Speculation: Safe To Say There Will Be Fewer EXP In 2018 ?
Oct 20, 2017, 2:09 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
Have you looked into booking it through a web site that will cause it to post as a special fare (distance based)?
Oct 20, 2017, 2:37 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
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.
Oct 20, 2017, 3:04 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 67
I must be one of the few people who have experienced more upgrades as an EXP since the MQD has been applied. I just crossed 100k this year against a $16k spend (I book a lot of last minute long haul flights for business). Not sure the numbers of EXP have gone down but on a different subject, the lounges seem more crowded than ever.
Oct 20, 2017, 5:50 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
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.
Oct 20, 2017, 6:13 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
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 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.
Oct 20, 2017, 6:15 pm
#51
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,317
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.
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.
Oct 20, 2017, 9:11 pm
#52
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
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.
Oct 21, 2017, 7:56 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,217
Oct 21, 2017, 8:01 am
#55
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,590
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
I am actually shocked that this year I should clear 12k EQD but may barely make platinum due to low EQM
Oct 21, 2017, 9:51 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
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.
Oct 21, 2017, 9:51 am
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
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.
Oct 21, 2017, 11:35 am
#58
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MSY
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Plat, VS Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 2,531
I spent many years as a PLT with over $12K spend rarely getting upgraded on any flight and never receiving challenges or perks offered to other members. I honestly believe they only target flyers who live in certain markets where they want to drum up business and ignore those whose choices are limited regardless of how much spend they put on AA.
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).
Oct 21, 2017, 12:33 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
Oct 21, 2017, 12:39 pm
#60
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417