2012-13 AA "Soft Landing" / Status Downgrade: discussion & experiences (consolidated)
 

Hi, My EXP status is expiring in Feb 2012. I am currently nearing Platinum for 2011. Does AA still have the soft landing of reducing your status one level each year? I may make Platinum this year yet, however if I can't I was hoping the soft landing would prevent me from making a mileage run during the holidays. All the posts I see are old...
Regards, GG

No guarantees, of course. But traditionally, AA has offered a soft landing each year. Could change this year. But could not.

I was counting on this but will probably cross the 2m lifetime by Feb 13 so it doesn't matter so much for me.

i think aa would make a big mistake to stop the soft landing, even plt to gld could influence people to stay on aa....

Seems a different direction was taken :)

I 'soft landed' from EXP to PLT in 2011. I'll make PLT on segments this year (about to board flight 55!) so will keep PLT through 2013.

Soft landings and exceptions for elites that are very close to the next elite level are never guaranteed and if so allowed are only done after the December 31. In otherwords, there is no really way of knowing for sure until its really too late.

Add to that airlines seeking every means possible for new revenue streams. While this is speculation on my part, if AA started to require a charge/fee for soft landings or allowing people close to the threshold to be "bumped up" I'd be anything but surprised.

Long story short, the only guarantee is to do the flying and get to the next level.

I hadn't realised that it wasn't an integral part of the programme. That said, I can't see AA discontinuing it at least not without appropriate notice.

We had a 2011 consolidated thread for downgrades / soft landings, etc. so this will be retitled and left as the 2012 version. Thank you. /Moderator

AA has allowed those who have not requalified for status they held to hold the next lower status tier the following year - e.g. Executive Platinum only fell to Platinum, even if they did not fly a mile; Platinum to Gold, etc. I don't recall anything written, so this is an undocumented benefit if so. AA could change it any time they wished to, much as they have made changes to the Million Miler program, Status Challenge, following year status buy-up, etc. but we don't have any signals they are considering doing so at this time.

I had a VERY soft-landing this year (flew only 15,000 miles last year as a Plat). I did receive my Gold Card early this year (after many years of being Platinum, the card didn't look good..:p).

Regardless, AA had a special early this year to purchase into Platinum. I forgot how much it was, IIRC $750. I purchased it back in March and I am glad I have as I am re-qualifying for Platinum flying >50,000. The huge differences of Gold vs. Plat have been the OneWorld Lounges and more important, the 100% bonus miles with Plat. over the 25% bonus miles with Gold. This has helped me a lot as I'm trying to get to the One-Million Mile Lifetime League.

Good idea. I think there are big differences between PLT and GLD (just my 2 cents).

Just remember, 1MM will only net you that not-so-good-looking Gold card....

I guess that means I had a VERY VERY soft landing last year... 2009 EXP --> 2010 *one* (RT) flight. Actually resulted in my getting a "why aren't you flying anymore?" call from their customer service executive office (I assume standard procedure) where I was assured EXPs would get a soft landing. This assurance was given in October 2010; well before qualifying-year end.

(b/c I'm sure it will be asked; there were reasons beyond my control why I didn't fly at all in 2010; that was in fact the only flight I took.)


FWIW, I haven't seen convincing evidence on whether or not GLD vs. PLT matters (other than lounges). But then, I've never *been* GLD (for more than a month) so we'll see... I didn't re-qual PLT this year, so I'll be down to my lifetime GLD starting Mar. 2012.


Anyway, main point - I think if you're EXP, even in this environment it's safe to assume a soft landing. (Unless AMR files for Ch. 11 lol...)

Congrats on the upcoming LT Plat staus. Vey nice milestone to have reached.

Agree with your comment of "the only guarantee is to do the flying ", but I suspect AA won't do away witht the soft landing just yet. I'd be surprised if they just dropped it outright this year without any notice or communication. I think that they've done it long enough that most people can reasonably expect it to stay in place.

But, there is always a chance for a change. They could just decide to stop it this next calendar year. I'd be surprised, but it could happen.