Last edit by: JDiver
2017 Program Year Elite Status Buyback / Renew / Boost (as of 16 Nov 2016)
For the 2018 AAdvantage program year thread, see 2018 Program Year Elite Status Buy back / Buyback / Renew / Boost (master thd) .
"Grace" for those close to completing status requirements has not been offered since AA began the buyback / renew / boost program.
In previous years, AA (and US) have offered those who failed to requalify for elite status the opportunity to buy back or "boost" status for the following status year. That offer is extended for the 2017 programme year, and is be discussed here. E-mails have gone out to many members (16 Nov) with tailored offers.
Complied a list of people's offers here. List is current up to post #51
Code:
Status EQM Offer GLD PLT PTP EXP EXP 99k $1299 EXP 99k $1799 EXP 97k $1299 EXP 96k $1499 EXP 96k $1299 EXP 93k $1799 EXP 92k $1799 EXP 92k $2099 EXP 92k $1799 EXP 91K $1799 EXP 89k $2499 EXP 89k $2499 PLT 88K $2499 PLT 87k $2499 PLT 87K $2499 EXP 8k $799 $1479 PPRO 81k $899 PLT 56k $799 PLT 48.2K $799 PLT 48.5K $699 PLT 46K $799 PLT 43K $1479 PLT 41k $899 PLT 34k $1299 PLT 39k $1299 PLT 31k $1479 PLT 25k $1479 PLT 19k $599 $1479 PLT 5K $699 $1299 PLT 0 $1479 GLD 15k $749 GLD 13k $649 GLD 19k $499 GLD 6k $799 GLD 8k $699 none 0 $749
To read what each status tier offers, see:
What are AA Gold / GLD Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
What are AA Platinum / PLT Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
What are AA Platinum Pro Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
What are AA Executive Platinum / EP / EXP Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
For the thread discussing last year's programme, see this thread.
ARCHIVE: 2017 Program Year Elite Status Buyback / Renew / Boost (master thd)
#1
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,542
ARCHIVE: 2017 Program Year Elite Status Buyback / Renew / Boost (master thd)
As questions have started to arrive and are sure to continue to trickle in regarding the buyback / buy-up programme for next year, I've created this thread for discussion and capped off last year's.
For posterity, anyone interested in reading the details on the 2016 programme year offer can see that thread here.
~Moderator
For posterity, anyone interested in reading the details on the 2016 programme year offer can see that thread here.
~Moderator
Last edited by Microwave; Aug 16, 16 at 2:09 am

#2
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 3
2017 Program Year Elite Status Buyback / Renew / Boost (consolidated)
Has anybody been able to pull up information on American's elite status boost ? I was doing math today and im not sure I will be able to make EXP. With that in mind, I went to do research and the AA webpage is coming up non-existent. Anyone else having this issue ?

#3
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,354
That offer ended July 31 and is no longer available: https://elite2016.aa.com/faq.cfm

#6
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 6,138

#7
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,161
Generally speaking the costs for these buy up, if offered, is pretty prohibitive. Given how much time you have between now and EOY, it might be cheaper to try to add a MR to get the extra EQMs vs waiting/hoping for the boost offer.

#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,602
You've been an EXP, so you know the benefits and your situation will decide the value.
I'd say it's all about common routes and how you'd use the SWUs.
Plus the award miles bonus.
This WAG places EXP at $4600 more valuable than PLT.
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/what...-status-worth/
I'd say it's all about common routes and how you'd use the SWUs.
- If your common routes frequently clear free UPG, that has real value.
- If you plan to use SWUs for long-haul flights (like LAX-SYD) that has real value. I cleared SWUs on a RT to SYD and the difference in coach and business fare was WAY more than $1800.
Plus the award miles bonus.
This WAG places EXP at $4600 more valuable than PLT.
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/12/what...-status-worth/

#9
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 2
Buying EQMs for the end of the year
Hello,
I will finish the year with a bit over 95,000 eqms. I know that last year AA allowed people to buy up to Executive Platinum for $1100.
I was wondering if a similar deal will be offered this year?
Also, is there a more economical way to get the last 5000 miles?
I am a UK resident so it would be difficult for me to get a Citiadvantage card. The UK version does not provide the eqms.
Any help would be appreciated.
I will finish the year with a bit over 95,000 eqms. I know that last year AA allowed people to buy up to Executive Platinum for $1100.
I was wondering if a similar deal will be offered this year?
Also, is there a more economical way to get the last 5000 miles?
I am a UK resident so it would be difficult for me to get a Citiadvantage card. The UK version does not provide the eqms.
Any help would be appreciated.

#10
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,354
They have offered this 'boost' since 2013, so I`d say it's safe to say it'll be offered again for 2017.
However, you can get those missing 5k miles much more economically than just paying for them.
Being UK-based, look out for cheap premium cabin weekend runs.
Example:IST, which BA sells for 380 pounds in business class (I fare) ex LHR - fly out on Saturday, fly home on Sunday, collect ~4,700 EQM. This route is even operated by a 767 with real CW seats, so the flight is reasonably nice.
However, you can get those missing 5k miles much more economically than just paying for them.
Being UK-based, look out for cheap premium cabin weekend runs.
Example:IST, which BA sells for 380 pounds in business class (I fare) ex LHR - fly out on Saturday, fly home on Sunday, collect ~4,700 EQM. This route is even operated by a 767 with real CW seats, so the flight is reasonably nice.

#11
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: UK
Programs: AA
Posts: 209
So you could risk buying up to exp if available if the figure quoted is similar almost £1000. Or as suggested above how a MR but ensuring the flights are all AA coded to gain max miles.
Using google flights I found a few examples of US weekend MRs.
10/11 Dec
Man - las £464
Man - NYC £471
Man - lax £477
Or if you can get cheap connecting flights to Dub
3/4 Dec Dub- NYC. £396
10/12 Dec. £378
Not many good deals from London from quick searching.
If you can cover your required miles in Europe that would be better than a weekend run to the US.
Good luck.
Using google flights I found a few examples of US weekend MRs.
10/11 Dec
Man - las £464
Man - NYC £471
Man - lax £477
Or if you can get cheap connecting flights to Dub
3/4 Dec Dub- NYC. £396
10/12 Dec. £378
Not many good deals from London from quick searching.
If you can cover your required miles in Europe that would be better than a weekend run to the US.
Good luck.

#12
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,951
Hello,
I will finish the year with a bit over 95,000 eqms. I know that last year AA allowed people to buy up to Executive Platinum for $1100.
I was wondering if a similar deal will be offered this year?
Also, is there a more economical way to get the last 5000 miles?
I am a UK resident so it would be difficult for me to get a Citiadvantage card. The UK version does not provide the eqms.
Any help would be appreciated.
I will finish the year with a bit over 95,000 eqms. I know that last year AA allowed people to buy up to Executive Platinum for $1100.
I was wondering if a similar deal will be offered this year?
Also, is there a more economical way to get the last 5000 miles?
I am a UK resident so it would be difficult for me to get a Citiadvantage card. The UK version does not provide the eqms.
Any help would be appreciated.
We have merged your query into the existing thread about the [B]possible status buyback etc. programme AA might offer for those who have nearly reached status during 2016. (See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html for the previous offer.)
Also see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html.
/Moderator

#13
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 2
Thank you for your replies (I think some are on the other thread before it was moved.) It is a very helpful site!
I would like to find a solution that doesn't involve me flying on another trip, but after reading through last years posts, it seems that it boils down to flying the miles or paying AA for the difference at the end of the year. I was wondering if anybody knows any other routes like the Citigroup card?
I would like to find a solution that doesn't involve me flying on another trip, but after reading through last years posts, it seems that it boils down to flying the miles or paying AA for the difference at the end of the year. I was wondering if anybody knows any other routes like the Citigroup card?

#14
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,354
No. The available-in-the-US-only citi exec card (which carries an $450 annual fee) is the sole opportunity to earn AA EQMs other than flying or paying the status boost fee.
If you still have upcoming AA/oneworld flights booked,you can also look into upfaring to a different cabin or fare bucket that'd earn you more EQMs.
If you still have upcoming AA/oneworld flights booked,you can also look into upfaring to a different cabin or fare bucket that'd earn you more EQMs.

#15
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: ORD, MSY
Programs: American Airlines/ExPLT/Milion , Hilton, Hertz 5 Star
Posts: 45
Buying Elite
Looks like I will be about 4k miles short on EQMs to re-qualify for Platinum. In the past AA had made the offer to let those just short of qualifying the opportunity to buy their re-qualifying status.
Any word on this for this year?
Thanks,
Alnola
Any word on this for this year?
Thanks,
Alnola
