I’ve been a bit MIA lately. That’s because I had some involved work travel last week and managed to get a under the weather in the process. Although I’m still recovering, let’s quickly go over a few big news items that have been hitting the miles and points world the past week. I hope to be back to my usual self hopefully in the next few days and I hope everyone else is having a much better start to their week than I am!
American Airlines and US Airways Merger
American Airlines came out this morning with an announcement of what the new American AAdvantage program will look like. The two programs are moving forward with their merger toward a single airline. It looks like the ability to link frequent flyer accounts in the two program will be available in early 2015 and the award charts on both airlines are staying intact for now. Read Gary from View from the Wing’s full analysis here.
IHG Into The Nights Snafu
Earlier in the fall, IHG announced a pretty great “Into The Nights” Promotion that allows members to earn two free nights to be used as awards in any property worldwide. It turned out the promotion offer was mistakenly too generous and they ended up changing the terms mid-promotion, causing the threshold number of nights needed to stay to earn free nights to go up for many members. However, after some complaints, they decided to honor the original offer terms shown to members. In any case, even though the back and forth has been stressful, my offer hasn’t changed and I’m still taking advantage of the promotion.
Things I’ve learned from the FT thread on the OBC card
* AE is not blacklisting. Only shutting down that account…for now. If this were Chase, different story.
* AE still accepting applications for the card even from those who just got cancelled, ironically.
* Out of about 50 to 60 people who have reported their spend, I believe I read only 2 or 3 that spent less than $5,000/mo in MS. Vast majority were pushing $20,000/mo and recycling their line multiple times, some reported doing $100,000/mo for up to 12 years. Now they have to look for a job. Cry me a river.
* People who got shutdown are talking about lawsuits, small claims, some are losing $10,000+ in cash back
Personally I don’t think fighting a multi-billion dollar company you were taking advantage of is on the side of wise. Yet some are up for the challenge. I mentioned there could be repurcussions if you really piss off AE. What about all your accounts being closed, maybe some voluntary reporting to the IRS behind your back. At best all you’ll get is an audit, even if it’s not taxable in the end. Could AE countersue you to recover your ill gotten gains? How would you afford to fight that, even if they were in the wrong to do so?
Inna, get well soon!
So far, my OBC is still open but I haven’t approached MS to the degree that Kent relays from FT.