My WP status pales into insignificance in comparion.

[Simo]

If you read most T&C's they now say fair use policy exists.

I wonder if this existed in the version of 1980's.

Mobile plans have fair use policy built in.

It is such a general wording and it is up to someone's interpretation.

IMHO if the person was selling his companion allowance then it could be in breach of fair use.

 

[ajca]

One wonders how honestly AA accounted for the potentially massive and highly contingent liability this program was accumulating on their balance sheet.

Another interesting perspective would be: what would the market value for one of these passes be today? (assuming they were transferable, which obviously they are not). I guess you could work this out by asking the guys who have them how much they would need to be paid by AA to give up their pass.

 

[Simo]

One wonders how honestly AA accounted for the potentially massive and highly contingent liability this program was accumulating on their balance sheet.

Another interesting perspective would be: what would the market value for one of these passes be today? (assuming they were transferable, which obviously they are not). I guess you could work this out by asking the guys who have them how much they would need to be paid by AA to give up their pass.

I think i remember $7 million was a law suit that had been filed

 

[ajca]

The article clearly says they earn points so as already mentioned fly AA on the pass in F, then use the points to book awards on other airlines.

If they can find Z availability on the trans-Pacific Qantas flights, good luck to them! I guess they could fly Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong to Sydney.

 

[Simo]

They could book FASA's

 

[ajca]

They could book FASA's

With AA miles? Menothinkso.

 

[JohnK]

Interesting story.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

The frequent fliers who flew too much....


"We thought originally it would be something that firms would buy for top employees," said Bob Crandall, American's chairman and chief executive from 1985 to 1998. "It soon became apparent that the public was smarter than we were."

I love tales of various "carpe diem" Frequent Flyers who find a opportunity and then run with it. In my case I was just a flyer that earnt a reasonable amount off FF points till I read about The Pudding Guy. This then inspired me to put a lot more strategic thought into FF schemes in particular and flying at minimal cost in general, and to be ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. A Points Runner was born.

My fascination for such tales in various forms continues to. I just came across this one tonight. Perhaps old hat for some, but for those of us who have not read the details before....read on and enjoy:

Prepare to get jealous, very jealous...

40 million BIS miles!!!

The frequent fliers who flew too much - latimes.com (May 5 2012).


and

The Air Mile King (November 2004) Hans Kundnani

 

[Febs]

Great article, thanks for posting!

Love tihs:

In one 25-day span this year, Joyce flew round trip to London 16 times, flights that would retail for more than $125,000. He didn't pay a dime.​

Regardless of the initial investment, the whole scheme does seem a little short-sighted. Especially given the flights earned miles, which could then be transferred! Also can't believe the companion airfare was for anyone. You'd think they'd have limited it to one nominated flyer, who can be changed say once or twice a year...

Fascinating stuff either way.

 

[medhead]

If they can find Z availability on the trans-Pacific Qantas flights, good luck to them! I guess they could fly Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong to Sydney.

Why limit yourself to Z? There is also JAL.


Sent from the Throne

 

[markis10]

It said one of the former users of it went to Sydney, so either AA actually flew the route in the past, or didn't and they codeshared.


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AA used their own metal in the 70s but gave it to Pan Am, in the early 90s they were back, operating[FONT=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial][SIZE=-1][FONT=ARIAL,] DFW-HNL-SYD for two years from 2nd February 1990 until 29th February 1992. DC10s were used.

Dallas/Fort Worth – Honolulu – Sydney (effective 2nd February 1990)
AA91 DFW 1630 HNL 2041arr/2225dep SYD 0525
AA90 SYD 0800 HNL 2045arr/2245dep DFW 1000[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]

 

[Deleted member]

This is available in Australia. All you need is to sit in parliament for a minimum number of terms and away you go )

 

[markis10]

Not any more, new MPs are not eligible.

 

[Deleted member]

Yeah I think I may have read that too. Didn't know it was passed into law yet

BTW should the topic thread read "PALES " not palls ? Is that a finger problem?

 

[turtlemichael]

Probably some interesting legal questions in all of this. When they allege fraud AA needs to be able to point to some loss or injury as well as the other elements that define fraud. The mere allegation that the naughty AAirpass holders booked seats that could otherwise be filled would not be enough. It's my understanding that most AA F seats are filled by upgrades of some sort rather than selling the seat. So AA would need to prove they lost business from activities like booking seats without an intention of using them. I think a good lawyer too might also be able to argue on behalf of a flyer that missed an upgrade he suffered a loss. Money to be made by the lawyers (as always) I think.

 

[turtlemichael]

BTW should the topic thread read "PALES " not palls ? Is that a finger problem?

LOL. Yep, finger problem with the "l" so close to the "e" . OTH, maybe I meant a coffin cover but I don't think so. :0

 

[markis10]

Yeah I think I may have read that too. Didn't know it was passed into law yet

BTW should the topic thread read "PALES " not palls ? Is that a finger problem?

Passed and made law 6th March


Members of Parliament (Life Gold Pass) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 – Parliament of Australia

 

[medhead]

This is available in Australia. All you need is to sit in parliament for a minimum number of terms and away you go )

The gold card wouldn't earn points either, I assume, in line with government policy.


Sent from the Throne

 

[smit0847]

Such an interesting concept, but at the end of the day, as someone else mentioned, you are still flying AA. Would be one of my last choices of airline to fly weekly on!

Imagine if QF or SQ offered this - you could make it a challenge to fly to every single one of their international destinations in a calendar year!

 

[samh004]

AA used their own metal in the 70s but gave it to Pan Am, in the early 90s they were back, operating[FONT=Verdana,Helvetica,Arial][SIZE=-1][FONT=ARIAL,] DFW-HNL-SYD for two years from 2nd February 1990 until 29th February 1992. DC10s were used.

Dallas/Fort Worth – Honolulu – Sydney (effective 2nd February 1990)
AA91 DFW 1630 HNL 2041arr/2225dep SYD 0525
AA90 SYD 0800 HNL 2045arr/2245dep DFW 1000[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT]

Thanks for that, but as others also pointed out, they could easily make a points booking from the points earned on AA metal, which does bring me to a question that I don't think was answered in the article, other than the guy who was banned from flying AA, would they have frozen their accounts/taken their points? Because even with donating points to charities you'd still have a hefty balance left over. Even with the AirPass gone they could still fly for free with 40 million points sitting in an account.

The gold card wouldn't earn points either, I assume, in line with government policy.

But status credits?


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