Speculation: Safe To Say There Will Be Fewer EXP In 2018 ?
Jan 30, 2018, 2:38 pm
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
As a LT PLT, I concur with that last statement
Jan 30, 2018, 4:39 pm
#109
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I feel like every year we've been "expecting the number of elites to drop" but upgrade lists only seem to get longer and longer. I doubt you'll see much of a change. For every EXP who might be dropping, there is a likely a newly minted EXP to take their place. A recent college grad with their first road warrior job. Living the dream!
Seeing upgrade lists growing isn't surprising as all the newly minted PPros are finally coming into play and are automatically added to those lists.
I guess we'll all see how it shakes out starting Feb 1!
Jan 30, 2018, 4:44 pm
#110
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,267
Aside from the CKs gifting EXPs, I would be surprised if the number of EXPs doesn't go down. There were a lot of EXPs that were able to meet the previous requirements while flying on low fares , but the $12K EQD changes the landscape.
Seeing upgrade lists growing isn't surprising as all the newly minted PPros are finally coming into play and are automatically added to those lists.
I guess we'll all see how it shakes out starting Feb 1!
Seeing upgrade lists growing isn't surprising as all the newly minted PPros are finally coming into play and are automatically added to those lists.
I guess we'll all see how it shakes out starting Feb 1!
I was a segment qualifier for a couple of years and I probably blew by 12k EQD in 4-5 months.
Jan 30, 2018, 5:20 pm
#111
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
I'm surprised people think EXP ranks will drop......$12K in spend between work and pleasure travel is very easy (not to mention EQM's which are easier if you buy premium cabins long haul - NYC-ICN and back last year was just over $3K in J).
Jan 30, 2018, 5:30 pm
#112
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
A previous employer of mine changed the travel policy to such that even TPAC flights were in coach unless you were a VP or above, so I flew coach and used SWUs when I could.
If almost all EXPs would of met the EQD requirement anyway, why bother introducing a "goal" everyone would reach anyway?
Jan 30, 2018, 5:33 pm
#113
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Easy is in the eye of the beholder.. I earned my EXP for this year all on personal spend and it was by $61..
Jan 30, 2018, 5:34 pm
#114
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Have to agree $12k is fairly easy. On CX's forum it is reported that a CX Diamond spends at least $50k on CX.
Jan 30, 2018, 5:55 pm
#115
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Hong Kong is a completely different market than the US. All travel is international and it has a high concentration of businesses that pay for J and even F travel depending on the level the passenger holds at a company.
Jan 30, 2018, 8:02 pm
#116
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago O'Hare
Programs: AA EXP, LT PLT 2.6MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 678
This is true. I had no plans in making EXP last year, but did so due to the number of first class tickets I bought. The spend was never a problem, even without the FC tickets. I think the number of EP's is going to stay even or climb.
Jan 30, 2018, 8:11 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Escondido, CA
Programs: US Chairman no more. AA EXP
Posts: 682
I made EXP with $6300 plus the Barclays EQD bonus. There will be a drop off, my guess is 20% of EXP will drop, PPro will obviously increase, Plat slight decrease and Gold slight decrease - my wife did 47,000 EQM with less than $2000 spend as an example.
Jan 30, 2018, 8:19 pm
#118
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Refer to endless complaints on CX side.
Jan 30, 2018, 8:59 pm
#119
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
yes just buy first class to Hawaii for $2K a couple of times a year and you’re set and you’re on vacation. Done and done.