American Airlines (AA) just sent me an email (screenshot below) encouraging me to buy back my AAdvantage Executive Platinum status. I appreciate them giving me ample notice, but the offer was absurd.
I’ve been on the fence about staying loyal to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners. This year, I just crossed the million-mile mark on AA and it was a big letdown (there was no acknowledgement, and the lifetime perk of gold isn’t worth much). And after attending United’s Media Day, I feel that United is the better airline and going in the right direction. But I don’t like its new frequent flyer program since I’m not a big spender. Also, my United frequent flyer friends say that their upgrades rarely clear.
One thing I really like about American is that my upgrades do clear. Since I don’t have a traditional 9-to-5 job, I can be flexible with my schedule and take flights when I know my upgrades will most likely clear (like early morning or late at night on a Tuesday, Wednesday or best of all Saturday). American also flies to almost all the places I tend to go the most, like: Miami, New York, Hawaii, Chicago, London…
American also flies the 777 on its LAX-Miami route, which I do the most, and it has an excellent business class. The 52 seats are lie-flat and configured 1-2-1, making it a real premium product (photo above). When I get upgraded I can sleep like a baby, which makes the flight seem short.
Even when I can’t get upgraded, I usually can secure a premium economy seat (photo below), which is better than domestic first class with the exception of on the A321T plane.
So how does one qualify and what makes American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum status so great? First of all to qualify, members need to fly either 100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) or 120 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) AND spend $15,000 in a given year. The latter part was implemented last year and is a real obstacle for me, since I tend to buy the cheapest tickets.
What does AAdvantage Executive Platinum status get?
- 4 one-way systemwide upgrades*
- Complimentary auto-requested upgrades*
- 100-hour upgrade window
- 120% elite mileage bonus
- Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats*
- 3 free checked bags
- Additional rewards starting at 150,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs)
My buy-back offer
As you can see from the screenshot below, so far this year I’m at $12,206 Dollars (EQDs), 99,096 Miles (EQMs) and 39 Segments (EQSs).
The craziest thing is my buy back offer (see screenshot below) is—get this—$2,995 or 299.5K miles!
Has AA lost its mind? Why would I or anyone ever spend that kind of money or miles for a level of status that’s not much better than the previous level (Platinum Pro) that I’ve achieved? To qualify for Platinum Pro, you need to fly either 75,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) or 90 Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS) AND spend $9,000 USD. Here’s what it gets you:
- Complimentary auto-requested upgrades*
- 72-hour upgrade window
- 80% elite mileage bonus
- Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats*
- 2 free checked bags
The bottom line
It’s the beginning of November so it’s a little presumptuous of AA to think that its frequent flyers are done flying for the year. Secondly, if it had better technology (or used it better), it would know that I have a bunch of trips already booked before December 31 that will put me past the minimum requirement. This is just another lame way that AA’s sales department is trying to squeeze more money out of its most loyal flyers. And no, I’m not paying up for AAdvantage Executive Platinum.
What’s your AA buy-back offer?
To check your own renewal price, check this link. I’m curious what your buy-back offer was, so please post in the comments below how much AA wants to charge you and how many miles/dollars you’ve accrued so far in 2019.
I received my “offer” yesterday. Currently platinum pro, sitting with 60,000 EQM, $15,500 EQD…my offer, $1950 or 234,000 miles. Which I don’t understand at all.
My sister is EP, 96,000 EQM $18,000 EQD
Her offer $1850 or 185,000 miles, or a combo of miles and cash. I have NO idea why they want so many miles from me. I sure as hell won’t give them 234,000 miles.
Similar occurrence with me in 2017. I flew 125,000 miles but only spent $10,250 ($12,000 for that yr to reach Ex Plat). I did not pay the difference to maintain the status and for the first time in almost 15 yrs I did not qualify. I did not notice the difference from Ex Plat to Pla Pro on domestic flights. It was huge on partner airlines and First Class Lounge access. I am now flying well over 250,000 per year and have been Ex Plat since.
You state that United’s program won’t work for you, because you’re a big spender. Then you say that you’re concerned about upgrades clearing (so you’re not spending these big $ on paid premium class). Then you show your totals where you’re having problems meeting AA’s minimum spend. So which is it?
I’m NOT a big spender. Where do I state I’m a big spender?
I have been a platinum member for 4 years now. I taveled more this year than any other, and mostly on AA, but I am $750 and 1500 miles from gold with 3 trips planned before the cutoff
Got three same thing. I met the Eqd number and have a flight left that will land me at Platnium Pro. My offer was $1499 or 149k points. I currently have about 1.4m miles, which I plan on using for upgrades on long-haul flights.
I’m 4511 miles shy of Gold. My offer was$395 or 39.5k miles. It’s cheaper to book a flight and go somewhere. Will they offer something better as the end of the year gets closer?
They did last year as long as you flew/spent more
I was laughing this morning at the same thing when I read my offer. I dont fly as far as you and need just under 2k miles to hit Platinum status as I am currently Gold. My offer was $950 or 100k miles.
Why would I spend a grand upgrading to Platinum. I have already spent almost 14k in EQDs.
I also have at least two more trips this year that should get me more than 2k EQMs…
Funny. I left a positive comment yet it’s mysteriously gone. Imagine that. Biased much?
It didn’t come through if you left one. You sure you hit submit? We post all comments.
My offer is $2695 or 270K miles. I am sitting at 94k EQMs and 13k EQDs with four more coast to coast trips booked remainder of the year. I think in other countries this is referred to as extortion.
They want $395 or 47,000 miles for me to retain Gold. I’m currently $171 in EQDs away, 2,140 EQMs away, and 2 EQSs away. I have more than enough travel booked through the end of this year prior to them giving this offer.
Mine is $495 or 59.5k miles for Gold. I have dollars spent for gold but about 7k on miles or 8 segments. I don’t fly a bunch but it’s usually last minute… trying to decide if it’s worth. If I end up flying more this year would my offer get better since I would get closer to Gold? I doubt I hit the threshold with buying status.
They most likely will offer you a better deal if you fly/spend more. They did last year
I was offered this as well. I usually fly on American’s A321T. However, I’m not willing to spend that much money.