How do airlines appease members when faced with having to cancel thousands of flights? They offer a generous double elite-status qualifying miles bonus offer to their customers. At least, that is how it seems with the timing of American AAdvantage’s latest bonus offer. The recent grounding of MD-80s by American Airlines due to unsecured bundles of wires in the jets’ wheel wells caused a major disruption in the carrier’s fleet operations. Soon after the cancellations, American Airlines offered this bonus offer to help members reach or requalify for elite status.

Until June 15, 2008, AAdvantage members will earn double elite-qualifying miles on all American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection flights. Flights on partner airlines are not eligible for the bonus mile offer. Registration prior to June 15, 2008 is required using promotion code AADER. Visit http://insideflyerus.wpengine.com/link/?974

All flights flown after April 16 will qualify for the double elite-status miles offer, regardless of when you register. The offer only applies to elite-qualifying miles and members will not receive double elite-qualifying points, segments or award-eligible miles.

Elite members who register for the promotion will automatically be registered for the Special Elite Rewards promotion that offers special gifts to members who earn enough miles/points beyond the standard elite qualification requirements. If you are an AAdvantage Gold member and earn between 40,000 and 49,999 elite-qualifying miles or points by Dec. 31, 2008, you’ll be eligible to select from several Elite Rewards: two 500-mile upgrades; one set Elite luggage tags, one Admirals Club one-day pass or 10,000 bonus miles. For more information, visit http://www.aa.com/eliterewards