Originally Posted by
cmd320
Even so, if that's the case, a couple trips to Italy and a few domestic economy roundtrips are unlikely to yield the $6000 (each) in EQD needed to hit Platinum and attain Sapphire. Not sure if the flying patterns would give them enough TPs for BA Silver either.
Low-level status can basically be bought with a credit card at this point. They won't be getting upgrades on SFO-JFK (EWR) as AA GLD or UA Silver.
Even in Y I would still say B6 is the best option flying SFO-JFK. In general cheaper, and better product. I just don't see there as being any benefit to enduring AA or UA Y on transcontinental flights or either J product on intercontinental flights for a checked back or business class checkin. Much rather just get a CC with such benefits and move on. And I would still choose DL over either UA or AA at that point if they're just really in need of some kind of status. Plenty of flights from SFO-JFK and JFK-MXP is also an option (who knows how long JFK-MXP will last on AA given their current track record of dumping JFK flights).
As I indicated in Post #13 , two Business Class SFO-JFK-MXP round-trips on AA credited to Iberia Plus would yield oneworld Sapphire status; one such trip would yield oneworld Ruby. IB has no minimum-spend requirement; and unlike BA, IB does not require any IB flights to attain status.
An AA credit card would give you a free checked bag in Coach for domestic travel, and Group 5 boarding. It does not give you free MCE seats -- which have greater pitch than JetBlue's regular seats and free drinks -- or priority check-in, or free same-day standby, or lounge access. Even the OP recognizes that her low-tier UA status is valuable.
Yes, concern about whether AA will keep its JFK-MXP flight is legitimate, but given that NYC and Milan are both fashion capitals, that concern might be overblown. Time will tell.