American Airlines will double frequent flyers’ miles to try to earn their forgiveness

American Airlines says it will pay members of its frequent-flier program double elite-qualifying miles and points for trips flown Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 to apologize for the massive flight disruptions that coincided with a contract battle with pilots. That includes busy holiday travel periods.

Double-mile rewards have become somewhat of a standard way for airlines to try to kiss and make up with customers. Travelers love such offers, more for the elite-qualifying aspect than the miles themselves. If you are short of a threshold for elite status next year, double elite-qualifying miles lets you catch up and get to an elite tier more quickly.