ARCHIVE: What are AA Gold / GLD Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd)
Sep 8, 2013, 7:16 pm
#511
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: IL
Programs: AA PLT, HYT PLT
Posts: 211
Depends on where you are flying. Upgraded the one time I flow DFW/LAS and pretty good chances at DFW/CUN.
Sep 8, 2013, 7:27 pm
#512
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,062
I am pretty disappointed with how much they're devaluing gold with the MCE vs. preferred seat snafu. One of my best employees has been gold for a few years, and we're trying to route him out of the way enough to get him enough miles for platinum. The biggest problem is that exit rows on planes like the 738 and 757 are now marked as MCE, so the ability to actually get a "preferred" seat is gone as of the end of this year.
Sep 10, 2013, 3:18 pm
#514
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
I know that the GLD for MCE pre-reserve ends in 2013 (I guess bookings made in 2013). This is a nice benefit because it applies to everyone on the same reservation.
Do we know what they will do in 2014? At check-in (T-24)? Only one companion? (I say one companion because this is what I experience as a Silver on UA.)
I wonder if the LinkedIn promo situation made this worse for GLDs in the future, but I don't think the pre-reserve option was a bad deal for AA to give to GLD as a value. I guess I wonder if they will extend the offer into next year? Yes, I know that there is a sales aspect here as well (if GLDs will buy MCE).
This is one reason why I am spreading my status over 2 or 3 airlines for 2014 qualification. Many might say that I should put my eggs in one basket and focus, but I find that it leads too often to less than idea timing or routing or pricing. It is much easier to leverage choosing between carriers when both provide an elite value. It also can create some incentive for a carrier to try and encourage me to book more with a bonus or other plan.
The best way to be vocal about issues with any carrier is to 'walk', but I know many don't have options to 'walk' when they have put so much effort to achieve a top-tier elite status with one carrier.
Rasheed
Do we know what they will do in 2014? At check-in (T-24)? Only one companion? (I say one companion because this is what I experience as a Silver on UA.)
I wonder if the LinkedIn promo situation made this worse for GLDs in the future, but I don't think the pre-reserve option was a bad deal for AA to give to GLD as a value. I guess I wonder if they will extend the offer into next year? Yes, I know that there is a sales aspect here as well (if GLDs will buy MCE).
This is one reason why I am spreading my status over 2 or 3 airlines for 2014 qualification. Many might say that I should put my eggs in one basket and focus, but I find that it leads too often to less than idea timing or routing or pricing. It is much easier to leverage choosing between carriers when both provide an elite value. It also can create some incentive for a carrier to try and encourage me to book more with a bonus or other plan.
The best way to be vocal about issues with any carrier is to 'walk', but I know many don't have options to 'walk' when they have put so much effort to achieve a top-tier elite status with one carrier.
Rasheed
Sep 11, 2013, 8:23 pm
#515
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 317
I heard that soft-landings are out, so I am about to fall from Platinum to no status. I am looking into taking a single mileage run to get Gold, but am seeing that MCE is not available for Gold members. Being 6'5", booking Exit row seats is the primary reason I would want status. Does anyone know if Gold's will receive a discount or access at a particular time, or will they be like any traveler in terms of MCE/exit row seating? Trying to figure out if dropping a few hundred to get Gold is worth it, expecting about 20-25k of travel next year.
Sep 11, 2013, 9:27 pm
#516
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: All Around Nobody
Posts: 861
I heard that soft-landings are out, so I am about to fall from Platinum to no status. I am looking into taking a single mileage run to get Gold, but am seeing that MCE is not available for Gold members. Being 6'5", booking Exit row seats is the primary reason I would want status. Does anyone know if Gold's will receive a discount or access at a particular time, or will they be like any traveler in terms of MCE/exit row seating? Trying to figure out if dropping a few hundred to get Gold is worth it, expecting about 20-25k of travel next year.
Sep 12, 2013, 8:57 am
#517
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,062
Based on the current trend with MCE and exit row access. I would not do a MR for Gold. The only exception would be if you fly mostly on planes that separate the exits from MCE.
Sep 18, 2013, 3:02 pm
#518
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: AA-GLD
Posts: 27
Hello All. Just got the email today..."Welcome to AAdvantage Gold® membership!". Already logged into my account and bumped up my seat to main cabin extra for a flight I have ORD-LAS in Oct. Also going ORD-LAS in November with 4 other travelers and I saw that I could move all 5 of us up to main cabin extra seats for that flight.
Is there any kind of charge for moving their seats up as well? How about their bags since its all one reservation do they need to pay for checked bags?
Sorry for the silly new guy questions, I've never had any kind of elite status and I doubt I will be able to maintain it after this year is up.
Is there any kind of charge for moving their seats up as well? How about their bags since its all one reservation do they need to pay for checked bags?
Sorry for the silly new guy questions, I've never had any kind of elite status and I doubt I will be able to maintain it after this year is up.
Sep 18, 2013, 3:07 pm
#519
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,746
Hello All. Just got the email today..."Welcome to AAdvantage Gold® membership!". Already logged into my account and bumped up my seat to main cabin extra for a flight I have ORD-LAS in Oct. Also going ORD-LAS in November with 4 other travelers and I saw that I could move all 5 of us up to main cabin extra seats for that flight.
Is there any kind of charge for moving their seats up as well? How about their bags since its all one reservation do they need to pay for checked bags?
Sorry for the silly new guy questions, I've never had any kind of elite status and I doubt I will be able to maintain it after this year is up.
Is there any kind of charge for moving their seats up as well? How about their bags since its all one reservation do they need to pay for checked bags?
Sorry for the silly new guy questions, I've never had any kind of elite status and I doubt I will be able to maintain it after this year is up.
Sep 18, 2013, 3:22 pm
#520
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: AA-GLD
Posts: 27
Here you go, should all be in the guide: http://www.aa.com/content/images/AAd...mber_Guide.pdf
Jan 30, 2014, 5:20 pm
#521
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: aa gold
Posts: 50
Is gold worth it?
Long time lurker, finally signed up. Anyways, I was plat for a few years, for the past few I had no buisness travel. Back in buisness, I currently need to make a monthly ord tpa flight. I can easily complete the gold challenge, but wondering if its worth spending the money because I always make the flight in paid F. Just looking for any insight in the decision. Thanks!
Jan 30, 2014, 5:31 pm
#522
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Long time lurker, finally signed up. Anyways, I was plat for a few years, for the past few I had no buisness travel. Back in buisness, I currently need to make a monthly ord tpa flight. I can easily complete the gold challenge, but wondering if its worth spending the money because I always make the flight in paid F. Just looking for any insight in the decision. Thanks!
Jan 30, 2014, 5:49 pm
#523
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW/STL
Programs: AA EXP, AA Admirals Club, Marriott PLT Premier, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 762
Jan 30, 2014, 6:01 pm
#524
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,405
Why not do a PLT challenge instead? Unless you have no way of meeting the EQP requirement.
