anyone use American Airlines miles recently?

[HotHolly]

American Airlines used to let you redeem a free ticket if you were within 300-400 miles of an award ticket without making you purchase miles. I know they changed things. Not sure if that was changed too.

Does anyone know if that is still true? They are closed today, so I cant call and ask.

[ka5txl]

Holly,

this link will tell you how to buy miles.

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?...asingMiles.jsp

[HotHolly]

thanks larry, but that wasnt what I meant.

American used to let you book an award ticket if you were within a few hundred miles of the award...example - if Im 90 miles short - will they still let me book without purchasing additional miles?

They used to do that. But their mileage stuff was restructured in Jan and I dont know if they changed it.

I found out - they changed it. If you are 1 mile short, they wont let you anymore. :o(

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by HotHolly

thanks larry, but that wasnt what I meant.

American used to let you book an award ticket if you were within a few hundred miles of the award...example - if Im 90 miles short - will they still let me book without purchasing additional miles?

They used to do that. But their mileage stuff was restructured in Jan and I dont know if they changed it.

I found out - they changed it. If you are 1 mile short, they wont let you anymore. :o(

You have to buy the miles needed to complete the requirement if you are short.
Or, someone who has miles can transfer them to you. There is a charge for everything.

[hawgmauler]

This is one reason I joined the AA Dining program. I can just go out for dinner and earn some miles if needed. Plus, the dining credits keep the miles active without having to book a flight somewhere.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by hawgmauler

This is one reason I joined the AA Dining program. I can just go out for dinner and earn some miles if needed. Plus, the dining credits keep the miles active without having to book a flight somewhere.

how do you join that?

[hawgmauler]

This link should get you there. AA Dining Program. I noticed they have a 1000 mile bonus for new members who spend $25. They have good bonuses. Last year, when I was traveling on business, I made about 30K miles just by dining out and expensing everyone's meals on my Amex. :)

[Redneck]

I have this American Airlines credit card which gives you reward points whenever you use it. I don't know if this is an option for you.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by Redneck

I have this American Airlines credit card which gives you reward points whenever you use it. I don't know if this is an option for you.

I have that too. I was wondering if I can combine the dining thing with the CC miles and get double miles. I love it when you can do that. The only thing I really do that with is Hertz right now. It would rock if I could do that with dining too.

[hawgmauler]

yep, you could register your AA credit card too. I need to get one of those soon. I just don't like annual fees.

[ChuckW]

The annual fee on the AA credit card is a deal breaker for me as well. If I could charge substantial business expenses on an AA card I could see that it would be worth it but I am not in a position to do that any more. One thing that I have done that has not been mentioned is sign up for Tom Thumb grocery's milage program with AA. I get one mile for every dollar spent on groceries; it's not a big deal but can help push mileage up to the next award level a little sooner.