Background
American Airlines is facing a proposed class action lawsuit filed by two customers who claim that the airline wrongfully took away 1.1 million frequent flier miles from their accounts. Ari and Shanna Nachison allege that American accused them of fraud for taking advantage of mileage bonuses offered by credit cards. The couple argues that while some card applications restrict the accumulation of multiple mileage bonuses within a 48-month period, their cards did not have such limitations. They assert that American closed their accounts in early 2020 without providing a clear explanation for its actions.
Termination and Violations
American Airlines terminated the Nachisons’ accounts and cited violations related to the accrual of ineligible miles and benefits, fraudulent activity, misrepresentation, and abuse of the AAdvantage Program. In emails notifying the couple of the termination, American did not specify the exact violations committed or mention the credit cards involved. The Nachisons argue that since the emails were generic and did not provide specific details, they were unable to pursue legal action promptly. They claim that the applicable statutes of limitations should be disregarded in their case.
Reaction and Lawsuit
As of now, American Airlines has not responded to requests for comment, and the plaintiffs’ lawyers have also abstained from providing statements. The lawsuit has been filed in the federal court in San Jose, California and seeks damages for all individuals whose AAdvantage accounts were terminated due to alleged fraud linked to obtaining Citi-AAdvantage and Barclays-AAdvantage credit cards.
Changes to Flying Benefits
In recent years, several airlines, including American, have increased spending requirements and mileage thresholds for frequent fliers. These changes impact travelers who rely on their status to enjoy various benefits such as ticket upgrades, preferred seating, early boarding, and other perks. American Airlines recently announced restrictions on certain flying benefits for AAdvantage members, including the elimination of free same-day standby access for earlier U.S. flights.
Conclusion
The Nachisons’ lawsuit against American Airlines highlights the controversy surrounding the termination of frequent flier accounts and allegations of fraudulent activity. While American has not yet responded to the lawsuit, the legal action seeks compensation for affected individuals whose accounts were closed based on alleged fraud related to specific credit cards. The outcome of this case could have implications for how airlines handle frequent flier programs and address potential violations in the future.