Question re EXP Qual the Second Time Around
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Question re EXP Qual the Second Time Around
Dumb question from a UA 1K. If I become EXP, drop to Plat, then regain EXP in a third or subsequent year: do I get a subsequent installment of the extra 8 VIPOWs that are presented to first-time EXPers? I figure not, but want to be sure. Thx.
#2
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: FLL, over-inflated EGO due to EXP status
Posts: 4,519
Originally Posted by Explore
Dumb question from a UA 1K. If I become EXP, drop to Plat, then regain EXP in a third or subsequent year: do I get a subsequent installment of the extra 8 VIPOWs that are presented to first-time EXPers? I figure not, but want to be sure. Thx.
#3
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Ah, you are alluding to historical facts here. We all get 8 VIPOWs (electronic SWUs, these days, but they pretty much work the same except they are paperless,) when we qualify, and 8 more when we next requalify.
Under the old system we received 8 VIPOWS when we qualified, when March 1 came around and cards were sent out, and again when we requalified, an artifact of previous fulfillment processes that ceased to exist this year. Fulfillment of membership kits now occur when we requalify, not March 1.
We have posted many a dirge to this tragic loss of 8 VIPOWs...
Under the old system we received 8 VIPOWS when we qualified, when March 1 came around and cards were sent out, and again when we requalified, an artifact of previous fulfillment processes that ceased to exist this year. Fulfillment of membership kits now occur when we requalify, not March 1.
We have posted many a dirge to this tragic loss of 8 VIPOWs...
Originally Posted by Explore
Dumb question from a UA 1K. If I become EXP, drop to Plat, then regain EXP in a third or subsequent year: do I get a subsequent installment of the extra 8 VIPOWs that are presented to first-time EXPers? I figure not, but want to be sure. Thx.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Thanks for the update.
This certainly means EXPs have fewer upgrade certs than UA 1Ks, who can get 8 North America and 8 International per year, plus 500-milers. Granted the UA internationals can't be used with a rock-bottom fare, and UA may not be around for as long as AA...............
This certainly means EXPs have fewer upgrade certs than UA 1Ks, who can get 8 North America and 8 International per year, plus 500-milers. Granted the UA internationals can't be used with a rock-bottom fare, and UA may not be around for as long as AA...............
#5
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Originally Posted by Explore
Thanks for the update.
This certainly means EXPs have fewer upgrade certs than UA 1Ks, who can get 8 North America and 8 International per year, plus 500-milers. Granted the UA internationals can't be used with a rock-bottom fare, and UA may not be around for as long as AA...............
This certainly means EXPs have fewer upgrade certs than UA 1Ks, who can get 8 North America and 8 International per year, plus 500-milers. Granted the UA internationals can't be used with a rock-bottom fare, and UA may not be around for as long as AA...............
#6
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Originally Posted by andrzej
EXPs get free, unlimited domestic upgrades. That includes Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and top South America and Bermuda.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Originally Posted by Explore
Is that from any fare? Sorry, my knowledge of this may not be up to date.
#8
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Originally Posted by Explore
Is that from any fare? Sorry, my knowledge of this may not be up to date.
BUT..... EXPs don't earn stickers anymore (we did get 4 for every 10K miles flown under the old system), so if your SO or friend is flying with you and you don' have any stickers in your account, you/they have to purchase stickers at $25 each if they want to sit next to you.
Last edited by andrzej; Oct 2, 2004 at 5:13 pm
#9
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Originally Posted by andrzej
Yes it is from any published fare,
BUT..... EXPs don't earn stickers anymore (we did get 4 for every 10K miles flown under the old system), so if your SO or friend is flying with you and you don' have any stickers in your account, you/they have to purchase stickers at $25 each if they want to sit next to you.
BUT..... EXPs don't earn stickers anymore (we did get 4 for every 10K miles flown under the old system), so if your SO or friend is flying with you and you don' have any stickers in your account, you/they have to purchase stickers at $25 each if they want to sit next to you.
Based on what I'm hearing, EXP is now BETTER than 1K for North American upgrades and international upgrades (leaving aside route network issues), plus AA planes average a greater number of FC seats, and AA FC food may be better. Do folks agree?
#10
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Originally Posted by Explore
This certainly means EXPs have fewer upgrade certs than UA 1Ks, who can get 8 North America and 8 International per year(
#11
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Originally Posted by tom911
I only received 6 SWU's as a 1K. Are you sure they're giving out 8 now at the 100,000 mile mark, and that's not some promo for going well above the 100K?
#12
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Originally Posted by Explore
Is that $25 for each 500 miles? And do they get EXP priority just like you if on same itinerary?
Based on what I'm hearing, EXP is now BETTER than 1K for North American upgrades and international upgrades (leaving aside route network issues), plus AA planes average a greater number of FC seats, and AA FC food may be better. Do folks agree?
Based on what I'm hearing, EXP is now BETTER than 1K for North American upgrades and international upgrades (leaving aside route network issues), plus AA planes average a greater number of FC seats, and AA FC food may be better. Do folks agree?
I don't fly UA so can't answer the other questions.
#13
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: FLL, over-inflated EGO due to EXP status
Posts: 4,519
Originally Posted by Explore
Based on what I'm hearing, EXP is now BETTER than 1K for North American upgrades and international upgrades (leaving aside route network issues), plus AA planes average a greater number of FC seats, and AA FC food may be better. Do folks agree?
#14
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Thx. Additional thoughts welcome, especially since the Unofficial Guide to AAdvantage seems to be under construction.......
#15
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: FLL, over-inflated EGO due to EXP status
Posts: 4,519
Originally Posted by andrzej
EXPs get free, unlimited domestic upgrades. That includes Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central and top South America and Bermuda.
AA does, however, give you a break mileage-wise due to the shorter distances....7500k (on full fare) or 12,500 for a one-way upgrade to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela, as opposed to 10/25K for Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay or Uruguay.
Last edited by LLZ; Oct 2, 2004 at 5:54 pm