I don't see why people are "offended" or whatever that were offered to buy PPro status early based on 2016 flying.
I mean for the $899 price (or whatever you get offered) that AA sells it to you for, you get immediate access to free upgrades, not that you'll automatically clear all of them, but still. If you fly enough you don't want to wait to earn it later in 2017, you're merely prepaying for upgrades you'd have to use 500 mi upgrades for until you become PPro the long way later in 2017.

One question I have is that EP's don't earn 500 mi upgrades, so is that the case for PPro people also? Seems unfair for PPro to earn them and use for companions while EP's do not. Maybe I missed that discussion.