Bloggers and forum members are asking all kinds of questions now that American Airlines changed their policy starting in December to get into their Million Miler program. One of the reasons they may be doing this is to promote their new Elite Mastercard which has a large annual fee and provides no real extra benefits besides no foreign transaction fees which many cards promote now. Possibly they are hoping people will stop using their regular no-fee cards and pay for the Elite Card.

We certainly hope that the miles we have earned will not go away somehow towards Million Miler and according to their facts they will not. But what about the miles earned this year and before from credit cards (not Elite) when it comes to becoming a Million Miles in the next year or after?

Your commitment to American Airlines is extraordinary and we sincerely thank you for your loyalty.

We are pleased to announce the new AAdvantage ® Million MilerSM program which recognizes and rewards AAdvantage members when Million Miler thresholds are reached. Starting December 1, 2011, AAdvantage base miles earned by flying on American Airlines, American Eagle ® or the AmericanConnection ® carrier or any eligible AAdvantage program participating airline will count towards Million Miler status. Also, as a limited time offer, one AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent on eligible purchases using the new Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage ® World EliteTM MasterCard ® credit card that post to billing statements through December 2012 will count toward Million Miler status*. The Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage ® World EliteTM MasterCard ® credit card account must be open and in good standing by December 1, 2011.

You will enjoy the following benefits when you attain Million Miler status:
At one million (1,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Gold ® status and 35,000 AAdvantage bonus miles**
At two million (2,000,000) Million Miler miles, AAdvantage members will receive lifetime AAdvantage Platinum ® status and four (4) one-way systemwide upgrades
At each additional Million Miler mark, members will receive four (4) additional one-way systemwide upgrades
Your beginning Million Miler balance on December 1, 2011, will include every AAdvantage mile you ever earned in the AAdvantage program. This Program to Date balance is currently reflected in your AAdvantage account on AA.com. On December 1, 2011, you will be able to view the details of your Million Miler activity in your AAdvantage account on AA.com separately from your AAdvantage award miles, so you can track your progress toward reaching this special designation.

For frequently asked questions, visit AA.com/MillionMiler. We thank you for your loyalty and look forward to seeing you on board soon.