This is going to be unpopular (perhaps not as unpopular as this or this), but I’m still going to say it.
I’m very puzzled at the outpouring of righteous anger on this 212,000+ views, 190 page FlyerTalk thread and elsewhere by folks disappointed that they won’t get 83,871 miles AAdvantage miles for a $60 (or less) purchase from the AAdvantage shopping mall.
Frugal Travel Guy is also disappointed about not receiving 83,871 miles from the AAdvantage shopping mall.
But as Online Travel Review points out, everyone in the FlyerTalk thread knew that this was most likely a mistake!
In fact, a quick skim through the first 2 pages shows that the legitimacy of this “deal” was questionable.
Here’s what post #9 by KevinInRI on the FIRST PAGE of the thread says (bolding mine):
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the T&C states that miles are not earned on accessory purchases from Verizon:
Reward eligible for reward plans only (new service, family share, add a line, upgrade and prepay) reward is not eligible on accessories.
But a lot of folks decided to take a chance by purchasing an item in the hope of 83,871 miles.
And they lost.
There are 2 possible approaches to take in such situations:
1. Give me my 83,871 $%$ miles, NOW. Yes, you can threaten to sue and to get a class action lawsuit certified. You can point out how unfair it is that when you make a mistake you have to pay for it. You can threaten to never fly American Airlines again. And grumble and work yourself into ill health about an obvious mistake.
2. Realize that you make mistakes too. We all make mistakes. Sometimes our mistakes go unnoticed, or don’t cause any harm or inconvenience. Sometimes we’re not so lucky. But we ALL make mistakes. If you don’t make mistakes, you’re probably not trying hard enough.
Now, you can live your life by getting upset about every mistake someone else makes and all the (alleged) injustice heaped upon you. But in my opinion, that’s just a recipe for unhappiness.
It is much better to be grateful and realize how fortunate we are, and how lucky we are to have the opportunities which we do.
And to be graceful when someone else makes an innocent mistake, knowing that we’d like (but not demand) the same courtesy extended to us.
Why you shouldn’t complain if you didn’t get 83,871 miles
1. View From The Wing gave this a less than 20% chance of working out.
2. A quick skim of the FlyerTalk thread shows that the Terms and Conditions made it unlikely that you’ll see any miles.
3. There were no equivalent offers on the other mileage mall sites indicating that this was a mistake only on the AAdvantage shopping portal.
4. Only a few products on the AAdvantage mall were offering 83,871 AAdvantage miles which was clearly a mistake since similar Verizon offerings on the same page were either offering no miles or a much lower amount of miles.
5. Cartera Commerce which runs the AAdvantage shopping mall realized that this was a mistake and pulled the page within a day.
Bottom Line:
Mistakes happen. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose.
Much better, in my opinion, to move on to the next deal and not get too excited about being unable to profit from an obvious mistake/loophole that was quickly shut down.
But if you still want AAdvantage miles to have Big Travel with Small Money, you can apply for 2 Citibank AAdvantage credit cards and get 150,000 AAdvantage miles.
What do you think? Time to move on or is this worth fighting about?
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- How I got 201,900 Priority Club Points + 2 free hotel nights for $70
Please ignore: USP6D889AC3F
I have earned and redeemed millions of airline miles and hotel points to travel the world for free. Now I'm blogging to help more people do the same! 
I made a $5 purchase just to test the waters and see what I would actually end up with, which appears to be nothing, nada, zero. But not upset at all. It was clearly a mistake. And besides, we take advantage of the mileage programs all the time with the bonus bumps, churns, and things like that. So it all evens out.
But Gary’s blog has excellent analysis about airline internet malls and how little recourse there is when it is NOT a mistake fare. Caveat emptor.
Glad you said this. Could not agree more. The Flyertalk thread has shown me the greedy and weird dark side of the mileage junkie’s mind. Pretty gross.
I can’t stand this blog. Nothing original and creates a lot of damage.
… moved on already
This is SO not worth grumbling about! Totally agree with you. 190 + pages on Flyertalk??? Geez – some people value their time so little…
I totally agree, reading the flyertalk thread is naseating! Like Kalboz, I moved on already and just happy to get my 10,000 AA miles! (5000 for me and 5000 for my hubby).
Even I posted on View from the Wing that day “That last sentence makes me think they may NOT honor because these are considered ACCESSORIES. However, this info is not mentioned anywhere near the 83,000 plus miles”
THEN
114.Mooper said,
@worldtrveller2 – Those terms are printed next to and logically apply to the “1258 miles” offer for new plans/accounts. It isn’t related to the 83K+ offer for the accessory in question. After all, how can you have a “plan” for an accessory?”
At that point I knew there were going to be those crazies out there!
To me, it’s just a game, you win some, you lose some, you just move on to the next deal!
It true. Time to move on and work on something else that will earn miles
judge not lest ye be judged
This post, coming from someone (millionmilesecrets) who originally said they thought the 83,000 mile offer was ridiculous, then decided to jump on the bandwagon and buy something as everyone else did, is now saying move on. You are all over the board millionmilesecrets!!
Why don’t YOU come up with something ORIGINAL to earn miles instead of just copy and pasting ways you have read from other blogs!!!!
@Carl – You’re right that it evens out, though I suspect that we get the better deal most of the time! I read Gary’s posts on the airline malls, and it is quite scary how it is extremely hard to get any resolution when things go bad!
@Linda – I don’t think the FT thread is representative of everyone who collects miles, but it is a little amusing (or gross) to read through that thread.
@Delete this! - Thanks for reading! What type of original content would you like to see?
@Kalboz , @Shari, @worldtraveller2 & @David Gutierrez - I don’t have the time to go through all 190 pages, and would rather move on to something else which will earn miles and points. I agree that it is just a game – and you shouldn’t be a sore loser if you’re not allowed to take advantage of a mistake.
@Greg - Good reminder. I’ll admit to not being perfect, and would hope that others provide me with feedback when they feel I need it!
@Eric M – I did say that the likelihood of getting 83,871 AAdvantage miles was extremely low. However, I’m not sure how you’ve come to the conclusion that I participated in the offer?
I’m just suggesting that this was a mistake, and it is time to move on, so I don’t see how this puts me “all over the board!”
What type of content would you like me to write about?
Couldn’t have said it better Darius. I’m sure some of these folks are going to have just as hard a time when thy find out Santa Claus doesn’t exist either.
Sorry Darius again you miss the entire point again. The issue here is not 83,000 miles. Who gives a shi_. I’ve been around long enough to know sometimes you win sometimes you lose. The issue here is a well respected airline allowing their name to be used on the website AAdvantage eShopping Mall and accepting absolutely zero responsibility for the contents of that website according to a letter I’ve seen from their senior legal department. The website should be called the Catera Commerce eShopping Mall and you know it. Too many people are passing the buck here regardless if I knew or anybody knew it was a mistake or not. That is not the primary issue here.
If you can’t learn to stand for something Darius, you will fall for anything. American Airlines is the one responsible for that website. THEIR NAME is on the front door. And when they (Ameircan Airlines) own it and come to me with an offer and apology, I will gladly move on. Until then, I’ll stand for something and continue to wish you had the guts to do so as well.
@HikerT – Ha! You mean my parents were putting those presents under the tree?!
@rick ingersoll – I DO stand for something – namely, to be gracious when someone makes a mistake and to NOT expect an “offer” to make things right!
I also don’t believe that those who bought a pair of headphones or a phone charger are owed 83,871 AA miles. This may not be a popular stance, but it is a stand nonetheless – and taking an unpopular position usually require more guts than taking a popular position.
If we extend your argument that American Airlines should be responsible for EVERY situation where their name is used, you could have a situation where you dine at a restaurant (which offers AA miles for dining) and then complain to American Airlines because you found the food disappointing. I don’t think that is a reasonable argument to make.
I’m curious to learn what AA could do to rectify this situation for you?
Worldtraveller2, how did you get the 5K points? I spent $5 and would be very happy with that outcome, but I haven’t seen anything post…. do I need to lodge a complaint to receive compensation?
What AA could do to rectify is simple? Accept responsibility and make a reasonable “middle ground” offer as I have been advocating from day one. If AA owns the site, and is responsible for the site, as they should be, I should be dealing with AA not Catera whatever. When we get their apology for the screw up and an offer, I’ll fold like a cheap suit, but have stood for something called “corporate accountability”
And they and all the other airline websites may possibly be a little more careful in the future.
@rick ingersoll – Thanks for explaining your position.
However, I don’t think a “middle ground” offer is warranted in this case. Most folks who read the FlyerTalk thread know the value of 83K AA miles, and shouldn’t have expected to get it for $60 or $5.
Folks were trying to take advantage of someone’s mistake, and while an apology from Cartera would be nice, I don’t believe that compensation is warranted in this case. But reasonable persons can disagree.
I find your blog to be quite original and for those that think you just copy and paste, all of the blogs pretty much link to each other.
What makes them worth reading is their unique style, appearance, and tone. I like this blog because it has such an uplifting tone in a community full of grouches and know-it-alls.
We will agree to disagree again, and your previous posts clearly supports my position. When you get a bad meal at Joe’s Diner, it is Joe that owes you an apology and has the responsibility to make things right, not the airline where he earns his bonus miles because he is enrolled in the Rewards Network. Joe’s name is on the door just as American’s name os on the website. An apologyor offer from Catera means nothing and is worth nothing. I’m doing business with American Airlines and eating at Joe’s Diner. And when Joe Average American walks into that diner or that eShopping Mall, he has the right to deal with the guy who’s name is on the door when something goes awry.
I have recently lost a lot of respect for you, Rick.
Really upset with your stance here… If they can get away with this what stops them from denying someone five points per dollar… An a
Ology and middle ground should of been in the works since day one.
I agree with Rick someone Needs to accept responsibility … I will give them there six to eight weeks and at that point start with them. If they reach out before then and offer something even better
I am with you on this one too Darius. It is sad to see the level people are stooping to on this one. And Rick I respect your blog but sorry I think you are just play in the wrong here and it’s time to get off yer high horse and move on.
Actually my hope is all these folks who think they are entitled to something do hire a lawyer and waste thousands of $$$s being taught a lesson that some things have no leg to stand on. Always a better lesson learned the hard way!
Rick wrote: “The issue here is a well respected airline allowing their name to be used on the website AAdvantage eShopping Mall and accepting absolutely zero responsibility for the contents of that website”
Here’s what you posted on your blog after encouraging your readership to get in on this obvious error:
Anonymous said…
Has anyone emailed eshopping about this?? Just curious..
August 11, 2011 5:19 PM
FrugalTravelGuy said…
anon: we don’t call them. let them sort it out and make a decision on how they want to handle it
August 11, 2011 6:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Can not. Really?
August 14, 2011 2:12 AM
Is doesn’t sound like you cared that much about AA’s reputation at the time! Is it really that hard to admit to what’s going on here? That post on your blog speaks volumes. Why not focus more on your own reputation and the contents of your own website? If there is any legitimate legal action here it might be AA or AA shopping coming after you for attempted fraud / extortion.
@Rick:
Give me a break.
You said:
“When we get their apology for the screw up and an offer, I’ll fold like a cheap suit, but have stood for something called “corporate accountability”.
You are pretty transparent and actually what you appear to be standing for is righteousness and greed. Somehow, if there was no potential apology bonus I don’t think you’d care too much about corporate accountability. Time to get real.
I appreciate your blog and have followed it, but I too, have lost a great deal of respect for you over this.
My respect for you keeps growing, because of your sense of fairness, and your willingness to post things that may make you unpopular with some.
I can tell that you would make an excellent friend, or business partner, based on your sense of fairness. I hope to meet you someday, ideally whilst in 1 A&K and 2 A&K on British Airways.
P.S. I am still weighing the arguments in my own mind, of graciousness when others make a mistake, versus corporate accountability when others make a mistake. I may not be quite as gracious as you… yet.
I meant my respect for you keeps growing, Darius.
As for Rick, I like him alot, too. I think you are both extremely valuable to me and others, and you both make good points on this particular issue.
@Rick:
Correction to the above: What you appear to be standing for is SELF- righteousness and greed.
@Carl – I agree that each blog contributes – in its own way – to our understanding of miles & points. And as you point out, we’ve got different ways of doing that!
@rick Ingersoll – Life would be boring if we all agreed with each other all the time!
@Michael – Hasn’t Cartera “accepted responsibility” by posting on MilePoint that this was a mistake and no one is going to get 83,871 miles?
@Wow, @Phil, @HikerT, @Linda – I appreciate your support. But I can also see the argument which Rick makes that, in general, corporations need to ‘fess up to their mistakes. However, I don’t think anyone who ordered headphones after reading it on FlyerTalk was an average person who entered into the transaction unknowingly.
That said, I still do respect Rick and his contributions. We just disagree on this issue!
@Chris – Thanks, Chris. I’m very lucky to have loyal readers like you.
Ha! We should have enough miles to meet where you propose someday!
I’m not saying there should be no corporate accountability, its just that in this case most folks who bought the headphones and charger knew exactly what they were doing. And so shouldn’t be looking to be “made whole” again.
I’m all for corporate accountability when it comes to things that really matter, such as dumping toxins in the air or water, intentionally misleading the public on health risks, negligence etc. I just don’t see how corporate responsibility applies in the AA mall case where folks knowingly bought a mis-priced product.
What’s with all this loss of respect. Why is it not possible to disagree passionately on the “issue”. I am Democrat, but if Rick or Darius were Tea Party members, I would not have any less respect for them due to our political differences. Why is this any different? I think someone here posted that Rick should get off his high horse. The irony in that statement alone speaks volumes to me. Let’s just respect each other as “people” and disagree on the “issues”.
Greg R
Austin, TX
Next problem – ignoring the AA versus Cartera versus Joe’s Diner responsibility issue – what about the olive branch email offer some received? It’s illogical and unfair for Cartera to offer 2500 miles to some people but not others who did made the exact same purchases.
@Greg – you make a fair point. Live and let live I guess!
@ArizonaGuy – I’m guessing they did the math and realized it wasn’t worth giving 2500 miles (~$25) to everyone who tried to capitalize on a mistake. Illogical? It would be illogical to throw good money after bad. Unfair? Yep, there was similar wailing and gnashing of teeth on FT after Chase pulled the plug on the 50K sapphire bump, albeit to a lesser scale.
I WANT THOSE MILES NOW. I’M SITTING HERE PULLING MY HAIR OUT BECAUSE I WANT THOSE MILES. THEY’RE ME MILES, I BOUGHT THE $2 GADGET AND I WANT MY 89,762 FRICKIN MILES.! IF I DON’T GET THEM I’M GOING TO SIT HERE AND HOLD MY BREATH UNTIL I DO GET MY MILES. OR I”LL START A CLASS ACTION SUIT SO WE CAN ALL GET OUR MILES. I KNOW I’M AN UNGRATEFUL IDIOT, SO WHAT, BIG WHOOP, WANNA FIGHT ABOUT IT. I THINK THIS IS RANTING IS REALLY A DEEPER PROBLEM THAT I HAVE. BUT I DON’T CARE, GIVE ME MY MILES!
It is really surprising that people are getting so worked up about this. This was OBVIOUSLY a mistake. True, sometimes these mistakes slip by, and sometimes you get lucky. Thus, I think it makes sense for some people to have taken the risk hoping to get the miles. But I would be surprised if anyone who did this actually thought there was a high likelihood they would get that many miles.
I agree that it seems appropriate for AA to stand behind their mistake with some type of apology and compensation. But a simple form letter apology response and 500 miles or so would be more than enough.
@HikerT – there’s a difference between the Sapphire extra 50K and the AA deal. Sapphire targeted that 50K bump, unsolicited. In AA’s case, everyone purchased based on an offer (mistake offer or not isn’t the point). If that offer is invalid, then everyone should have been notified, not just some people. It doesn’t matter whether that notification included a peace offering or simply explained the error and/or the refund policy. If a realization was made that the initial peace offering is too costly, then modify it. Don’t leave everyone else in the dark.
I never really expected the 83k miles, but now I am disappointed in not being a recipient of the 2500 mile offering. I was also a buyer of the headphones so I also have to deal with the return and waiving the restocking fee.
While I never really expected the 83K miles, that is because I read about it on these blogs. Imagine some person who is actually just flipping through e-shopping and comes across this deal. They haven’t been warned by the flyertalk thread. They may have a “legitimate” gripe here. Not to the 83K here, but definitely to at least the 2500 + 2500 offer. Also, I wonder why they can make that offer to some customers and not others. At that point they’re acknowledging a mistake and offering a make-good, yet they’re only offering it to a select few (and nobody can figure out their criteria for that). Why wouldn’t everybody who bought anything be entitled to that offer once it’s out there?
LOL!
Keep up the good work Daraius.
Rick has really lost my respect over this entire debacle. There was a middle ground offered: 2500 miles and a full refund. This is entirely fair considering the mistake made.
Rick – you know all the links you have promoting SPG AMEX on your website? When placing those on your website, say you accidentally entered a 3,000,000 sign up bonus rather than 30,000. Who is responsible? AMEX? SPG? Of course not. Your blog would be responsible. Why does AA all of a sudden become responsible because of a bad affiliate offer?
Darius – I do applaud you for allowing that interchange between the two of you. Rick, who never approves a comment that doesn’t support what he’s written, would NEVER let such comments appear on his blog. Kudos to you !
FtPOL,
One answer as to why AA may want to take some responsibility, is because the name of the website is “AAdvantage eShopping Mall”, with approved AA branding all over it.
The name of Rick’s blog is not “American Express Card Center”, and it is clear that you are not doing business with American Express whilst on his blog, unlike with the AAdvantage eShopping Mall.
@ Rick- give me a break. I have read your blogs for a while now (and really enjoy them). I will continue to read your blogs but I agree with a lot of people that have posted comments that you have lost a lot of credibility.
The majority, if not everyone that has bought from the site knew the miles were a mistake. You even said you were going to TAKE A CHANCE on it. Now there you are crying that they should take more responsibility. Anyone with common sense (and i still put you in that category) knew it was a mistake and should have taken the high road of 1) not purchasing something they would normally have no interest in purchasing or 2) purchase it in hopes of getting the miles and when that doesnt happen, accept it. Now you want them to make things “right” with everyone that made a purchase. How about the fact everyone should have done the “right” thing and not purchased it when they knew it was a mistake.
You have people of FT saying that they had no knowledge it was a mistake? Please dont tell me you agree with that and you expect your readers to be that stupid.
Would you still be making a big stink about it if the mistake came from American Express (where you receive benefits)?
@ rick
you are a shill for the Chase, AMEX, Hyatt and everyone else you advertise on your website. Anything negative that people try and post on your site never sees the day of light. If Darius had posted the same things on your site, nobody would ever be able to see it or comment on it. We would still be on comment #4 if you had written the same things.
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I’m pretty new to collecting miles. I started at Flyertalk then onto reading a bunch of different blogs. I like this one, Million Mile Secrets, also Mommy points, Points Guy, Free Frequent Flyer Miles. Rick @ frugal travel guy has always come across as a happy talking used car salesman trying to get me to buy something (click through his links). Just an observation FWIW.
Rick does advertise his links, but he’s got nothing on The Points Guy.
Have you seen how many links his posts have? He manages to make every post have at least 1 credit card referal link, even if the post is completely unrelated. I don’t trust him.