shahine.com/omar/

Wohoo, I received my American Airlines Million Miles Kit today in the mail. I was actually shocked at what was inside. Besides the card, and luggage tags which say "1 million" I also received four system wide one way upgrades good for travel on any AA metal anywhere in the world (subject to availability). These certificates, known as VIP upgrades, are reserved for folks who achieve Executive Platinum each year (100,000 miles in an airline seat) or folks who achieve 2 million Miles (lifetime platinum). In addition to those system wide upgrades I also received 8 electronic upgrade certificates (each good for 500 miles) which were deposited in my account. All the folklore out there suggests that I was not supposed to get 4 system wide upgrades (previous 1 million milers did not). I just called and confirmed that I did in fact get 4 upgrades in my account.

Pretty cool. As long as the AA freq flyer program sticks around this is a pretty valuable perk. Not to mention the 4 VIP upgrades will get me and my wife to Europe this summer on business class (12 hour flight) w/o me having to use miles to upgrade (100,000 miles + $1000 dollar fee). Sweet.

So, here is what I get:

• Lifetime Gold status for the life of the Gold program
• 4 systemwide one way upgrades on AA metal
• 8 electronic upgrades, each good for 500 miles of domestic travel
• new luggage tags with my name
• new card

Below is the info they sent me. Thanks AA!

The text above reads:

March 2005

 

Dear Mr. Shahine,

 

When an AAdvantage member has the rare distinction of earning 1,000,000 total program miles, it’s our pleasure to celebrate that achievement. Congratulations on becoming our newest Million Miler We’re sure you’ll enjoy being a member of this exclusive group.

 

Enclosed is your new AAdvantage Platinum card, with its distinctive Million Miler emblem, and two special luggage tags. Please display them proudly as an indication of just how far you have come in our program. In addition, while you currently have earned AAdvantage Platinum membership, I want you to know that your Million Miler status means you’re entitled to enjoy AAdvantage Gold membership for the lifetime of the Gold program, regardless of your annual elite-qualifying miles, points or segments.

 

As another reward for attaining Million Miler status, you have received four systemwide upgrades,* which enable you to confirm upgrades to the next class of service at time of booking (subject to availability) when you are flying on Business Class and most Economy Class fares. These one-way systemwide upgrades are being stored electronically for you and are available for travel through February 28, 2007. To use a systemwide upgrade, simply call your local American Airlines reservations number. We send quarterly email updates of your systemwide upgrade balance, so please be sure you have subscribed to the AAdvantage eSummary2M email if you wish to receive this information.

 

The special recognition and benefits we offer to our Million Milers is our way of saying thank you for all of your business and loyalty. In fact, thanks a million!

 

Best wishes,

 

Dan Garton

Executive Vice President

Marketing

 

* All upgrades are subject to seating limitations and capacity controls. Please see the enclosed insert for complete systemwide upgrade terms and conditions, Helpful FAQs are on aa.com/vpupdate