Read it again. It looks like EXP with over 85k miles can buy back EXP status (like last year).

There's also https://elite2015.aa.com/terms.cfm . I'm not sure there's any new info there, except maybe the broken link to aa.com/elite2016.

I'm confused. The FAQ looks as though it's for 2015.

Do you all think someone reactivated the page to update it for 2016?

Looks like 500 mile upgrades will cost $40. What does that mean? Do you buy them for $40 or pay $40 to use them? Thanks.

Unless I (and I assume others) was seeing things, it said 2016 earlier today. Now it says 2015.

Thanks for confirming I missed something important. :)

This means that a flight of 1,700 miles which requires 4 upgrades will cost you $160 (4 upgrades times $40 each) if you wish to be in the premium cabin and your upgrade request clears, for example.

Thank you. So, if you have already an upgrade balance, then you will pay $40 to use each one?

They appear to have reverted to an old version of the FAQ page. The version that was live earlier definitely used 2016 dates and referenced the changes to the AAdvantage program for 2016, including the elimination of EQPs.

No, if you don't have enough upgrades you will pay $40 each to buy the extra ones. You must have them before you can be added to the airport upgrade list. They no longer seem to be charging extra to buy them at the airport.

Okay, thank you. I have a large balance of upgrades. Time to use them up?

Well they were slightly devalued a while back (no more buffer for just over n*500 miles) but the value will probably remain stable. However, if you are willing to risk sitting in the back and don't need to buy the front to earn status then I would use them.

There is no need to use them up. Nothing is changing to the upgrades you have in your account.

There are two earn 500-mile upgrades:
1. Be Gold or PLT and fly 10,000 miles to earn 4 500-mile upgrades. Effective March 1, 2016, that requirement will change to 'fly 12,500 miles for 4 500-mile upgrades'.
2. If you are short upgrade, you can purchase them. Currently they cost $30 each on aa.com or at a kiosk and $35 via an agent. The price is increasing to $40.

Since you have a healthy balance of upgrades, you have not had the need to buy any upgrades and will continue to not have the need to buy any upgrades so the fee in #2 did not, does not, and will not apply to you.

Put another way: Use of the upgrades in your account will continue to be free.

Thanks for clearing that up!

Any interesting details to note?