Dear American Airlines:

You have been my choice of airlines for the past several years. That is probably why, through a combination of actual flying, getting an American Airlines-theme credit card, and making other strategic purchases through your partners, I have earned 270,349 frequent flyer miles in about five years. Sure, there are people who have more, but I still think that it shows that we have a somewhat involved relationship.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I found the following email announcement from you today in my inbox:

We've been listening, a lot, to our valued female customers. Some of what we've been hearing is that women would like to have a place where they can connect with other women, and with American Airlines.

Today we're launching a dedicated online resource: AA.com/women. It's all about travel for women, with things like:
- Quick links, making doing business with American even easier.
- "Women Connected Through Business," containing the latest travel information from safety and security to travel rewards.
- "Women Connected Through Lifestyle," with information about getaways and all the ways to redeem miles.
- "Women Connected Through Each Other," dedicated to our women's network, charities, interviews and profiles.
- And, special offers! Wyndham is currently offering a 20% discount and special spa offers. See AA.com/women for complete details.

We invite you and your friends to visit AA.com/women. Let us know what you think. We encourage you to share your insights, travel tips and stories at wehearyou@aa.com.

And, as always, we thank you for flying American Airlines. We look forward to seeing you onboard soon.

What is going on here? Why do you suddenly seem to think that, as a woman, I need special travel information from you and other women? Are you implying that the “regular” information you have is for men? I have been managing very nicely for all these years, thank you. In fact, I just got back from a trip to India, and I am going to Florida and Italy on your airline in the next few months, all of which I booked just fine merely using the regular information that you have always offered. And what’s with the random discounts and assumptions that I want to go to spas because I have two XX chromosomes? I have about as much interest in going to a spa as my husband does, discount or not.

Guess what American Airlines? I am very annoyed at you right now. Despite your very cute commercials claiming that you know why I fly, this indicates that you have no idea whatsoever. Your gender marketing is not appreciated. Most women are fairly capable of handling our travel plans without a special women’s service to assist us.

Thanks,
Suzanne Reisman

PS - Also, please do me a favor? I got another email from you today with the following disturbing message,”Don't delay! Earn thousands of AAdvantage miles when you buy, sell or finance your home through LendingTree.” While I am definitely willing to use a particular charge card for some mile kickbacks, I am not inclined to freakin’ sell my home for a few thousand miles. This marketing scheme may be even more disturbing than your crazy ideas that women need special travel info, given the number of people who are currently losing their homes due to evil lending practices. People who are homeless don’t tend to fly that often, and a free trip to Hawaii is not a good consolation prize. Just stop.

PPS – Stay tuned as Pam, BlogHer’s very own contributing editor for Travel, attempts to contact someone at American and find out what they were thinking! I know that I am intrigued.

Suzanne also blogs at Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants, most recently on her amazing trip to India, which she flew to on American’s semi-new direct service from Chicago-O’Hare to New Delhi. It was a very nice flight.