2011 AAdvantage status year repurchase/buyback (released Dec 15, 2010) (consolidated)
Dec 7, 2010, 4:29 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,570
Another data point: I also spoke with a customer service rep on behalf of my brother-in-law who is falling short of re-qualifying. I was given the link that leads to the "coming soon" message and told that there would be buyback this year and that he should check on December 15th. Like the OP, I was actually given a cost, although she looked up the account in question and told me that it should be about $560. I hope she was right because he decided not to jump through hoops on his upcoming trip in order to requalify!
Dec 7, 2010, 6:55 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Exec Platinum/MM, DL Gold/MM, Hilton Diamond, Accor Platinum, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 6,978
Why would AA do this? Not enough elites qualifying this year through the normal methods? Squeeze out a bit more revenue? Just to be nice?
Dec 7, 2010, 7:48 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,399
Dec 7, 2010, 8:04 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 109
Include EXP?
Do these buyback offers typically include the ability to make EXP?
Dec 7, 2010, 11:10 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL
Programs: AA 2MM, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,966
Yep. All of the following are also "Coming Soon"! 
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/eliteStr...=endoftheworld
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/eliteStr...ellfreezesover
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/eliteStr...e=fatladysings
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/eliteStr...=endoftheworld
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/eliteStr...ellfreezesover
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/eliteStr...e=fatladysings
Dec 8, 2010, 7:06 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
Dec 8, 2010, 5:44 pm
#23
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
http://jonathanturley.org/2010/04/28...f-endothermic/
Dec 8, 2010, 6:40 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
$819 is high considering that just two weeks ago one could book three same-day turns to Boston for $747 a/i and earn 31,332 miles while doing it. Or maybe I just have too much time on my hands and would rather take off three Saturdays and enjoy the flights.
Wasn't it $649 last year?
Wasn't it $649 last year?
Dec 9, 2010, 12:24 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: AA 2 MM Plt, *wood Plt
Posts: 652
$819 is high considering that just two weeks ago one could book three same-day turns to Boston for $747 a/i and earn 31,332 miles while doing it. Or maybe I just have too much time on my hands and would rather take off three Saturdays and enjoy the flights.
Wasn't it $649 last year?
Wasn't it $649 last year?
Seriously: My wife, who needs the miles to keep PLT, has some medical issues that would have made 3 r/ts to Boston in 3 weeks very uncomfortable. And, we always travel together, so the cost would have been double, or I would have had to burn 75K miles to save $747.
We are way ahead by buying the status for $619 or $560 or whatever the price will be set at. As a PLT with 2.2 mil miles myself, I don't worry about making any milage goals.
Dec 9, 2010, 1:51 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 17
Hi there, I'm an avid reader but rare poster to Flyertalk - basically because I bow to the wisdom of the pros here (more pro than I.) :-)
This thread is of interest to me, as I am a Platinum but won't remake Platinum this year for the first time in years. I have lots of travel planned for 2011 though, and want to keep the status.
Rather than doing crazy MRs during the hectic holidays, or paying $600-800 for a status buyback... wouldn't it be easier and possibly even cheaper just to wait til the status expires, then do a Platinum challenge when one has the time (and fares are cheaper) to get the required 10,000 points?
Just a thought...
This thread is of interest to me, as I am a Platinum but won't remake Platinum this year for the first time in years. I have lots of travel planned for 2011 though, and want to keep the status.
Rather than doing crazy MRs during the hectic holidays, or paying $600-800 for a status buyback... wouldn't it be easier and possibly even cheaper just to wait til the status expires, then do a Platinum challenge when one has the time (and fares are cheaper) to get the required 10,000 points?
Just a thought...
Dec 9, 2010, 2:02 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Rather than doing crazy MRs during the hectic holidays, or paying $600-800 for a status buyback... wouldn't it be easier and possibly even cheaper just to wait til the status expires, then do a Platinum challenge when one has the time (and fares are cheaper) to get the required 10,000 points?
edit: Actually, would you even be eligible for the challenge next year? I don't know if the "soft landing" to GLD counts as an exception on your account, but from the Wiki:
You are not allowed to use a Challenge if there is an exception on your account during the same year. For example, if you use the Buy-Back program to maintain status, even at a different tier, you are not eligible, so, if you use Buy-Back to maintain Gold status, you will not be eligible for a Platinum Challenge that year.
Dec 15, 2010, 10:08 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DCA
Posts: 888
2011 Buyback Offer Released
http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/eliteren...e=eliterenewal
Take action to maintain your AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® Status through February, 2012!
Take action to maintain your AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® Status through February, 2012!
Code:
Having AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold status offers special benefits that can make all the difference to frequent travelers when they fly. To help make sure loyal elite status members don't miss out on another year of valuable benefits, American Airlines is offering a special opportunity for members who do not requalify for 2011. Enjoy another full year of elite status by renewing your AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold membership for a one-time charge, extending your status through February 29, 2012. Two-Tiered Pricing Members who have made more progress toward elite status requalification during 2010 will benefit from lower prices to extend their status. AAdvantage Platinum members who earn at least 40,000 elite qualifying miles or points (or 48 qualifying segments), and AAdvantage Gold members who earn at least 20,000 elite qualifying miles or points (or 24 qualifying segments) during 2010 qualify for lower prices. AAdvantage Platinum 40,000 Miles or Points or 48 Segments Less than 40,000 Miles and Points and less than 48 Segments $619 $769 AAdvantage Gold 20,000 Miles or Points or 24 Segments Less than 20,000 Miles and Points and less than 24 Segments $409 $559 To check your current elite qualifying progress, log-in to the My Account section on AA.com Who's Eligible All current AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members who earned their 2010 elite status* are eligible to participate in this offer provided they have flown at least one elite qualifying segment during 2010. Members who participated in the 2010 renewal offer are not eligible to extend their status for the 2011 membership year. Why Renew? By renewing your AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold membership, you'll continue to receive the many benefits you've come to enjoy as an American Airlines AAdvantage elite status frequent traveler. Flight bonuses, a 500-minimum mileage guarantee on most flights, and Priority AAccess(SM) privileges at check-in counters, security screening areas and boarding gates will enhance your travel experience. Upgrade privileges, earned upgrades and complimentary upgrades** help make your travel more comfortable and enjoyable. And waived checked baggage charges^ and waived AAdvantage Award processing charges make your benefits even more valuable. Through this offer, eligible members can ensure their elite status remains valid through February 29, 2012. How to Accept the Offer The opportunity to renew AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold membership will be available from January 26, 2011, through April 30, 2011. Effective January 26, 2011, eligible AAdvantage members will have access to a dedicated website that will provide detailed instructions on how to renew their AAdvantage elite status. During the entire timeframe that membership renewal is ongoing, eligible members will be able to select a “Renew Now” button to go directly to the site and complete their renewal transaction. We hope you'll consider joining us for another year of AAdvantage membership at an elite status level. We value your business and look forward to welcoming you onboard American Airlines! *To earn 2010 AAdvantage Gold status, a member must have accrued 25,000 elite qualifying miles or points or flown 30 qualifying segments in 2009. To earn 2010 AAdvantage Platinum status, a member must have accrued 50,000 elite qualifying miles or points or flown 60 qualifying segments in 2009. **Upgrades must be requested by member prior to travel. To receive complimentary upgrades, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members must be traveling to and from qualifying cities on fares booked in Y or B (excluding military/ government fares). Complimentary upgrades are subject to seating limitations and are only available on American Airlines marketed and operated flights within and between the 50 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Bermuda, and between the U.S. and Central America. ^ AAdvantage elite status members may check two bags free of charge (within current size and weight limits) when traveling on American Airlines within the United States and for travel to and from certain locations in Europe and India to the United Status and U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, customers flying on the same reservation are exempt from these checked baggage charges.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 15, 2010 at 11:22 am Reason: add CODE window
Dec 15, 2010, 10:13 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: The World! Home Base = DCA/IAD
Programs: HHonors, Hyatt GP, Marriott, Varying Levels w/ UA /AF /DL /SQ /AA
Posts: 2,666
Not a bad idea, necessarily.
Dec 15, 2010, 11:29 am
#30
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
It's baaack...
indeed. And factoring in the costs of flying and time required, I'm thinking these are not bad deals, but there has been significant inflation (in both air ticket prices AND cost of buying status back). It's also interesting they announce the offer after the 21 day APEX date has passed... 
(DO NOTE - the actual repurchase will not be available until January 26, 2011, and will be available only through April 30, 2011.)
AAdvantage Platinum:
* $619 if member has completed 40,000 (Elite Qualifying) Miles or Points or 48 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
* $769 if member has completed less than (EQ) 40,000 Miles and Points and less than 48 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
AAdvantage Gold:
* $409 if member has completed 20,000 (Elite Qualifying) Miles or Points or 24 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
* $559 if member has completed less than (EQ) 20,000 Miles and Points and less than 24 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
FOR REFERENCE, the 2010 status year buy back offer was:
AAdvantage Platinum
* 40,000 Miles or Points or 48 Segments $549
*Less than 40,000 Miles and Points and less than 48 Segments $649
AAdvantage Gold
* 20,000 Miles or Points or 24 Segments $339
* Less than 20,000 Miles and Points and less than 24 Segments $449"
(DO NOTE - the actual repurchase will not be available until January 26, 2011, and will be available only through April 30, 2011.)
AAdvantage Platinum:
* $619 if member has completed 40,000 (Elite Qualifying) Miles or Points or 48 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
* $769 if member has completed less than (EQ) 40,000 Miles and Points and less than 48 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
AAdvantage Gold:
* $409 if member has completed 20,000 (Elite Qualifying) Miles or Points or 24 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
* $559 if member has completed less than (EQ) 20,000 Miles and Points and less than 24 Segments (during C/Y 2010)
FOR REFERENCE, the 2010 status year buy back offer was:
AAdvantage Platinum
* 40,000 Miles or Points or 48 Segments $549
*Less than 40,000 Miles and Points and less than 48 Segments $649
AAdvantage Gold
* 20,000 Miles or Points or 24 Segments $339
* Less than 20,000 Miles and Points and less than 24 Segments $449"