Dec 13, 2018, 1:35 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
AAdvantage Buy Back and Boost / Buy Up Status
AA generally offers members reasonably close to requalifying for status near the end of the year the option to buy back their existing status, or on occasion to buy up to the next highest status tier.
These offers are generally made by email to AAdvantage members beginning some time in November.
If you have not received an offer or would like to see your offer (if any), you can see it by visiting https://elite.aa.com
If you haven’t flown sufficiently, you’ll probably sign in and see
Please peruse this thread to see offers reported by members.
AA generally offers members reasonably close to requalifying for status near the end of the year the option to buy back their existing status, or on occasion to buy up to the next highest status tier.
These offers are generally made by email to AAdvantage members beginning some time in November.
If you have not received an offer or would like to see your offer (if any), you can see it by visiting https://elite.aa.com
If you haven’t flown sufficiently, you’ll probably sign in and see
No offers available
Thanks for visiting. Our records show that you’re not eligible to receive an fifer at this time. If you need more information about your account, visit aa.com/youraccount
Thanks for visiting. Our records show that you’re not eligible to receive an fifer at this time. If you need more information about your account, visit aa.com/youraccount
Buy Back and Boost / Buy Up Status for 2019
Nov 29, 2018, 3:26 pm
#211
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: New York
Programs: AA Exp / Marriott Titanium / Hilton Gold / Hyatt Globalist / United Silver
Posts: 958
Nov 29, 2018, 3:28 pm
#212
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,706
It does look like they're making lower offers to people who don't fly them much - and might not fly them much in the coming year. Free money for AA.
Nov 29, 2018, 3:29 pm
#213
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA EXP 1MM; Marriott/, SPG Gold, Hhonors silver; IHG Gold
Posts: 7
I received an offer a couple of weeks ago for about $1800 before an already booked flight in business which later put me in EQD: $11938 (so close!) and EQM over 102k. New offer $449 for EXP which I wont take because I’ll have a transatlantic flight in December.
Btw, this is last year qualifying as EXP, it was challenging to get the EQD (this year only personal, no business flights), it will worse with higher EQD 2019, thinking about changing airline...
Btw, this is last year qualifying as EXP, it was challenging to get the EQD (this year only personal, no business flights), it will worse with higher EQD 2019, thinking about changing airline...
Nov 29, 2018, 3:38 pm
#214
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 254
I’m Plat at 60,615 EQM and 7,091 EQD and just got an offer for $2,245 for PPro. No trips for December but there’s no way I’m paying that much.
Nov 29, 2018, 3:56 pm
#215
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1MM
Posts: 185
This is another good one by AA. Just like other posters that have ticketed flights to get them to the next level, but still an offer from AA.
I am currently at $15,505 EQD, and 74,715 EQM. A mere 285 EQM's need to get PP. I have a paid "I" fare to California this weekend. And more trips in paid First to get me to EXP by end of year.
Their offer was $995. I have a feeling they will tweak the algorithm for next year, some of these examples make AA look silly.
I am currently at $15,505 EQD, and 74,715 EQM. A mere 285 EQM's need to get PP. I have a paid "I" fare to California this weekend. And more trips in paid First to get me to EXP by end of year.
Their offer was $995. I have a feeling they will tweak the algorithm for next year, some of these examples make AA look silly.
Nov 29, 2018, 4:01 pm
#216
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,727
AA is bloody optimistic, to say the least. I am an EXP of 10+ years standing, and at the end of October 2018 I am at over 98K EQM and 13,500 EQD. A few days ago they sent me an e-mail offering to renew my EXP for next year at a cost of $1,300! Wishful thinking, I would say.
And that too when EXP means less - fewer upgrades (Y->J) clearing and far fewer award seats available.
Go jump, AA
And that too when EXP means less - fewer upgrades (Y->J) clearing and far fewer award seats available.
Go jump, AA
Nov 30, 2018, 2:18 pm
#217
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
Options to qualify for Platinum?
Hello. First timer here. I've been AA Plat for the last few years but due to changes in my job, I wasn't able to fly enough to re-qualify for Platinum. I'm currently short by $1,032 EQDs and 11,619 miles. I've received the "status extension" email from AA where they want to charge me $1,355 to secure Plat for another year. I know there's not a lot of time left in the year but I'm wondering what my options are to secure Platinum without it costing me that much. I'm based in DFW. Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Nov 30, 2018, 4:06 pm
#218
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: USA
Programs: AA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 311
Does EQD waiver from the Barclays card affect these offers? I know that getting more EQD legitimately does lower the cost of buying up. In my scenario, I am 23,872 EQMs and 1200 EQD. So waiving the EQD would leave me with like 130 EQMs left to buy up lol.
Nov 30, 2018, 4:59 pm
#219
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: MIA
Programs: AA PPRO
Posts: 31
This is another good one by AA. Just like other posters that have ticketed flights to get them to the next level, but still an offer from AA.
I am currently at $15,505 EQD, and 74,715 EQM. A mere 285 EQM's need to get PP. I have a paid "I" fare to California this weekend. And more trips in paid First to get me to EXP by end of year.
Their offer was $995. I have a feeling they will tweak the algorithm for next year, some of these examples make AA look silly.
I am currently at $15,505 EQD, and 74,715 EQM. A mere 285 EQM's need to get PP. I have a paid "I" fare to California this weekend. And more trips in paid First to get me to EXP by end of year.
Their offer was $995. I have a feeling they will tweak the algorithm for next year, some of these examples make AA look silly.
Nov 30, 2018, 5:51 pm
#220
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 163
Current Plt, 68 segments, and 5918 EQD. Offer $325 for Plt, ignoring the next RT that has another $400EQD already booked, Um, no thanks. Given the minimal value seen, I'm moving on to Comfort+ on DL, and paying the same for a non-stop instead of the cluster through ORD every winter.
Nov 30, 2018, 6:18 pm
#221
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Laguna Niguel, CA
Programs: AA PLT, 1.8mm
Posts: 6,988
I think you just described your available option to maintain PLT very well. And welcome to FT !
Nov 30, 2018, 7:03 pm
#222
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 163
Hello. First timer here. I've been AA Plat for the last few years but due to changes in my job, I wasn't able to fly enough to re-qualify for Platinum. I'm currently short by $1,032 EQDs and 11,619 miles. I've received the "status extension" email from AA where they want to charge me $1,355 to secure Plat for another year. I know there's not a lot of time left in the year but I'm wondering what my options are to secure Platinum without it costing me that much. I'm based in DFW. Any guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Nov 30, 2018, 7:04 pm
#223
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,492
Welcome to FlyerTalk travelincognito!
As it is nearly the end of the year, you might be out of luck. I did a little searching from DFW (and nearby places like GRK, AUS, and IAH) to various destinations. The best I found was this itinerary. But at $1226 (plus hotel, any incidentals, and wear/tear on your body), if you really need the status, you'd probably just be better off taking that offer.
Another option, if you have some availability, would be to do a run (or 2) in January. You'd still have your Plat status to take advantage of lounges and such, and the status would run for an extra year.
As it is nearly the end of the year, you might be out of luck. I did a little searching from DFW (and nearby places like GRK, AUS, and IAH) to various destinations. The best I found was this itinerary. But at $1226 (plus hotel, any incidentals, and wear/tear on your body), if you really need the status, you'd probably just be better off taking that offer.
Another option, if you have some availability, would be to do a run (or 2) in January. You'd still have your Plat status to take advantage of lounges and such, and the status would run for an extra year.
Nov 30, 2018, 7:41 pm
#224
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
Thanks All! I had a feeling that it would come down to either paying for the ridiculous status extension scam or taking a flight that would cost the same - or more - but wanted to ask the experts to see if there was something I wasn't aware of. I appreciate the quick replies and help! Does anyone know if AA will be offering status challenges in 2019? That might be my only other option to regain PLAT before 2020. Thanks!
Nov 30, 2018, 9:07 pm
#225
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 46
Time is against you but if you can find a discounted OW fare that earns based on distance you could hit the numbers without having to spend the full amount. Don’t try any ex-DFW routes, those are always the most expensive; rather, look to alternate departure cities, especially going west or south, then book a separate PNR staging flight to get there and back. I seriously doubt you can do it for a whole lot less than the buy-up cost but it’s worth a try.
As as other posters have pointed out, PLAT benefits out of DFW are non-existent but return options are often pretty good. I often get the $500 upgrade offer returning from Europe at check in, which never happened at GLD. The free MCE option at booking is pretty good, too - perhaps not worth $1300 but it all depends on how much you fly (I know I spent close to that on MCE as a GLD). Personally, I like the challenge of finding creative routings to make qualification for less than regular fare costs but maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment (which probably describes most of us on this forum). To each their own.
As as other posters have pointed out, PLAT benefits out of DFW are non-existent but return options are often pretty good. I often get the $500 upgrade offer returning from Europe at check in, which never happened at GLD. The free MCE option at booking is pretty good, too - perhaps not worth $1300 but it all depends on how much you fly (I know I spent close to that on MCE as a GLD). Personally, I like the challenge of finding creative routings to make qualification for less than regular fare costs but maybe I’m just a sucker for punishment (which probably describes most of us on this forum). To each their own.