AAdvantage Ski Report: Celebrities, Discounts, and Double Miles

GoPro HD: Avalanche Cliff Jump with Matthias Giraud

The first big snowstorm of the year has arrived.  The snow has been so heavy, that in Chicago, airlines cancelled more than 460 flights because of the weather.  

 American posted a Midwest Travel Policy to offer travelers affected by the snowstorm the option to change their travel plans without incurring a change fee (by the way, it may not be new, but I just noticed that the Travel Alerts section at AA.com  has been updated).

The storm comes at a bad time.  For many it’s a three day weekend so it’s also one of the busiest ski weekends of the year.  If you’re in Chicago and you’re ski weekend has been cancelled, it’s still possible to take to the slopes.  Here’s how one man built a solution: how to make a ski resort in your own backyard!

On the subject of skiing: American Airlines just announced a new AAdvantage Auction benefiting Cystic Fibrosis:

Ski with Celebrities!

For 25 years the American Airlines Celebrity Ski Weekend has been raising money for cystic fibrosis research and development. So far we’ve raised nearly $23 million dollars. Due to recent advances in gene and drug therapy, we are closer than ever to developing a viable treatment—but we need to continue important research and fund-raising to reach our goal of making CF a disease of the past.

Come join us March 1-4, 2012 for world-class skiing on the slopes of Vail, meet and compete with celebrities, and enjoy a weekend filled with skiing, entertainment, fine dining and fun. Your package for two will include:

Round-trip airfare to Vail, CO
Lodging at Vail Cascade Hotel and Club for 3 nights (double occupancy)
World-class skiing
Entertainment including a repeat performance of the always popular American Airlines All-Star Band and on Friday night, Sony Music presents Human Nature.
Fine Dining
Silent and live auctions providing a chance to raise funds in an informal, entertaining and very social setting
An incredible array of gifts – including ski equipment, apparel and accessories, and a whole lot more.
We’ll even arrange your ground transportation for you as part of your package.

I took a look at the rates and a package for two is about $12,500.  The auction ends January 17 and the current bid is 294,000 AAdvantage Miles.  Go here for more info or to place your bid.

Not sure which celebrities are attending, but it’s an easy guess which celebrity won’t be there.

If you’d rather not ski with celebrities, American is offering their biggest ski sale of the season:

Forget the hustle and bustle of the big city and head for the slopes. American Airlines has great deals on flights to ski destinations. These fares won’t last long! Purchase your tickets by January 23, 2012, for travel between January 16, 2012, and April 2, 2012.

Fares range from $115 to $239 each way.  Go here for the full list of fares and destinations.

Last month American started non-stop service to Aspen from Dallas and Los Angeles and they’re offering Double AAdvantage Miles:

Airline: American Eagle

Award: Bonus Miles

Bonus Code: ASE2X

Dates: Travel between December 15, 2011, and March 15, 2012

Offer: Starting December 15, 2011, American Eagle will offer daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles or Dallas/Fort Worth and Aspen, CO. To celebrate, you can earn double miles every time you fly our new route through March 15, 2012.

Register using promo code ASE2X before you travel.  You can go here to sign up or to read the complete terms and conditions.

I’ve been on the road but finally got back home and that’s where I plan to spend my weekend.  Whether you do the same, or instead go skiing, or head out on a mileage run to take advantage of the three day weekend and the Double Elite Qualifying Miles offer before it’s expires January 31, have a good weekend.