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High EQD Platinum Pro or really-high EQD Platinum?

High EQD Platinum Pro or really-high EQD Platinum?

Old Oct 10, 2018, 3:31 pm
  #16  
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington DC Metro Area
Programs: A: PP, LTG/1.5M | UA: SLV | Bonvoy LTT | IHG PLT| Hertz 5 Star | Nat'l Emerald Club EE
Posts: 1,067
Originally Posted by CHOPCHOP767
...If you're DCA-based, I would stick with AA despite the status issues because of AA's network ex-DCA..I'd rather be a Plat or PPRO on a non-stop in MCE than be a Plat or Diamond with a connection...
Overall, I agree and have generally been more satisfied with AA than others ex-DCA. Lately, though, AA has been working hard to level that playing field; especially since I've dropped to PLT in the year PRO was introduced. I was AA PLT many years ago in the 3-tier system and it was quite a lot better then. MCE pretty much removed any consideration of my going back to UA (for E+) and took (some of) the sting out of AA's 4-tier system. I can't say I have much experience with DL; a flight here and there over the years, but nothing in the past 5 years I can recall at the moment.

Originally Posted by CHOPCHOP767
...like you, I'm at about $13K EQD right now, but only 78K in MQD, so I'm a bit concerned that my shuttle and ORD flights will probably require a mileage run of sorts in December again this year to maintain EXP...When AA first announced the EQD requirement, I thought that would "trim the fat", but now it seems for many (myself included), it's not the EQD but rather the EQM which presents issues for requalification...Finally, as an EXP, I wouldn't count on upgrades or sticker utilization ex-DCA.
To clarify: I'm PLT now and mulling over whether stretching for PRO is worth it. I'm at $9K EQD now, $3K will post from Aviator Card spend, and I'll wind up in the neigborhood of $14K EQD +/- if I do no more than my current planned travel. For EQM I'm at 58K now and with no additional travel will land on 64K +/-. EQS' are a paltry 32 with only 4 planned segments to go. Not even within shouting distance of EXP (before anyone suggests it, an R/T to Asia is out of the question; Europe would be very hard to fit in as MRs, especially 3-4x by end of year in Y or 2x in J--and discount J isn't looking very discount a the moment anyway).

[edited to add] I also agree re EQM v. EQD. It's actually quite illustrative of two things: 1) how much of what you pay for air travel is actually the "fare" versus "fees" that don't count for EQD, and 2) how hard it can be to hit EQM thresholds even with premium multipliers (and more so with deep discount divisors) if you aren't doing really long-haul travel. Virtually all of my travel is domestic and with segments no longer than mid-con.

Your observation re upgrades ex-DCA as EXP don't fully reflect my experiences, but mine are quite dated now (haven't been EXP since Feb 2017 2018 [edited--I can't believe it's only been 9 mos as PLT; feels like so much longer!]). I can confirm as PLT it's been underwhelming...

Thanks!

Last edited by AAir_head; Oct 13, 2018 at 10:38 am Reason: added to address EQD v.v. EQM; edited for accuracy
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Old Oct 12, 2018, 3:42 pm
  #17  
 
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In general, if you can get to the next level, such as PPro, you should do it. The lowest eqd/eqm Pro is more important than the highest Plat.

I believe a significant part.of the Plat upgrade problem is due to the new status level.

Now, if you don't need a lot of domestic upgrades and buy a premium class fare, we can always argue status as a whole is probably unimportant.

My AA Gold and Plat experience before the recent changes were phenomenal. Now, I am.unsure on the value. I did determine that if I was going to fly AA, domestic upgrades were the most important benefit. With that almost never happening as a Plat, I have lost interest and am okay with Southwest.

Rasheed
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Old Oct 12, 2018, 3:51 pm
  #18  
 
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Originally Posted by rasheed
In general, if you can get to the next level, such as PPro, you should do it. The lowest eqd/eqm Pro is more important than the highest Plat.
Very good advice ^

Status first and then rolling EQD matter so an EP with almost no spend in 12 months will still get complimentary upgrades ahead of a PP who has high BIS and EQD.
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Old Oct 13, 2018, 10:49 am
  #19  
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Programs: A: PP, LTG/1.5M | UA: SLV | Bonvoy LTT | IHG PLT| Hertz 5 Star | Nat'l Emerald Club EE
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My resolve is weakening. I've actually done the numbers and 11K EQM will do it with a couple hundred miles' buffer, then re-discovered a forgotten $500 AA bump-voucher that must be used by 1 Nov.

I've been wanting to go to SEA for the Boeing plant tour anyway and the better half is out of town the first weekend of Nov...it's feeling like destiny.
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Old Oct 13, 2018, 2:27 pm
  #20  
Moderator: American AAdvantage
 
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Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by AAir_head
My resolve is weakening. I've actually done the numbers and 11K EQM will do it with a couple hundred miles' buffer, then re-discovered a forgotten $500 AA bump-voucher that must be used by 1 Nov.

I've been wanting to go to SEA for the Boeing plant tour anyway and the better half is out of town the first weekend of Nov...it's feeling like destiny.
The way I’ve done it is to overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North / Everett, just by the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour Center (and gift store), Booking the earliest tour, which departs from the tour center (I leave my car in the HGI parking lot). Yep, buy your tickets online from the linked page here.

Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North/Everett
8401 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, Washington, 98275, USA
TEL: +1-425-423-9000 FAX: +1-425-423-9005

Future of Flight
8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275
Aviation Center Hours:
Daily • 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Boeing Tour Hours:
Daily • 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

When the tour is done (be aware of the restrictions on cameras, backpacks, etc.), drive to the Museum of Flight's Restoration Center & Reserve Collection at Paine Field. (You can catch some lunch at the Happy Tummy Grill between or after...)

Happy Tummy Grill
2615 Casino Road #1g , Everett, WA 98204

The Museum of Flight Restoration Center & Reserve Collection
2909 100th St. SW
Everett, WA 98204
425.745.5150
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Old Oct 13, 2018, 7:06 pm
  #21  
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Wow! Thanks for the great tips JDiver!

Cheers!

Originally Posted by JDiver
The way I’ve done it is to overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North / Everett, just by the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour Center (and gift store), Booking the earliest tour, which departs from the tour center (I leave my car in the HGI parking lot). Yep, buy your tickets online from the linked page here.

Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North/Everett
8401 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, Washington, 98275, USA
TEL: +1-425-423-9000 FAX: +1-425-423-9005

Future of Flight
8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275
Aviation Center Hours:
Daily • 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Boeing Tour Hours:
Daily • 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

When the tour is done (be aware of the restrictions on cameras, backpacks, etc.), drive to the Museum of Flight's Restoration Center & Reserve Collection at Paine Field. (You can catch some lunch at the Happy Tummy Grill between or after...)

Happy Tummy Grill
2615 Casino Road #1g , Everett, WA 98204

The Museum of Flight Restoration Center & Reserve Collection
2909 100th St. SW
Everett, WA 98204
425.745.5150
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Old Oct 13, 2018, 7:45 pm
  #22  
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Posts: 62,948
Originally Posted by AAir_head
Wow! Thanks for the great tips JDiver!

Cheers!


No worries.

You inspired me, so I’m building GUIDE to touring Boeing plant, Flight museums in the Seattle area

There’s also a Flying Heritage and Combat Arms Museum at south Paine that has a wowser collection of WW II Combat aircraft abd armor, all in Flying and working condition. This is Paul Allen’s personal collection. See here.
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Old Oct 24, 2018, 12:36 pm
  #23  
 
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Well crap, after my posts on this thread on this several weeks ago, I've had a turn of luck. Did four segments yesterday and Monday, have four more next week (midweek (Shuttle and CLT)), four segments next weekend, and then a GSO trip.

That's going to put me about 69,000 EQMs. I'm safe on EQDs.

6,000 EQMs sounds like a mileage run to SFO (would have to book via PHL or JFK) or LAX (via BOS).

On the flight where missed my upgrade (yesterday), I was #16 out of #39 on the UG list. There were -several- Group 2 passengers, so I don't think being Plat Pro would have done any good there.

Decisions, decisions.
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Old Oct 24, 2018, 1:34 pm
  #24  
 
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I will face a similar issue next year. Right now, I’m a lowv EQD Exec Plat and lifetime Plat. I get 20k EQM and 6k EQM from credit cards.

now that it will be only 3EQMs, I will drop to Plat Pro. Given 85% of my travel is lax-Mia, where my upgrade % is very, very low —and I’m using miles/copay for the most part, only clearing once when not available in advance (which they seemed to have stopped releasing in advance altogether). Sure I’m more like 50% on Lax-SFo or LAX-LAS but that won’t motivate me to drive for higher stays.

The rebooking on other carrier comments above was helpful. Other than that, with upgrade rates so low, not sure I see a reason. (I never SDFC on Lax-Mia because I’m always on the 772 which is once a day).

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Old Oct 24, 2018, 4:26 pm
  #25  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Originally Posted by beachfan
I will face a similar issue next year. Right now, I’m a lowv EQD Exec Plat and lifetime Plat. I get 20k EQM and 6k EQM from credit cards.

now that it will be only 3EQMs, I will drop to Plat Pro. Given 85% of my travel is lax-Mia, where my upgrade % is very, very low —and I’m using miles/copay for the most part, only clearing once when not available in advance (which they seemed to have stopped releasing in advance altogether). Sure I’m more like 50% on Lax-SFo or LAX-LAS but that won’t motivate me to drive for higher stays.

The rebooking on other carrier comments above was helpful. Other than that, with upgrade rates so low, not sure I see a reason. (I never SDFC on Lax-Mia because I’m always on the 772 which is once a day).

There have been super inexpensive RT flights to Hawaii lately, maybe book one of those? It should net you the EQMs you need.
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Old Oct 24, 2018, 9:38 pm
  #26  
 
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Posts: 1,677
Originally Posted by OTD
The biggest advantage I found to being PPRO was not the upgrades (I'd guess I got it about 40% of the time), it was the same day flight change. I used that a lot.
- The same day flight change is nice when it is available, Few times I tried as EXP I didn't get it. By the way, my wife was just told that the same day confirmed flight change is unavailable for EXP traveling on MilesAAver.
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Old Oct 24, 2018, 9:49 pm
  #27  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Posts: 1,896
Originally Posted by AAir_head


I hadn’t ever considered BAEC; after reading up on it, it seems plausible. Not sure about orphaning 1.4M AA miles, though. Or foregoing upgrades entirely.

I searched over in BAEC forum, but didn’t find anything like a “BAEC guide for FFs based in North America”; the program wiki is pretty informative, but something focused would be helpful. Anyone happen to know if such a thread exists?

thanks!
No need to "orphan" AA miles. Use those miles to upgrade from Y to F with the copay. Or, book award travel.

The ability to access AA Flagship Lounges as a BAEC Silver when traveling domestic itineraries is a game-changer.
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Old Oct 25, 2018, 7:56 am
  #28  
 
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This (all YTD) 16k EQD/60k EQM/78 EQS segment runner Plat is finally going to make PlatPro this year. I did a segment run last Saturday (ABE-PHL-ATL-CLT-PHL-ABE for $180 all in!) and am forcing a CLT connection on a PHL-CLE trip in a couple of weeks to make sure I get to 90 EQS by end of year. Just need to book 2 trips in December for those last 4 segments ...

I have to say, my upgrade success rate has been much improved as my EQDs have been higher than typical this year (especially on < 500 mile segments), so that must project to same/better rates as a PP. Still to be seen is if I can actually make the grade on longer flights once I jump to the PP tier, as the vast majority of my Plat upgrades have been on flights < 1000 miles. Obv I never make PHL-ORD or DFW-LAX. I've never been short stickers when needed, so the improvement to UDU isn't really much of a benefit for me.

Going from SDS to SDFC will be nice when I can take advantage. The biggest benefit there, to me, is that I can now catch earlier flights to/from Canada which were disallowed at some point this year for Same Day Standby.

And the increase in redeemable miles is not a big deal for me since I have so much spend anyway that I earn more than I could ever use. I think I redeemed >200k for various flights this year (and into 2019) with the better half and for the adult stepkid.

Heck, I dropped 80k each for me & Mrs. pa3lsvt on a sAAver (outbound) and AAnytime (return) J for PHL-DEN next April. Yes, shockingly bad redemption rate but at $11.20 per person (plus my company's EQDs/my time earning the miles) it still beats paying for the flights!
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Old Oct 27, 2018, 8:41 am
  #29  
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Originally Posted by jcatman
No need to "orphan" AA miles. Use those miles to upgrade from Y to F with the copay. Or, book award travel.

The ability to access AA Flagship Lounges as a BAEC Silver when traveling domestic itineraries is a game-changer.
Booking award travel isn't really in the cards for some time--the smaller amount of travel I still do is just sufficient to maintain status. Flaagship Lounge access would be nice, but I do not typically fly out of/into locations that have them so no game-chager for me.
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Old Oct 27, 2018, 8:51 am
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Alex_I
- The same day flight change is nice when it is available, Few times I tried as EXP I didn't get it. By the way, my wife was just told that the same day confirmed flight change is unavailable for EXP traveling on MilesAAver.
That, and you're almost guaranteed to lose an upgrade/take a downgrade--the few times I've inquired in the past 2 years have netted that choice.

SDFC is nice to have if you *need* the flexibility for a pretty good reason; I'm usually on personal travel on my own dime and would rather keep my seat in F.
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