BankDirect has implemented an earning cap on the number of AAdvantage miles customers can earn each month. Effective April 1, the maximum number of miles members can earn is 20,000 miles per account. BankDirect is an Internet-based bank and AAdvantage members can earn miles with a BankDirect checking account, money market account or CD. You can earn sign up bonuses of 1,000 to 5,000 miles for signing up for an account and establishing payroll direct deposit. Members can also earn miles on an ongoing basis for keeping money in an account. For example, for every $1,000 maintained in a mileage checking account, members will earn 100 miles a month, up to the first $200,000 on deposit.

Bottom line: With the new mileage cap, Bank Direct customers who use the Internet banking service primarily to earn miles and who maintain a high account balance will be better off putting their money elsewhere. But you’d have to keep $200,000 in a mileage checking account to earn the maximum 20,000 miles per month so this change probably won’t affect most customers.