Triangle Trip

Similar to Delta’s extension of its double MQM (Medallion Qualifying Miles) offer (see: previous post) to selected members, American Airlines (AA) is offering double elite qualifying miles (EQM) to all of its members. Unlike Delta’s offer, American’s offer is not selective or limited to certain class of airfare. You do however have to register. Here’s the link to register at American’s website. This offer is from September 2nd to December 15th, 2009.

If you’ve Elite status with American, you should also register for Elite Rewards (here’s the link). American Elite Rewards are addition perks after you have attained Elite status. For example, if you have earned 40,0000 to 49,999 elite qualifying miles (EQM), you can pick from one of the items below:

• 2 500-Mile Upgrades
• 1 Set of Elite Luggage Tags
• 1 Admirals Club One-Day Pass
• 7,500 AAdvantage Bonus Miles

I am not a frequent American flier. Here’s a link to more info on AA’s programs:  link.

United has quickly follow through with its EQM offer (see original post) by applying my double and triple Elite Qualifying Miles to my Mileage Plus account in less than four weeks. See my statement from July 7, 2009:

United’s EQM offer ended June 15, 2009, and United stated at the start of the promotion that it will need 4 to 6 weeks to credit everyone’s account. I have seen promotions like this in the past where the airlines or hotels would take the maximum time to apply the bonus credits to you account.

I would have to praise UAL for their swift response to crediting my (hopefully others as well) Mileage Plus account. As a lowly Premier Exec, I guess now I will have to compete against 1,000,000 more 1K and Global Service members trying to board the plane and flight for overhead space.

Lured back from United’s EQM offer, I made Premier in May and finally received the Premier membership kit last week.  As part of EQM, almost everyone will have at least Premier status by early August (when United will calculate and give everyone double or triple Elite Qualifying Miles for their flights between March and June). EQM definitely came with a cost thought.

Unlike other airlines that will honor your previous year’s status until the end of February of the following year, UAL will only honor your status from the previous year until the end of January. Since I have flown 25,000 miles in 2009 (without EQM), I am qualified to be a Premier for 2010. Typically United will let me maintain my Premier status until the end of February 2011. However times have changed as you can see from the picture below:

For the Star Alliance fliers, this change may have some impact on your status if you are flying international. I am not a huge fan of US Air but The Coach has informed me that US Air still honors status until the end of February. If you’re an international flier and want a fast track to get Star Alliance Gold to access their lounges and save some money on bag checks, take a look at Statusmonger’s previous post to get Star Alliance Gold and Diamond for up to three years.