ijgordon

I think one of the most under-rated/invaluable benefits of status, that you generally can't buy, is priority in the phone queue especially during IRROPs. I mean, what's everyone's time worth? And related to that would be standby priority during IRROPs.

Stivelio

I got AA gold for the very first time in 10 years because of some international work travel this year and am 1300 miles short of getting plat status. If I am not able to get any work travel for the rest of this year is it worth trying to find a MR to get to plat by end of the year?

cyberjet

^ yes, if...

If you also have made the EQD

and

If you will be flying much next year

gmt4

Assuming you've made or will make EQD in those 1300 miles as well. Plat is worth it for the lounge access and fast track security (OW Sapphire) when you travel international. Slight bump in award miles too. (60% bonus) I'd do it if I were you and were that close.

Uncle Nonny

You actually can buy it: Admirals Club. I find them to be much better at dealing with IRROPS. Of course, you need to be at the airport to take advantage of it.

rfrost

i don't travel anywhere I don't want to be for elite status, but I have valued the benefits sufficiently over the last 25 years or so to take an extra trip in a couple of those years to somewhere I wanted to go in order to keep elite status. As those benefits have diminished, I have assigned less value to them, but I still find it worthwhile to have some status in a couple of alliances. The difference between an exit row seat and a seat with 30" pitch is for me substantial; I do not have time in my life to wait for a checked bag after every flight so I value early boarding; and while I am experiencing IRROPS handling far inferior to what it used to be, when a flight gets cancelled it's very helpful to have my phone call answered within a few minutes. And yes, I too, have had a few op ups on BA and have enjoyed using my diminished SWUs on AA. But everyone has different travel patterns and different priorities.

Stivelio

I've already reached EQD for plat as well and have tsa precheck/global entry and don't really care much about lounge access. I also have a stash of 1M miles already and accumulate close to 140K miles via cc 2 player method every month. Do you think it's still worth going for it?

CMK10

I absolutely do as long as you think you'll do a fair bit of travel next year. The jump from Gold to Platinum is pretty significant. Better upgrade priority, MCE seats at booking, lounge access internationally, bonus miles, better treatment and recognition and a lower boarding group number. You're so close that an easy MR will get you there.

Stivelio

cool thank you. Any suggestions for any cheap domestic MR from dfw? I have never done MR before and so would appreciate any kindkof info on this

IADCAflyer

I agree that with your EQDs met, there is little reason not to make the jump. Plat is really the first level where appreciable benefits exist. Below plat, you can get most benefits with a credit card.

You can do a day trip to LAX: morning departure and evening return for $129 round trip on October 9. That sounds a like a fun day trip and its not a bad time of year to be in LA.

Better yet, September 26 for $101.

MarkOK

Exactly.

The one thing that AA could do for me to make my status 'worth it' would be a handful of guaranteed at booking upgrades (even if just domestic). An upgrade once a year for me, the wife, and the kid on one leg is worth more than all the complementary "we'll put your name on upgrade lists that you'll never clear".

Adelphos

Even though i have had some decent upgrade success as a Gold, Platinum is a much more useful tier. If you don't want to take an extra trip, look to see if buying a first class ticket on an upcoming trip is a more cost effective way to get the extra EQM.

Stivelio

So either of these options will get me the required 1300 EQM?

IADCAflyer

Unless they are the hated basic economy fares...If so, we need to find something else. Or, if they are, often the lowest economy fare is about $25 more. So, maybe $150 or $160 round trip.

serfty

Indeed, those prices are basic economy on Sep 26th.











The $50 more is likely worth it.