AA to convert 500-mile upgrades to 250 Loyalty Points

[NM]

Looks like AA is going to cease issuing and using the old 500-mile upgrade "certs" and provide (space available) complimentary upgrades to status members and a traveling companion.

In the process, they will convert any remaining 500-mile upgrades members may have in their account to 250 Loyalty Points at the end of July.

Years ago it was possible to ask AAdvantage to convert the 500-mile upgrade certs to rewards miles if you told them you were unable to use the 500-mile certs due to residency outside USA. So I am not sure how many I have left, but might be time to check out my account and see.

Email reads:

Hello, NM

As an AAdvantage Gold® member, your journey is important to us — and that includes those traveling with you.

Starting July 14, we're expanding your upgrade benefits to include a complimentary upgrade for one companion traveling with you. You’ll no longer need 500-mile upgrades — upgrades for AAdvantage® status members plus one companion are complimentary on flights within North America.

As a result of this change, we’ll convert all remaining 500-mile upgrades in your account into 250 Loyalty Points each by the end of July, getting you closer to qualifying for status, improving your spot on the upgrade list and unlocking other great benefits.

We’re committed to enhancing your travel experience, and look forward to seeing you in the skies.

 

[NM]

Looks like I still have 48 x 500-mile upgrade certs in my AA wallet. So that will convert to 12,000 loyalty points. I would prefer them to convert to miles which count towards lifetime earnings as I am close to the 2MM mark but stalled for a few years in getting any closer to it. But have never been able to use any of the 500-mile upgrade certs, so no loss not having them there any longer.

 

[drron]

I am glad as I have nearly 100. Just hope that resets points expiry for Mrsdrron and I as over 3 years since in the USA and have been told points expiring at the end of October.

 

[NM]

I am glad as I have nearly 100. Just hope that resets points expiry for Mrsdrron and I as over 3 years since in the USA and have been told points expiring at the end of October.

Will be interesting to see if it does reset expiry date. As it seems they will only be transferring to Loyalty Points and not as redeemable miles, I think there is a probability that the transfer won't trigger expiry reset, but I hope it does. Mine don't expire until Sept 2023, and I have plenty of Marriott points to move to AAdvantage if needed to reset the expiry if it does not.

 

[drron]

Well both mrsdrron's and my miles converted from the 500 mile upgrades hit the accountds overnight. Both our accounts had a reset triggered so now our expiry dates are July 2024.

 

[NM]

My AAdvantage account also gained the Loyalty Points overnight (12,000 points), but my miles expiry date is showing "Miles expire on Mar 16, 2023", which I don't think has changed since my last redeemable miles activity. I have plans for some redeemable miles activity to be timed for Jan or Feb 2023 to ensure my 300K miles don't expire, but was hoping this might trigger the reset - for my account, it did not.

 

[drron]

I guess AA just KWIA.

 

[wandering_fred]

After the update I only need xx_xx points to make AA Gold.....
Oops I have Lifetime Gold....
Seems earlier in my life I was wandering
Fred

 

[drron]

So 3 months later our expiry dates are still 2024. Also I only need 2000 points to reach Gold.
But I am LTP!

 

[NM]

Mine still showing March 2023 expiry and needing 63K to reach Platinum (am Lifetime Gold).

Anyway, I will be resetting the expiry date soon as I launder Amex MR points to Marriott Bonvoy in the next 48 hours to take aadvantage of the bonus transfer rate available until end of September, and I will put at least 25K miles into AAdvantage from Marriott Bonvoy. Might leave the rest in Bonvoy for now for the future flexibility (can use for Marriott redemptions or transfer to a number of different airline programs if I later choose. Once in AAdvantage they can only be used for AAdvantage redemptions.