Buy up to Preferred status T&C's changing March 1, 2014
Feb 19, 2014, 9:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Buy up to Preferred status T&C's changing March 1, 2014
Just got an email from US notifying me that the buy up program will be changing March 1, 2014. Most notably you can only buy up to a tier if you are within 25k miles or 30 segments.
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...21217_02172014
Keep your Preferred benefits
We see that you're losing your Silver status on March 31, 2014. Buy up to the status you want today to keep or increase your benefits.* Plus, now that you can enjoy select elite benefits when you fly with American Airlines including a mileage bonus, and priority check-in, security and boarding, it's even more rewarding to be Preferred.
On March 1, 2014, the price and terms of the Buy up to Preferred program will change, so now is the perfect time to buy up to the status you want.
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...21217_02172014
Keep your Preferred benefits
We see that you're losing your Silver status on March 31, 2014. Buy up to the status you want today to keep or increase your benefits.* Plus, now that you can enjoy select elite benefits when you fly with American Airlines including a mileage bonus, and priority check-in, security and boarding, it's even more rewarding to be Preferred.
On March 1, 2014, the price and terms of the Buy up to Preferred program will change, so now is the perfect time to buy up to the status you want.
Last edited by skitch23; Feb 19, 2014 at 11:57 am Reason: Add hyperlink
Feb 19, 2014, 9:39 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PHL
Programs: US -Plat, UA-Plat, AA-Plat, Marriott - Platinum,
Posts: 235
Changes to Buy Up to Preferred Program 3/1/14
I received an email to buy up to preferred and to maintain my status before the program changes in March. Two major changes include a substantial price increase to the buy up to preferred program and a limit to buying up to a tier within 25,000 miles or 30 segments.
Wonder if this an indication on how quickly they would like to merge programs and create parity while limiting the number of top level preferred members to those who "fly the miles"
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...21217_02172014
Wonder if this an indication on how quickly they would like to merge programs and create parity while limiting the number of top level preferred members to those who "fly the miles"
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...21217_02172014
Feb 19, 2014, 10:01 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ALB
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Nexus
Posts: 432
The March 1 changes include a significant price increase. I'm assuming this is all to cut down on people buying up from dirt to Chairman in advance of the FFP integration.
Something tells me there may be a lot of 85-90k fliers like myself buying up in the next couple weeks.
Code:
Miles needed Seg needed Price 3/1 Price 1 - 1,999 1 - 2 $249 $499 2,000 - 4,999 3 - 6 $399 $699 5,000 - 9,999 7 - 11 $579 $999 10,000 - 14,999 12 - 18 $789 $1,499 15,000 - 24,999 19 - 29 $989 $2,499 25,000 - 49,999 30 - 59 $1,499 N/A 50,000 - 74,999 60 - 89 $2,499 N/A 75,000 - 99,999 90 - 119 $2,999 N/A 100,000 120 $3,999 N/A
Feb 19, 2014, 10:03 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,508
I received an email to buy up to preferred and to maintain my status before the program changes in March. Two major changes include a substantial price increase to the buy up to preferred program and a limit to buying up to a tier within 25,000 miles or 30 segments.
Wonder if this an indication on how quickly they would like to merge programs and create parity while limiting the number of top level preferred members to those who "fly the miles"
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...21217_02172014
Wonder if this an indication on how quickly they would like to merge programs and create parity while limiting the number of top level preferred members to those who "fly the miles"
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...21217_02172014
Feb 19, 2014, 10:06 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 457
So, who didn't see this coming?
Feb 19, 2014, 11:11 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: CLT
Programs: US CP, SPG Gold
Posts: 592
Perhaps the restriction on tier jumping portends the fact CP = EXP later this year/next year.
Feb 19, 2014, 11:30 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PHL
Programs: US -Plat, UA-Plat, AA-Plat, Marriott - Platinum,
Posts: 235
The big question is, I only qualified for Gold this year due to reduced work travel....don't think it will get much better this year, may be able to hit Platinum. Do I buy up to either Plat or Chairman's or just fade graciously....
My concern is if you believe the rumor US Platinum (ie 75K level) is going away once the programs merge, so is there a real benefit it maintaining it?
My concern is if you believe the rumor US Platinum (ie 75K level) is going away once the programs merge, so is there a real benefit it maintaining it?
Feb 19, 2014, 11:39 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Executive Platinum; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,662
Ouch. This hurts. I've been buying up to CP from Gold for a few years now. I guess I will have to make mileage runs to get to Platinum and then buy, but it is going to be pricey.
Feb 19, 2014, 11:44 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
The big question is, I only qualified for Gold this year due to reduced work travel....don't think it will get much better this year, may be able to hit Platinum. Do I buy up to either Plat or Chairman's or just fade graciously....
My concern is if you believe the rumor US Platinum (ie 75K level) is going away once the programs merge, so is there a real benefit it maintaining it?
My concern is if you believe the rumor US Platinum (ie 75K level) is going away once the programs merge, so is there a real benefit it maintaining it?
They're also making it painful. One one hand it's still possible to top up to the next tier if you're short. On the other, the price has gone up significantly - more than doubling at the the maximum end. It looks like they're valuing PQMs at 10-20 cents per mile.
Certainly makes mileage running look better. Need 5-10k miles? I'm finding a couple $250 transcons instead of paying $1000.
Seems like they're trying to make it so it's not so easy to get (and thus preserving its value), but at least provide some sort of way to make up the difference with cash if you fall short one year. Seems like a good compromise.
Looks like the Trial Preferred program's sticking around for now too. No changes to the wording on that page.
Feb 19, 2014, 11:48 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Trial Preferred seems to be staying in tact - for now at least. Given that AA's had a similar program, I can see that staying.
Feb 19, 2014, 11:51 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
Yikes. I'm not surprised they're restricting the program, but $500 for 2,000 miles is a bit ridiculous. I don't see how it benefits the company to have people mileage run for their last handful of miles. With BOS-PHL advance fares at $168 r/t it doesn't make much sense.
On the other hand, if they're changing the program, they're more likely to keep it, I suppose. And the cutoff at 25k might telegraph the retention of a tier at 75k.
On the other hand, if they're changing the program, they're more likely to keep it, I suppose. And the cutoff at 25k might telegraph the retention of a tier at 75k.
Feb 19, 2014, 11:55 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 157
The big question is, I only qualified for Gold this year due to reduced work travel....don't think it will get much better this year, may be able to hit Platinum. Do I buy up to either Plat or Chairman's or just fade graciously....
My concern is if you believe the rumor US Platinum (ie 75K level) is going away once the programs merge, so is there a real benefit it maintaining it?
My concern is if you believe the rumor US Platinum (ie 75K level) is going away once the programs merge, so is there a real benefit it maintaining it?
I'll have 24 segments by the end of this week for 2014. And should be close to 90 by the end of June if things remain the same. Right now, Plat gets me nothing on the crappy CJ flights which is 100% of what I fly. Well, maybe it gets me exit row seats most of the time but I might be able to get those as a Gold.
Now that I think about it, it doesn't seem like it's worth it.
Feb 19, 2014, 12:02 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
Yikes. I'm not surprised they're restricting the program, but $500 for 2,000 miles is a bit ridiculous. I don't see how it benefits the company to have people mileage run for their last handful of miles. With BOS-PHL advance fares at $168 r/t it doesn't make much sense.
On the other hand, if they're changing the program, they're more likely to keep it, I suppose. And the cutoff at 25k might telegraph the retention of a tier at 75k.
On the other hand, if they're changing the program, they're more likely to keep it, I suppose. And the cutoff at 25k might telegraph the retention of a tier at 75k.
In other words... they're thinning the herd, and my bet is that 5-10 years from now it's going to be very difficult to have a meaningful level of status without being a very profitable customer.
Feb 19, 2014, 12:04 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
Makes sense, the fewer the airlines the more they can do without having to worry about upsetting consumers.
Feb 19, 2014, 12:12 pm
#15
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
Certainly makes mileage running look better. Need 5-10k miles? I'm finding a couple $250 transcons instead of paying $1000.
Seems like they're trying to make it so it's not so easy to get (and thus preserving its value), but at least provide some sort of way to make up the difference with cash if you fall short one year. Seems like a good compromise.
Seems like they're trying to make it so it's not so easy to get (and thus preserving its value), but at least provide some sort of way to make up the difference with cash if you fall short one year. Seems like a good compromise.