Randy Petersen
It is absolutely my pleasure to welcome back to FlyerTalk Live!, Bruce Chemel who is the President of the American AAdvantage program. As some of you might remember, we had Bruce on before and we had a slight technical problem wholly responsible on our end and wasn't able to give the proper forum for Bruce to answer and address your questions. Bruce and I have had many a discussion through the years, some things we highly agree upon and others we aren't even close on. But there is no doubt that Bruce is, in my eyes, the best and brightest in the industry today and celebrating their 20th Anniversary as the world's largest rewards and loyalty program is much to be proud of. So Bruce, thanks for not holding the tech problems before against me and agreeing to come back. Let's go straight to the questions.....

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was asked earlier: As an elite member, are there any discount fares that I can't use in conjunction with electronic upgrades? We're especially confused about "S" (Standard Bulk) fares being eligible or not.

Bruce Chemel
S fares are eligible for use in conjunction with electronic upgrades. Upgrades may be used in conjunction with paid Economy Class fare tickets, but are not valid for use with any AAdvantage travel award, free ticket or group fare ticket. Hope that helps!!!!

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was asked earlier: As an AAdvantage elite member, what special privileges do I have when flying on TWA? Do TWA Elite members have special privileges when flying on AA?

Bruce Chemel
Very good question.... TWA offers AAdvantage elite members priority check-in at the First Class ticket counter, as well as priority boarding along with their Aviators elite levels. Also available are complimentary upgrades on domestic flights on the day of departure when you show your AAdvantage card. Upgrade priority order is based on elite level and check-in time. Additional benefits are expected soon. TWA elite members are given equivalent tier status in the AAdvantage program, which is how they can enjoy elite benefits when traveling on AA. Thanks for the question.

mfb
Have you given any thought to trying another miles auction?

Bruce Chemel
Very good question as well. We haven't had an auction for some time. I really feel that we need to spend our time on activities that benefit as many people as possible. I realize that is not an answer you want to hear, but that's the way I feel.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by M. Buchbinder: I'm confused about the difference between the AA Gold AAdvantage card and the Citi AAdvantage Gold card. It appears that one card has a 60,000 mile max, while the other is unlimited. Is it possible to obtain an unlimited mileage benefit without flying 50,000 miles or so?

Bruce Chemel
We award AAdvantage Gold cards to members who have earned 25,000 qualifying miles or points and thereby enjoy additional benefits in the AAdvantage program, such as bonus flight mileage and upgrade privileges. Citibank offers several AAdvantage-branded credit cards, which anyone can apply for and obtain with credit approval. With the Citi Gold AAdvantage card you'll earn one AAdvantage mile for every dollar you spend on purchases. There is a $50 fee and the maximum number of miles you can earn with the card is 60,000 miles per year. However, mileage limits on Citi AAdvantage cards are waived for AAdvantage elite members, so if you have AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, there's no limit to the amount of mileage you can earn from your Citi credit card(s). And, just to emphasize, there's no limit to the total amount of mileage you can earn in your AAdvantage account, so rack up those miles every way you can! But, I can understand the confusion. From time to time, I get confused myself....

Kenny
I have several colleagues who are United flyers that are at their top level. Is American willing to offer them a trial at their top level to try to win their business and steal them away?

Bruce Chemel
Executive Platinum status is valued because of its exclusivity. We are not in the habit of rewarding folks for flying UA - especially with our highest level. You all know we do challenges at the Gold and Platinum levels, and that's what I would suggest here. Thanks for the question.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by Evelyn Saffold White: How do we check on data submitted by the partners we have used for the 20th Anniversary promotion?

Bruce Chemel
Good question..Although posting times vary, you should generally allow 30-40 days for partner miles to be credited. The best way to keep up with your mileage postings is by viewing your AAdvantage account online at aa.com. Or, sign up for eSummaries and receive a monthly e-mail containing your AAdvantage Mileage Summary. If enough time has passed and the miles you've earned still haven't been credited, please select "Mileage Credit Request" from the AAdvantage page on aa.com for complete information on how to follow up on missing mileage. These details vary by partner. Once partner miles have posted to your account, just count them up to make sure you've had 20 different partner transactions during the promotion period of May 1, 2001 - September 30, 2001. The 20,000-mile bonuses will be posted 8 weeks after the promotion ends. I wish all our partners posted equally as fast as some, but they don't...We just keep trying because we realize how important it is to you all.

tudorcity
What about the different partners who are no longer aolaadvantage partners, such as art.com or express.com? As long as we earned the miles during the promotion period, do they count if they drop out later?

Bruce Chemel
Yes, absolutely.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by MileKing: Please clarify which transactions count and which do not for the 20 Partner Promotion. For example: Kelloggs? Does purchasing a ticket online at aa.com count as a separate partner transaction? National Parks Donation? Some earnings show up in the Bonus Miles column on our statements; do they count as a partner transaction?

Bruce Chemel
- Kelloggs: Can count for up to 4 partners, if you submit 5 coupons each for Kelloggs Cereal (1), Nutri-Grain products (2), Pastry Swirls (3), Eggo products (4). (I understand there is a run on freezers - to hold all the eggos!!!)
- Does purchasing a ticket online at aa.com count as a separate partner transaction? No, online ticket purchases earn "bonus miles," which are excluded. However, when you fly on AA or a partner airline, that of course counts as a partner transaction.
- National Parks Donation? Yes, this counts as a partner transaction.
- Some earnings show up in the Bonus Miles column on our statements; do they count as a partner transaction? Some partner miles post as "Bonus Miles" for all transactions with that partner (such as the National Parks Donation); these count as a partner since you've earned the miles for activity with that partner. On the other hand, if a partner offers base miles for activity and bonus miles as an added reward or for ancillary activities, only the base mile tran

jaymanau
Do different Hilton Brand hotels (Hampton, Hilton, Embassy Suites, Doubletree) count as different partners in the 20th anniversary promotion? I know it is clearly stated that it is true for marriott but what about hilton?

Bruce Chemel
Yes. It applies to Hilton and other hotel partners as well. You don't think we'd play favorites, do you?

Steve M
I'm a bit confused about AOL AAdvantage. The aa.com web site lists many of the advantages of signing up for AOL AAdvantage, but never really says exactly what it does to your AAdvantage account. Is there any downside to registering for AOL AAdvantage? More specifically, for someone that's not an AOL subscriber, and will probably rarely use the AOL AAdvantage special offers (but may occasionally), is there any reason not to register for it?

Bruce Chemel
Don't be confused, Steve. There's only upside. Join. Now!!!

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by frequent flyer: Why is it that the AAdvantage members know more about a promotion or bonus and are better informed about them than the AAdvantage reps themselves?

Bruce Chemel
You got to be kidding me!!! LOL.. Seriously, I'm very sorry that that's been your experience, because of course that's not what we expect. However, because of the large number of promotions that American and our AAdvantage partners offer, it is definitely a challenge to maintain accurate, up-to-date information that's readily available for our representatives. While you're looking at a single Summary insert or mailing, our reps are searching online through thousands of offers. They have to ensure they locate the exact one you're interested in, and so they might ask you questions until they identify the promotion and can then relay additional information. We'll try to do a better job of ensuring our representatives have all these additional details as soon as you ask for them.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by someone special: Why does it take so long to have account disputes resolved? When miles from another carrier were never posted to my account, I was advised to submit copies of my boarding passes and passenger receipt - most inconvenient! The miles eventually appeared about two months later. This seems to always happen when I fly a partner.

Bruce Chemel
We too would prefer that all miles post automatically - it's more convenient for you and less work for us! So we're doing whatever we can to improve automatic postings. Of course you should always provide your AAdvantage number, and it's a good idea to hang on to documentation until mileage credit appears in your account. Most carriers require copies of ticket receipts (to verify that an eligible fare was paid) and boarding passes (to verify that the passenger actually flew), so they can determine if the travel is eligible for miles. Since many AAdvantage partners have frequent traveler programs of their own, they want to double-check that mileage credit was not already earned in another program for the same flight. While I know it's hard to believe that any AAdvantage member would ever attempt to get miles twice for the same flight, it's important to make sure that doesn't happen.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by studley: We're tentatively planning a gathering of Flyer Talk members in DFW in September. In addition to touring DFW Airport and the C.R. Smith Museum, we were wondering if we could tour AMR Headquarters and the AAdvantage Offices. How could we arrange that?

Bruce Chemel
Please contact our Tour Desk at 817-967-5384. They can arrange tours of HDQ, the Learning Center and our Southern Reservations Office. All that's required is about 2 week's notice and at least 10 visitors. And just so there's no misunderstanding, you don't earn miles for traveling through our buildings!

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by Lserravalli: Does a flight you earned by using miles earn additional miles?

Bruce Chemel
In other words, you are asking if you get miles for a free trip. No way.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by Julius Heinis: Please make it easier to deal with frequent flyer miles for people who can't fly every year, and don't rob them after 3 years. My wife and I both lost thousands of miles through expiration. Now we have TWA miles, maybe we soon will have enough to fly for free.

Bruce Chemel
You now can keep your miles from expiring. As long as you have AAdvantage activity once every three years, your miles will not expire. Since you are not a frequent flyer, I urge you to explore the many other ways to earn AAdvantage miles, so you can enjoy the benefits of award travel more quickly. Visit our Web site at www.aa.com, go to the AAdvantage page and click on AAdvantage Member Guide. This will take you to complete information on Earning Miles, not just with airlines, hotels and car rental companies, but also when you shop, dine, bank, donate to charity and much more. I also encourage you to enroll (free of charge) in the AOL AAdvantage Rewards program, which offers even more opportunities for mileage accrual. As for your TWA miles, you will receive a bonus in your AAdvantage account equal to your unused TWA mileage balance. To ensure this process occurs smoothly, please ensure that the first name, last name and address in your TWA Aviators account matches the first name, last name and addre

Triple7
I can get a 15,000 mile award from TWA. When that program ends, will AA offer a similar award for 15,000 miles?

Bruce Chemel
Good question. We are not planning on it at this time.

cat333
Amex offers to reinstate points with a small fee -- is there any chance AA will offer the same for expired miles?

Bruce Chemel
I'm scratching my head. None of our miles will expire until December, 2002 at the earliest. If you have any transaction in a month, all your miles are extended 36 months. So I certainly hope that no one will have their miles expire, because it's so easy to earn them in the AAdvantage program and thus keep them from expiring.

nologic
Why do we have to wait for the TWA program to end to convert our TWA miles into AA miles? What is the reason for postponing this until November for anyone interested?

Bruce Chemel
If you want to claim an AAdvantage award but don't have enough AAdvantage miles to do so, we can accommodate you by combining your Aviators' miles but you must have a reservation and be in the process of claiming an award. If you have no plans to travel, relax, and wait until the miles automatically transfer when the Aviators program ends.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier: Now that the US Airways & United deal is off, any chance that US Airways won't leave the AAdvantage program on August 23?

Bruce Chemel
I thought I read today that they were going to keep trying - but as far as we're concerned, our relationship with USAir will end On August 23. Sorry.....

mfb
Have you settled on the class action lawsuit regarding "old miles?" If so, when will the certificates be mailed?

Bruce Chemel
A very timely question, since State Judge Lee Preston of Cook County, Illinois, entered an order last week approving the Wolens/Gutterman class action settlement agreement. The appeal period runs through August 7, though we do not anticipate any appeals. Distribution of the settlement relief certificates is expected by November. And don't think we aren't happy about it. We are. This has been going on a long, long time......

burkey
When can we expect to see a dedicated CSR on such forums as FlyerTalk to assist with our program questions and concerns?

Bruce Chemel
You've got me! What do you need a dedicated CSR for??

skyflyer
Since domestic upgrades for elite members are now "electronic", can the actual miles be deducted from our upgrade account instead of one upgrade cert for every 500 miles? Upgrades for destinations that are just over a threshold are penalized under the current system.

Bruce Chemel
We really don't anticipate a change. The current structure provides value to the customer at a cost American can support and it is competitive. And I disagree with your characterization of being "penalized." There has to be a break somewhere - just like at the ballpark or at the theatre.

Mikel at WebFlyer
This question was submitted earlier by Octavio: What is happening with the BA and AA merger?

Bruce Chemel
I really didn't want to get into airline issues, but.... We never had plans to merge with BA. We did plan a marketing alliance with British Airways, which was enhanced when we implemented the oneworld alliance in February 1999. oneworld alliance members include: American Airlines, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, LanChile and Qantas. As with any of our partners, we continually work toward strengthening our relationship with British Airways to the benefit of our mutual customers.

milesforlife
I know there is no way to know for sure, but as a guess, how many miles do you think someone would have to fly in order to be in the top 20,000 flyers during May-Sept promotion period?

Bruce Chemel
About 5,000 more than you're planning on flying. LOL. Actually, I have no idea.

leroy11
Will AA members ever be able to earn miles on BA transatlantic flights?

Bruce Chemel
Good question... I honestly don't know.

cat333
May I purchase upgrades and have my daughter use them? (Really hope this is not a stupid question!!)

Bruce Chemel
You can purchase as many as you want. When she uses them, she'll use them according to her AAdvantage status, not yours, unless she is travelling with you. And there are no stupid questions... Thanks. Did I answer your question? Or was it a stupid answer?

Randy Petersen
Well, if you haven't tired Bruce out with questions, you sure have tired me out in watching the answers......

Randy Petersen
Bruce, there's never a stupid answer.....

Bruce Chemel
Yes there are. I've seen them in your other chat sessions.

Randy Petersen
Well, tonight has been fun and i think i can get Bruce back for maybe a lunch time chat sometime. Thanks for all your time Bruce and we look forward to watching another 20 years of AAdvantage success.

Bruce Chemel
Thanks, Randy. I've enjoyed it as well. I hope to be back soon. Thanks, everybody. Hope you've learned a thing or two.... Adios.

Randy Petersen
So, Bruce you're free to go and visit FlyerTalk anytime you choose. On behalf of the members of FlyerTalk - thank you....