View Poll Results: After requalifying for Ecxecutive Platinum, should I seek status on another airline?
Yes. You should seek status on another airline
13
36.11%
No. You should maximize your AA elite status and benefits
22
61.11%
Neither. I’ve explained my answer in a post below
1
2.78%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll
Should I change airline alliance after requalifying?
Jun 27, 2018, 9:37 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DFW Area
Programs: AA Exec Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 7
Should I change airline alliance after requalifying?
I live in Dallas and have been AA Exec Plat for quite a few years. I currently take 1-2 internal, business class trips per month. I requalified Exec Plat back in April or May. I am now considering changing to Delta or United for the remainder of the year for the international business class trips so I qualify for one of their top tier levels. I don't see much disadvantage as I usually have to connect on my international trips anyway. The only real disadvantage I see is that my miles will be spread across two programs. I don't see any other real benefits on staying with AA as there are no longer any further milestone bonuses.
Has anyone done this? What has been your experience? Would you recommend Delta or United for international business class?
Has anyone done this? What has been your experience? Would you recommend Delta or United for international business class?
Jun 27, 2018, 9:43 am
#2
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
In fact there are SWU at some milestones beyond 100k.
But here's the thing: you’ll achieve top status by the end of the year on another airline, but you won’t have the benefits of top status until you achieve it vs using your existing EP on AA.
I’d refrain from doing that unless the other airline or its alliance served airports I go to that AA / oneworld doesn’t get me to easily.
But here's the thing: you’ll achieve top status by the end of the year on another airline, but you won’t have the benefits of top status until you achieve it vs using your existing EP on AA.
I’d refrain from doing that unless the other airline or its alliance served airports I go to that AA / oneworld doesn’t get me to easily.
Jun 27, 2018, 9:45 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP - Marriott LT Platinum - National Exec Elite
Posts: 1,112
I wouldn't trade direct flights from DFW on AA for flights with connections on other carriers. Getting status on other carriers, but not using regularly seems a waste.
Jun 27, 2018, 10:22 am
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
No need to live as a kettle! Get a status match first so that you have the high level benefits right away.
I’d love to have status on two alliances so that I could take the better flight without worrying about not having perks.
I’d love to have status on two alliances so that I could take the better flight without worrying about not having perks.
Jun 27, 2018, 11:59 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Never understood the idea of gaining status then not using it, not to say won’t fly other airlines if it meets my needs but to intentional push to other airlines - where you won’t use the benifits you’ve earned always confused me
Jun 27, 2018, 3:14 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Platinum
Posts: 232
I'm in a similar boat being about 5k EQM ($20k+ EQD) short of requalifying for EP. I've flown a couple J business trips on Delta and United when they were best option over AA. I understand why people say "why qualify if you're then not going to use the status". With status matches it does make more sense and I do consider that with the higher status (on Delta & United) the award miles I earn by flying is higher than w/o. Also, if there are future trips I want to take on non-AA airlines I will have miles to use for an award ticket.
Good example is we recently went on the new Delta route JFK > Azores (AA doesn't fly there) and without Delta miles, I had to transfer AMEX points to Delta. Had I had premiere status and flown a couple of J flights, I'd likely have enough Delta points
Good example is we recently went on the new Delta route JFK > Azores (AA doesn't fly there) and without Delta miles, I had to transfer AMEX points to Delta. Had I had premiere status and flown a couple of J flights, I'd likely have enough Delta points
Jun 27, 2018, 3:55 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Since spend is now an upgrade priority factor within a given AA status, if you're not talking huge numbers in qualifying on another airline, you might want to focus on AA to help stay ahead of the EXP upgrade pack.
Jun 27, 2018, 5:07 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,017
What do you expect on the other side? Especially if flying paid business class?
FFP of airline XX vs YY vs ZZ is a common topic .
Another AA vs UA thread----> https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...switch-ua.html
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Jun 27, 2018 at 5:19 pm
Jun 27, 2018, 5:38 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,159
I've seen this viewpoint expressed regularly so I'll take this opportunity to respond. The key is to think of this not as a one-time qualification but as a potentially recurring one. In the long term, if flying patterns continue, splitting between two airlines allows maintaining status on both (and, after the first year, enjoying that status while requalifying). This, in turn, gives the flexibility to choose the more convenient airline for each individual trip. So it's not a case of "gaining status then not using it" -- it will be used next year.
Jun 27, 2018, 5:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
There is an advantage if you are in 2 different markets, I use he *A for united , air NZ and air Canada but I use he oneworld for Qantas and Qatar
my time is is split between 2 markets ( Australia and Canada) so the advantage is worth the hassle, if you are in one market and have the perks , use them as to not start from scratch
my time is is split between 2 markets ( Australia and Canada) so the advantage is worth the hassle, if you are in one market and have the perks , use them as to not start from scratch
Jun 27, 2018, 7:38 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
I agree. I thought that the whole point of earning status is to enjoy the benefits. Same with hotels. Once I reach the top tier in a hotel program, I want to enjoy the upgrades to suites for the rest of the year, not start at the bottom of another program.
Jun 27, 2018, 8:36 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP; Marriott BonVoy Titanium Elite, Marriott LT Plat.
Posts: 1,717
I recently was considering joining CX's MPC as my market has been Asia for the past year. I just recently opted to take their nonstop flight from SFO-HKG as a test run as HKG has been my primary spot for my trips (growing tired of going to/from LAX and flying back up the coast of CA on each leg on AA metal).
But I think it would be best to stay with AA as I see no difference being a (near) top elite with them vs. EXP. The OWE status doors open just the same as far as I can tell. CX in-flight team treated me very nice too.
Now's the time to just enjoy the benefits of my hard work within the EXP rankings when looking to upgrade vs. enjoying my exit row favorite seat.
But I think it would be best to stay with AA as I see no difference being a (near) top elite with them vs. EXP. The OWE status doors open just the same as far as I can tell. CX in-flight team treated me very nice too.
Now's the time to just enjoy the benefits of my hard work within the EXP rankings when looking to upgrade vs. enjoying my exit row favorite seat.
Jun 27, 2018, 9:23 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
And if you do the analysis, I believe that you'll find that the earn/burn ratio is better on AA, anyway.