= Platinum, Four Million= Presidential Plus. You also get to designate a spouse or significant other to share your status, which is incredibly generous, in my opinion.
Delta: Calculation: Flown Delta & partner airline miles and all other Elite Qualifying Miles (from credit card, class of service bonuses and promotions).  Award: One million= Silver,  Two Million= Gold Medallion. Four million= Platinum Medallion. Delta also awards gifts for reaching levels, such as leather wallets, luggage, bonus miles, Tiffany gift certificates and drink coupons. You cannot currently attain top tier Diamond status through million miler status.
United: Calculation: Flown United/United Express flights only. Award: One million = Premier Exec Status for life, 2 regional upgrades and 3 system-wide upgrades every year. Two million = Red Carpet Club access, gift (luggage, Ipod for ex), 4 SWUS. Three million= 1K Status for life, gift, 4 SWUS. Four million = increased upgrade status, gift and 4 SWUS.
US Airways: Calculation: Flown miles on US Airways/America West flights. Award: Lifetime silver status.

Your commitment to American Airlines is extraordinary and we sincerely thank you for your loyalty.

As one of our million mile AAdvantage® members, you have enjoyed the benefits of an informal program that recognizes your robust mileage earning activity.

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

As you know, you are vested with lifetime AAdvantage Gold® status, regardless of your annual elite-qualifying activity. Additionally, you will receive valuable benefits each time you cross another Million Miler threshold:

At two million (2,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Platinum® status and four (4) one-way systemwide upgrades
At each additional Million Miler mark, members will receive four (4) additional one-way systemwide upgrades

All of your Program to Date AAdvantage miles earned so far as well as any AAdvantage miles posted between now and November 30, 2011, will count toward the new Million Miler program. On December 1, 2011, you will be able to view the details of your Million Miler activity in your AAdvantage account on AA.com separately from your AAdvantage award miles, so you can track your progress toward reaching this special designation.

For frequently asked questions, visit AA.com/MillionMiler. We thank you for your loyalty and look forward to seeing you on board soon.