How to fly smart. and become PLATINIUM with American Airlines!
Unlike other airlines with American Airlines it is very easy to redeemed your miles and fly for free and have other privilages!
Become Platinum with AA so each time you fly you get double miles, priority check in and sometimes free upgrades!
Easiest way to become Platinum is to do the " 90 days Platinium challenge "! You need to get 10.000 points in 90 days. Do not confuse POINTS with MILES. Points are only important for your status and they can be worth more or less than a mile.
If you fly deep discounted economy you get only half point for each mile so make sure you buy the class that gives you 1 point for each mile flown! It's not much more expensive, often actually the same price. The easiest way is to talk to the agent over the phone and ask them how much points you are getting for your flight.
It's actually enough to fly once overseas and once domestic and you are PLATINIUM! (NYC-London return is already 6.916, NYC- Mia mi is 2.180)
IMPORTANT - Before you gly your first qualifying fly you have to call AA Customer Serivce on 800-421-0600 and say you would like to start the PLATIMIUM 90 days challenge. They started to charge 150 $ for that in 2008. Its worth it though as once you get Platinum you get advantages like:
- on each flight you earn double miles
- priority check-in and boarding, no lines :-)
- you get upgraded to Business once in a while, also if flights are overbooked
- better seats: you almost always can get Exit raw seat
- access to AA AND British Airways Lounges everywhere outside US!!!!
- priority before anyone else if you are stand-by
- you do not need to pay for checking in the lagguage
- special bonuses only for elite group and more..
TIPS:
1. to get miles faster fly with a stop over instead of direct - you can get to 40% more miles!
2. the membership year starts in February so it is the best to do the challange shortly before February.
3. The status will last for a year and if you do not accumulate 50.000 points during that year you will loose it but dont worry, below is the sollution.
4. you can do the Platinium challange every 2 years.
Apply for A Advantage Citibank Credit card so you collect 1 mile with AA for each dollar spent. www.fly4.citicards.com - Via this website you get 20.000 miles for a start plus other advantages like companion flight!
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