AA Offering Complimentary Status to Hilton Elites
What's better than earning status? Getting it for free. And American has been offering lots of travelers free status recently. Last week, American sent email and mail invitations to certain AAdvantage members inviting them to try out status through May 31, 2016 — with a free challenge to keep this status through February 2017.
Yesterday, some Hilton elites received a similar offer. American Airlines is offering targeted, complimentary American Airlines Gold or Platinum status through June 17th.
Requirements:
- The terms state that this is an "exclusive offer only for members who receive this email directly from Hilton." So, check your email inbox first to see if you were targeted.
- Register by 11:59pm CDT on February 25th.
- To keep the status through January 2018, you must earn 7,000 Elite-Qualifying Miles (EQMs) between March 7 and June 17.
If you didn't get the targeted email, you can try your luck registering for the Gold status promotion using this link. After all, it's worth a minute to check if you can get status which we value at $1,155!
I currently have Hilton HHonors Silver status and didn't receive the invitation email. Even though I already have American Airlines Gold status, I tried to register for this promotion, but ended up with a friendly error. (It even says "FriendlyError" in the url!)
Bottom Line
Promotions like this can be a bummer for existing lower-tier elites — such as myself — as it creates more competition for Main Cabin Extra seats and domestic upgrades, but it's a good opportunity for American to introduce its product to a larger group of business travelers.
If you were one of the Hilton elites targeted to get free American Airlines status, certainly jump on the chance! Then, take advantage of a flight deal — like this to one China — to keep this status through January 2018. In addition to the other perks of status, you'll earn 25% (Gold) to 100% (Platinum) bonus American Airlines miles thanks to this free offer!
H/T: FlyerTalk
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app