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 30, 2018, 10:05 pm
#226
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,675
Sorry to pop your balloon, but if you are getting the $500 upgrade offer, it's because there are upgrade seats available to purchase, not because of your status. i.e., more or less everyone would be offered the same offer. I don't think there is any data in the LFBU thread to support the contention that an international LFBU offer will ever be made contingent on status. I think it's coincidental that you received the offer when you were plat but not when you were gold, and I wouldn't recommend that the OP take that into consideration in deciding whether to pay for plat.
Dec 1, 2018, 12:13 am
#227
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
Buying up or a MR are your only real options. And it's not clear how much extra you'll get as a Plat. The extra RDM's are inconsequential. Do you frequently check a second bag?
I made a point of making PP for next year but I mostly fly elite-lite routes so I have hopes for upgrades. And there can be big differences in fares by time of day on my routes so buying the cheapest and a free SDC at midnight matters too. I'm sure I wouldn't have spent a lot to make Plat just to get free MCE.
I made a point of making PP for next year but I mostly fly elite-lite routes so I have hopes for upgrades. And there can be big differences in fares by time of day on my routes so buying the cheapest and a free SDC at midnight matters too. I'm sure I wouldn't have spent a lot to make Plat just to get free MCE.
Dec 1, 2018, 11:48 am
#228
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 38
AA Advantage question
I hope I’m in the right place for this question.
The company I work for books all my travel, they book what works best so not always on the same carrier. I received a email from AA to continue my miles through 2020 for 700.00. Wondering if this is worth the money to keep and move up a level next yr or start over in January. Here is what I have as of now. Thanks for any input.
Dec 1, 2018, 12:00 pm
#229
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Chicago Illinois
Programs: 1MM UA
Posts: 1,753
I find it hard to imagine a scenario where this is worthwhile
Dec 1, 2018, 12:08 pm
#230
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Escondido, CA
Programs: US Chairman no more. AA EXP
Posts: 682
The only way I can see this making sense is if you have a lot (20+) of 500 mile upgrades in your account that would be orphaned.
Dec 1, 2018, 3:08 pm
#232
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
If you are paying to check a bag on your trip, at $30 per bag one way, that's $60 round trip. If you take 12 round trips on AA, and check one bag each time, that's $720 in bag check fees, and your break-even point.
AA Gold members get one checked bag free.
There might be other reason you want/need elite status like Priority Access, etc, but I don't think any of that is worth $700 when you don't fly AA regularly.
AA Gold members get one checked bag free.
There might be other reason you want/need elite status like Priority Access, etc, but I don't think any of that is worth $700 when you don't fly AA regularly.
Dec 1, 2018, 3:14 pm
#233
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
Merged with our existing “Buy Back” thread. Thanks. 
/Moderator
/Moderator
Dec 2, 2018, 10:51 am
#234
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5
Buying up or a MR are your only real options. And it's not clear how much extra you'll get as a Plat. The extra RDM's are inconsequential. Do you frequently check a second bag?
I made a point of making PP for next year but I mostly fly elite-lite routes so I have hopes for upgrades. And there can be big differences in fares by time of day on my routes so buying the cheapest and a free SDC at midnight matters too. I'm sure I wouldn't have spent a lot to make Plat just to get free MCE.
I made a point of making PP for next year but I mostly fly elite-lite routes so I have hopes for upgrades. And there can be big differences in fares by time of day on my routes so buying the cheapest and a free SDC at midnight matters too. I'm sure I wouldn't have spent a lot to make Plat just to get free MCE.
Dec 2, 2018, 12:05 pm
#235
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Chase Sapphire Reserve, WFBF
Posts: 1,573
Thanks. I don't often check a second bag so that's not as important. The MCE certainly is nice but the even boarding in Group 3 makes a huge difference these days considering that flights to Atlanta and Chicago are nearly 75% Concierge Key, ExecPlat and Plat. I agree, not sure it's worth the cost to buy up especially at that price. If it was a couple hundred dollars, it would be an easier decision. Thanks!
Dec 2, 2018, 12:27 pm
#236
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: US Gold, DL, AA, UA
Posts: 145
Or put the 1,300 aside for when you want to fly up front and use it to cover the fare difference. This
should be good for a few trips assuming domestic travel (and the purchase pads your EQMs and EQDs for mext year)
should be good for a few trips assuming domestic travel (and the purchase pads your EQMs and EQDs for mext year)
Dec 2, 2018, 4:49 pm
#238
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
On Jan 1, fly DFW-LHR-HKG on BA in PE, that should get you 32,000 EQM and 4300 EQDs. Then fly DFW-HKG in PE and find a travel agent to get it as a special fare and boom, you’ve got Plat through Jan 2021.
Dec 2, 2018, 5:27 pm
#239
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 163
You could also look at DL for flights to ATL. I fly often from another of their hubs DTW, and was surprised that their Comfort+ (MCE equivalent) was with no status on DL cheaper than AA and getting the free MCE as Plat. After years of avoiding DL because the flights were too expensive, recently it's become a tossup, so DL is getting some business starting with the next flight I buy for January, Dec already having been purchased. I realize that's a completely unrelated answer to your question, but might want to compare pricing, for the routes I frequent, the economics has changed a lot.
Dec 2, 2018, 6:06 pm
#240
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
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.
If the status matters spend the $1,355 and you don't have to do anything.