Should I go for EXP?
Nov 7, 2012, 2:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
Should I go for EXP?
Interested in what the FlyerTalk AA community thinks.
I was EXP for 4 years and I am currently PLAT mostly through MRs in February. I sit at 55k EQM.
I am visiting a close friend and wrapping a MR with it.
11.5k (Flight) + 11.5k (PLAT bonus) + 11.5k (Double Promotion) + 25k (PLAT with more than 75k miles Bonus) = 59.5k miles at $800 ai.
I can do the same itinerary a week later for $1,000 ai and get to EXP, but my net miles would only be 9.5k miles (I would no longer get the PLAT Bonus of 25k miles for being at 78k EQM)
Is it worth? I will probably only fly twice next year and twice 2014 on a domestic flight (New Baby this year changed my lifestyle). I plan to fly a lot again, but not until 2015. I really like the perks of EXP, but is it worth it if I only fly twice?
I was EXP for 4 years and I am currently PLAT mostly through MRs in February. I sit at 55k EQM.
I am visiting a close friend and wrapping a MR with it.
11.5k (Flight) + 11.5k (PLAT bonus) + 11.5k (Double Promotion) + 25k (PLAT with more than 75k miles Bonus) = 59.5k miles at $800 ai.
I can do the same itinerary a week later for $1,000 ai and get to EXP, but my net miles would only be 9.5k miles (I would no longer get the PLAT Bonus of 25k miles for being at 78k EQM)
Is it worth? I will probably only fly twice next year and twice 2014 on a domestic flight (New Baby this year changed my lifestyle). I plan to fly a lot again, but not until 2015. I really like the perks of EXP, but is it worth it if I only fly twice?
Nov 7, 2012, 2:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Exec Plt , Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 590
Based on your anticipated limited usage of the EXP benefits, I think there are better things you can spend the $1,000 (i.e. nicer x-mas present for the wife or something useful for the baby).
Nov 7, 2012, 2:41 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Interested in what the FlyerTalk AA community thinks.
I was EXP for 4 years and I am currently PLAT mostly through MRs in February. I sit at 55k EQM.
I am visiting a close friend and wrapping a MR with it.
11.5k (Flight) + 11.5k (PLAT bonus) + 11.5k (Double Promotion) + 25k (PLAT with more than 75k miles Bonus) = 59.5k miles at $800 ai.
I can do the same itinerary a week later for $1,000 ai and get to EXP, but my net miles would only be 9.5k miles (I would no longer get the PLAT Bonus of 25k miles for being at 78k EQM)
Is it worth? I will probably only fly twice next year and twice 2014 on a domestic flight (New Baby this year changed my lifestyle). I plan to fly a lot again, but not until 2015. I really like the perks of EXP, but is it worth it if I only fly twice?
I was EXP for 4 years and I am currently PLAT mostly through MRs in February. I sit at 55k EQM.
I am visiting a close friend and wrapping a MR with it.
11.5k (Flight) + 11.5k (PLAT bonus) + 11.5k (Double Promotion) + 25k (PLAT with more than 75k miles Bonus) = 59.5k miles at $800 ai.
I can do the same itinerary a week later for $1,000 ai and get to EXP, but my net miles would only be 9.5k miles (I would no longer get the PLAT Bonus of 25k miles for being at 78k EQM)
Is it worth? I will probably only fly twice next year and twice 2014 on a domestic flight (New Baby this year changed my lifestyle). I plan to fly a lot again, but not until 2015. I really like the perks of EXP, but is it worth it if I only fly twice?
Nov 7, 2012, 2:47 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SFO, PDX, CDG
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 161
Agreed with above, probably not. You could probably answer this yourself, though. Just sit for a few minutes, collect your thoughts, and think about what's important to you in your life in the next couple years.
Nov 7, 2012, 2:49 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: ORD/PSP
Programs: AA LT Plat, 6.0 MM, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 1,002
I'm not a big fan of babies until they're about 2 years old....
Ok, the answer is still "no".
Ok, the answer is still "no".
Nov 7, 2012, 2:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
For only two flights? no.
Save the money you would have used on MRs to EXP and pay for F on those two flights.
Save the money you would have used on MRs to EXP and pay for F on those two flights.
Nov 7, 2012, 3:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Southern California LAX, BUR
Programs: AA Plat; UA.
Posts: 262
Nov 7, 2012, 3:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SFO, VCE
Programs: AA EXP >4 MM, Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,881
Going for Exp Plat
In my opinion, whether you spend $1,000 to retain EXP status next year, even though you only expect to travel twice, depends on where you are intending to travel to. It's not worth it for two LGA -ORD upgrades. However, if you, or you and the wife are traveling overseas to show the new child to grandparents, or are going to fly them over her, $1000 for the SWU's might be well spent.
Nov 7, 2012, 3:52 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
Deep Inside already knew answer, but EXP was blinding me from getting there quicker
I was thinking of getting something nice for my wife or something nice for us both to enjoy. That would make the most sense and go for EXP in 2014 for use on 2015, when we should travel overseas again and I start travelling for job related stuff.
Nov 7, 2012, 4:00 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
I figured up to 2 is the best part
5 months later with lack of sleep and Nightly Diaper changes, maybe I should have stayed a contractor.
Just Kidding, It's been great and look forward to taking him on flights and working on that MM.
Nov 7, 2012, 4:09 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
Programs: AA GLD 1MM DL PLT
Posts: 351
Elite Rewards (that 25k miles you expect) are based on EQP only, not EQM. So unless you're flying mostly expensive 1.0 EQP fares, don't count on it.
Nov 7, 2012, 4:14 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
Last edited by nutwpinut; Nov 7, 2012 at 4:22 pm
Nov 7, 2012, 4:17 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA PP 1.8MM, PC Spire, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,030
I believe EQM is good enough.
I have been rewarded on 125k+ EQM on EXP with about 75k EQP several times.
Here is excerpt from an email I received from AA a while ago that I registered for:
"In addition, we are pleased to announce the Elite Rewards offer as an extra "thank you." If you are an AAdvantage Platinum member at year's end and earn between 75,000 and 99,999 elite-qualifying miles or points by December 31, 2008, you'll be eligible to select one of the following Elite Rewards with our compliments:"
I have been rewarded on 125k+ EQM on EXP with about 75k EQP several times.
Here is excerpt from an email I received from AA a while ago that I registered for:
"In addition, we are pleased to announce the Elite Rewards offer as an extra "thank you." If you are an AAdvantage Platinum member at year's end and earn between 75,000 and 99,999 elite-qualifying miles or points by December 31, 2008, you'll be eligible to select one of the following Elite Rewards with our compliments:"
Nov 7, 2012, 5:24 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
One question. If you make EXP, would you have any use for the 8 systemwide upgrades, either for yourself, or for friends or relatives?
To me, those would be worth more the $1k
To me, those would be worth more the $1k