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.
When I clicked on the button in the email to secure status, I received “No offers available” “Thanks for visiting. Our records show that you’re not eligible to receive an offer at this time.” even though they emailed me the offer. It stated the offer was good through Jan. 2020. I’ve already hit the segments for EP and less than $2K away from qualifying dollars. Is this a recent change? Any ideas?
Hmmm…. That’s weird. I would try again tomorrow then call.
I currently have an EP Status and will likely not make EP for next year. I already met the requirement for Plat Pro, but I have yet to receive an offer for EP. When is it worth it to take their offer for EP? My EP status this was my first and I was able to use my SWU. In fact, I was able use 6 instead of 4 SWU to travel from LAX to HKG and Tokyo. I figured it was a glitch in their system. Upgrading to business on 3 international flights with my girlfriend was a huge change from coach. Would receiving 4 SWU be enough to accept their offer? I would have paid $6K per ticket on biz to HKG last year.
Three were gifted it / new regime in the travel dept so I don’t know if I’ll get it for 2020. ?
I’m currently CK as gifted by my employer. I tried to see what my offer, but it tells me “No Offers Available” which is strange. I’m very close to EXP again $17k EQD / 90,500 EQM / 116 EQS and have enough flights booked to become EXP in the next ten days.
Their $$$ offer Is always ridiculous and really more of a slap in the face than anything. I wonder how many people actually buy it?
AA offers me the most upgrade potential out of my home airport, TPA. My colleagues (and wife) are Delta Diamond and routinely DO NOT get upgrades even on flights to ATL. AA isn’t perfect but they’ve got my loyalty and they fly nearly everywhere!
agreed that’s why I’m sticking with them. Do you know how many coworkers were gifted CK status? I bet that’s why you aren’t getting an offer since they will most likely re-gift you.
I recently flew from Chicago to Amman Jordan and then from Tel Aviv, to Amman and back to Chicago on a One World partner. The reservations were made thru an executive travel firm. When I inquired about the miles not being deposited in my account, they said the flights were basic economy and I did not spent enough to get credit for the miles. I fly basic economy alot of the time and always get credit in my account. I do not understand their logic. I have been flying American since it was TWA. If the miles don’t get deposited, I will start using another friendly skys airline. American airlines get a grip and start taking care of loyal customers.
Interesting how AA does math for these offers.They are all different. I got one for Gold. I agree they’re ahead of themselves – with holidays I could do lot of traveling. Just had 2 unexpected business trips across country. Service and on time flights won’t improve at any level.
Sue
What amazes me is how docile you are to what points can even get you! In my opinion the entire points program with AA and most airlines is a scam.
Upgrades: maybe! If no one with higher status wants the seat you want. So my points are inferior? The value is only if it suits AA’s needs? Why isn’t it first come, first serve? Or why aren’t points upgrades issued proportionality to frequent flier miles? I PAID for my points, why should I have to find oddball times and days (like you) to actually use them?
But the real scam with AA is using miles to buy a flight. Tell them upfront (online) that you want to use miles and see what crappy choices you get. MUCH different from the selection when you are paying with money!
Now, if you don’t tell them you want to use points, you get a great selection of flights but there is no way to tell them when you get to the payment that you want to use miles! That screen only takes cash money.
So book it and think you can call and convert your credit card payment to a mileage payment through an agent? No way! Once paid, no changes.
People like you and me, who use a credit card to acquire much of your miles are sadly gullible. Its deceptive at best and a rip off at worst. Non airline points have value. No discrimination on bookings. The way it should be.
Class action anyone?
I just checked and to retain Platinum Priority they want 2195 or 219k in miles. Ive currently spent $6688, have 70,249 miles, 52 segments. This just adds insult to injury over the recent changes with Admiral’s Club. Even if you paid for your membership if you are not flying on American you cannot use the lounge. This went into effect 1 Nov.
More and more this Airline is becoming like US Air (which back in day I hated to fly)
I’m not defending AA nor am I commenting about their lazy programming to mine your AAdvantage future earnings. But, the OP is missing a few critical points (pun intended).
First, yes, the miles purchase value is ridiculous. It’s not worth it. No doubt about it.
Secondly, the cash buy “could” be valuable. It starts immediately upon purchase. It could add value for your remaining 2019 flights. If you don’t have trips to meet that next level in 2019 but know your 2020 plans, it could have value. You must compare EQDs and EQMs. Class of service on future trips may get you the EQMs but not EQDs. And the grand daddy of them all, the dollar buy wipes out the EQM requirements. It all depends upon how you bill or value your time. Taking mileage runs may be “cheaper” but what if you have the cash but not the time?
And by the way, the EP System Wide Upgrades still holds great value for some Asia/Pac travellers especially for those traversing the East Coast and Midwest. If you don’t have flexibility, each leg could have a service cost value of $5 – 10K or more. Not intrinsic value mind you.
To all of you that complained about having upcoming trips that will get you your status and the fact that AA doesn’t recognize this..trips CAN be cancelled. And quite honestly if you buy the status and then make those trips, it’s on you not them.
I’m only gold, but I have travel plans this month that should give me another 15,000 air miles to meet the 25,000 goal. My confusion is the EQDs. I bought the tickets earlier this year and spent over the $3,000 goal. Yet my account shows 0. Do they not post until I actually fly?
Correct. They post it after your flight
AA does suck but if you fly out of DFW not a good choice. I worked there years ago and sad how crappy it has gotten. We need delta back in Dallas as a hub at least for choices and competition.