Originally Posted by
FlyingBeanCounter
Greetings,
I have a question for all y'all. I qualified for Diamond on DL and 1k on UA already this year. Would it make sense to try and qualify for exec plat on AA as well?
Here is my thinking on this for a frame of reference. DL does not reward activity beyond diamond. No added upgrades or anything. 360 doesn't seem like a great deal either. UA does have GS, but it is invite only. It seems like a waste of time to fly them and not get anything out of it but plus points. I guess plus points are great as far as they go, but using them is not exactly easy to use. I travel paid F pretty much all the time. I am sure I could hit exec plat in a few months. I was thinking having top tier status on all three airlines might have some advantages when it comes to schedules/fares. I could pick the cheapest/best schedule rather than dealing with sub optimal stuff just because its not my carrier. I would guess I have three international trips left this year to asia in paid F. I also fly every other week to various places including ORD (hence the AA thought). I also hit ATL, LAX and on occasion NYC.
PS. I know this is a first world problem. Paid F is great, but even with that the status still matters more. The airlines are just nicer to people with status.
I went through the same thought process as you recently, since COVID provided the chance to get top-tier (non-invited) status on all three domestic carriers. Which airlines provides you the most efficient schedule that you like to fly, with the soft/hard product that works for you? For AA, you also need to fly 30 segments to get the true benefits, such as SWUs; hitting loyalty point milestones is not enough. Are you really going to hit 30 segments? My personal belief of getting AA EXP without the 30 segments is not really worth it, if you are already purchasing F. Lets say you do get AA EXP, are you going to fly them enough, or are you going to dread losing that status, and putting another extra layer of stress to re-chase it?
From the opposite view point, instead of spreading spend, and since you aren't looking at Delta 360, perhaps focus spend on one airline. UA Plus Pass 50k spend is automatic GS; 60k on AirPass is automatic CK. I've been pleasantly pleased with AirPass, and will renew again next year.
Based on my own experience (also purchase F; so upgrades don't matter), UA 1K was underwhelming. AA's EXP personalized experiences was much better than DL/UA. DL Diamond, probably the best in-flight recognition out of the domestic three.