In 2008, I quit my corporate job, sold off everything I owned and moved overseas with my husband Drew. Since then we've traveled around the world, started our careers over as creative types and nurtured our love of sleeping in late. Oh and we had a baby. Cole, our almost 2 year old has been traveling since he was four months old and probably knows more Thai than me (not that he brags).
American Airlines Can Bite Me–The Contest
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: