Double Elite Miles from AAdvantage, Mileage Run Tools, and some AA.com Geekery

 AAdvantage President Maya Leibman

UPDATE:  You can combine this promo with existing double elite miles promo for DFW-LAX/SFO & ORD-LAX/SFO routes.   See this milepoint post from American Airlines and read more from Gary at View from the Wing  “American’s Double Elite Qualifying Mile Promotions are STACKABLE” on View from the Wing.

This will make a lot of people happy, just in time for the end of the year rush to earn, maintain, or move up in status, this email arrived in my inbox from outgoing (and maybe the best ever) President of the AAdvantage Program Maya Leibman and from her replacement, Suzanne Rubin:

As my last act as outgoing president of the AAdvantage program, and as a great introduction to the new president – Suzanne Rubin, we decided to give you what you’ve been asking for (yes, I heard you already! Now, drumroll, please…) Double Elite Qualifying Miles for travel worldwide on American Airlines!

Earn Double Elite-Qualifying Miles For Travel
Between December 13, 2011, And January 31, 2012

We hope this will give you the boost you need to re-qualify for AAdvantage Elite status or get 2012 off to a great start! Simply register prior to travel and you’ll be on your way!

From everyone at American, thank you for flying with us.  We look forward to seeing you on board soon.

If you’re going to plan a mileage run, here’s something that you’ll want to know: the original ITA Software Matrix is gone and has been replaced by a new (and less usable) version, and the Farecompare FlyerTalk tool is no longer available.

The ITA Software Matrix has been replaced by a newer version that’s kind of kludgy.   Gary over at View from the Wing pans it in a review and suggest Hipmunk as an alternative.

As for the Farecompare FlyerTalk tool, it’s offline and according the the Farecompare site, it’s being replaced, though there’s no word on when that’s supposed to happen.

So Hipmunk, Kayak, and even AA.com might be your best bet for finding a good fare that yields a decent CPM.

Speaking of AA.com, here’s something new that I noticed: an upgraded flight status tool.  Here’s a look:

 

The best feature is that it helps you track your incoming flight information. So if you’re flight’s delayed and you want to know where it’s coming from, now you’ll be able to see that information at AA.com:

 

Back to the Double Elite Qualifying Miles offer:

Double Elite Qualifying Miles. Everywhere We Fly.
Reach AAdvantage Elite Status Faster

Airline: American Airlines
Award: Double Elite-Status Qualifying Miles

Bonus Code: DEQAA
Dates: Travel between December 13, 2011, and January 31, 2012
Offer: Reach AAdvantage elite status faster than ever with this offer!

Travel on American Airlines or American Eagle anywhere we fly from December 13, 2011, through January 31, 2012. You’ll earn double elite-qualifying miles, the miles that bring you closer to AAdvantage elite status membership – at an accelerated rate. It’s our way of saying “thank you” for your loyalty!

According to the terms and conditions, “(t)his offer does not increment the member’s prize eligible mileage balance” for the bonus, so your bonus miles won’t count toward AAdvantage Elite Member Rewards.

But the good news is that but the good new is that “travel booked prior to the start date of this promotion is eligible.”

Go here to register using promo code DEQAA and to read the full details.

So anybody planning a mileage run?

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Image credits: AAdvantage Geek on Flickr

Maya Leibman image created using a photo from American Airlines.