Double Elite-Qualifying Miles on Popular American Flights

Most airline double-mile promotions only double the redeemable miles.

The miles that qualify toward earning elite status—elite-qualifying miles, or EQMs—typically remain the same.

This new offer from American is notable for doubling both the redeemable and the elite-qualifying miles. And it does so on some popular routes, for a long time.

Offer Details

Between October 27, 2011, and March 31, 2012, AAdvantage members can earn double redeemable miles and double elite-qualifying miles when flying American non-stop on the following routes:

• Between Chicago and Los Angeles
• Between Chicago and San Francisco
• Between Dallas/Ft. Worth and Los Angeles
• Between Dallas/Ft. Worth and San Francisco

The offer is available only to travelers whose registered AAdvantage addresses are in California, Illinois, or Texas.

Registration is required.

Deal or No Deal

The bonus itself is well worth pursuing, especially if AAdvantage elite status is a goal.

These are popular routes, which American serves with multiple daily non-stops (16 flights every business day between Los Angeles and Dallas, for example).

And the promotion period, five full months, affords plenty of time to qualify.

The residence requirement might seem like a significant negative. But realistically, the great majority of those flying on the targeted routes would be residents of California, Illinois, or Texas in any case.

If American's ticket prices are competitive, and you plan to fly the featured routes, this offer makes American a best bet.

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Comments

[BetterThanABroom]

I just called AA customer service for the AAdvantage department to ask a couple of questions. The lady with whom I spoke registered me for two promotions which are currently in place for the ORD to LAX/SFO market and also for the DFW to LAX/SFO market. One ends at the end of January and the other through sometime in March. She explained to me that since I am executive platinum I would actually receive four times the miles (not elite qualifying but redeemable miles) through the end of January and three times until the expiration date in March.

[MORT]

THE GIVEAWAY (PRICES OR OTHERWISE) OF ELITE MILES LEAVES A QUESTION IN MY MIND.
WITH SO MANY ELITE MILES BEING "GIVEN" AWAY DOESN'T THIS DILUTE THE AWARD SEATS AVAILABLE TO ELITE PASSENGERS?

[Tim Winship]

blaze - You'd earn ~7,000 redeemable miles (double) plus ~7,000 elite miles (double), each way.

[blaze]

For a flight from LAX to ORD I would earn ~3450 Miles do I get double double mile on this? ( You'll earn double flight miles AND double elite-qualifying miles) so do I earn 15,000 miles?