What would you choose?

Happy Friday everyone!

We were having a discussion in the office today, and wanted to get the opinion of some of our most loyal and knowledgeable members.
Imagine you could design our next AAdvantage promotion. Except for miles and upgrades (we know you’re already crazy for those!), what would you choose as the reward?

Besides miles and upgrades!? You just had to make it difficult didn't you....

Some random thoughts:

• Lifetime AC membership, lifetime free beverages in coach, lifetime Priority AAccess. Stick "lifetime" in front of anything and people will go bananas for the promotion.
• How about something simple like unique AA memorabilia? You've got a massive headquarters with lots of things probably sitting around collecting dust. Is there something interesting and fun that might be fun for a loyal flyer to have? Collect 5/6 relics of AA's history and hand them out to someone.
• 1 year of 5 Star Service free of charge. Maybe trade this off with an understanding that the individual has to give a testimonial (YouTube video? Article in American Way?).
• People love to be recognized, so how about offer to write up and profile a loyal customer in American Way?
• How about a year of free wi-fi?
• And then there is always a good ole fashioned discount on a flight (20%? 30%?)

It's always great to give feedback, though at the end of the day most people want the miles and status. It's in our DNA.

We like a good challenge!

Thanks for the great ideas David.

I answered on the other site too, but thought up some more

* wifi passes would be great
* a RTW trip on oneworld airlines
* some kind of "day in the life" prize -- show them around HQ, hang out with Arpey (!), or Maya or whoever they prefer
* I'll admit I'm a bit of a weirdo, but I'd have a blast designing a first class meal and getting my name on a menu for a month for it
* Some limited edition/very exclusive swag -- t-shirt, jacket, pens, pins -- something you can't get another way

This is fun to think about...

voucher good for five star service would be really valuable to me...

Here are some ideas for rewards that could be distributed in large quantities and could be fulfilled electronically:
-Drink certificates
-On-board food certificates
-Carry over of unused elite qualifying miles to next year
-Donation to nominated charity
-Opportunity to convert past earned miles to elite qualifying miles
-Gift certificate for passenger to give to AA employee of choice
-Discount voucher for hotel/car rental partner
-Admiral's lounge pass

Here are some ideas for rewards the could be distributed in large quantities but would need to be fulfilled via mail or via redemption of a voucher at an AA physical location:
-Holiday ornament
-Polo shirt
-Ziplock bag with logo for carry-on liquids

Love it!

* smacks forehead*

Brilliant, of course! Duh!

AA Grand Slam

DOUBLE brilliant!

Lifetime Executive Platinum Status, Oneworld RTW trip, Swags, Trail for Five Star service..

Dear Friends at AA, there are plenty of good stuff besides miles and upgrades!!! If you choose at least one of the list I'm going to suggest I'll be extremely happy!!!

1 - Lifetime Executive Platinum Status
2 - Lifetime Admiral's Club Membership
3 - Lifetime Five Star Services
4 - Lifetime Concierge Key
5 - Liftime GOGO Inlfight Internet
6 - Discount Codes starting from 50% and above
7 - For every MM customer put the name on a Plane 1st class Seat accordinly ie: 1MM = Seat on 737/ 2MM = Seat on 757/ 3MM Seat on 762/ 4MM = Seat on 763 / 5MM = Seat on 777 / 6MM seat on 787
8 - Elite Status as a gift
9 - Ride in the cockpit with the pilot!!! LOL !!! Like that is gonna happen!!!
10 - Personalized Membership Cards and lugagge tags! Ie. New Qantas lugagge Tag
11 - Time in AA simulator! "That's my dream!!! I'd just do anything to try landing a 763/777 on an AA Simulator"
12 - A exclusive cocktail in AC.
13 - Flagship day passes no matter the destination
14 - Gifts such as Calendar, Agenda, etc. USefull stuff for execs.
15 - No Blackout dates for MileSaaver Award

And the list goes on... Would you like some more???

That would be amazing to carry on those unused miles/points to compute as elite miles and points for the next year.

Well done Rob!!!

Experiental/high-quality rewards that would be in a limited number:
-A retired AA plane seat
-Opportunity for a pre-flight briefing with pilots
-Behind the scenes airport tour
-Catered lunch for office or friends - AA in-flight food served by AA flight attendent
-Bose head phones
-Opportunity to make boarding announcements
-Wireless travel mouse
-Free travel on inaugual flight of new plane or new route.
-Birthday party at airport/lounge
-Case of pretzels
-Set of AA dinnerware

Does anyone know how this has worked out for DL? Don't they offer roll over? Have their elites liked it, or have they found it had negative consequences?

If it has DL in front if it I don't usually pay attention, so I'm clueless.....

This seems like it wouldn't work out too well, so how about a simplified version: name a plane after someone.

It worked for UA recently, I'm sure it would make an AAer happy, too.

I look forward to riding on AA's 777, the Eloy Fonseca Neto, in the future.

A model of the 777, my favorite aircraft.

I'd have to agree with the concept of an AA Grand Slam.

But I don't know if AA has that lot of planes for its MM members, that's why I suggest 1st class seats!!!

I want to ride the Eloy Fonseca Neto in the future too, but it better be a 747-8 Intercontinental!!!

I'd second Eloy's suggestion of fewer blackout dates on MileSAAver Awards for elites, or maybe an annual voucher to get a MileSAAver award-level exemption for a flight/date/route that doesn't have any available. That would convince me to make elite status again this year, and it wouldn't make too much of a dent in revenue.

I like your picture... The Old Varig from my home country!!!

Since many here have great ideas, I want to throw something that hasn't been mentioned.

How about letting a customer be an FA for a flight? Of course, this person would be in addition to the required number of FAs for the flight. I think this would be quite an experience.

Now that is an interesting proposition. Wonder if the chosen one would come back with a fresh outlook on what it takes to be a FA. I could only do it if it was not an early morning schedule as I don't get up early for any reason.

Don't really have anything to contribute but I really like the idea of discounts for flights, AA version of Gland Slam, and carry over of elite miles.

This may not be the right place for this and I am more than happy to start another threat for it but since the AA representative started this one I know they will see it and I would like to see if others would agree with this.

For those of us with systemwide upgrades or 500 mile upgrades we aren't using for whatever reason. Could there be an option to donate them back to AA with the assurance that these upgrades will be provided to servicemen returning home? These people risk there lives for us and if there is a way I can help them to get home in business class or first class I am more than happy to give my upgrades to make this happen. I know it is not much given what they do for us but at least it is something we can do to help them come home in more comfort than just coach.