High EQD Platinum Pro or really-high EQD Platinum?
#16
Original Poster
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
...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.
[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
Thanks!
Last edited by AAir_head; Oct 13, 2018 at 10:38 am Reason: added to address EQD v.v. EQM; edited for accuracy
#17
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: AA, WN, UA, Bonvoy, Hertz
Posts: 2,491
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
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
#18
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
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.
#19
Original Poster
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
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.
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.
#20
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
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.
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.
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
#21
Original Poster
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
Wow! Thanks for the great tips JDiver!
Cheers!
Cheers!
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
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
#22
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
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.
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.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,779
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.
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.
#24
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,268
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).
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).
#25
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,215
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).
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).
#26
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Everywhere
Programs: AA EXP - 3.7MM, Bonv LIFETIME Titan, HH Dmd, Hyatt Glob., Priority Clb Dmd, Ntnl Exec El., Sixt PLT
Posts: 1,677
- 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.
#27
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
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!
The ability to access AA Flagship Lounges as a BAEC Silver when traveling domestic itineraries is a game-changer.
#28
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
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!
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!
#29
Original Poster
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
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.
#30
Original Poster
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
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.