(Note:  Don’t miss the post about today’s other AA contest)

If you like to take photos with your mobile phone, you’ll love this latest mobile sweepstakes:

Get Mobile. Get Moving.
Share a photo for a chance to win two round-trip tickets or a weekly prize.
Each week for four weeks, we’ll serve up a theme inspired by our mobile products that are designed to keep you in the know. Snap a picture
based on the weekly theme and submit it to be entered for a chance to win a Nikon DSLR camera we’re giving away weekly, or an epic trip.
You can submit photos once a week via Facebook, Twitter, email or Instagram, or by uploading them here.

More details from the press release:

Each week during the sweepstakes period, a different American mobile product will be featured as participants are invited to consider various travel-related questions, including:

Week 1: Where do you want to go? You can book your flight to get there at mobile.AA.com.
Week 2: Who do you want to go with you? You can easily keep everyone updated on your travel plans with American’s mobile notifications.
Week 3: What will you bring with you? You will always have your travel information available with American’s mobile app.
Week 4: How do you want to get there? When you fly on American you can have your boarding pass sent directly to your mobile device.

Four weekly winners will each receive a Nikon D3000 digital camera and the grand-prize winner with 280,000 AAdvantage miles. The sweepstakes runs through Sept. 27.

Go here to enter. Good luck!

Here’s a new contest from American Airlines to promote their partnership with Major League Soccer and their status as the Official Airline of MLS:

Soccer Family Vacation

You could win a trip anywhere in the continental US and $1,000 to spend on Soccer.com. All you have to do is tell us about your dream family vacation and how you would spend the money on Soccer.com.

The grand prize includes:

• Air travel for 4 within the continental US
• 4-nights accommodations
• $1,000 gift card for Soccer.com
• $500 gift card

To enter, visit the contest site, submit your AAdvantage number and answer these questions:

1) “What is the best family vacation destination in the U.S.?

2) in one hundred and forty (140) characters or less: “why is the location you chose in question “1” the best family vacation destination in the U.S.?”

3) “How would you spend $1,000 on soccer.com?”

Don’t sweat your answer, according to the rules:

There is no right or wrong response to questions, as it is a matter of each Entrant’s sole opinion. Upon submitting your response and clicking the “Continue” button, you will receive one (1) entry into the Promotion.

The approximate retail value is $7,250 and the winner is responsible for taxes.

The deadline for submitting entries is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on 11/30/11.  Go here to read the rules.  Go here to enter.  Good luck!

Quick update: American is upgrading the travel experience for those at the front of the plane:

This is your flight, and your time for relaxation and rest. Designed with your comfort and convenience in mind, we are rolling out a suite of new travel amenities on the American Airlines Flagship Experience between the U.S. and London Heathrow beginning September 1.

The full suite of products will be available on long-haul international flights operated by Boeing 777s and 767-300s, in addition to select flights to and from Europe operated by Boeing 757s, beginning October 1.

Only U.S. Airline To Offer Suite Of Amenity Products In First Class
American Airlines is proud to be the only U.S. airline to offer First Class customers a soft, quilted bed topper, cozy duvet, slippers for lounging and comfortable pajamas.

Onboard our Boeing 777 aircraft, wrap up in a light-weight day blanket while you enjoy movies on demand. When ready to retire, you will appreciate our new turndown service.

Plus, our seat design provides you the personal freedom to comfortably recline or lie flat to sleep.

First Class And Business Class
All premium cabin customers will receive our newly redesigned amenity kit featuring an authentic Eames Office design pattern.

The kit is packed with thoughtfully compiled items for your health and comfort such as exclusive Dermalogica skin care products, socks, eyeshades, earplugs, toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, tissues, towelette, comb and a pen.

While traveling in Business Class, you will also enjoy new slippers and a duvet that offers less bulk while still providing the warmth you’ve come to expect.

Makes me want to burn some miles just to try it.  Go here to read more and to see photos.

Found in the Forums

If you’re thinking about purchasing an new Admirals Club membership, here’s an offer that was posted by Fly2Where on FlyerTalk:

You are invited to become an Admirals Club member. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you can enjoy an oasis of peace – away from all the airport hustle. It’s easy to become a member, just register for the promotion by clicking on the Register button below using with promotion code QPM11. Then purchase your new annual Admirals Club membership by clicking on the Purchase Now button below by September 30, 2011 to earn 3,000 AAdvantage miles.

According to the offer page at AA.com:

This offer is valid only for the recipients of the AAdvantage August Quarterly Print Mailing Newsletter.

Last year I purchased a new Admirals Club membership using a similar bonus miles promotion code that was posted in the Admirals Club discounts master thread at FlyerTalk. That offer, like this one, was a targeted promotion and even though I had never received the offer I still received the bonus miles when I used the promo code. Your results may vary so be aware that you might not receive the miles if you didn’t receive this offer.

Also in the forums, unavaca posted this $100 discount on a new membership when you use promo code ACDM2Q. It too is probably a targeted offer, so no guarantee that it will work if you didn’t receive a promotion email.

Million Miler Status

American Airlines is moving forward with their plan to only count base miles earned on American Airlines flights or flights operated by one of their partners when calculating Million Mile status. This change goes in effect December 1.  If you’re trying to earn enough miles to make Million Miler status before then, visit Million Mile Secrets for a helpful list of strategies.

American partners with Frommer’s

American is going to start providing content provided by Frommer’s in the destination guides at AA.com:

American Airlines has joined with best-selling travel guide provider Frommer’s Unlimited, the B2B business of Frommer’s, to provide comprehensive destination content on American’s award-winning website, AA.com. With this rollout, AA.com now features travel-related information from Frommer’s for more than 170 domestic and international destinations served by American and American Eagle. Customers can learn more than ever about these great destinations and find the latest travel deals while researching their next trip.

A couple of other American Airlines news items:

American Airlines to Launch Nonstop Service Between John F. Kennedy International Airport In New York and V.C. Bird International Airport In Antigua.

Los Angeles To Shanghai – Up To Triple Miles. Offer Extended.

Here’s a big AAdvantage bonus offer for Priority Club Rewards members: Stay 4 or more nights at either The Venetian or The Palazzo and earn 5,000 AAdvantage Miles:

Who says you can’t have it all? When you register and book a four-or-more-night stay by October 31, 2011 to use for stays before December 15, 2011 at The Venetian or The Palazzo InterContinental Alliance Resorts, you’ll earn 5,000 bonus miles and enjoy a Las Vegas experience like no other.

The Venetian Las Vegas
Over 4,000 spacious suites, 19 extraordinary restaurants and 80 shops all combine to evoke the spirit of Venice.

The Palazzo Las Vegas
Palatial suites, electrifying entertainment and the world-famous Canyon Ranch SpaClub create an experience unlike any other.

I found rates in September at both hotels for around $400 per night and I was able to find rooms for about $279 during October, so the cost per mile for a four night stay is between 22 to 32 cents. That’s a pretty high CPM, but at least you’ll come back with miles.

To qualify for the bonus you’ll have to be a member of the Priority Club Rewards program and you’ll have to register for this offer in advance of making a reservation.   Here’s an important note from the terms and conditions:

Guests must book their qualifying reservation through IHG channels (brand websites or call centers) by October 31 to become eligible for the 5,000 bonus miles. Guests who book in any other way, including directly with The Venetian or The Palazzo, will be ineligible.

Go here to sign up or to review the complete terms and conditions of this offer.

American has made it official, non-elite status customers will now be able to purchase the more desirable window and aisle seats toward the front of the plane 24 hours before the departure of their flight.  

Till now, these seats have been reserved for full fare and AAdvantage elite customers and were unavailable to everyone else.  Full fare customers and those with AAdvantage elite status will still be able reserve these same seats as well as exit row seats for free, so there isn’t much change for them (other than the fact that there may be fewer of them available 24 hours before departure).

American is now calling the seats reserved for full fare and AAdvantage elite members Preferred Plus Seats:

• Reserved exclusively for premium and full-fare customers, Preferred Plus Seats are window and aisle seats toward the front of the aircraft and include exit row seats
• Preferred Plus Seats offer the same number of desirable seat options as always set aside for premium and full fare customers

The seats that become available for purchase 24 hours before departure are now called Preferred Seats:

• For customers interested in select aisle and window seats near the front of the main cabin, Preferred Seats are available for purchase as early as 24 hours prior to departure with prices beginning at $4 USD per flight
• Seats that were previously Express Seats are now Preferred Seats
• Preferred Seats can be purchased through AA.com, AA.com mobile, Self-Service Check-In machines and AA Reservations
• Premium and full-fare customers have complimentary access to Preferred Seats
• Preferred Seats are also complimentary for active U.S. military and their family members traveling on the same reservation

Go here for more information.

Yesterday I wrote about some of my favorite videos in the “Lights. Camera. Action.” contest that’s being sponsored by American Airlines and SCORE.

We asked small business owners to create a video telling us how flying benefits their business. Vote for your favorite and you could win 25,000 AAdvantage miles. Your vote will also help one company win up to 50 round-trip tickets and exposure to hundreds of potential customers.

Voting ends at noon central time on Friday, so you still have time for two more votes.

Among the several videos competing for votes are submissions from non-profit organizations, so for those that might want to cast a vote for a good cause I’ve put together this list (in no particular order):

Organization:  BLUE LOOP

Founded in 2005 by Pam Henry, mother of a child with type-1 diabetes, BlueLoop is a FREE online & mobile tool that connects the critical network of diabetes caregivers using instant messaging (via text & e-mail). Our goal is to stay FREE and reach families, schools & clinics around the world.

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Organization:  GREENERPUP
Greener Pup is a line of eco-friendly dog beds made of designer fabrics created by animal activist, celebrity interior designer Kari Whitman. Greener Pup beds are kind to the earth and give 100% of profits to Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue, saving thousands of abandoned and abused animals from euthanasia!

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Organization:  HOPE FORCE INTERNATIONAL
Hope Force International (HFI) equips and mobilizes thousands of volunteers for service into disaster and crisis areas around the world. HFI deploys responders on a moment’s notice when disaster strikes – most recently into the devastating tornado aftermath of Joplin, MO.

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Organization:  LIGHT OF THE WORLD CHARITIES
Light of the World Charities provide free surgical & dental care to the poor & sick, train local medical professionals, establish state of the art facilities & donate medical/surgical supplies & equipment to improve the quality of life worldwide.

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Organization:  LOYOLA PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Loyola Productions is a Los Angeles-based, nonprofit creative media company that capitalizes on the Jesuit tradition of innovation and excellence in communication. We create thought-provoking industrials, documentaries, web series, and mainstream TV and films that entertain and inspire.

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Organization:  MOBILE MEDICAL DISASTER RELIEF
Mobile Medical Disaster Relief operates internationally serving in the poorest communities with healthcare, water purification, sustainable agriculture and community development.  MMDR also immediately responds to international disasters where medical relief is necessary.

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Organization:  PLAY RUGBY, INC.
Play Rugby USA is an extraordinary wellness and prevention resource: Tackling the challenges facing America’s youth. As a fully credentialed 501(c)3 NPO we have partnered with 180 schools across 4 cities to impact the lives of 10,000 young people. Our mission is: “developing youth through rugby”.

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Organization:  PROJECT HARAMBEE, NFP
PROJECT HARAMBEE (Swahili “all pull together”) is a nonprofit organization assisting people in sub-Saharan Africa affected by HIV. Our development projects include small business funding, craft sales, scholarships, children’s health improvement & education links between groups here & in Africa.

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Organization:  REDISTRIBUTE
ReDistribute is a groundbreaking philanthropy that creates Hollywood films, puts them into theaters and then gives EVERY PENNY OF OUR PROFIT TO CHARITY. End of story. Period. With our first film, we expect to give over $40 million to Education Charities throughout the US.

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Organization:  SAFE TEAM
S.A.F.E. TEAM program is implemented to support family engagement and a safe-learning environment in every school so all students can achieve academic success. The goal is for each adult family member to volunteer at least one day of the school year and at school-related events.

Go here to see all the videos or for more information.

AAdvantage Million Miler status has long been an unofficial program that recognizes AAdvantage members for earning more than a million AAdvantage Miles by awarding them lifetime Gold or Platinum status.  All miles, whether earned with American Airlines or with a program partner, have till now, counted towards Million Mile Status.

For months there’s been speculation in the frequent flyer forums that there would be a changes to which miles would count towards earning Million Miler status.  Earlier this summer Maya Leibman, President of the AAdvantage Loyalty Program, confirmed that changes were being considered, and today American Airlines has made it official with this announcment:

The new AAdvantage Million Miler program recognizes and rewards AAdvantage members when Million Miler thresholds are achieved. Starting on December 1, 2011, 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 mile for every dollar spent on eligible purchases using the new Citi Executive / AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard credit card that post to billing statements through December 2012 will count toward Million Miler status. The Citi Executive / AAdvantage World Elite™ MasterCard credit card account must be open and in good standing by December 1, 2011.

AAdvantage Members will enjoy the following benefits when Million Miler status is reached:

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, AAdvantage members will receive four (4) additional one-way systemwide upgrades
For all members, your beginning Million Miler balance on December 1, 2011, will include every AAdvantage mile you ever earned in the program. This Program to Date balance is currently reflected in your AAdvantage account on AA.com. On December 1, 2011, Million Miler activity will be displayed in your AAdvantage account on AA.com separately from award miles so progress toward reaching this special designation can be easily tracked.

It’s a special honor to be recognized with Million Miler status – and it is our distinct pleasure to reward such loyalty.

By only counting miles earned flying with the airline, the changes bring the Million Miler program in line with similar programs offered at other airlines. I suspect that because of all the large credit card bonus offers it was becoming much easier to attain Million Mile status, and that in American’s view, the ranks of Million Milers had grown too large.

Back in May, milepoint forum founder Randy Peterson hosted a live chat with Maya Leibman giving members an opportunity to ask questions and the first one she was asked was “Are there any plans to modify or cancel the million miles program?”.

Her response was “(T)here is limited information we can share..(w)hat I can say is that if we decide to make changes to the program, we commit to clearly communicate to our members and provide as much advance notice as possible.”

True to her word, American is giving AAdvantage members 3 months advance notice of the changes, so few people should feel caught off guard by the changes.

I’ve still got some ways to go till I hit the Million Mile mark, so the changes don’t bother me. I’m sure others that are closer to achieving Million Miler status might feel differently, I know I would.

Some day, when I’ve got more miles behind me than ahead of me I hope to have Million Mile status, but for now I have many more places to go and many more AAdvantage Miles ahead of me and hopefully still more time for both, so as long as I at least maintain Gold status each year, I don’t see that the changes will make much difference to me right now.

Stay here and share your thoughts with a comment or follow the reaction in the milepoint or FlyerTalk forums.

American Airlines and SCORE partnered together to give small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations and opportunity to win free travel in the  American Airlines Business ExtrAA “Flights. Camera. Action.” contest:

We asked small business owners to create a video telling us how flying benefits their business. Vote for your favorite and you could win 25,000 AAdvantage miles. Your vote will also help one company win up to 50 round-trip tickets and exposure to hundreds of potential customers.

Voting ends Friday and for fun, I decided to put together of list of some of my favorites with the first (and only) AAdvantageGeek Video Awards:

Award:  Best Direction - For best production quality, interesting editing, and best use of music.

Winner:  YAK FILMS.
The first time I saw this video, I was compelled to watch it again. I’ve watched it several times since then. Very cool. Nicely done.

Runner up:  PARALLEL MEDIA.
High quality video, looks like a television ad you might see while watching a golf tournament.

Award:  The Importance of Being Earnest – Given for sincerity and believability.

Winner: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT ADVOCATES
Straight forward approach.  I know people that would pay a lot of money in order to come across this authentic.

Runner up: EXHIBITVIEW SOLUTIONS, LLC
Perfect pitch. Can’t fake this kind of enthusiasm or energy. Very appealing.

Award:  Hometown Favorite – Given to a Dallas-Ft. Worth company or organization

Winner: GONDOLA ADVENTURES, INC.
I live in Dallas and until I saw this video, I didn’t realize that the DFW metro area was the center of a budding Gondola industry.  If courage had been a category, this guy would win it for singing in a video.

Award: Former Hometown Favorite – Given to an entry from Oklahoma.

Winner: KSBI-TV
I’m originally from Oklahoma. And when I saw this video I recognized the man in front of the camera. He’s Vince Orza, former Oklahoma City television personality, political candidate, entrepreneur, restauranteur, and the man I consider the “Father of Fried Cheese Sticks” in the Sooner state. Back in the 80′s he started a casual dining chain, sort of a cross between Chili’s and “Uncle Moe’s Family Feedbag“, so for sentimental reasons, KSBI-TV gets a vote from me.

Award:  Most Original Concept

Winner: BACK TO THE ROOTS
This is highly original: Grow your own mushrooms kits made from recycled coffee grounds.

Award:  Humor

Winner: BANDWIDTH MARKETING
If you like your humor dry (I do) you’ll enjoy this video.

Runner up: CHISPA MARKETING, INC
Goofy and fun.

Award:  Cool idea – Recognizing an idea, product or service that I wish I had invented.

Winner: BUZZTABLE
How about using your phone instead of a table buzzer the next time your waiting to be seated at a restaurant. Very clever.

Runner up: LUX ART & DESIGN
Cool use of technology. Nice video too.  I wish I had one at home.

Don’t forgot voting ends Friday, so you still have time to earn a few entries.  If you’re saving your vote for a good cause, I’m working on a list of submissions from non-profit organizations.   To see all the videos or to vote for your favorites, go here and feel free to come back and share your picks in the comment section.

Wrapping up four days of traveling, so just a short post (for now) to bring your attention to a few items you might find interesting.

I’ve not come across this before, but American Airlines has a page on the AA.com website with a complete listing of every optional service charge, including food and beverage, product and service enhancement, internet options, and special travel assistance. Go here for the full list.

Bob Crandall retired as CEO of American Airlines and AMR back in 1998 and has kept a relatively low profile since then, but now he’s back with his own blog. So far, just a few items unrelated to the airline business or travel industry, go here to read for yourself. (via biz columnists Shlachter & Co. at the Ft. Worth Star Telegram)

American Airlines and Sabre may be willing to call a truce.

Two oneworld member airlines are in the news.

Qantas is planning to surpass Singapore Airlines A380 first class service.

Air Berlin is planning to shrink in order to weather the tougher economic climate in Europe.