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) .
Jan 16, 2018, 11:23 am
#481
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
My 2017 numbers were 8,199 EQDs, 72,944 EQMs.. So Plat and fairly close to PlatPro. My Thanksgiving travel was 100 and1000 of that, respectively, but it did not affect my buy-up offer.
AA is still emailing about the unchanged $1065 offer. I have more stickers than I know what to do with; even if I didn't, essentially getting "free" stickers, plus probably less than 10k additional RDM, plus the higher upgrade priority, just doesn't add up to that for me.
AA is still emailing about the unchanged $1065 offer. I have more stickers than I know what to do with; even if I didn't, essentially getting "free" stickers, plus probably less than 10k additional RDM, plus the higher upgrade priority, just doesn't add up to that for me.
Jan 16, 2018, 3:08 pm
#482
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
I just got another e-mail indicating my status expires in 15 days; still sitting at $895 for Platinum renewal. For someone that spent almost $9,000 EQD, it's a bit insulting that I didn't get a $395 or so offer. I have some business travel in late February/early March that I will attempt as a Gold; we'll see if the experience prompts me to upgrade to Plat later this year.
Jan 16, 2018, 4:39 pm
#483
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: EXP on AA, Plat Premier Marriott and CK on AA
Posts: 43
A few data points...
Both my kids are currently Plat, earned via challenge in 2016. One is less than 100 EQM shy of 25K, but has only around $1,800 EQD. Buy up to Gold for $699, to Plat for $1,299. The other has fewer than 4K EQM and less than $1,000 EQD. Can buy up to Gold also for $699, to Plat for $1,999.
Apparently no buyups to EXP. Wife has over 82K EQM and over $12,000 EQD but no offer.
I have already requalified for EXP but I tried it myself anyway. Sadly, no offer to buy up to CK.
Both my kids are currently Plat, earned via challenge in 2016. One is less than 100 EQM shy of 25K, but has only around $1,800 EQD. Buy up to Gold for $699, to Plat for $1,299. The other has fewer than 4K EQM and less than $1,000 EQD. Can buy up to Gold also for $699, to Plat for $1,999.
Apparently no buyups to EXP. Wife has over 82K EQM and over $12,000 EQD but no offer.
I have already requalified for EXP but I tried it myself anyway. Sadly, no offer to buy up to CK.
Jan 16, 2018, 6:51 pm
#484
Formerly known as WChiCC
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Gold, MGM Rewards Pearl, World of Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 67
EQD: 3,950
EQM: 51,827
PLAT buy up: $2,195
Not really an offer, since I could've spent less to earn the EQDs required for Platinum.
EQM: 51,827
PLAT buy up: $2,195
Not really an offer, since I could've spent less to earn the EQDs required for Platinum.
Jan 17, 2018, 9:25 am
#485
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Jan 17, 2018, 2:52 pm
#486
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
My second Aviator $3k EQD bonus, which I met spend on in mid December, recently back-posted to December 31. In the days since then, there’s been no change to my buy-up offer. I’m Platinum and had already cleared the EQD requirement for Platinum Pro, so my guess is that if you’ve already hit the minimum for a given tier requirement measure, excess earning of that measure won’t affect your offer.
That makes sense. I'm more curious about someone whose retroactive Aviator EQD posting pushed them over the status EQD threshold, yet they still needed more EQM. Prior to this month, the net effect was that EQDs were lowering the buy-back/buy-up offer (up until they reached the minimum EQD required for that status level). So far, we have not yet seen any reports of the buy-back/buy-up offers being reduced for these late posting EQD adjustments. Might just be a good datapoint to have for future years, especially if late posting credit card spend proves disadvantageous to participate in these offers.
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
I just got another e-mail indicating my status expires in 15 days; still sitting at $895 for Platinum renewal. For someone that spent almost $9,000 EQD, it's a bit insulting that I didn't get a $395 or so offer. I have some business travel in late February/early March that I will attempt as a Gold; we'll see if the experience prompts me to upgrade to Plat later this year.
What does sting a bit is having been EXP for 6 of the last 10 years, shifting to all paid F, and not even getting an offer for PPR (let alone the $1299 offer for PLT which seems a bit steep all things considered though not as steep as some have reported). I feel fairly certain I will earn PLT this year (already have about 25K EQM booked at about $3K EQD), but not before an international trip in May for which OW Sapphire status would be preferred for the business check-in and lounge access (this trip will be in coach). $1299 is very steep just for that...
cheers!
Jan 20, 2018, 5:18 am
#487
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
This does appear to be the case: my Aviator EQD spend bonus posted sometime over the weekend and is now part of the 2017 EQD total. Unsure if related, but I received another e-mail Tuesday to buy-up to Platinum for the same amount as before....
Wouldn't AA want to reward or incentivize higher EQD spend with lower EQM in some way? Perhaps all EQDs are not equal in this context? (i.e., Aviator EQD spend bonuses aren't viewed as worthy of a reduced elite level buy-back/up)
Wouldn't AA want to reward or incentivize higher EQD spend with lower EQM in some way? Perhaps all EQDs are not equal in this context? (i.e., Aviator EQD spend bonuses aren't viewed as worthy of a reduced elite level buy-back/up)
-FlyerBeek
Jan 20, 2018, 4:29 pm
#488
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Southwest US
Programs: AA (US) gold, HH gold, Bonvoy gold
Posts: 332
I have the same thing with a few more miles and $4400 - cost is to be $1295 - it seems crazy that I would do that - the only benefit seeming I get to book MCE earlier. I could pay the difference for the seat selection the 15 times a year I fly. if I find it is a hassle - I may be SWA soon.
Last edited by steves; Jan 20, 2018 at 4:30 pm Reason: missed a word
Feb 4, 2018, 11:54 am
#489
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 116
lost my gold status
In 2016 I flew AA on my many trips to and from work so i received Gold status. Becauseof a change in work location and havng SW CP i didnt fly that much with AA. In Dec 2017, I received an email offer to purchase gold status for $699 because it will expire Jan 31st 2018. I thought about it then it slipped my mind and my gold status is now expired. If the offer comes back again-is it worthwhile to pay for it. Because of my Citi ex cc i get free luggage, but what else would the Gold status get me?
Feb 4, 2018, 12:17 pm
#490
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Here and there
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,551
From the FAQ at https://elite.americanairlines.com/eliterenewal/faq.cfm:
How long do I have to purchase the offer?
Offers must be purchased by July 31, 2018, unless otherwise stated.
How long do I have to purchase the offer?
Offers must be purchased by July 31, 2018, unless otherwise stated.
Feb 4, 2018, 1:27 pm
#491
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
In 2016 I flew AA on my many trips to and from work so i received Gold status. Becauseof a change in work location and havng SW CP i didnt fly that much with AA. In Dec 2017, I received an email offer to purchase gold status for $699 because it will expire Jan 31st 2018. I thought about it then it slipped my mind and my gold status is now expired. If the offer comes back again-is it worthwhile to pay for it. Because of my Citi ex cc i get free luggage, but what else would the Gold status get me?
The exec card gets you most of the benefits of gold anyway, with the exception of upgrades... which as gold, you're not going to get anyway.
Feb 4, 2018, 1:41 pm
#492
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Exec card wont get you MCE seats at a discount or free, and upgrades do happen on international flights with the Miles + CoPay, Having Elite status is nice, even if it Gold.
Feb 4, 2018, 2:54 pm
#493
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
And you can use mileage to upgrade at anytime... this not exclusive to elites....
Feb 5, 2018, 8:06 am
#494
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Feb 5, 2018, 12:49 pm
#495
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: AAdvantage EXP | United Silver | HH Diamond | Bonvoy Platinum | Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 718
In 2016 I flew AA on my many trips to and from work so i received Gold status. Becauseof a change in work location and havng SW CP i didnt fly that much with AA. In Dec 2017, I received an email offer to purchase gold status for $699 because it will expire Jan 31st 2018. I thought about it then it slipped my mind and my gold status is now expired. If the offer comes back again-is it worthwhile to pay for it. Because of my Citi ex cc i get free luggage, but what else would the Gold status get me?
- Boarding group 4 as opposed to 5 with all of the other CC holders and non-elites that bought MCE
- No fee same day standby (as long as your route is the same) & you will clear standby before non-rev, and other folks who do not have any status.
- Free preferred seats (the green ones) at booking and free MCE at time of check in. Also note that many folks get upgraded between check in and takeoff, so many good MCE seats become available and are free.
- Priority Check In & Priority Security Line (if you don't have pre-check) While I have pre-check many of my traveling companions don't so it still saves time for them being able to go through the security lanes
- Gold Desk reservations (often very friendly and helpful and more knowledgeable / eager to help then before I had status)
While these benefits are not worth $699 IMO - you might want to try the status challenge after 6/1/18 (if you do this before mid year you only get status for the rest of the year)- its usually $120 to enroll or $300 for status while you complete the challenge, and you get gold for the rest of 2018 and 2019. You need 7,000 EQM + $1,000 EQD in a 90 day window - I would confirm with them as those numbers may have changed.