Award Wallet can no longer track AAdvantage accounts

[Mattg]

Award Wallet says that American Airlines has forced it to stop tracking AAdvantage accounts. I got a rather strongly worded email from AwardWallet a few days ago about this, which said:

We’re writing to let you know that American Airlines has forced us to stop tracking your American Airlines account on AwardWallet. We are extremely disappointed in this decision. AwardWallet believes that you own your loyalty and travel data and that you have the right to control and share that data as you see fit.

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to fight this demand. As of today, we have removed the following account from AwardWallet ...

I can't see this as anything other than American Airlines trying to increase breakage. AwardWallet is not happy about it, and neither are a lot of its members, it would seem.

There's now a petition to try to get American Airlines to reconsider:

Sign the Petition

American Airlines: Let AwardWallet track our AA miles and travel itineraries

www.change.org

This has also been covered by many of the US blogs, such as VFTW:

American Airlines Won't Let You Track Your AAdvantage Account With Award Wallet Anymore - View from the Wing

The best way to track and manage frequent flyer accounts for many years has been Award Wallet. You add your account information and they let yo know when your balance changes. They let you know when your flight plans change - from flight numbers and times to seats. They track airline fee...

viewfromthewing.com

FWIW I'm also unable to automatically track my United account on AwardWallet, but there is at least a workaround for that.

 

[NM]

Award Wallet says that American Airlines has forced it to stop tracking AAdvantage accounts. I got a rather strongly worded email from AwardWallet a few days ago about this, which said:



I can't see this as anything other than American Airlines trying to increase breakage. AwardWallet is not happy about it, and neither are a lot of its members, it would seem.

There's now a petition to try to get American Airlines to reconsider:

Sign the Petition

American Airlines: Let AwardWallet track our AA miles and travel itineraries

www.change.org

This has also been covered by many of the US blogs, such as VFTW:

American Airlines Won't Let You Track Your AAdvantage Account With Award Wallet Anymore - View from the Wing

The best way to track and manage frequent flyer accounts for many years has been Award Wallet. You add your account information and they let yo know when your balance changes. They let you know when your flight plans change - from flight numbers and times to seats. They track airline fee...

viewfromthewing.com

FWIW I'm also unable to automatically track my United account on AwardWallet, but there is at least a workaround for that.

While disappointing, I can understand that a company like American Airlines may be concerned about data security when using a third party to access individual member account. If there was to be a security breach at Award Wallet (or any other such third-party access organisation) that resulted in member account information being compromised, AA could be left with considerable cost and negative reputation impacting their bottom line for an event outside their control. I would not be surprised if other membership programs follow suit to limit their own exposure.

 

[serfty]

While disappointing, I can understand that a company like American Airlines may be concerned about data security when using a third party to access individual member account. If there was to be a security breach at Award Wallet (or any other such third-party access organisation) that resulted in member account information being compromised, AA could be left with considerable cost and negative reputation impacting their bottom line for an event outside their control. I would not be surprised if other membership programs follow suit to limit their own exposure.

From what I read, AwardWallet had an agreement with AAmerican to allow this. Implied was that AA were paid by AwardWallet for that.

AA decided to not renew/cancel the agreement.

 

[jbman]

Like open banking they need to provide an API so account information can be pulled without the need for your login details

 

[aleaf]

Award Wallet says that American Airlines has forced it to stop tracking AAdvantage accounts. I got a rather strongly worded email from AwardWallet a few days ago about this, which said:



I can't see this as anything other than American Airlines trying to increase breakage. AwardWallet is not happy about it, and neither are a lot of its members, it would seem.

There's now a petition to try to get American Airlines to reconsider:

Sign the Petition

American Airlines: Let AwardWallet track our AA miles and travel itineraries

www.change.org

This has also been covered by many of the US blogs, such as VFTW:

American Airlines Won't Let You Track Your AAdvantage Account With Award Wallet Anymore - View from the Wing

The best way to track and manage frequent flyer accounts for many years has been Award Wallet. You add your account information and they let yo know when your balance changes. They let you know when your flight plans change - from flight numbers and times to seats. They track airline fee...

viewfromthewing.com

FWIW I'm also unable to automatically track my United account on AwardWallet, but there is at least a workaround for that.

@Mattg, is the workaround you reference the email solution?

 

[Mattg]

@Mattg, is the workaround you reference the email solution?

Yes (forwarding the monthly statement)

 

[burmans]

For me what is more annoying is the loss of the ability to comment on their blog and earn a minimal amount of points (5) as a way of keeping our 5 family accounts open. Now need to find others ways of accumulating small amounts.

 

[SydneySwan]

For me what is more annoying is the loss of the ability to comment on their blog and earn a minimal amount of points (5) as a way of keeping our 5 family accounts open. Now need to find others ways of accumulating small amounts.

I agree. Any easy way to keep AA miles alive?

 

[Mattg]

I agree. Any easy way to keep AA miles alive?

The main options I've found in Australia were to make a Rocketmiles hotel booking or book a Hertz car rental (crediting to AAdvantage). You can also transfer points from Marriott Bonvoy (among other programs).

 

[SydneySwan]

I agree. Any easy way to keep AA miles alive?

Answering my own question - just realised that you can convert e-Rewards points.

 

[NM]

Answering my own question - just realised that you can convert e-Rewards points.

Yes, I have done that in the past too.

 

[zig]

For me what is more annoying is the loss of the ability to comment on their blog and earn a minimal amount of points (5) as a way of keeping our 5 family accounts open. Now need to find others ways of accumulating small amounts.

Yes, this was a very easy way to keep points alive.

 

[burmans]

Answering my own question - just realised that you can convert e-Rewards points.

Yep, I do this though not sure about easy, frankly a bit of a pain for the accounts other than my own.

 

[kpc]

Interesting....

American Airlines And The Points Guy Are Suing Each Other - View from the Wing

American Airlines has been clamping down on websites that work with AAdvantage member data for their customers. They made Award Wallet stop tracking member accounts and they sent a cease and desist letter to Red Ventures, which owns The Points Guy, over its TPG app which - among other things -...

viewfromthewing.com

 

[shuuy]

I'm a 1,000 Marriott or Chase points kinda guy to keep my airline accounts open.

Then again, waiting for the Marriott card in Australia to emerge... someday?