American engineer David Phillips became known as the "Pudding Guy" in 2000 for purchasing $3,140 of Healthy Choice pudding that awarded him 1,253,000 AAdvantage miles.
Both American's AAdvantage program and Starwood Hotels' Preferred Guest program have received industry awards, called "Freddie Awards" by Inside Flyer Magazine and its publisher Randy Petersen for providing perks that customers value highly.
Vahidi also has overseen the renewal of the AAdvantage program which has been recognized with 2013 Freddie awards for Airline Program of the Year, Best Elite Program and Best Airline Promotion.