Looks like that oklAAhoma person hit the nail on the head - the offer came out mid December and the rules are as posted. A wise poster - that one.
Indeed she is.
Edited to add: the new offer seems to prohibit those who earned their status with a challenge from purchasing. "To earn 2008 AAdvantage Gold status, a member must have earned 25,000 elite qualifying miles or points or earned 30 segments in 2007.
To earn 2008 AAdvantage Platinum status, a member must have earned 50,000 elite qualifying miles or points or earned 60 segments in 2007."
That language was not in the terms for prior years.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gemac
Indeed she is.
Edited to add: the new offer seems to prohibit those who earned their status with a challenge from purchasing. "To earn 2008 AAdvantage Gold status, a member must have earned 25,000 elite qualifying miles or points or earned 30 segments in 2007.
To earn 2008 AAdvantage Platinum status, a member must have earned 50,000 elite qualifying miles or points or earned 60 segments in 2007."
That language was not in the terms for prior years.
It also appears that if you were Gold in 2008 due to a soft landing from Platinum in 2007, you won't be able to buy-back gold. My partner is in this boat (qualified for EXP in 2005 and then nada). Oh well, he enjoyed it while it lasted...
If so, I seem to recall in these cases that no buyback has been allowed in previous years. And with the tightening of the Challenge, its not likely they'll loosen that up (if they offer buyback at all).
So go fly somewhere with the fiance for the holidays
<<Edited to add>> The above info appears to be incorrect. See corrected information below. Thanks oklAAhoma.
Maybe worth a call to check on the 'Challenge' question as they have included a statement defining eligibility as limited to those who 'earned' their 2008 Elite status with the following definition for 'earned' :
'To earn 2008 AAdvantage Gold status, a member must have earned 25,000 elite qualifying miles or points or earned 30 segments in 2007.'
Another thing to consider, it appears you may be Gold by Challenge...... <<Edited to add>> The above info appears to be incorrect. See corrected information below. Thanks oklAAhoma.
Speculation that buyback would likely not be offered because of AADER has proven false.
In the interest of accuracy, I don't believe that there has been speculation here on the relationship between AADER and buyback. What speculation I've seen (which is still unanswered, as of today) has been whether the existence of AADER would make it less likely that AA would make free exceptions for those who were within a certain threshold of making it to a status level.
Common sense, at least imho, would indicate that AADER would not have precluded AA from offering buyback (as we now know they are doing), because AA is charging for the buyback and will generate some revenue from it. The exceptions that AA grants after the first of the year do not.
__________________ "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something." Plato
In the interest of accuracy, I don't believe that there has been speculation here on the relationship between AADER and buyback. What speculation I've seen (which is still unanswered, as of today) has been whether the existence of AADER would make it less likely that AA would make free exceptions for those who were within a certain threshold of making it to a status level.
Common sense, at least imho, would indicate that AADER would not have precluded AA from offering buyback (as we now know they are doing), because AA is charging for the buyback and will generate some revenue from it. The exceptions that AA grants after the first of the year do not.
I also agree with oklAAhoma. Given the how generous AADER was IMHO the 500 mile exception reported on FT on the past may not be granted. Now whether there will be some exception for those so, so close (maybe 50 miles or less as with the case for required stickers) remains to be seen.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark_T
Maybe worth a call to check on the 'Challenge' question as they have included a statement defining eligibility as limited to those who 'earned' their 2008 Elite status with the following definition for 'earned' :
'To earn 2008 AAdvantage Gold status, a member must have earned 25,000 elite qualifying miles or points or earned 30 segments in 2007.'
I think it's pretty clear to me. Mr. Zipadee, who is gold through a challenge in 2007, isn't eligible for the buyback program. Guess that means he has to travel with me at all times in 2009
Thanks ya'll for posting this. Very interesting indeed and good info to have.
I am within 500 miles of Gold, and begged the AA Advantage desk for anything to get me Gold. He said that I'll get it without doing anything because I'm close enough. So hopefully that's true. I'm willing to beg and beg, but not willing to spring $350 for it!
Sweet. My travel fell off significantly this year, and for the 1st time in about 5 years I failed to make PLT. I expect a lot more travel in 2009 so buying back PLT status is something that I will definitely do.
