Originally Posted by
Alpha
2. True, the Award stuff is very nice. Does that change when you're gold/plat?
The only extra availability I'm aware of now is expanded upgrade availability with systemwides for EXPs (might work for miles, too, but I've never used those to upgrade). Pretty sure we all have the same award access, though a few years back there was expanded award access on BA for EXPs.
Take a look at the UA thread about awards being filtered if you're planning on international travel.
3. Hmmm. I have no lounge access yet. AC w/ elite discount or PriorityPass?
Will Priority Pass get you into AA or UA lounges? I have an AC membership so really don't know anything about that program.
As to 1MM or 2MM status on AA, you'd be surprised how quickly you can get there, particularly if your credit card use or flying increases in years to come. If you do make it to midtier each trip to the east coast is going to bring in at least 10,000 miles. I've seen posters make those tiers primarily on credit card miles without much AA flying. For comparison, on UA that 1MM means one million miles in the air on UA metal. I flew UA for a dozen years and built up 839,000 miles and never got there. I hit the 2MM on AA in 6 years. Just an easier overall path to get there.