Oct 21, 2017, 12:00 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
2018 Program Year Elite Status Buyback / Renew / Boost (as of EOY 2017)
"Grace" for those close to completing status requirements has not been offered since AA began the buyback / renew / boost program.
In previous years, AA (and US) have offered those who failed to requalify for elite status the opportunity to buy back or "boost" status for the following status year. That offer was extended for the 2017 programme year, and the 2018 offering is be discussed here. E-mails have gone out to many members (16 Nov) with tailored offers. To see if you are eligible and to see what your offers are, go to https://elite.americanairlines.com/e...ewal/login.cfm
NOTE: “Plus, your purchase price will count toward your Rolling Elite Qualifying Dollars, helping improve your upgrade priority.” - AA
List of members' offers for 2018 program year to be added below. See end for 2016 offers.
List current status, EQD & EQM / EQS, $ required for buyback or boost and status offered:
GOLD PLAT PPRO EXP
To read what each status tier offers, see:
What are AA Gold / GLD Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
What are AA Platinum / PLT Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
What are AA Platinum Pro Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
What are AA Executive Platinum / EP / EXP Benefits? Are they worth it? (Master thd) (link)
For the thread discussing last year's programme, see this archived thread.
List of people's 2018 program year (1 Feb through 31 Jan) offers here. List is current up to post #147
Code:
Status EQM EQD GLD PLT PPR EXP
EXP 94k $17,960 ——————— ——————— ——————————— —————$1,895
PLT 24k $ 1,800 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
PLT 4k $ 1,000 $ 699 $ 1,999 ——————— ———————
EXP 86k $13,538 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,295
EXP 130k $11,940 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 345
PLT 12k $ 1,518 $ 699 $ 1,995 ——————— ———————
EXP 72k $16,000 ——————— ——————— $ 995 ———————
?(#16) 68k $ 9,315 ——————— ——————— $ 1,345 ———————
EXP 108k $11,855 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 225
EXP 101k $10,340 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,795
EXP 100k $10,000 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 2,995
None(#20)18k >$3,000 $ 495 ——————— ——————— ———————
GLD 46k $ 4,451 ——————— $ 1,865 ——————— ———————
PLT 34k $ 4,500 ——————— $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
???(#25) 66k $10,500 ——————— ——————— $ 1,345 ———————
PLT 26k $ 6,900 ——————— $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
PLT 46k $ 4,382 ——————— $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
EXP 10k $ 858 $ 699 $ 1,995 ——————— ———————
PLT 30k $ 2,264 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
PLT 58k $17,000 ——————— ——————— $ 1,945 ———————
PLT 19k $ 6,500 $ 500 $ 1,995 ——————— ———————
EXP 40k $ 5,383 ——————— $ 1,295 ——————— ———————
EXP 88k $ 8,000 ——————— ——————— $ 1,135 $ 4,155
EXP 102k $11,513 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 765
EXP 90k $14,361 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,795
PLT 45k $12,246 ——————— $ 695 ——————— ———————
GLD 19k $ 5,011 $ 495 ——————— ——————— ———————
???(#37)<80k $ 9,100 ——————— ——————— ——————— ———————
EXP 44.6k $ 2,230 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
EXP 93k $23,000 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,795
PPR 92k $13,000 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,795
EXP 45.5k $ 1,656 ——————— $ 1,479 ——————— ———————
PLT 63k $ 6,328 ——————— ——————— $ 2,885 ———————
None 14k $ 964 $ 2,215 ——————— ——————— ———————
PLT 65.7k $10,800 ——————— ——————— $ 1,345 ———————
PLT 42.4k $ 8,639 ——————— $ 1,075 ——————— ———————
PLT 44.9k $ 5,577 ——————— $ 995 ——————— ———————
EXP 57k $ 4,200 ——————— $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
PLT 40.6k $ 5,832 ——————— $ 995 ——————— ———————
PLT 40.5k $ 5,843 ——————— $ 895 ——————— ———————
EXP 84.6k $12,460 ——————— ——————— ——————— ———————
EXP 95.8k $11,679 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,395
PPR 81k $11,465 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 735
EXP 116k $11,870 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 225
EXP 90.6k $14,361 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,798
EXP 22k $ 1,100 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
EXP 92.5k $11,986 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,895
EXP 61k $ 8,800 ——————— ——————— $ 1,745 ———————
PPR 97k $20,000 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,295
EXP ~124k $11,296 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 935
EXP 94.8k $11,543 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,895
EXP 97.4k $14,228 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,295
PLT 73.6k $ 8,832 ——————— ——————— $ 995 ———————
EXP 98.4k $13,600 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,295
EXP 91.5k $11,660 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,895
PLT?(#80)62.6k $ 7,707 ——————— ——————— $ 1,645 ———————
EXP?(#81)99.9k $16,603 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,395
PLT 21k $ 1,500 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
PPR 93.3k $19,775 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,795
PLT 26.3k $ 4,172 ——————— $ 1,479 ——————— ———————
PLT 17k $ 2,221 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
EXP 88k $14,500 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 2,500
PLT 2k $ 230 ——————— $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
PLT 0 $ 0 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
GLD 72.3k $10,735 ——————— ——————— $ 995 ———————
PLT 75.9k $ 9,854 ——————— ——————— ——————— ———————
EXP 69.5k $ 9,950 ——————— ——————— $ 1,645 ———————
EXP 41.6k $ 8,077 ——————— $ 995 ——————— ———————
PLT 60.2k $ 8,200 ——————— ——————— $ 1,656 ———————
EXP 57.4k $ 6,067 ——————— $ 265 ——————— ———————
EXP 57k $ 6,000 ——————— ——————— $ 1,760 ———————
EXP 120k $10,500 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,850
EXP?(#100) 84.8k $13,025 ——————— ——————— ——————— ———————
EXP 99.9k $ 9,218 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 2,899
PPR 85k $ 9,200 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 2,985
PLT 36.2k $ 7,636 ——————— $ 1,295 ——————— ———————
GLD 44.7k $ 5,541 ——————— $ 895 ——————— ———————
PLT 46.5k $12,500 ——————— $ 650 ——————— ———————
PLT 43.1k $10,531 ——————— ——————— ——————— ———————
GLD 33.4k $ 4,966 ——————— $ 1,495 ——————— ———————
GLD 0 $ 0 $ 699 ——————— ——————— ———————
PPR 79.5k $19,295 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 3,575
GLD 39.6k $ 7,616 ——————— $ 1,195 ——————— ———————
None 35.1k $ 2,180 $ 995 ——————— ——————— ———————
PLT 25.2k $ 3,478 ——————— $ 1,479 ——————— ———————
EXP 99.5k $16,323 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,395
PLT 30k $ 4,988 ——————— $ 1,295 ——————— ———————
GLD 11k $ 1,652 $ 699 ——————— ——————— ———————
PLT 45.7k $12,250 ——————— $ 695 ——————— ———————
GLD 18.7k $ 5,000 $ 495 ——————— ——————— ———————
PLT 40.3k $ 3,050 ——————— $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
PLT 0 $ 0 ——————— ——————— $ 1,479 ———————
PPR 86k $21,500 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 2,495
EXP 92.3k $10,400 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,895
GLD ~9k ~$ 1,000 $ 699 ——————— ——————— ———————
EXP 99.4k >$14,000 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,299
EXP 95.5k $17,779 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 1,395
PLT 21k $ 2,200 $ 699 $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
EXP 115k $11,961 ——————— ——————— ——————— $ 225
EXP 53k $15,000 ——————— ——————— $ 1,765 ———————
EXP 30.5k $5,714 —————— $ 1,299 ——————— ———————
Program Year 2018 Elite Status Buy back / Buyback / Renew / Boost (master thd) .
Dec 6, 2017, 5:44 pm
#346
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
I've been EXP for 10 years, and close to reaching 2 million miles
They sent me an offer a few weeks ago - $1495 to requalify...!
It'd be cheaper for me to buy a coast to coast one day mileage run and get what i need.
Since i still have another business class trip to Europe this month and one to Texas i'm going to be more than fine, but i find this offer laughable.
Dec 6, 2017, 9:21 pm
#347
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: ex-multiyear AA EXP/OWE, now SA Gold/AC Super Elite
Posts: 165
I hit PPro this morning, and will hit EXP 2 days from now when my JNB run posts... I'm currently sitting at 10K EQD and 102K EQM, and my offer is still $1,296.75 for PPro for next year. I checked twice today (as recently as the writing of this post), and it continues to offer me the status I've already obtained.
Just some background info.
Dec 7, 2017, 4:57 am
#348
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
(Qualifying flight was on Sunday night, AA.com showed the activity on Tuesday morning, "Your Elite Offer" rescinded their offer on Thursday morning).
Dec 7, 2017, 4:59 am
#349
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP; BoNVoY Tit LTP
Posts: 1,923
That can't be accurate - there has to be some delay in the system presenting an offer:
I hit PPro this morning, and will hit EXP 2 days from now when my JNB run posts... I'm currently sitting at 10K EQD and 102K EQM, and my offer is still $1,296.75 for PPro for next year. I checked twice today (as recently as the writing of this post), and it continues to offer me the status I've already obtained.
Just some background info.
I hit PPro this morning, and will hit EXP 2 days from now when my JNB run posts... I'm currently sitting at 10K EQD and 102K EQM, and my offer is still $1,296.75 for PPro for next year. I checked twice today (as recently as the writing of this post), and it continues to offer me the status I've already obtained.
Just some background info.
Dec 7, 2017, 6:56 am
#350
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 655
Me (exp): 8955 eqd 64,474 eqm - offer to ppro: $2607
SO (plat): 2607 eqd 44942 eqm - no offer
Comments: My offer has stayed the same despite some additional travel.
Have travel booked, or will, to get into ppro range. Status isn't worth what it once was and costs a lot more. Might as well spend the money on buying the ticket - likely use my large stash of rdm for premium intl travel or end up as a Kayaker in Premium Economy on the flights/alliance that works best.
Might reconsider buy up if an attractive exp offer is made, but the ones posted so far seem more ugly than attractive.
SO (plat): 2607 eqd 44942 eqm - no offer
Comments: My offer has stayed the same despite some additional travel.
Have travel booked, or will, to get into ppro range. Status isn't worth what it once was and costs a lot more. Might as well spend the money on buying the ticket - likely use my large stash of rdm for premium intl travel or end up as a Kayaker in Premium Economy on the flights/alliance that works best.
Might reconsider buy up if an attractive exp offer is made, but the ones posted so far seem more ugly than attractive.
Dec 7, 2017, 10:33 am
#351
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I was offered a ridiculous price to assure Platinum Pro next year at ~$13,000 EQD and ~57,000 EQM, but I’m not there any longer and will finish out the year earning EP once again (probably for the last time; being airline neutral and lifetime Platinum for one world travel will suffice).
Dec 7, 2017, 11:43 am
#352
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
I suspect you could do an enjoyable mileage Run for less.
I was offered a ridiculous price to assure Platinum Pro next year at ~$13,000 EQD and ~57,000 EQM, but I’m not there any longer and will finish out the year earning EP once again (probably for the last time; being airline neutral and lifetime Platinum for one world travel will suffice).
I was offered a ridiculous price to assure Platinum Pro next year at ~$13,000 EQD and ~57,000 EQM, but I’m not there any longer and will finish out the year earning EP once again (probably for the last time; being airline neutral and lifetime Platinum for one world travel will suffice).
I was literally hours away from qualifying.https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29122837-post201.html
Dec 7, 2017, 2:42 pm
#353
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: ex-multiyear AA EXP/OWE, now SA Gold/AC Super Elite
Posts: 165
My offer updated this morning:
735.00 + taxes for EXP.
Currently sitting at 11.4EQD and 110K EQM, so if I didn't have another flight about to post taking me over, I'd likely just pay that to keep EXP.
735.00 + taxes for EXP.
Currently sitting at 11.4EQD and 110K EQM, so if I didn't have another flight about to post taking me over, I'd likely just pay that to keep EXP.
Dec 7, 2017, 4:52 pm
#355
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 587
It seems counterintuitive to me though. If they really want to reward based upon spend, and everything i am seeing says that's so, then those with high spend and low EQM should be the preferred customers. Aren't i a more profit making customer for them if i have 20K EQD and only 70K EQM, than those same 20K EQD and 175K EQM? i get it they set the rules, so i am playing by them, but i can't find the logic behind it.
I will end up over 22K EQD, and still had to schedule three goofy MR's PHL-LAX, and PHL-SEA to get the EQM. and FWIW - i got those at ~4CPM and was upgraded on 4 of the 8 flights so far (4 more to come).
Dec 7, 2017, 10:13 pm
#356
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: ex-multiyear AA EXP/OWE, now SA Gold/AC Super Elite
Posts: 165
Yea, that seems right (annoying, but right).
It seems counterintuitive to me though. If they really want to reward based upon spend, and everything i am seeing says that's so, then those with high spend and low EQM should be the preferred customers. Aren't i a more profit making customer for them if i have 20K EQD and only 70K EQM, than those same 20K EQD and 175K EQM? i get it they set the rules, so i am playing by them, but i can't find the logic behind it.
I will end up over 22K EQD, and still had to schedule three goofy MR's PHL-LAX, and PHL-SEA to get the EQM. and FWIW - i got those at ~4CPM and was upgraded on 4 of the 8 flights so far (4 more to come).
It seems counterintuitive to me though. If they really want to reward based upon spend, and everything i am seeing says that's so, then those with high spend and low EQM should be the preferred customers. Aren't i a more profit making customer for them if i have 20K EQD and only 70K EQM, than those same 20K EQD and 175K EQM? i get it they set the rules, so i am playing by them, but i can't find the logic behind it.
I will end up over 22K EQD, and still had to schedule three goofy MR's PHL-LAX, and PHL-SEA to get the EQM. and FWIW - i got those at ~4CPM and was upgraded on 4 of the 8 flights so far (4 more to come).
Anyone know what the typical cost per mile per passenger is for each plane type? Things like meals, landing fees, gate staff costs, baggage loading/unloading, etc. All of that has a set cost per flight and they only have to pay that once if I fly to Sydney instead of 20 times on short haul trips.
I suspect they added spend for two reasons: one, everyone else is doing it, and we know how original the AA executive team is at coming up with new and innovative ideas! Second, it took people out of the equation who were willing to do a few PTY runs throughout the year to keep status.
Dec 8, 2017, 3:33 am
#357
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,895
It's probably more expensive for AA to serve you on 20 short haul flights than it would be if you just did a single long haul overseas.
Anyone know what the typical cost per mile per passenger is for each plane type? Things like meals, landing fees, gate staff costs, baggage loading/unloading, etc. All of that has a set cost per flight and they only have to pay that once if I fly to Sydney instead of 20 times on short haul trips.
I suspect they added spend for two reasons: one, everyone else is doing it, and we know how original the AA executive team is at coming up with new and innovative ideas! Second, it took people out of the equation who were willing to do a few PTY runs throughout the year to keep status.
Anyone know what the typical cost per mile per passenger is for each plane type? Things like meals, landing fees, gate staff costs, baggage loading/unloading, etc. All of that has a set cost per flight and they only have to pay that once if I fly to Sydney instead of 20 times on short haul trips.
I suspect they added spend for two reasons: one, everyone else is doing it, and we know how original the AA executive team is at coming up with new and innovative ideas! Second, it took people out of the equation who were willing to do a few PTY runs throughout the year to keep status.
i’m $2000 high on EQD on Platinum but 7000 miles short on EQM. Frankly my buy up for Platinum, should be like $95 given I’ve easily achieved EQD, but it has stayed at $895.
Dec 8, 2017, 1:52 pm
#358
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CCS
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4
The offer I got was for Platinum Pro in early November, of course, it did not take into consideration my trips for December.
Dec 8, 2017, 8:12 pm
#359
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Why would the system do that (bolded) since you haven't taken the trips then?????
Dec 9, 2017, 1:53 pm
#360
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Programs: A: PP, LTG/1.5M | UA: SLV | Bonvoy LTTi | IHG PLT| Avis PC | Nat'l Emerald Club EE
Posts: 1,067
EQD: $5,714 EQM: 30,544 EQS: 14
Buy up offer to PLT is $1,295
I changed careers late last year and travel dropped precipitously. Sadly, EXP will no longer be in the cards.
Question: Once my next/last planned trip and AAviator spend bonus EQD posts, I will end up over the $9,000 EQD mark. Forgive me if I'm missing it, but I can't see anyone that's been offered PPR if they have the EQD but are well short on EQM (admittedly, I'm pretty lopsided). Might I see an offer for PPR with $9K+ EQD and ~35K EQM?
One complicating factor is that I've just crossed the threshold for an AAviator card $3K EQD bonus--no idea if it will post before the end of December. I suppose if not, it won't be a factor. Anyone with similar experience that can share how it was handled by AA?
Frankly, I'm not sure the buy up to PLT is worth it, though PPR may be depending on how much the buy up costs. Even with relatively high EQD to push up upgrade possibility within tier as a PLT, I'd just end up as "cream of the crap" as it were (especially out of DCA). I do have flexibility to carve out a bit of time for MRs the last 3-4 days of December, but doubt very much I can close the 40K EQM gap to PPR (at least, not economically). If only from a time factor, long-haul international isn't really a viable option for me for MRs; could conceivably squeeze in 2-3 transcon roundtrips but that could just barely net about 30K EQM if booked in F/J/A/D/I/R--so possibly very uneconomical.
Thoughts/recommendations shared experiences much appreciated.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Buy up offer to PLT is $1,295
I changed careers late last year and travel dropped precipitously. Sadly, EXP will no longer be in the cards.
Question: Once my next/last planned trip and AAviator spend bonus EQD posts, I will end up over the $9,000 EQD mark. Forgive me if I'm missing it, but I can't see anyone that's been offered PPR if they have the EQD but are well short on EQM (admittedly, I'm pretty lopsided). Might I see an offer for PPR with $9K+ EQD and ~35K EQM?
One complicating factor is that I've just crossed the threshold for an AAviator card $3K EQD bonus--no idea if it will post before the end of December. I suppose if not, it won't be a factor. Anyone with similar experience that can share how it was handled by AA?
Frankly, I'm not sure the buy up to PLT is worth it, though PPR may be depending on how much the buy up costs. Even with relatively high EQD to push up upgrade possibility within tier as a PLT, I'd just end up as "cream of the crap" as it were (especially out of DCA). I do have flexibility to carve out a bit of time for MRs the last 3-4 days of December, but doubt very much I can close the 40K EQM gap to PPR (at least, not economically). If only from a time factor, long-haul international isn't really a viable option for me for MRs; could conceivably squeeze in 2-3 transcon roundtrips but that could just barely net about 30K EQM if booked in F/J/A/D/I/R--so possibly very uneconomical.
Thoughts/recommendations shared experiences much appreciated.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Last edited by AAir_head; Dec 9, 2017 at 8:27 pm Reason: grammar