Just made EXP / Executive Platinum! Resources, ask questions, brag (pre-2017)
 

I usually don't check the 500 mile upgrade box if I have a systemwide in play. I've had agents tell me in the past it's better to handle it that way, but I've seen others here do just the opposite, so don't know if there is a single answer to that.

Congratulations!

My guess, though, is that once you have had a few monfhs of flying as an EXP, you'll be hooked and do what you need to to requal every year, LT PLT or not.

--woodstock

I cut it close in 2013
 

Flew LAX-SFO turnaround on Dec 31 to obtain the last 326 miles needed for EXP. Totally worth it! Now onto 2014…only 62K to go till I hit 3 million lifetime miles! Gotta have goals to keep the business travel fun...:p

I reached EXP for the first time in December:
YTD Elite Qualifying Points 96,936
YTD Elite Qualifying Miles 100,512
YTD Elite Qualifying Segments 62

Last weekend I had my first experience flying as an EXP. Some of it was awesome, some disappointing.
* Flagship lounge in LHR doesn't seem to have a dedicated staff (there is a desk but it was unmanned). The normal staff in the AC next door are friendly but have messed up upgrades for me in the past so I was disappointed that the FL didn't have its own staff.

* My connecting flight from DFW was delayed. I called the EXP desk and pressed the option for a callback. I went to the bag recheck area and asked whether I could go on a different flight. The bag recheck staff at DFW said it was full, but put me on the standby list. The AC staff in terminal D also said it was full and I may not be able to travel in F (was traveling on a miles+copay upgrade). The EXP desk called back just after I finished my shower in the D AC said they could confirm me on that flight right away and offered me any one of 6 available seats in F ... Awesome.

First time EXP, qualified on 12/31 with HKG-JFK.

YTD Elite Qualifying Points 62,756
YTD Elite Qualifying Miles 104,818
YTD Elite Qualifying Segments 54

MR to PEK this weekend, already T-100, no upgrades cleared and waitlisted for SWU...

Requalified again for EXP in early December. Still no email or anything from AA with congratulations. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

I made EXP for the first time in mid December. So far no email congratulating me. More importantly my boarding passes correctly show EXP and I have 8 SWUs to show for the accomplishment!

I requalified mid-December. Got the 8 new SWUs but that's it so far. I'm interested in how the new EXP tags look. Have seen a few pics posted here but have yet to see one on a bag.

I dont think they send out an sort of congratuations, either electronic or regular mail, it would be nice if they at least sent you an email, but what can you do...

Yes, they do. They send an email with the subject along the lines of "you have reached a major milestone in the AAdvantage Program," usually a few weeks after qualifying. In my last several years of being EXP, this is the first time I didn't receive this email after qualifying.

Here's what they sent me in 2012:

"We are happy to welcome you to another year of American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum® membership and benefits!

Your new card will arrive by mail in just a few weeks, but in the meantime I want to express my appreciation for your business. We are pleased that your status is now extended through the next elite membership year, and will work hard to ensure your loyalty is rewarded.

Along with your membership comes a range of benefits designed to make your travel more enjoyable. Whenever you wish to review your membership privileges, we invite you to access your Benefits Guide online at aa.com/aadvantageexecutiveplatinum.

As one of our valued elite members, you are especially important to us. Thank you for your support of American Airlines and the AAdvantage® program."

I received them last year as well. This year, they have a whole lot of issues with their IT system upgrade - wonder if this is somehow related?

or

[tinfoil]
Doug Parker is evil and hates the EXP status and will rename it. This is why they aren't advertising it anymore
[/tinfoil]

1st time EXP here...

i booked a flight phl-dfw last nov. This will be my fist EXP flight. the flight is next week. i just logged on to see that i am now in 6A (S-80 plane). my question is how does AA notify me that i have been upgraded?

It's somewhat inconsistent whether I get them, but they're supposed to email. Here's an example:

When Awaiting Upgrade, Check In at T-24 or Later?
 

Looks like any complimentary upgrade that comes thorough for my Saturday flights may do so after T-24. So to maximize chances, is it best to wait to check-in until the last minute, or conversely check in right at T-24? Is there still some unpublished opportunity at T-4 to jump the queue?

AND, when turning around in 4 hours, does AA check you in for the entire round trip at one time?

Thanks....

There used to be an advantage to checking in right a T-23:59. They fixed that; as far as I know, when you check in no longer has any effect on your odds of an upgrade, at least up to the point where they start wondering if you're going to be a no-show at about T-(45min)

On domestic flights, if your departure is within T-24 of the return, you can check in for both at once.