Jan 4, 2017, 11:08 pm
Last edit by: JY1024
Just made EXP / Executive Platinum! Resources, ask questions, brag (2017+)
First, a hearty welcome to Executive Platinum status!
New Executive Platinum members, whether "self-made", via your Concierge Key nomination or made by AA offers, including challenges, to similar status holders from competing airlines, often have questions about how the program works.
Feel free to post your questions here, but also be aware many of your questions about American Airlines, AAdvantage and Executive Platinum status can be answered in these resources:
● Link to What are Executive Platinum / EP / EXP benefits? Are they worth it? (consolidated) thread on FT
● Link to AAdvantage Elite Status guide and charts on aa.com
● Link to "FAQ: American Airlines and AAdvantage - Please check here first!" thread.
● Link to the FlyerGuide American Airlines Wiki
For older posts, please see Just made EXP / Executive Platinum! Resources, ask questions, brag (pre-2017)● Link to AAdvantage Elite Status guide and charts on aa.com
● Link to "FAQ: American Airlines and AAdvantage - Please check here first!" thread.
● Link to the FlyerGuide American Airlines Wiki
Just made EXP / Executive Platinum! Resources, ask questions, brag (2017+)
Nov 11, 2017, 6:32 am
#166
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA PPro, 1MM
Posts: 505
You basically answered your own question already. You're being asked because non-status companions always require a paid upgrade instrument on AA. For "domestic" flights (which includes Mexico, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean), you may use 500 mile upgrades ($40 / 500 mi.). For any flight (INTL or domestic) with the necessary inventory available ('C' inventory for Y-->J or 'A' inventory for J-->F), you may use miles/copay or SWUs for your companion.
On most US airlines, companions inherit the primary passenger's elite status. On AA, companions require at least 500 mile upgrades ("sticker upgrades") to be upgraded, except in the rare case of an op-up, which generally only happens when a cabin is oversold, and it's still a long-shot. Basically, your companion ends up higher on the list but still has to pay on AA.
On most US airlines, companions inherit the primary passenger's elite status. On AA, companions require at least 500 mile upgrades ("sticker upgrades") to be upgraded, except in the rare case of an op-up, which generally only happens when a cabin is oversold, and it's still a long-shot. Basically, your companion ends up higher on the list but still has to pay on AA.
Nov 11, 2017, 7:45 am
#167
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
Nov 12, 2017, 4:33 pm
#168
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262
QQ - has anyone gotten the extra SWUs for hitting 150k if 10 or even 20 EQM came from credit cards? Trying to figure out if I should actively go for them (have 2 cross country r/ts coming up with around 9k) or if I actually need to achieve 160-170k in which case it is very out of range.
Nov 12, 2017, 9:55 pm
#169
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: STL/ORD/MCI/SAN
Programs: AA CK MM, AC SE100K, BA Gold, UA 1K, DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,989
QQ - has anyone gotten the extra SWUs for hitting 150k if 10 or even 20 EQM came from credit cards? Trying to figure out if I should actively go for them (have 2 cross country r/ts coming up with around 9k) or if I actually need to achieve 160-170k in which case it is very out of range.
Nov 13, 2017, 12:35 am
#170
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 51
Just made EXP for the first time. Would have made it sooner but I had a segment in CX PE SFO-HKG mysteriously post to my Asia Miles account instead of AA. No luck getting them to credit it correctly to AA but I also got an opup on that segment so I can't complain too much. Since I have no hope in getting to 150k EQMs anyways I might just keep those miles in Asia Miles to use for PE-J upgrades on CX.
EQD: 13,390
EQM: 105,207
EQS: 25
EQD: 13,390
EQM: 105,207
EQS: 25
Nov 14, 2017, 9:20 am
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,268
Re qualified for EXP
108,000 EQM and 10000 EQD was done between Jan 1 and Apr 15th of this year. Then took 6 months off.
108,000 EQM and 10000 EQD was done between Jan 1 and Apr 15th of this year. Then took 6 months off.
Nov 14, 2017, 10:20 am
#172
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Not sure yet
Programs: Marriott - Lifetime Platinum Premier, AA - CK
Posts: 263
Had a few schedule changes through the end of the year, so wont hit the 400k EQM mark as planned. Will end up somewhere around 340k EQMs on 120 EQS.
Nov 14, 2017, 10:25 am
#173
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Will do the same from now till next ~April. All flights are going to be personal reward, so 0 EQM/EQD. But April - Nov next year should be the heavy again. Will see how that goes...
Nov 15, 2017, 4:00 am
#174
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Re-qualifying flights just posted:
EQD: 12,503
EQM: 118,926
EQS: 65
A few more flights to go this year, should end up somewhere between $14K and $15K in EQD.
New system works well - made EXP on literally the same date but with less butt-in-seat miles than last year. Partner W is the sweet spot.
Another good year flying AA: Cleared all my SWUs on Y--J longhauls (4/4, plus one miles and money) and 90% of my domestic upgrades, and no AA major flight delays. YMMV.
EQD: 12,503
EQM: 118,926
EQS: 65
A few more flights to go this year, should end up somewhere between $14K and $15K in EQD.
New system works well - made EXP on literally the same date but with less butt-in-seat miles than last year. Partner W is the sweet spot.
Another good year flying AA: Cleared all my SWUs on Y--J longhauls (4/4, plus one miles and money) and 90% of my domestic upgrades, and no AA major flight delays. YMMV.
Last edited by bse118; Nov 15, 2017 at 4:02 am Reason: correction
Nov 16, 2017, 8:27 am
#176
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 102
Wife (EXP) is flying with daughter back to college after winter break. I had to book separate tickets since my wife is returning home a few days later, and I only booked daughter 1 way. Will ex plat desk link the flights so my daughter can enjoy wife's status and potential upgrades on the outgoing flight?
Nov 17, 2017, 5:41 am
#177
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 732
Requalified on Nov 10th thanks to CDG-DOH in J A380!!! 
13776 EQD
100075 EQM
31 segments
I have a few more trips scheduled, so I could reach 120,000 miles and ~16EQD
13776 EQD
100075 EQM
31 segments
I have a few more trips scheduled, so I could reach 120,000 miles and ~16EQD
Last edited by zip10001; Nov 17, 2017 at 5:44 am Reason: image
Nov 17, 2017, 10:09 am
#178
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AA Gold, Enterprise PLT, Marriott Gold
Posts: 604
Just got back from a trip that made me EXP for the first time! I am very excited as I went from having no status in 2015, to PLT last year, and now made the mark to EXP still with two more trips this year to go.
Currently at $16,673 EQD
128,234 EQM
126 segments flown.
Mostly last minute business travel. ~ 80% business 20% leisure
Currently at $16,673 EQD
128,234 EQM
126 segments flown.
Mostly last minute business travel. ~ 80% business 20% leisure
Last edited by SpinOn2; Nov 17, 2017 at 10:17 am
Nov 17, 2017, 12:45 pm
#179
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,515
Just made EXP for the first time. Would have made it sooner but I had a segment in CX PE SFO-HKG mysteriously post to my Asia Miles account instead of AA. No luck getting them to credit it correctly to AA but I also got an opup on that segment so I can't complain too much. Since I have no hope in getting to 150k EQMs anyways I might just keep those miles in Asia Miles to use for PE-J upgrades on CX.
EQD: 13,390
EQM: 105,207
EQS: 25
EQD: 13,390
EQM: 105,207
EQS: 25
Nov 17, 2017, 12:49 pm
#180
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,515
I had to learn this lesson the hard way and am now having to move some more of my flying back to DL (Hawaii and Caribbean trips) because my gf will get upgraded with me on DL automatically.
I wish I would have known this before I started getting EXP last year.
I hold top tier status on both AA and DL from all leisure travel but our vacation this month is to Aruba on AA.....which will wipe out all but 2 500-mile certs I have left.
For the record, I think its pretty darn backwards that AA stops issuing 500-mile certs for EXPs. Usually airlines give you MORE benefits with their upper tiers.