Speculation: Safe To Say There Will Be Fewer EXP In 2018 ?
Feb 4, 2018, 12:07 pm
#136
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 328
Speculation: First week for EQD qualifiers... thinner elite ranks?
It would seem the attrition should be evident this week if it's going to noticeably exist. How much thinner do the elite ranks seem based on upgrade lists, boarding groups, or other seat-of-the-pants metrics in your experience?
Feb 4, 2018, 3:26 pm
#138
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
As for the main topic of this thread - we've had several threads on the topic. No here knows the answer. Most recent thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...-status-3.html (As OP knows since he/she posted in this thread)
Feb 4, 2018, 4:39 pm
#139
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
Feb 4, 2018, 10:14 pm
#140
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SF + PHX
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1k, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, X Elite+
Posts: 262
Ok more concerned about you all using 500 milers to upgrades to go phx-sfo. You know that’s costing you two for an alcoholic beverage and a snack basket, right? Thankful EXP that knows better here 😜
last 3 including crossover:
last 3 including crossover:
1/28 jfk-sfo cleared 48hrs
1/31 oak-phx cleared 100hrs
2/4 phx-oak cleared 120hrs
1/31 oak-phx cleared 100hrs
2/4 phx-oak cleared 120hrs
Feb 5, 2018, 2:56 pm
#141
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: PBI/MIA
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Skymiles, Mileage Plus
Posts: 397
I was 13th this morning on a 321 PBI-CLT. Obviously, I didn't clear. One guy did, then had to walk back to Y when the F seat's original owner showed up about the time Group 8 was boarding. That had to suck.
1 for 6 this year. Was around 5th on the list for the other four non-clears.
1 for 6 this year. Was around 5th on the list for the other four non-clears.
Feb 5, 2018, 4:22 pm
#142
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
I was 13th this morning on a 321 PBI-CLT. Obviously, I didn't clear. One guy did, then had to walk back to Y when the F seat's original owner showed up about the time Group 8 was boarding. That had to suck.
1 for 6 this year. Was around 5th on the list for the other four non-clears.
1 for 6 this year. Was around 5th on the list for the other four non-clears.
I feel the upgrade priorities for PP and EXP are quite different for a hub route.
Feb 5, 2018, 4:36 pm
#143
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA EXP Plat, Mariott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 165
Ok more concerned about you all using 500 milers to upgrades to go phx-sfo. You know that’s costing you two for an alcoholic beverage and a snack basket, right? Thankful EXP that knows better here 😜
last 3 including crossover:
last 3 including crossover:
1/28 jfk-sfo cleared 48hrs
1/31 oak-phx cleared 100hrs
2/4 phx-oak cleared 120hrs
1/31 oak-phx cleared 100hrs
2/4 phx-oak cleared 120hrs
Feb 5, 2018, 5:56 pm
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
Feb 5, 2018, 8:01 pm
#145
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AAdantage EXP
Posts: 41
I'd be very curious to hear if anyone can confirm the rumors that Plat / Plat Pros are clearing before EXP due to a system glitch. As a EXP my upgrade rate so far this year has been the lowest it's ever been, around 50%. This morning I was #14 on my TPA->CLT flight. In previous years when I didn't clear in advance I was almost always 1-3, this year it's been more like 8-10 on the list. Granted I had only around $500 for spend in December, but my annual spend is around $20k so I can't imagine one month has pushed me that far back on the list.
Feb 5, 2018, 8:34 pm
#146
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I still say there are now more EXPs. I think AA is now giving away high level status to corporations. Set next to a guy, flying to Asia on an expensive ticket. Everyone in the company that travels at all gets Plat as a starting point, and then several other positions including EXPs and of course CKs.
My upgrade rate has gone to zero except for flights on Saturday and still not all flights on a Sat. This weekend - on Sat I cleared on outbound flight in advance (4 days ahead), both next segment and both segment on returns I was way down on the upgrade list. On Sat, the none cleared flight I was number 3, on Sunday I was 11 and 6 on the upgrade list.
On DFW to DCA flight the week before I was number 11 out of 20 EXPs. On a few weeks before I was 15 out of over 20 EXPs. SO I am not at the bottom on the EXP list.
Yes EXP will still get a few upgrades. I don't see much reason to be Plat Pro unless you are going fly otherwise, as they won't clear. At least Plat gets advance MCE and Flagship access on International.
Main reason for EXP is the 4 SWUs (which could be hard to use on some routes) and the free changes on rewards and same day change.
My upgrade rate has gone to zero except for flights on Saturday and still not all flights on a Sat. This weekend - on Sat I cleared on outbound flight in advance (4 days ahead), both next segment and both segment on returns I was way down on the upgrade list. On Sat, the none cleared flight I was number 3, on Sunday I was 11 and 6 on the upgrade list.
On DFW to DCA flight the week before I was number 11 out of 20 EXPs. On a few weeks before I was 15 out of over 20 EXPs. SO I am not at the bottom on the EXP list.
Yes EXP will still get a few upgrades. I don't see much reason to be Plat Pro unless you are going fly otherwise, as they won't clear. At least Plat gets advance MCE and Flagship access on International.
Main reason for EXP is the 4 SWUs (which could be hard to use on some routes) and the free changes on rewards and same day change.
Feb 5, 2018, 10:29 pm
#147
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London and Madrid
Programs: BA Gold, UA 2MM, Hyatt Globalist, Columbia Record & Tape Club Triple Diamond VIP
Posts: 580
I don't think it's a glitch
I'd be very curious to hear if anyone can confirm the rumors that Plat / Plat Pros are clearing before EXP due to a system glitch. As a EXP my upgrade rate so far this year has been the lowest it's ever been, around 50%. This morning I was #1 4 on my TPA->CLT flight. In previous years when I didn't clear in advance I was almost always 1-3, this year it's been more like 8-10 on the list. Granted I had only around $500 for spend in December, but my annual spend is around $20k so I can't imagine one month has pushed me that far back on the list.
Whether or or not there are fewer elites, my impression is that we're all chasing a reduced supply of benefits.
There's a marketing principle here: it's better to invest in the customer whose loyalty you have yet to win (P Pro) than in the one willing to demonstrate that loyalty year after year. We EXPs may not be such marketing investments.
Feb 6, 2018, 7:10 am
#148
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: PBI/MIA
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Skymiles, Mileage Plus
Posts: 397
Feb 6, 2018, 8:38 am
#149
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
I still say there are now more EXPs. I think AA is now giving away high level status to corporations. Set next to a guy, flying to Asia on an expensive ticket. Everyone in the company that travels at all gets Plat as a starting point, and then several other positions including EXPs and of course CKs.
I'm finding that using my SWU's is still very easy. I've cleared both of mine on an upcoming EZE trip during summer season down there. And looking at the other flights (MIA, JFK), there's C7 across the board.
Also cleared a lot of LHR-DFW last year in advance when C space opened up.
Feb 6, 2018, 8:57 am
#150
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
I don't think anyone's arguing that there are more elites on Feb. 1 than on Jan. 31 (or at least I hope not). Whether the year-on-year numbers increase or decrease remains to be seen. By AA. I mean, we'll never know
For what it's worth, I'm still clearing most upgrades, like always.