How old were you when you 1st hit EXP (or equivalent)?
Dec 27, 2015, 12:37 pm
#16
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
I've had status and Admirals Club membership on AA since 1986, but shared status and flying with TWA and CO, and flew on numerous others since decades before that.
I consolidated most of my flying onto AA in 2001 and became EP soon after at age 58. (Just requalified the 23rd of December.) Definitely not the youngest, maybe the oldest?
I consolidated most of my flying onto AA in 2001 and became EP soon after at age 58. (Just requalified the 23rd of December.) Definitely not the youngest, maybe the oldest?
Dec 27, 2015, 1:54 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Omaha
Programs: AA Life Plat 4mm, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,459
Similar to Diver, seems like it was yesterday, I was 35. In 1983 a AA rep met me at the Admirals Club in 3A at DFW and handed me my Air Pass. He asked me how much I planned to travel and I told him around 4 r/t's per week plus our plant was right outside Munich so maybe a trip there once a month; he said after proving myself I would be asked to become an Advantage Gold, only the top 1% were invited. I can't even remember what extra benefits I got, probably double miles, because the pass was good for F travel and club membership.
This thing was so cool, AA gave me blank ticket stock and an Air Pass card, I called a 800 number to make a reservation then wrote my own tickets, the GA's would run my card through on an old manual credit card machine keep a copy then give me a copy. Those were truly the good old days of travel. AA would constantly run fly x number of legs and get a r/t free - good for 3 months; imagine if Flyertalk was around I would be giving these things away, if my wife didn't feel like flying I ended up throwing most of them away.
This thing was so cool, AA gave me blank ticket stock and an Air Pass card, I called a 800 number to make a reservation then wrote my own tickets, the GA's would run my card through on an old manual credit card machine keep a copy then give me a copy. Those were truly the good old days of travel. AA would constantly run fly x number of legs and get a r/t free - good for 3 months; imagine if Flyertalk was around I would be giving these things away, if my wife didn't feel like flying I ended up throwing most of them away.
Dec 27, 2015, 2:19 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 20,404
Since I used to sleep with UA, I hit 1K when I was 22 (I was Premier and Premier Exec since I was 16 or 17, thank you very much divorced parents).
I also hit 1MM on UA when I was 32 -- and that was on real UA where those are BIS miles (similar to the AA program of the moment).
These days, I look at Gold being a greater achievement than EXP...since that means less flying!
I also hit 1MM on UA when I was 32 -- and that was on real UA where those are BIS miles (similar to the AA program of the moment).
These days, I look at Gold being a greater achievement than EXP...since that means less flying!
Dec 27, 2015, 2:31 pm
#19
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
Since I used to sleep with UA, I hit 1K when I was 22 (I was Premier and Premier Exec since I was 16 or 17, thank you very much divorced parents).
I also hit 1MM on UA when I was 32 -- and that was on real UA where those are BIS miles (similar to the AA program of the moment).
These days, I look at Gold being a greater achievement than EXP...since that means less flying!
I also hit 1MM on UA when I was 32 -- and that was on real UA where those are BIS miles (similar to the AA program of the moment).
These days, I look at Gold being a greater achievement than EXP...since that means less flying!
At least for me the day is coming I'll revert to my "cushion" of lifetime Platinum.
I only wish there had been FFPs when I began flying!
Dec 27, 2015, 2:33 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: LHR, DFW, J Cabins WorldWide
Programs: AA EXP, UA GS, FB Gold, AS MVPG, MR Titanium, VS Gold
Posts: 954
21 - Just started a business and flew a ton of DFW-DEN flights, At one point I was averaging 2RT per week, but I somewhat cheated with a Plat Challenge 
Dec 27, 2015, 3:40 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 428
And here I thought I was one of the younger ones here! I'm not there yet as I'm in the "long track" education line... But I'm hoping this is the year I finally break through as I have a long haul trip in April in J to get me quite a bit of EQM!
Dec 27, 2015, 3:49 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Dec 27, 2015, 4:20 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 7
25 (as US chairman) due to frequent work travel. It's obviously a lot of fun to clear upgrade lists before people my parents age do. The other perks are awesome.
Downside: I live at the airport. I want to hit a million miles and then call it a day. No offense to anyone here but the thought of flying this much for the rest of my life is very unpalatable.
Downside: I live at the airport. I want to hit a million miles and then call it a day. No offense to anyone here but the thought of flying this much for the rest of my life is very unpalatable.
Dec 27, 2015, 4:48 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
24 - I've been off and on with status at AA. I'm trending into the off category, at least until it becomes valuable again.
Dec 27, 2015, 5:24 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
I thought you were one of the UA defectors from the 2012 status giveaway/minimal challenge bonanza (which at the time was unprecedented, at least for anyone going outside a special request from AA sales or executive offices)
Dec 27, 2015, 5:56 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
That was my most recent stint at loyalty to AA, actually defected from DL. Never been a big UA flier, though I have explored them more this year. Not really finding much value in status though. I'd rather just buy what I want, when I want. It's all about seizing opportunities IMO.
Dec 27, 2015, 5:59 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Titanium, HH Gold
Posts: 10,967
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The first year I earned EXP status, I was 23 and in grad school. I remember vividly how excited I was the day my qualifying flight activity posted!
The first year I earned EXP status, I was 23 and in grad school. I remember vividly how excited I was the day my qualifying flight activity posted!