Why do people say that keeping status is easier than earning it initially?
Doesn't it require the same number of EQP/EQM to earn status regardless of elite status?
I'm asking because I'm seriously considering doing a AA Platinum challenge next March. I have a planned trip to China in Q that will earn 18000 EQM/9000 EQP. Getting an extra 1000 EQP shouldn't be difficult.
If I qualify for PLT in say April, how long will my status last? I'm considering doing a RTW type trip on AA Explorer Award after this trip to China. Will elite status allow me to book exit row seats on award tickets? Does this apply to partner metal flights?
People say maintaining status is easier because when you fly as an existing elite, you get to enjoy all the elite benefits as you renew the status.
Unless you have status match or receive status ahead of time, your first time qualifying would require you to be a nobody on that airlines, and you don't preferred seating, lounge access, etc.
Normal PLT qualification on by April 2013 will get you status through Feb, 2015. However, since you are doing a status challenge that starts in the first half of the year, your status will only last until Feb 2014.
You should get exit row seating on all AA flights and preferred seating on virtually all oneworld partner flights.
Programs: AA EXP 1.9MM Admiral Club National Car E Hilton GLD Hyatt PLT Club Carlson GE Marriott GLD
Posts: 1,088
Personally, I think getting status is easier.
This year AA has been exceptional with its numerous bonus and promotions that anyone who flew with them should have at least gotten some status. The best one was in the beginning of the year, with the regular DEQM, and the other DEQM for IL, CA, & TX residents. With just 9 rt ORD-SFO, you became EXP.
Anyway, my point is this, getting status is easier when you decide to take advantage of promotion to achieve the status, you can start from 0 and with good planning immediately achieve the goal. Keeping it is difficult, you have one year to do so, but you may not have much travel planned, nor know ahead of time if the airline will have some sort of promotion going. If a promotion is offered, that is when you take advantage.
As I mentioned before, with all the promos AA had this year, the elite ranks have increased. Lets see how they react next year when it comes to keeping the status for 2014.
__________________
Master of my thoughts, slave to my words....
Also, once you get to plat or higher, you get a 100% mileage bonus--which makes each trip that much nicer (the "Midas" syndrome), and so you want to do more trips.
As a recently-minted EXP, I can say that keeping it next year will be easier, should I choose to do so. I did 2-3 MRs this year, and doing those from the front will be a heck of a lot nicer than in the back.
So would it be worth it for me to do a mileage run to get PLT as opposed to GLD?
For me, it would depend on the price of the run and whether or not you fly internationally.
As for the larger question, in addition to the comforts during qualification already mentioned, I would also point out that you're smarter the next time around.... you already know how to maximize points and miles per dollar and trip well enough to qualify and will only get better at it.
As a PLT, you get the 500 mile minimums (that you also got a a gold, so no big increase there), but you also get:
Access to business class lounges and checkin when flying international (even when flying coach). IMHO this is a huge benefit.
Access to advance seat selection and exit row seats on OW partner airlines (makes international flights much more pleasant)
Much higher priority on standby and upgrade waitlists
For domestic itineraries, the last bullet is key. I fly a lot of DFW->TUL. The flight I want to book is typically $50 more expensive that a flight 3 hours later. I always buy the cheaper flight and go standby for the earlier flight. With the PLT status last year, I only missed it once (out of ~18-20 trips). Kind of off topic but, this has saved me about $1k.
This is all fine and good, but where the status really helps is when you hit EXP and get the 8 SWU/EVIPs. With these you basically get a free upgrade from coach to business. Just for the sake of a mileage run argument, you could book DFW->SFW->ORD->PVG at deep discount coach and upgrade the entire route to business, enjoy first class lounge access along the way and earn 10,350 EQM. Then you could repeat this 7 more times for a total of ~82k EQM.
This is sort of an extreme example (although, I'm sure someone here has done it) but compare that to the equivalent mileage run you would have to do in coach. Yep, much easier to maintain status.
So would it be worth it for me to do a mileage run to get PLT as opposed to GLD?
Knowing nothing of your travel patterns, I would say YES!
But in all seriousness, if you do any international travel at all, there are two things that pay for themselves many times over:
Platinum Challenge
Global Entry (see edit )
Also, if you do a lot of standby flying, the enhanced priority will really help and can pay for the status (see my prev. post).
But keep in mind that the current double points promo DOES NOT APPLY to the challenge (of course it's only 10k EQP so most J tickets to EU will complete it in one shot).
EDIT: Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, South Korean citizens and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents may enjoy Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program.
This is all fine and good, but where the status really helps is when you hit EXP and get the 8 SWU/EVIPs. With these you basically get a free upgrade from coach to business. Just for the sake of a mileage run argument, you could book DFW->SFW->ORD->PVG at deep discount coach and upgrade the entire route to business, enjoy first class lounge access along the way and earn 10,350 EQM. Then you could repeat this 7 more times for a total of ~82k EQM.
This. When we qualified as EXP, we flew 90% of the miles in coach. We have requalified four straight years, and 90% of the miles have been in first class or international business. First is much easier than coach.
Requalification as Gold or Plat isn't that much easier than the first qualification was. If the first qualification is on a challenge, it is easier than requalification, as it involves a lot less flying. Still, I have to say that I hate flying without status on the few short flights that I have to do so.
__________________
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then they beat you with experience.
For AA, I'd say earning it initially is a lot easier than maintaining it as you can pay for the challenge.
One can't maintain the status by the elite challenge.
__________________
I'm reading FT on Friday night because I have 6AM flight on Saturday morning...
It's easier in the sense that you are already enjoying the perks of your status (opportunity to standby w/o fee, preferred seats, pre-boarding, upgrades, intl lounge access, fee waivers, etc).
__________________
Houston, We've Had a Problem: United Airlines
R.I.P. Continental Airlines 1934-March 3, 2012
Programs: oneworld emerald (AA EXP 8MM), SPG life plat, HY plat, Esselunga Fėdaty Card
Posts: 9,428
Quote:
Originally Posted by AAerSTL
It's easier in the sense that you are already enjoying the perks of your status (opportunity to standby w/o fee, preferred seats, pre-boarding, upgrades, intl lounge access, fee waivers, etc).
+1. One year I had to do a quick overnight MR to top off my mileage and it would have been a royal pain (would not have done it) had I not been looking at almost certain upgrades (which they cleared).
), and so you want to do more trips.
