American Airlines Can Bite Me–The Contest
18. Sep, 2008 
37 Comments
I used to be a corporate road warrior. I traveled lots, all on the company dime. For my suffering, I earned miles with several airlines, hotel chains and car rental places. These miles have allowed me to book free flights, get free hotel stays and rent cars at discounted prices. Not a bad deal.
American Airlines doesn’t agree.
Right now I have over 25,000 miles in my AAdvantage account, enough for a flight within the US, to Mexico or the Caribbean or wholly within South America. I was saving up. AA did some math and figured out if they screw over the people who fly their airline the most, they can save a few bucks. On October 1, 2008 they are increasing the number of miles you need to redeem a ticket. They are also adding a bunch of fees to book a redemption ticket. Fees that make you think, “Hey, am I actually getting anything free for this?”
American Airlines can bite me. I’m not playing. Yes, I had my Hilton Honors points convert to AA miles (dumb idea) and yes, I could just book a US trip to use up those miles. But I won’t. I wanted to save up for something big, and now those trips (Europe, Asia, New Zealand) cost so much, I would have to fly AA for years before I would get there.
So I’m giving them away.
That’s right, on Almost Fearless, we’re having a little contest. Like all contests there is a catch. You must be a subscriber. I will be posting the contest entry rules ONLY TO MY SUBSCRIBERS. If you come to my site, you won’t see it. You MUST be a RSS Reader or Email subscriber to enter (if you’re already a subscriber, you’re set). After that’s it’s cake.
So, dear Christine, what can we win, you ask?
One person will win:
- One (1) Free Airline Ticket that costs 25,000 miles or less (see AA for full rules)
- I will pay for your hostel, up to $100. (I’m a budget traveler, so I assume you are too). You must use Hostelworld.com and you can apply $100 towards your stay (depending on where you are this could mean a weekend or a week).
- If you want, you can blog about your trip here on Almost Fearless and promote whatever other projects you have going on. (Plus we love a happy ending, so sharing is encouraged).
The announcement will be coming soon– could be tomorrow, could be in a week, but hurry up and subscribe now.
Let AA’s bumbling corporate policy be your gain.
The Good Guys:
Great way to generate traffic Christine!! Also a good segue into some questions I have about feeds. Do you only see/count feed received through FeedBurner? I subscribe through my Mac email program and so never had to sign up anywhere – can you see me? What about Google reader etc? Really, I’m being lazy – I haven’t really researched it yet, but asking you stands up to one of my mantra’s which is ‘why do the research yourself if people you trust have already done it?’. Seriously, any info is appreciated.
Also, contest open to anyone anywhere? Can’t beat a free flight! J’s credo is that free sh*t is still sh*t, but this ain’t sh*t so count me in!!
I’ll go a little farther: All North American airlines can bite me. Bandits and profiteers, the lot of them.
Great idea for a contest, I is in (as they say on the street).
Well…errr….
As you would know I am a subscriber to your feed and follow your posts. A silly question though just like Gillian….
I know you are smart, I am not. I am curious to know HOW do you know if a person is subscribed to your feeds or not. I always wanted to know this about my subscribers.
“ONLY TO MY SUBSCRIBERS” .. Also, how will you ensure this ? Hmmm I think some technical stuff reqd there ?
Damn American Airlines…
Anthonys last blog post..To Salto via Montevideo on Ruta 3
We just cashed in the dregs of our AA miles (and some lame British Airways leftovers, now THERE’S a sucky frequent flier program) for a trip to Costa Rica. Moments later we got the email demoting our miles. Good riddance!
Great idea getting rid of your miles, then they can’t aggravate you anymore.
jamies last blog post..WWMD?
RE: How I will know if you are a subscriber
I will send out a post, that through some geeky technical stuff, is ONLY VISIBLE to those people reading my site through RSS or Email. In this post, it will have instructions on how to enter the contest. Probably something like send me an email with a certain special word in the subject line. The only people who will know to do this will be subscribers, because the instructions are not visible on the site. That’s how I will ensure you are subscribed.
RE: Can I see you if you are subscribed
No. I only know the counts. But that’s ok, because I will be sending out that special post (see above).
Ahaaa !! That’s very interesting !!
Some magic ?? Wow ! Looking forward to it and would definitely like to learn the trick as it is going to be useful !!
AA can suck my balls….i mean they are awful. I will never fly them. I only use their rewards program because they codeshare with JAL and I love JAL.
AA is the worst airline ever, even worse than Air Canada!!! I agree with steve: North american airlines are bandits…
nice way to gain rss feeds lol
Nomadic Matts last blog post..International Phone Review
You’re right about timing! We have had so many problems with AA; unfortunately booking with them was $600 cheaper (for 2 tickets) than any other airline for our trip to Argentina. And $500 cheaper (for 2 tickets) for our trip to Belize. But the new fees are outrageous. Hopefully if enough people complain this will be like United charging for meals on international flights — and then they reversed their policy.
What is really pathetic about the increase in miles required etc is that AA still has one of the better FF mile programs around–in the U.S. But only if you have elite status, which makes a world of difference for many reasons (no luggage fee, better access to awards to name a few). It’s also part of the Oneworld Alliance, which like Matt mentions includes JAL. It also includes Cathay Pacific one of my favorite airlines. When flying to Asia I’ll typically fly Cathay which is head and shoulders above any U.S. airline but still earns miles for AA. I have enough miles stockpiled for my husband and I to fly business next year to India, which after flying economy for many years from New York will be a delight.
Nice contest and a great way to boost subscribers. I’m in.
Wendys last blog post..Guanajuato And The Four Hooks
Cool contest, Christine! Looking forward to throwing my hat into the ring…
Evas last blog post..Stevie Wonder, Live in Concert
Figures… I was just about to reach a significant total of AA miles as well. Thank god they coordinate with JAL. Let me know what this contest is… how about who can run the fastest marathon?
Turners last blog post..Running as Meditation
That accompanying picture actually made me LOL. A friend of ours used to work for American… talk about horror stories…
Sonias last blog post..Don’t worry, it’s not anthrax!
That photo is priceless!
Chad @ Sentient Moneys last blog post..Why is the Financial Meltdown Happening?
I just wrote a post about how easy it was to accumulate AAdvantage miles. The ease is still there, but the length of time it takes to earn a free ticket has just lengthened. Who the hell over at American Airlines thinks this is a good idea? Screw your loyal customers…that’s always a good policy.
I signed up for your feed.
Lances last blog post..One More Reason to Hate American Airlines
Great contest! I’m a subscriber so I am excited. Now, if only I can use the free flights from Dubai to anywhere worth 25,000 AA mileage…in case I win, that is!!
Sandier Pasturess last blog post..Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt – Road
Luckily I’ve already been a subscriber! I love ya over here – I have never failed to crack a smile while reading your blog entries. Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind…Oh, the tension!
I read your stuff daily but have just had you on my own blogroll–I never noticed you had an email subscription method, too! Clever Christine, she never disappoints.
I have never once flown American Airlines, but it sounds like maybe that’s okay.
Sarahs last blog post..Feel The Heat!
I’m using my ff miles up as fast as I can and then I’m forgetting about it. This applies to all airlines. Plus, I’ll ditch the credit cards tied to earning airline miles. Instead, I’m using a Costco American Express True Earnings card that earns cash-back from all purchases, not just those made at Costco. The card returns 5% on gas, 3% on dining, 2% on travel with 1% on everything else. A little known fact: you don’t have to use the redemption certificate at Costco, you can cash the certificate for $$. I’ll be putting the proceeds in an “airline ticket” fund in my savings account. On my next trip, I’ll be looking for the best buy in airfare no loyalty allowed and I’ll have the money to pay for it!
Donna Hulls last blog post..Discover fjords, waterfalls and goat farms on a cruise in Norway
That’s the worst – but what a great way to turn it into something positive. Yay I already subscribe!
Susan F.s last blog post..QE2 departs from Boston for the last time
Hi Christine – BRILLIANT. I am blogging about this over on TravelingMamas.com on Tuesday the 23rd, so I’m hoping you won’t pick a winner by then!
Best,
Kara
AA is the worst. I have never, ever had a good experience with them. Not when I’ve flown them myself, not when I used to have to book flights for my boss and deal with the eventual fallout of canceled flights and other non-excusable screw ups.
I too am an AA advantage member and I have been wondering for some time what EXACTLY is my advantage? Unless I do fly on the corporate dime it just doesn’t gain me anything. That said, if you want to pick me I’m needing to visit the nephew in Dec in Colorado! Thanks for a great site.
babss last blog post..Go LHC Go!
I also second Nomadic Matt’s comment – AA is one of the worst airlines ever…but I’ll still subscribe anyway. Even if I don’t get the miles I’ve got a great new travel blog to follow!
Nomadic Matt, believe me no airline company is worse than Ryanair…
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/90784
Turner´s last blog post..Does Ronald Bow in Japan?
@Turner: HAHAHA! Figures. I wonder when I will get my, “not using my AA Miles because of the fees” fee.
You have 25k miles and consider yourself a corporate warrior? Give me a break. P.S. You’re also misinformed about the number of miles needed to travel to the US and Caribbean even before the recent changes.