ARCHIVE: What are AA Gold / GLD Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd)
Jan 30, 2014, 6:11 pm
#526
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: aa gold
Posts: 50
Thanks everyone. I might just do a MR and attemtpt to get PLT via the challenge, but on the other hand, im not so sure id requalify, so that may not be worth the money and time. I guess I have alot to ponder.
Jan 30, 2014, 6:24 pm
#527
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 542
Welcome to flyertalk, bearsfanord!
If you always fly paid F, you do not need to worry about status.
Platinum will give you little benefit over what you have now (other than the bonus miles and some waived fees).
Ideally, AA would grant you Platinum status immediately with certain conditions to keep it. If you wanted to go for EXP, it might be worth it if you travel internationally.
It's amazing to me that AA still measures a customer's worth in miles flown rather than dollars spent. I expect this to change within the next year.
If you always fly paid F, you do not need to worry about status.
Platinum will give you little benefit over what you have now (other than the bonus miles and some waived fees).
Ideally, AA would grant you Platinum status immediately with certain conditions to keep it. If you wanted to go for EXP, it might be worth it if you travel internationally.
It's amazing to me that AA still measures a customer's worth in miles flown rather than dollars spent. I expect this to change within the next year.
Jan 30, 2014, 6:27 pm
#528
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,528
But, sadly, if the measures instituted by DL/UA are any indication, I think you're going to be disappointed.
Jan 30, 2014, 6:33 pm
#529
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: aa gold
Posts: 50
Welcome to flyertalk, bearsfanord!
If you always fly paid F, you do not need to worry about status.
Platinum will give you little benefit over what you have now (other than the bonus miles and some waived fees).
Ideally, AA would grant you Platinum status immediately with certain conditions to keep it. If you wanted to go for EXP, it might be worth it if you travel internationally.
It's amazing to me that AA still measures a customer's worth in miles flown rather than dollars spent. I expect this to change within the next year.
If you always fly paid F, you do not need to worry about status.
Platinum will give you little benefit over what you have now (other than the bonus miles and some waived fees).
Ideally, AA would grant you Platinum status immediately with certain conditions to keep it. If you wanted to go for EXP, it might be worth it if you travel internationally.
It's amazing to me that AA still measures a customer's worth in miles flown rather than dollars spent. I expect this to change within the next year.
Jan 31, 2014, 5:23 pm
#530
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Plat
Posts: 456
Long time lurker, finally signed up. Anyways, I was plat for a few years, for the past few I had no buisness travel. Back in buisness, I currently need to make a monthly ord tpa flight. I can easily complete the gold challenge, but wondering if its worth spending the money because I always make the flight in paid F. Just looking for any insight in the decision. Thanks!
Other than free bag check, not worth a whole lot. Golds board with Group 1, after March 31 golds to not get MCE for free (50% off), and 500 miles upgrades never clear. Grabbing an exit row is about the only benefit I enjoy.
Jan 31, 2014, 5:24 pm
#531
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
Free bag check isn't chump change.
Feb 1, 2014, 10:47 am
#532
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Austin,TX (AUS)
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 767
I am Gold, per flying 25K miles last year.. not worth doing the challenge for gold.
Other than free bag check, not worth a whole lot. Golds board with Group 1, after March 31 golds to not get MCE for free (50% off), and 500 miles upgrades never clear. Grabbing an exit row is about the only benefit I enjoy.
Other than free bag check, not worth a whole lot. Golds board with Group 1, after March 31 golds to not get MCE for free (50% off), and 500 miles upgrades never clear. Grabbing an exit row is about the only benefit I enjoy.
Feb 1, 2014, 10:51 am
#533
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
Programs: "But, I'm a GLOBALIST guest...."
Posts: 2,848
The best benefit of Gold or Platinum is access to MCE and specifically exit rows.
Feb 1, 2014, 1:57 pm
#534
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
While it might not help you now, if your travel patterns change later in the year, especially to a route with only single-class Eagle aircraft, status is always nice to have. Plus, an extra mileage bonus never hurt. I'd pay for a challenge in the OP's case.
Apr 8, 2014, 1:40 pm
#535
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
I'm planning on burning miles for a friend to join us in Europe this summer. I'm AA Gold and will be booking SAAver economy for him RT to Madrid.
One problem - I'm already booked Business on DL.
Anyone know if I can have the AA Gold Desk book his ticket, and give him either MCE or Exit Row for free? And I assume his bag is free?
Thanks in advance!
Matt
One problem - I'm already booked Business on DL.
Anyone know if I can have the AA Gold Desk book his ticket, and give him either MCE or Exit Row for free? And I assume his bag is free?
Thanks in advance!
Matt
Last edited by mshookisin; Apr 8, 2014 at 1:51 pm
Apr 8, 2014, 3:11 pm
#536
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ORD, SJD, VNO, sandy places
Programs: AA 1.2MM BIS 'LT' Gld, BA Bronze, AA Plat, now considering SWA.....
Posts: 451
I'm planning on burning miles for a friend to join us in Europe this summer. I'm AA Gold and will be booking SAAver economy for him RT to Madrid.
One problem - I'm already booked Business on DL.
Anyone know if I can have the AA Gold Desk book his ticket, and give him either MCE or Exit Row for free? And I assume his bag is free?
Thanks in advance!
Matt
One problem - I'm already booked Business on DL.
Anyone know if I can have the AA Gold Desk book his ticket, and give him either MCE or Exit Row for free? And I assume his bag is free?
Thanks in advance!
Matt
Apr 8, 2014, 3:48 pm
#537
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Texas
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 279
"Is GLD Gold worth it?" This used to be a valid question pre- 4/8/2014. Now the math is much easier. Gold = $89/yr, or for me, $0 since Citi perennially waives my fee.
Apr 8, 2014, 5:20 pm
#539
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA Gold, IHG Plat AMB, Hilton Gold, SPG
Posts: 156
Apr 8, 2014, 5:47 pm
#540
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,041
There's also the ability to accumulate stickers.