15K AA Miles

[Hub 203]

If anyone is interested in accruing AA miles, AA is offering 15K for signing up for their credit card. The special part is that there is no annual fee. Just make a purchase and then cancel card later after the miles hit your account.

 

 

https://www.aa.com/apps/netSAAver/ViewPromo...romotionContent

 

You'll need only 10k more miles for a free domestic RT ticket, which can come pretty quick if you stay at hotels or rent cars for work.

 

One of the good things about AA is that Cathay Pacific is their partner, which is a very good airline. 70K needed for LOS RT award.

 

Hub

[Tengotodo 52]

Delta offers either 17.5 thousand miles if you sign up/approve for AMX and up to 25K if business AMX card is approved. They partner with many airlines, including Korean and China.

 

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/ways_to_get_miles/index.jsp

 

US Airways offers 15K miles and no annual fee for mastercard approval (plus 1 mile for every dollar spent). Partners with Singapore and Thai.

 

 

http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/dmcreditcards.htm

[BillWilson 10]

Boy,

Where i live, i dont get airline miles from going to AA

Maybe i should move :0)

 

R

[Emil 0]

Hub,

 

I signed up the first part of January and at that time they gave me 17,500 miles. The only reason I did it was to put some activity on my AA account as I don't want to loose what I had in my account as I try to wait them out for the Cathay special.

[Hub 203]

Delta offers either 17.5 thousand miles if you sign up/approve for AMX and up to 25K if business AMX card is approved. They partner with many airlines, including Korean and China.

 

http://www.delta.com/skymiles/ways_to_get_miles/index.jsp

 

US Airways offers 15K miles and no annual fee for mastercard approval (plus 1 mile for every dollar spent). Partners with Singapore and Thai.

 

 

http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/dmcreditcards.htm

Thanks,

 

Good info also, looks like my next two CCs after I cancel the ones I have, as I have around 13K and 40K with those two carriers.

 

Hub

[Hub 203]

Hub,

 

I signed up the first part of January and at that time they gave me 17,500 miles. The only reason I did it was to put some activity on my AA account as I don't want to loose what I had in my account as I try to wait them out for the Cathay special.

I think we are both gonna get old waiting fot that one to come around again.

[nico 0]

You guys are playing a losers' game; you're falling into the airline trap. You should always select your flight based on what works best for you, and never mind the miles. If you accumulate enough for a free trip or upgrade then great, but don't let the allure of accumulating miles dictate your decision on which airline to fly.

[Lovolt 0]

While this subject is being brought up...... I have to tell you that I'm a frequent flier miles JUNKIE. Personally I deal only with AA. But this same thing works for other airlines.

 

Being a single guy, I tend to go out to eat ALOT. I get 10 and sometimes 20 miles for every $$ I spend at resturants.

 

Here is a link for AA members.

http://aa.rewardsnetwork.com

http://www.opinionplace.com/

 

Now here are a couple of links for everyone..... I know there is a lot of reading involved, but if you do it. You won`t be dissapointed.

 

http://www.freefrequentflyermiles.com/index.htm This one is THE BEST

http://www.milemaven.com/

 

Sorry guys. This is mostly for americans. I'm sure if you do some looking you'll find some other sites.

[Lovolt 0]

You guys are playing a losers' game; you're falling into the airline trap. You should always select your flight based on what works best for you, and never mind the miles. If you accumulate enough for a free trip or upgrade then great, but don't let the allure of accumulating miles dictate your decision on which airline to fly.

I agree that falling into the airlines trap is bad. But if you pay off the card every month. You are a winner.

 

Example: I want to buy a new laptop...I go to Circuit City. I buy the laptop on my Flier card...I get 1 mile for every $$ spent..BUT.. If I go to http://www.aadvantageeshopping.com and buy the same laptop online with my card I get 1Mile for buying with my card and another 2 miles from buying online. Total 3 miles per $ spent. Thats 3000 miles for a cheap $1000 laptop.

 

Most airlines have a flier mall online.

[Lovolt 0]

I know I should have put this in one post...Being over 40 I was probably not diagnosed with ADD

 

As per the http://aa.rewardsnetwork.com site. I have told people about this before. AS soon as they read it QUICKLY, they instantly call me a lier. Do some deep reading. It says something to the effect of, after 12 purchases at paticipating resturaunts you become qualified for 10 miles per $$ spent. Some places have a bonus of 10 miles per $$, That gives me my 20 Miles per Dollar.

 

This is the best deal in the world. Again , I'm single. I go out to eat at least 4 times a week. Granted I only spend about 20 bucks each time. But thats 10 milesx20=200 now multiply that times 4 times a week..800 miles a week... 3200 miles a month.. now at the end of the year I have a free trip to anywhere in the USA..

 

You don't have to use a credit card, a debit card will do just fine. You can add up to 3 cards per airline. Credit today, Debit tomorrow..Doesn't matter.

 

Sorry guys, I don't explain things well. I'm just tring to help.

[Lovolt 0]

OK,,,, having ADD is a bitch...

 

Lets talk about the AA Challenge....This is not public info. AA does not advertise this, But you can do it. Lots of info about this at

 

http://www.smartertravel.com/ff/FlyerTalk/ Scroll down to the AA section and its listed right at the top of that section.

 

Here is the bottom line...collect 25,000 QUALITY MILES in 3 months and instantly become a Platnium flier on AA..Hmm from the east coast USA to BKK is 10,000 miles, return in 10,000 miles... Thats 20,000. Add one cross country trip and now you will collect DOUBLE miles on every flight for the next year. Plus free upgrades and entry to the AA Lounge. PLEASE don't confuse miles with QUALITY mIles. It all depends on the class of seat you are ticketed in. Most international flights are booked in "W" so thats 1 mile=1 QUALITY MILE

 

More info at the following site, BUT its old info..

http://members.shaw.ca/fewmiles/AA/new/

[Hub 203]

You guys are playing a losers' game; you're falling into the airline trap.  You should always select your flight based on what works best for you, and never mind the miles.  If you accumulate enough for a free trip or upgrade then great, but don't let the allure of accumulating miles dictate your decision on which airline to fly.

Errrr.....,

 

you totally lost me there

 

How does accumulating miles on various CCs at literally no cost, with no indication by anyone that they are selecting flights by what miles to accumulate, make this a "losers game"?

 

I happen to agree with you to a point; for example, I'd rather fly Cathay for a better flight and only get crappy AsiaMiles than NWA to accumulate WP miles, but then again I am an infrequent flier compared to some.

 

For frequent fliers, not to strongly consider FF miles and sticking to a program to reach thresholds, with all the benefits involved, would be foolish, IMO.

 

Hub

Edited February 11, 2006 by Hub

[Emil 0]

You guys are playing a losers' game; you're falling into the airline trap.  You should always select your flight based on what works best for you, and never mind the miles.  If you accumulate enough for a free trip or upgrade then great, but don't let the allure of accumulating miles dictate your decision on which airline to fly.

I've got to disagree. If you received 1 mile for every mile flown with each airline I would agree with you, however United for example will give you double miles for each mile flown once you get to premier executive. On top of that they will put you in economy plus ( 5 extra inches of legroom) once you're premier and if your premier executive you can request emergency exit row. Another added bonus is that they give you extra baggage allowance. Before I thoroughly learned about the FF programs I thought like you and it cost me about an additional $800 that first year.

 

My last 5 trips on United to BKK cost:

$25

$25

$840

$25

$305

 

Love those FF miles

Edited February 11, 2006 by Emil

[nico 0]

What I meant is that if you let mileage accumulation dictate your choice of flights you are not necessarily getting the best price, the best departure/arrival time, best airline, best connection, etc. You can fly American Airlines somewhere, but it is possible that Southwest has a better connection, better price, and maybe even better service (I used these airlines for the sake of argument, I'm not passing judgement on either).

 

You should always book a flight based on what is the most convenient for you, based on your priorities. If you specifically fly an airline just to get their miles then you are flying the airline for the wrong reason.

 

Remember, if it wasn't in the airlines interest to offer "free" miles then they wouldn't do it, but there is no such thing as "free" miles. One way or another you pay a price, even if it means flying American Airlines when another airline would seem to be offering a better scenario.

[Boaz 0]

http://www.milemaven.com/

 

Sorry guys. This is mostly for americans. I'm sure if you do some looking you'll find some other sites.

Hey, thanks for mentioning http://www.MileMaven.com!

 

One thing though - it's certainly NOT ONLY for US-based airlines.

 

The MileMaven database includes more than 300 airlines and 150 programs, including all the big (and some of the smaller) Asian carriers. For example, here's Bangkok Airways new FF program, FlyerBonus:

 

http://www.milemaven.com/program/139/

 

Also, always check the bonus miles promotions for your route before making a booking. For example, here are all promos from BKK to LHR. There's a nice CX promo valid until the 15th of March, and then some more.

 

http://www.milemaven.com/offers/flight/route/BKK/LHR/

 

Great forum!

Edited February 11, 2006 by Boaz

[Hub 203]

What I meant is that if you let mileage accumulation dictate your choice of flights you are not necessarily getting the best price, the best departure/arrival time, best airline, best connection, etc. You can fly American Airlines somewhere, but it is possible that Southwest has a better connection, better price, and maybe even better service (I used these airlines for the sake of argument, I'm not passing judgement on either).

 

You should always book a flight based on what is the most convenient for you, based on your priorities. If you specifically fly an airline just to get their miles then you are flying the airline for the wrong reason.

 

Remember, if it wasn't in the airlines interest to offer "free" miles then they wouldn't do it, but there is no such thing as "free" miles. One way or another you pay a price, even if it means flying American Airlines when another airline would seem to be offering a better scenario.

Thats why an infrequent flier like me can keep multiple FF programs going and pick and choose flights without being slave to one. Right now I have over 40K on American and Delta, and approacing 20K on Contental and USairways, and miles in others as well. So I pick and choose, including all the partner airlines.

 

Deals like the CC free mileage can put you over the top for one trip for a domestic or international flight, for previous airlines you have selected based on all the other variables you cite.

 

Also, occasionally sacirificing schedule or something else if it will give me a free $850-1000 ticket is a no-brainer, IMO.

 

For frequent fliers, focussing on one airline regardless of minor inconvienences to garner all the upgrades, free tickets, and other perks is even more beneficial in the end, as exampled by Khun Emils post above.

 

Yes, the airlines benefit, but so do you if you know how to play the game. What the airlines want is for business people to choose them when making sometimes expensive business flights on the company tab so that the flier gets the FF miles. But that doesn't stop rich retired guys like Emil benefitting from the system without the business end involved.

 

Personally, me and the TG will be flying over on two free tickets later this year using 120K NWA miles. Luckily, I haven't even had to fly their crappy flights for over 4 years, but instead have garnered the miles through other means like hotels, car rentals, and the subject of this thread. A very nice board member (BreathEZ) just gifted me the last 9K I needed. Funny thing is, we won't even have to fly NWA this time as we are using the miles for a biz class ticket for a family member (hopefully on Malaysia, a NWA partner) that is more than happy to pay the $1,700 for our Cathay tickets in order to fly business at a price that is half or lower than what an international business class ticket should cost.

 

I booked a ticket to Thailand for a nephew yesterday also. Another family member had 35K AA miles. She signed up for the CC and I gifted another 10K for $100 and now he has a ticket. So four of us that are going to LOS, three are economy for $100 and one business for $1,800. Not bad.

 

Hub

[Lovolt 0]

Hey, thanks for mentioning http://www.MileMaven.com!

 

One thing though - it's certainly NOT ONLY for US-based airlines.

 

The MileMaven database includes more than 300 airlines and 150 programs, including all the big (and some of the smaller) Asian carriers. For example, here's Bangkok Airways new FF program, FlyerBonus:

 

http://www.milemaven.com/program/139/

 

Also, always check the bonus miles promotions for your route before making a booking. For example, here are all promos from BKK to LHR. There's a nice CX promo valid until the 15th of March, and then some more.

 

http://www.milemaven.com/offers/flight/route/BKK/LHR/

 

Great forum!

Sorry about saying it was American based. I should have been more clear in my post. Most of the links I put forth were US based.

 

Glad I could help.

[Emil 0]

What I meant is that if you let mileage accumulation dictate your choice of flights you are not necessarily getting the best price, the best departure/arrival time, best airline, best connection, etc. You can fly American Airlines somewhere, but it is possible that Southwest has a better connection, better price, and maybe even better service (I used these airlines for the sake of argument, I'm not passing judgement on either).

 

You should always book a flight based on what is the most convenient for you, based on your priorities. If you specifically fly an airline just to get their miles then you are flying the airline for the wrong reason.

 

Remember, if it wasn't in the airlines interest to offer "free" miles then they wouldn't do it, but there is no such thing as "free" miles. One way or another you pay a price, even if it means flying American Airlines when another airline would seem to be offering a better scenario.

I needed to be more specific in that if your only flying once a year then any airline with the best price is the one to fly with. If your flying frequently then you need to check out how each airline's frequent flyer program works. Like I mentioned before, I took an EVA flight back in 2003 before I fully understood UA program because EVA's price was a hunderd dollars cheeper, only to find out later on that the $100 savings cost me about $800 in 2004.

[Soi7 1]

I needed to be more specific in that if your only flying once a year then any airline with the best price is the one to fly with. If your flying frequently then you need to check out how each airline's frequent flyer program works. Like I mentioned before, I took an EVA flight back in 2003 before I fully understood UA program because EVA's price was a hunderd dollars cheeper, only to find out later on that the $100 savings cost me about $800 in 2004.

 

And you were a numbers cruncher for the goverment ???

[brotherbuzz 3,205]

Lovolt,

 

If you ate out only twice a week you'd save $1,920 and be able to buy 2 RT economy tix, and end up with about 10,000 more total miles. A little food for thought.

[partyanimal 0]

I with Hub and Emil on this one. I sure wish that my three flights on China Air had been on a Star Alliance carrier. I'm a cunthair away from a free fight on China Air and there seems to be no way to get to that threshold, no credit card tricks, brokerage account tricks etc.

 

You can use China Air miles on Delta if it's a true Delta flight and not a codeshare

but I don't travel for business and all my leisure travel is to the LOS. And I can't get a Delta credit card and put the miles in China Air although I could fly Delta and do so.

[Emil 0]

I think we are both gonna get old waiting fot that one to come around again.

Hub,

 

United is now running a special of only 45K miles to fly to China, Hopefully Cathay will respond with their 45K offer.

[Emil 0]

And you were a numbers cruncher for the goverment ???

and a pretty darn good one if I do say so myself. Once I learned how United's bonus miles worked, it took me less time than someone who I know that pulls the trigger at the Welcome Inn to determine how much I could save on my trips to LOS. Has anyone tested the water since I left?

 

I'm still learning about the benefits of United FF program. On my latest return trip, I was told that I could use UA's Red Carpet Lounge at international airports, only took me a year to find out.