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The fat-cat scam: The silliest way to lose your frequent-flyer miles

Victoria M. Walker
Victoria M. Walker
Contributor
Victoria M. "Vikkie" Walker is a former TPG senior travel reporter, where she covered deep-dives and features with an emphasis on coronavirus and travel. Vikkie is a former college journalism professor who now lives in New York City with her pug, Migo.
Nov. 13, 2019
•
3 min read
Aeroflot 777-300ER New York (JFK) to Moscow (SVO)
The fat-cat scam: The silliest way to lose your frequent-flyer miles
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A Russian man was banned from Aeroflot's frequent flyer program, and lost all his 370,000 miles, after smuggling his overweight cat onto a flight last week. The scam was discovered after going viral on social media, according to NBC News.

So, what do a fat cat and frequent flyer miles have to do with each other?

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According to NBC, Mikhail Galin used a body-double cat to work around Aeroflot's limit for animals transported in the plane's cabin during a flight from Moscow to Vladivostok, on Russia's Pacific coast. Galin said that Viktor the cat traveled with him from Riga, Latvia, to Moscow in the cabin but was barred from being in the cabin on the leg from Moscow to Vladivostok. The limit, according to the airline, is roughly 18 pounds.

He delayed his flight for a day in search of a slimmer cat and, after finding one, returned to the airport, according to the BBC. After the smaller feline cleared the check-in desk, Galin gave the cat back to its owners and smuggled Viktor onto the plane. His mistake was to post about the scheme on Facebook, earlier this month, along with photos of the overweight cat in his lap in the cabin and a glass of Champagne.

The airline told the network that Galin violated several airline regulations on transporting animals, including violating the weight requirement and removing the cat from his pet carrier, which led to him being kicked out of the Aeroflot Bonus loyalty program.

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"In connection with several counts of deliberate violation of the air carriage agreement, Aeroflot has decided to exclude this passenger from the Aeroflot Bonus loyalty program," the company told NBC News. "All miles accumulated during his entire participation in the program will be cancelled."

Galin didn't seem to be too heartbroken, telling NBC, "I violated the rules, and the carrier has every right to take action." But a member of Russia's Parliament reached out to Aeroflot's CEO requesting to reinstate Galin's miles.

Aeroflot is the flagship carrier and largest airline in Russia. It mainly operates out of its hub at Moscow's Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) and flies to more than 140 destinations around the world. The airline is also part of the SkyTeam Alliance.

Related: A comprehensive guide to traveling with pets

If you're curious what 370,000 Aeroflot miles will get you — and we know you are — we crunched the numbers for you. That's quite a valuable stash that Galin gave up: According to Aeroflot's own award chart, that amount can get you four one-way tickets between Moscow and Tokyo in business class, or three round-trip tickets between Moscow and New York-JFK, also in the front of the plane.

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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.