AA 25% Conversion Bonus Offer ENDING SOON!!

Discussion created by painedplatinum on Apr 28, 2017
Latest reply on Jun 13, 2017 by painedplatinum

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As with the old US Air bonus program ......American has just listed an offer for 25% Bonus on converted Marriott Points to American Miles. The normal conversion rate isn't too great, but when doing a travel package, the 25% Bonus is awfully good. Let's get tker to take a look at this and see if he'll give it a thumbs up!!

2017 Conversion Bonus

Earn 25% bonus miles when you convert hotel points

From now through June 15, 2017, convert your hotel points to American Airlines AAdvantage^® miles, and you’ll earn a 25% bonus on the amount of miles you receive from the conversion.

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45 Replies

painedplatinum Apr 28, 2017 8:30 PM
Bump.....I added this earlier today and then couldn't find it anywhere in the site.....Let's see if this works.
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- tker @ painedplatinum on Apr 28, 2017 8:53 PM
  Def. a good deal. I will be putting some points towards this soon!
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pluto77 Apr 29, 2017 6:54 AM
Ooh, thank you for the info. Will definitely do this too. I'm loving their f/b products on some of their planes (B77W, B789, A321T).
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ks83 Apr 29, 2017 7:32 AM
Whats the point?? There is never good saver availability. Even if it is the routing is so awful that you are better off not taking it. I have over 200k+ miles in my AA account. Still have not found a decent use for it.
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- pluto77 @ ks83 on Apr 29, 2017 8:10 AM
  I book a minimum of 9 months out to get the saver awards. It's a bit of work to sort out, and no, they aren't always my preferred (non-stop) routes or aircrafts, but my philosophy is, beggars can't be choosers... It's the only way I can afford to fly international f/c.
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- tker @ ks83 on Apr 30, 2017 1:02 AM
  I get savers all of the time-to desirable places on AA. But, the best use of AA miles IMHO is on partner airlines to international destinations. Wife and I are off to Hong Kong and Thailand on Cathay Pacific in Business Class-over New Years. All on One World Awards-thats at saver rates. You just have to be flexible and book out far enough before they are gone.
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  - ks83 @ tker on Apr 30, 2017 10:23 AM
    tker: I agree that best use of AA miles is for partner redemptions but not all of us can travel internationally right? AA is a domestic airline - shouldn't they release some decent saver availability? In the last earning statement they said that not many people were signing up for CC and they got about 200 million less than what they anticipated. Hopefully this will make them realize that they cannot just keep devaluing their programs. They are still better than delta - they always charge so much more from my home airport.
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  - pluto77 @ tker on May 8, 2017 3:03 PM
    Hey tker, when you book your award flights on Cathay or JL, what do the fees look like? ks83 (are you the same person as ks77? Nah, that can't be, right?) I am finding your comments above regarding redemption availability quite interesting... I put your warning to the test (again, looking for redemptions 9 months out, as is my habit) and while I found a couple of great domestic AASavers, (on the fabulous A321T from LAX to JFK, economy for 25K RT (Yes!) and even Bus RT, same flights for 44K-50K), was very disappointed to only find Europe saver awards (115K) RT from west coast on BA metal, with govt/carrier fees of $1,100!!! Wow, what happened, AA? So, you've made a skeptic of me now too. In 2015 (before AA went all wonky), I did 2 RT tix from LA to Paris for about 110K a piece, on AA metal, fantastic, private bus class, new cabins, low fees... I'm just not seeing this now, looking at flights as far out as next Feb/Mar even.
    
    It definitely looks like the Int'l landscape on AA metal has changed. Or is it just me? The whole reason I save AA miles is for Europe redemptions on AA metal, so if I can't snag those redemptions, there's not much point for me. Too bad, because a 25% bonus is a sweet deal.
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    - ks77 @ pluto77 on May 8, 2017 3:27 PM
      Nope, it's not me!
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    - ks83 @ pluto77 on May 8, 2017 3:45 PM
      Never ever use AA miles for BA metal - absolute waste of both cash and miles. They charge ridiculous fuel surcharges.
      
      If you can fine Iberia space you wont be charged that much in surcharges.
      
      I think fees on Cathay and JL are not that much - only airport fees and taxes.
      
      And lastly I am not ks77 ☺☺
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    - tker @ pluto77 on May 8, 2017 4:21 PM
      BA is a joke. Sure a J of F seat is available. Then pay the $2200 in taxes-for the luxury seat. (I think its a gov tax-not going to BA, but I could be wrong.) Cathay or JL are unbelievably low. First, I am booking through AA using partner awards. Taxes through AA on Cathay JFK-BKK (Round trip) in biz class are under $75/ticket-including departure tax. I cannot remember JL because its been so long-but similar.
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      - pluto77 @ tker on Jun 12, 2017 8:22 PM
        Hey tker,
        My daughter and I want to go to Vietnam and Cambodia in '19. Do you know if Cathay and/or JL can get us there?
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        tker @ pluto77 on Jun 12, 2017 8:23 PM
        I feel like they both could with Cathay being most likely. However, Cathay can certainly get you to a SE Asia gateway with a possible need for an inexpensive regional flight purchase. Just check their websites and see if you can buy a paid ticket to see if they have that route.
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        pluto77 @ tker on Jun 12, 2017 8:30 PM
        I checked both websites and they both go to SGN. JAL has a lot of AA codeshares. How do you book flights on these airlines with AA miles?
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shashack Apr 29, 2017 8:27 AM
Does anyone know if the 25% bonus also applies to the hotel/air miles travel packages? I have had good success using the MileSavers but I typically book as soon as the dates open. It is a gamble but one that I have only lost once (due to a broken ankle shortly before scheduled departure) but travel insurance helped with recovery of miles but costs still incurred.
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- tker @ shashack on Apr 30, 2017 1:04 AM
  Yes, these have always applied to Travel Packages as well-except when specifically excluding. They do not show being excluded. But, I always ask at time of requesting.
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painedplatinum Apr 29, 2017 10:07 AM
Yes, this is a great deal for folks who are MR points fats, but American miles skinny. I have plenty in each category, but my points build faster than my miles. So now that tker has given the thumbs up, I'm jumping in.
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ks83 May 2, 2017 8:13 AM
Just came across this article -

https://www.uscreditcardguide.com/american-airlines-award-availability-warning/

So any insiders hoping to transfer to AA - please check availability first and then do the transfer.
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- erc @ ks83 on May 2, 2017 8:28 AM
  Good stuff ks83, thanks for sharing. I'm with you, a domestic flyer who struggles mightily in finding any worthwhile American US award flights. I had to do logistical gymnastics to get from DC to Louisville for my Bourbon Trail trip. On the other hand tker is the man when it comes to international fantastic deals and painedplatinum is dead on when he says if you're going to convert, now's a fine time with this occasional bonus. So good stuff all around. I myself won't fly AA until they allow my double stroller on .
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  - ks83 @ erc on May 2, 2017 8:45 AM
    Yeah erc AA's only use is when you travel internationally and with partner airlines.
    
    May be I will use them to fly either down under from Middle east as I usually find good availability on etihad from Abu Dhabi to Sydney and they just added a second daily A 380 on that route.
    
    Or may be AA will learn from all this and start releasing some good saver availability. Well we can only hope right??
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    - erc @ ks83 on May 2, 2017 9:45 AM
      Correct. Plus with your name change, AA will never know, how you hammered 'em - ha ha ha. Well played ks83 .
      
      (The specified item was not found. and superchief1 can't get their names back - Insiders a new surprise every day).
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      - ks83 @ erc on May 2, 2017 9:49 AM
        Lol.
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      - ks83 @ erc on May 3, 2017 11:52 AM
        erc found another article:
        
        http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2017/05/03/american-airlines-reducing-legroom/
        
        I have to admit I have travelled only once on AA when I had to take a connecting flight to Chicago for my BA flight to India.
        
        All of my miles in AA came from the US airways merger and bank direct account.
        
        Reducing economy seat pitch is just disgusting and also reducing size of the bathrooms. This reminds me of a video I had seen somewhere - there was a card reader installed at the bathroom door for access.
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        erc @ ks83 on May 3, 2017 2:03 PM
        I'm telling you, we're not that far away from the ol' stand up style seating - coming soon at 'discount' airline near all of us .
        New Stand Up Airline Seat Unveiled | CheapAir
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        ks83 @ erc on May 3, 2017 2:12 PM
        This would be horrific. Although I think that the article is satrical in nature i do not want to love in a world where this would be true.
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        pluto77 @ ks83 on May 3, 2017 2:25 PM
        This is unbelievable. Pretty soon, tall people won't be able to fly if they can't afford to pay for the extra legroom. I certainly hope AA will at least remove the recline button on these seats, which makes it worse. With a 29" pitch AND recline, window and middle seat pax literally wouldn't be able to get out of their seats. They would be blocked in and would have to disrupt the entire row in front of them in addition to their own seat mates if they needed to get up on a long flight. This seems not only unconscionable, but also very unsafe in the event of a medical emergency.
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        ks83 @ pluto77 on May 3, 2017 2:37 PM
        That seems to be the new revenue model of the airlines these days. Force the passengers to pay more money to get the same amenities as before. Thats what is basic economy and I wouldn't be surprised the regular economy becomes economy plus and the now economy plus becomes first / business class.
        
        This is one of the reasons I prefer southwest lr jetblue.
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pluto77 May 8, 2017 5:15 PM
tker, AF is equally as bad as BA with redemption fees/"fuel surcharges."
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- tker @ pluto77 on May 8, 2017 5:21 PM
  Had no idea. I wonder if its an EU thing??? I know there are some competition issues on trans-Atlantic flights. AA won't let you earn AA miles on BA codeshares-for London bound flights. Probably unrelated, but just another thing to be informed about.
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  - pluto77 @ tker on May 8, 2017 6:01 PM
    Is that new? Last May, I flew to CDG via LHR on a BA codeshare, booked on AA. Used my AS FF# for points earnings (and partner status benefits). Earned about 12K miles for the flight (before AA changed its earning scheme.)
    
    I'm headed to DUB on AA metal later this month, using AS FF# (again for partner status bennies). I'm really curious (or not) to see how few miles I will earn since the change. So you're saying if I booked AA with AA FF# and flew BA metal, no miles earned?
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- painedplatinum @ pluto77 on May 8, 2017 5:56 PM
  Hey pluto77, nobody beats the bushes better than you when it comes to this research. Once you find what you're looking for, drop me a line and let me get a look....I may piggyback on your great searching skills!!!!
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  - pluto77 @ painedplatinum on May 8, 2017 9:09 PM
    Ha ha, what am I looking for again? I can get so mired in this stuff; crawling around in the saver redemption weeds can become a real mind bender! After a while, I can't even remember what my last search argument was. These airline schemes and redemptions can be truly daunting. It's like - a full time job - staying on top of some of this stuff! If you are lucky to stumble across something, don't hesitate or - bam, it's gone. It's such a game of cat and mouse.
    
    Thanks for the vote of confidence... I would ask the same of you. But my researches are always from the left coast. Do international redemptions cost the same from the east coast?
    
    When I did my far off in the future redemption searches yesterday, all of the routes that were on AA metal, were with warnings that only one leg had fIrst/business redemption availability and the other leg didn't (i.e. West coast to east coast or east coast to Europe, but not both.) There seems to be no end to the number of ways they can think up to create disadvantage to their "loyalty" customers. The problem with booking out as far in advance as they are releasing seats is that at the moment, we are bumping right up against Easter 2018, which is April 1st.
    
    The trick is to take a deep breath, dive, stay under and don't come up until you've got a good fish!
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monisame May 9, 2017 3:25 PM
First thank for the info. I will take the offer.
I find that British Airways award travel is easy to find because it is one of the few airlines that shows up on American Airlines’ award search tool, but it may not always be the most popular option due to fuel surcharges.
A flight from the U.S. to Europe would be 57,500 miles in business class or 80,000 miles in First class.
Qatar Airways is another great option if you are looking for a luxurious business or first class redemption.
Food options are quite good, and Qatar’s First Class Lounge in Doha is a favorite of many frequent travelers. An inexpensive way to get a taste of Qatar’s business or first class is with an award between the Middle East and Asia 1 (Japan or Korea).
Awards cost 40,000 AAdvantage bonus miles in business class or 50,000 miles in first.
Fly from the U.S. to Europe between November 1-December 14 or January 10-March 14 for only 22,500 American miles each way in economy. When booking during peak season (the rest of the year), you’ll pay 30,000 miles to fly in economy.
Business and first class tickets unfortunately do not have off-peak pricing. These will cost 57,000 and 85,000 all year, respectiv
Plus Flights that are 500 miles or less within the U.S. have special pricing with American Airlines. You can book economy tickets for 7,500 miles in each direction, or splurge in business class for 15,000 AA miles.
Not so bad!!!!
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clebert May 15, 2017 8:39 PM
I moved a whole boatload (planeload?) of MR points to AA and promptly booked Hawaii for the fam. Had limited time and options, so not a concern as to whether we could get SAAver awards. Just needed lie-flat seats on certain dates and was very happy to get them. Would have cost us over $10K to book without the points.
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- ks83 @ clebert on May 15, 2017 9:47 PM
  as long as you get good redemptions its awesome. Great clebert
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- ks77 @ clebert on Jun 12, 2017 1:59 PM
  Got any extra MR points you want to throw my way? lol
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painedplatinum Jun 9, 2017 5:26 PM
Just an FYI......This offer is ending on June 15th. That means if you're going to pull the trigger, this weekend is probably the last chance. It takes a couple of days for the points to get to AA, so don't wait until the last second.
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- pluto77 @ painedplatinum on Jun 12, 2017 2:25 PM
  I'm so torn about this airline!! To plunge or not? Gah!
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  - ks83 @ pluto77 on Jun 12, 2017 3:33 PM
    If you can redeem it on any partner airline - other than BA - I would say go for it. Etihad usually opens up business and first class redemptions a few days / weeks before departure and you can redeem them using AA miles.
    
    If not then there are better transfer partners - JAL, ANA even united.
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    - pluto77 @ ks83 on Jun 12, 2017 3:51 PM
      Can you get milesAAver awards with partner airlines? Do you know if Etihad and JAL charge ridiculous fuel sur charges?
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      - ks83 @ pluto77 on Jun 12, 2017 3:54 PM
        If partner airlines have saver availability then you can book them - best way to check is on thr partner website and call AA.
        
        And dont call the US customer service - last week there was a 2 hour hold.
        
        Try calling australia through hangouts instead - the whole call lasted less than 6 mins and about 6 cents. Only catch is you pay taxes in australian dollars - so you may have to pay a 3% foriegn transaction fees.
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        pluto77 @ ks83 on Jun 12, 2017 3:57 PM
        Thanks.
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        ks83 @ pluto77 on Jun 12, 2017 3:59 PM
        You are welcome. Let me know if you need any help. I would be glad to.
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ks83 Jun 12, 2017 1:05 PM
After more than 3 years of accumulating points I finally redeemed 80k for an economy ticket to India on etihad. The going cash rate was 1600+ and I paid 140$ - 65 in taxes and 75 in close in booking fees.
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painedplatinum Jun 13, 2017 7:37 PM
I ordered the travel package over the phone on June 9th......The points showed up in my AA account today, June 13th.

The transaction is dated on the AA site as June 9..just an FYI.
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AA 25% Conversion Bonus Offer ENDING SOON!!

2017 Conversion Bonus

Earn 25% bonus miles when you convert hotel points

Outcomes

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