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 24, 2017, 11:24 pm
#421
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 8
Dec 25, 2017, 7:17 am
#422
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: No more status, free agent now
Posts: 163
Thank you all for the great info and discussion here, it really helps consider the options.
My data: PLT now, 20300EQM, 2300 EQD, 20 EQS, boost offer $699 to Gold, $1299 to Plat. It seems the boost offer to Plat window is pretty wide, from about half to double of my EQM/EQD, so extra flights (I have a shorthaul this year still) likely won't lower the offer.
I will likely pay for the Plat boost: I'll do about 40 OW flights next year, so it would be about 35 USD per flight, and I value the AA Plat (OW Sapphire) benefits about that much (prebooking seats, boarding first, lounge access, etc).
As most FF programs have been heavily "enhanced", and it is really hard to keep useful status with Y-only flying, I'm torn between the various options and FF programs, was thinking of ditching OW for *A, but after some time test flying with *A, *A is not serving me so well even with *G status (*A does not offer many some benefits on all *A airlines, so *G is worth less than OW Sapphire, in my opinion).
By paying for AA PLT (OW Sapphire), I get one more year of "a little more comfortable" travel... After that it may be "no status" time...
My data: PLT now, 20300EQM, 2300 EQD, 20 EQS, boost offer $699 to Gold, $1299 to Plat. It seems the boost offer to Plat window is pretty wide, from about half to double of my EQM/EQD, so extra flights (I have a shorthaul this year still) likely won't lower the offer.
I will likely pay for the Plat boost: I'll do about 40 OW flights next year, so it would be about 35 USD per flight, and I value the AA Plat (OW Sapphire) benefits about that much (prebooking seats, boarding first, lounge access, etc).
As most FF programs have been heavily "enhanced", and it is really hard to keep useful status with Y-only flying, I'm torn between the various options and FF programs, was thinking of ditching OW for *A, but after some time test flying with *A, *A is not serving me so well even with *G status (*A does not offer many some benefits on all *A airlines, so *G is worth less than OW Sapphire, in my opinion).
By paying for AA PLT (OW Sapphire), I get one more year of "a little more comfortable" travel... After that it may be "no status" time...
Last edited by haa; Dec 25, 2017 at 7:21 am Reason: typo fix, add current status, correct PLT boost offer amount.
Dec 25, 2017, 8:04 am
#423
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA USA
Programs: SPG PLT, AA EXP
Posts: 3,732
Fell back on my LTP status back on March 1, 2017.
This AM, the same day my recent BA flights posted, I went over 75K EQM to achieve PPro status. Also this AM I received the "Boost" email for EXP status (sure was quick!).
as of this AM:
EQM: 85,200
EQD: 10,930
EQS: 21
EXP offer was $2649 .... I calculate the value of 4 SWUs + a few saved stickers as >$2649, so I took the offer. It will be nice to be EXP again, after 9 months as PLT. ^
This AM, the same day my recent BA flights posted, I went over 75K EQM to achieve PPro status. Also this AM I received the "Boost" email for EXP status (sure was quick!).
as of this AM:
EQM: 85,200
EQD: 10,930
EQS: 21
EXP offer was $2649 .... I calculate the value of 4 SWUs + a few saved stickers as >$2649, so I took the offer. It will be nice to be EXP again, after 9 months as PLT. ^
Dec 25, 2017, 10:44 am
#424
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 12
EQD: 15,073
EQM: 84,650
EQS: 102
Got the email today to upgrade to EP for $2,450! I have 3 more days of segment runs booked this week to hit 120 EQS so ill pass. Missed a connection today due to de-icing and sleepy pilots, so I have no wiggle room now. Cant miss anything else! I am going to check back after each day and see how this offer changes. I have a feeling it wont much since AA doesn't seem to qualify based on segments. My PPRO upgrade offer was like $1200 dollars and I was 1 segment short!
EQM: 84,650
EQS: 102
Got the email today to upgrade to EP for $2,450! I have 3 more days of segment runs booked this week to hit 120 EQS so ill pass. Missed a connection today due to de-icing and sleepy pilots, so I have no wiggle room now. Cant miss anything else! I am going to check back after each day and see how this offer changes. I have a feeling it wont much since AA doesn't seem to qualify based on segments. My PPRO upgrade offer was like $1200 dollars and I was 1 segment short!
Dec 25, 2017, 9:17 pm
#425
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
EQD: 15,073
EQM: 84,650
EQS: 102
Got the email today to upgrade to EP for $2,450! I have 3 more days of segment runs booked this week to hit 120 EQS so ill pass. Missed a connection today due to de-icing and sleepy pilots, so I have no wiggle room now. Cant miss anything else! I am going to check back after each day and see how this offer changes. I have a feeling it wont much since AA doesn't seem to qualify based on segments. My PPRO upgrade offer was like $1200 dollars and I was 1 segment short!
EQM: 84,650
EQS: 102
Got the email today to upgrade to EP for $2,450! I have 3 more days of segment runs booked this week to hit 120 EQS so ill pass. Missed a connection today due to de-icing and sleepy pilots, so I have no wiggle room now. Cant miss anything else! I am going to check back after each day and see how this offer changes. I have a feeling it wont much since AA doesn't seem to qualify based on segments. My PPRO upgrade offer was like $1200 dollars and I was 1 segment short!
Dec 26, 2017, 4:54 am
#427
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
I checked again this morning. I'm now at 50.7K EQM with 6.8K EQD and I get a message that I don't qualify for an offer. My wife is in the same boat (or should that be the same plane) as she just went through PPRO at 12.5K EQD and 77K EQD and she also got the "don't qualify for an offer" message.
Dec 26, 2017, 4:55 am
#428
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Guess u are wrong.
Current status: PLT. Gold for 2016.
EQD - 7,340
EQM - 61,218
EQS - 25
Offer for PPro came this morning: $1,899. As the *only* difference between PLT and PPro is upgrades without stickers, I will pass.
If they had made this any sort of legitimate offer (with 12 days to earn the status with BIS miles and dollars, minimizing chances I would earn it normally), like say $500 cash with no expenses on their part service (no plane, no employees, no maintenance, just cold hard cash to tick a box on their end), they'd have an extra $500 in revenue from me today instead of the $0 they're going to get (done flying for 2017). Granted, that would mean everybody would just wait until the end and buy up, but they have analysts to work on the math of who is likely to take/should be offered a deal.
Though I understand the concept of basically valuing the convenience of not traveling at ~$240.
EQD - 7,340
EQM - 61,218
EQS - 25
Offer for PPro came this morning: $1,899. As the *only* difference between PLT and PPro is upgrades without stickers, I will pass.
If they had made this any sort of legitimate offer (with 12 days to earn the status with BIS miles and dollars, minimizing chances I would earn it normally), like say $500 cash with no expenses on their part service (no plane, no employees, no maintenance, just cold hard cash to tick a box on their end), they'd have an extra $500 in revenue from me today instead of the $0 they're going to get (done flying for 2017). Granted, that would mean everybody would just wait until the end and buy up, but they have analysts to work on the math of who is likely to take/should be offered a deal.
Though I understand the concept of basically valuing the convenience of not traveling at ~$240.
Dec 27, 2017, 9:52 am
#430
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 67
Completed last flight of year yesterday, re-qualifying me for EXP. My wife would have been short $29 EQD's to requal for Gold but it appears that Advantage CS boosted the number of EQD's needed by just enough so she now made Gold with $3003. I had called in before our trip to ask if this was possible but they advised to call back once travel was completed. I track EQD's carefully and see that both of our records got the boost, probably since we were both on the same PNR. Thanks AA for showing how much you appreciate our business!
Dec 28, 2017, 7:40 am
#431
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, United 1K
Posts: 37
I am platinum 120 EQD short of platinum pro. (already have the EQM) Offer for $265 to boost but I already have a mileage run set for New Years Eve that I paid $275 for. Given the mileage earned and 5x MR points of the Amex Platinum, worth it to keep the mileage run and get to PPro that way.
Dec 28, 2017, 11:58 am
#432
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 117
Upgrade to PPRO
I'm currently EXP.
With all my flying done for 2017, my summary is:
EQD: $6,129
EQM: 51,679
Option to upgrade to Platinum Pro for $1,765.
I'm wondering if this is a good deal given that I am nowhere near achieving Platinum Pro and the offer costs less than the actual EQD that I would have had to spend.
I fly the JFK-LAX route maybe 4 times a year and having a one-up in priority over Platinum (and not have to use any stickers) would be great if I can score business class seats. It's hit or miss, depending on the date and time of the flights, but I've had maybe 60% success this year as an EXP. I just flew in last night on a redeye from LAX-JFK and there were 4 empty business class seats and no one on the upgrade list!
I also completed a status match with Delta for Platinum Medallion Status for 2018 to try it out next year but not sure if it will do me any good with my travel plans.
Not sure what to do here.... Anyone have any thoughts?
With all my flying done for 2017, my summary is:
EQD: $6,129
EQM: 51,679
Option to upgrade to Platinum Pro for $1,765.
I'm wondering if this is a good deal given that I am nowhere near achieving Platinum Pro and the offer costs less than the actual EQD that I would have had to spend.
I fly the JFK-LAX route maybe 4 times a year and having a one-up in priority over Platinum (and not have to use any stickers) would be great if I can score business class seats. It's hit or miss, depending on the date and time of the flights, but I've had maybe 60% success this year as an EXP. I just flew in last night on a redeye from LAX-JFK and there were 4 empty business class seats and no one on the upgrade list!
I also completed a status match with Delta for Platinum Medallion Status for 2018 to try it out next year but not sure if it will do me any good with my travel plans.
Not sure what to do here.... Anyone have any thoughts?
Dec 28, 2017, 2:05 pm
#433
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Amb Elite & LT Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,230
All amounts paid by you under this program are exclusive of sales, use or privilege taxes, or tax-like charges, fees or similar liabilities. GST applies to residents of Canada. American reserves the right to refuse to carry out any elite status offer if you do not fully pay all amounts due and payable by you. All applicable fees are collected in US dollars and are non-refundable. You must pay the renewal fee, in addition to any applicable taxes and credit card processing fees, in full by July 31, 2018, unless otherwise stated. Elite status offers obtained through this program will not be authorized retroactively if payment is not completed before the Member's current status expires. The elite status effective date for Members purchasing an elite status level higher than their current elite status level valid through January 31, 2019, will be within 5 business days of the purchase being completed. The elite status effective date for Members purchasing an elite status level that is the same or lower than their current elite status level valid through January 31, 2019, will be February 1, 2018, or if the purchase is completed after that date, within 5 business days of the purchase being completed. New elite status credentials will be mailed to you within 4-6 weeks of the effective date of that status.
Dec 28, 2017, 2:44 pm
#434
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 31
With all my flying done for 2017, as a platinum I have 50,444 EQM and
5250 EQD. To hold on to platinum it says my offer is $1479. Yep, almost twice as much as I’m short on the EQDs.
I don’t fly that much, mostly cross country or international. I do pay for and fly business or first class. So I don’t need Platinum status to upgrade, and the routes I fly are too common amongst the real elite to be able to use Platinum status to upgrade anyway. Is there any reason at all for me to hold on to the Platinum status? The lady on the AAdvantage line basically says it will only get me a second free bag, which seriously, $1479 would buy me a ton of extra bags...(I can’t ever remember checking two bags.)
If I don’t keep Platinum I am also free to fly whatever airline has the better prices or routes, which also is a plus. I no longer live in an American hub. Right now I have the AAdmirals club credit card which gets me club access, but I can go back to American Express and get the centurion lounge...
I don’t fly that much, mostly cross country or international. I do pay for and fly business or first class. So I don’t need Platinum status to upgrade, and the routes I fly are too common amongst the real elite to be able to use Platinum status to upgrade anyway. Is there any reason at all for me to hold on to the Platinum status? The lady on the AAdvantage line basically says it will only get me a second free bag, which seriously, $1479 would buy me a ton of extra bags...(I can’t ever remember checking two bags.)
If I don’t keep Platinum I am also free to fly whatever airline has the better prices or routes, which also is a plus. I no longer live in an American hub. Right now I have the AAdmirals club credit card which gets me club access, but I can go back to American Express and get the centurion lounge...
Dec 28, 2017, 3:05 pm
#435
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
With all my flying done for 2017, as a platinum I have 50,444 EQM and
5250 EQD. To hold on to platinum it says my offer is $1479. Yep, almost twice as much as I’m short on the EQDs.
I don’t fly that much, mostly cross country or international. I do pay for and fly business or first class. So I don’t need Platinum status to upgrade, and the routes I fly are too common amongst the real elite to be able to use Platinum status to upgrade anyway. Is there any reason at all for me to hold on to the Platinum status? The lady on the AAdvantage line basically says it will only get me a second free bag, which seriously, $1479 would buy me a ton of extra bags...(I can’t ever remember checking two bags.)
If I don’t keep Platinum I am also free to fly whatever airline has the better prices or routes, which also is a plus. I no longer live in an American hub. Right now I have the AAdmirals club credit card which gets me club access, but I can go back to American Express and get the centurion lounge...
I don’t fly that much, mostly cross country or international. I do pay for and fly business or first class. So I don’t need Platinum status to upgrade, and the routes I fly are too common amongst the real elite to be able to use Platinum status to upgrade anyway. Is there any reason at all for me to hold on to the Platinum status? The lady on the AAdvantage line basically says it will only get me a second free bag, which seriously, $1479 would buy me a ton of extra bags...(I can’t ever remember checking two bags.)
If I don’t keep Platinum I am also free to fly whatever airline has the better prices or routes, which also is a plus. I no longer live in an American hub. Right now I have the AAdmirals club credit card which gets me club access, but I can go back to American Express and get the centurion lounge...