Have you looked into booking it through a web site that will cause it to post as a special fare (distance based)?

Yes, I did one trip that way (Citi TYPs) but it still posted as fare-based! (And I still reached EXP in the first 6 months of the year, thanks to BA WTP fares – I'm now at 120k EQMs and $14k EQDs).

But I have to go through corporate travel and the internal approvals process, so I'm generally lucky that I'm not told to go on United or Delta.

Gotta agree with you re: getting more upgrades. I'm EXP and since Aug, I've been upgraded on 7 of 10 domestic legs (3 of those Transcon). I will achieve just over minimum thresholds so it's not like I'm killing it on EQD. But that's enough to keep me happy. Inevitably, the number of EXP will go down as the level has become harder to achieve.

I have over 50K EQMs this year and still not cracked $3K so may not even make AA Gold after five years as an ExecPlat. Even with the balance of my flights I'd not make the $12K spend, though putting those flights into BA's program and I will earn its Gold status and OW Emerald! However, the changes made to ExecPlat this year have taken away any incentive to requalify. BA Gold will get me E+ seating and even the comp drink/snack when flying AA, and Admirals Club/Flagship lounge access on domestic-only and transborder flights...and it lasts two years with soft landing thereafter to OW Sapphire if I don't requalify. I don't have a corporate benefactor to cover my travel costs so an efficient use of my $s is critical, as is obtaining the maximum value/return.

I was top-level (Platinum Medallion) on Delta for many years. About 20 years ago, I recognized that DL and UA cared only about your money. Upgrades were based, first of all, on fare class. A first-time flyer could easily trump someone who flies every week.

I looked for an airline which values my Self-Employed, Discount-Class, Stretch-a-Dollar mile just as much as they value someone else's Expense-Account, Paid-First-Class, Other-People's-Money ticket. I found that at AA. It's been a nice ride.

Well, the ride is over. AA collapsed under the pressure, and they essentially matched the other majors. If you want status, Bring Money. Otherwise, Get In The Back. It's all about the dollar. Fortunately, I fly enough that I can compete with the corporate fatcats dollar-wise. Still, I fondly remember the days when I was valued as a customer and an AA enthusiast, instead of just a cash cow. Wow, it was a great ride while it lasted.

I am tracking 80k on $6k spend plus 20k/$6k EQM/EQD credit card bonuses. I will likely among the lowest status Exex Plat.

With the 77W gone from my LAX-MIA monthly trip, I am wondering whether I'll get any upgrades. The 321s book up pretty full.

BA Gold is an attractive option for sure.

Isn't Diamond Medallion top level?

It is now. It used to top out at Platinum (on DL and NW), if I remember correctly.

I'm curious to see how many people come here to complain they hit 100k EQM but are relegated to gold or platinum due to spend.

I am actually shocked that this year I should clear 12k EQD but may barely make platinum due to low EQM

Precisely. Except for a cancelled AA flight at MSP where I was re-booked on DL, it's been 25 years since I last flew Delta.

EQMs are easy to earn with so many cheap main cabin fares so no excuse, just do a EQM run or two...likely on weekends you'll get upgraded so find a novel of two and fly.

I'm sitting at $17,600 EQDs and 58,000 EQMs. Easy to do if you book last minute domestic travel. My travel policy only allows paid premium for flights over 5.5 hours or if the first class ticket is within $100 of coach. In years past this means I spent a lot of time in discount F, but this year, forget it. And I've done limited international and transcon this year.

I'm seriously considering a business run to europe if I can make a weekend trip work. I'm seeing sporadic $3300 J tickets from MSY to ARN on BA (Or $1500 PE tickets from MSY to DOH - but that seems like a miserable slog just to save a few bucks).

No.

/end thread

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better...w_of_headlines

That was before the merger, almost a decade ago.