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
Dec 3, 2018, 2:52 pm
#241
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA PPRO; Marriott Rewards
Posts: 9
Got my offer today. I'm currently PPro with $13K EQD, 86,831 EQM and 42 EQS. Offer was/is $2645 for EPlat. I don't have any more trips planned this year. My spending is roughly 50% OPM/50% Mine (including my business related travel). I do several trips overseas each year on my dime, and like the idea of SWU and higher status. In my mind, the SWUs are worth $1400 and 100,000 miles. I generally rely on mileage upgrades for my overseas travel, but this past week was 0-fer both out and back for the first time in a long, long time. Part of it was the Chicago weather debacle on the 25th, but coming back I was still a bit too far down the list.
It's tempting because finding the time and the route to do a 14,000 mileage run is unlikely - at least for anything less than $2645 when you consider airfare and opportunity cost. Am I stupid?
It's tempting because finding the time and the route to do a 14,000 mileage run is unlikely - at least for anything less than $2645 when you consider airfare and opportunity cost. Am I stupid?
Dec 3, 2018, 3:06 pm
#242
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,492
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30494890-post1981.html
If you're even slightly interested, I'd post there (use the form and complete all of the information), and you never know what some folks will find for you.
Dec 3, 2018, 4:03 pm
#243
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston ‘burbs
Programs: American ExPat
Posts: 7
I don’t think so
New guy here.
I’ve been Ex Plat for several years and I’m 10,115 miles short for 2019 (good on EQDs).
I was offered to maintain my status for a paltry $2,495.
I think not!
Dec 3, 2018, 5:03 pm
#244
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,419
And now merged with our existing Boost Up thread. Thanks. /Moderator
Dec 4, 2018, 5:19 pm
#245
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: EXP on AA, Plat Premier Marriott and CK on AA
Posts: 43
I have paid as much as $1800 in the past to re-qualify for EXP: well worth it to me to fly internationally for me and my husband paying for coach tickets (& flying FIRST) to Paris using the EVIP segment upgrades. Saved $17,000 this year. Those upgrades are the only reason to go for EXP again. Problems - (1) Cost (2) and now that it was lowered in 2018 from 8 to 4. & (3) they are almost impossible to get .... but still, love those EVIP upgrades with the EXP status
Dec 6, 2018, 1:49 pm
#246
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,112
Couple questions on Buy Up:
1) when is the usual deadline for doing the buyup? End of December or end of January?
2) does it count for EQD?
3) this I doubt but I thought I'd ask - tax deductible???
1) when is the usual deadline for doing the buyup? End of December or end of January?
2) does it count for EQD?
3) this I doubt but I thought I'd ask - tax deductible???
Dec 9, 2018, 10:02 am
#247
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: AA MM, EXP, Marriot Gold
Posts: 8
I got a new offer for EP, At $16542 EQD and 99781 EQM and I can get EP for the low low price of $1345
I have a 1500 mile flight next week, so I will decline, but I find the offer egregious for 219 miles short!
I have a 1500 mile flight next week, so I will decline, but I find the offer egregious for 219 miles short!
Dec 9, 2018, 11:06 am
#248
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Boston ‘burbs
Programs: American ExPat
Posts: 7
Their absurd upgrade opportunity pricing makes as much sense as some of their fares.
Dec 9, 2018, 11:50 am
#249
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,897
Dec 10, 2018, 2:41 pm
#250
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
I was curious what would happen on this...
I have the EQM's for PP, and I am 11 EQD short.
Prior to my last trip, at which time I was about 10K EQM and 1K EQD short, my offer was $1345.
My offer now - for being 11 EQD short - is $349.
I had a miscalculation on EQD with a special fare which is why I'm 11 short, and I have 3K EQD pending from a credit card, so I'm not biting, but I was still amused to see what they want for practically the smallest shortfall possible.
I was expecting go to over and have 9040 EQD and 75.6K EQM and see what they'd ask for EXP (if I got an offer at all). Maybe I'll find out after the EQD post.
I have the EQM's for PP, and I am 11 EQD short.
Prior to my last trip, at which time I was about 10K EQM and 1K EQD short, my offer was $1345.
My offer now - for being 11 EQD short - is $349.
I had a miscalculation on EQD with a special fare which is why I'm 11 short, and I have 3K EQD pending from a credit card, so I'm not biting, but I was still amused to see what they want for practically the smallest shortfall possible.
I was expecting go to over and have 9040 EQD and 75.6K EQM and see what they'd ask for EXP (if I got an offer at all). Maybe I'll find out after the EQD post.
Dec 12, 2018, 10:48 am
#251
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Plat Pro, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 124
Received buyup for Plat last month, but already hit with previously scheduled flights. Now at $8800 EQD and 63k EQM, just received Plat Pro buyup for $1595. Have one flight left so I definitely will not reach Plat Pro on my own. SDFC and better upgrade chances seem nice, but no way will I pay that much. It makes more sense to hold on to Plat and upfare or purchase first outright a few times next year.
Dec 12, 2018, 11:44 am
#252
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Gold
Posts: 181
AA proactively emailed me to let me know that my buy-up offer to Platinum Pro decreased. Currently Platinum with ~70K EQM/~8900 EQD/17EQS and the offer is $995, whereas at 63K EQM/8600EQD/14EQS I think it was $1595. I suppose $995 would make sense for someone who uses SDC a lot. Not me given the number of segments I do but I'll make it with CC spend anyway.
Dec 12, 2018, 12:20 pm
#253
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 132
I'm $540 short of making PLT this time around and was hoping to receive a buy-up email. Finally received the message.... offering me a $235 buy-up to Gold. 
Seems AA's computers are just a bit behind the times with tracking our actual status. Oh well, might have to do a short out-and-back lat Dec.
Seems AA's computers are just a bit behind the times with tracking our actual status. Oh well, might have to do a short out-and-back lat Dec.
Dec 14, 2018, 1:20 pm
#254
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA - Plat, HHonors - Diamond, IHG - Plat, Marriott - Gold, National - Exec, Amtrak - Select, NEXUS
Posts: 1,075
I just hit 90 EQS and earned PlatPro for the first time this morning. I have 18k in EQD. I usually finish comfortably at Plat but this year I had an uptick in travel.
I logged on to see if I had a new offer.
$995 for PlatPro (LOL)
$3765 for EXP
Yeah, no thanks. I (or Mrs. pa3lsvt) fly F for leisure most times anyway and my PlatPro benefits are adequate when we don't. Otherwise, I'm just commuting to work through an airport and, again, my PP benefits are adequate for the task.
I logged on to see if I had a new offer.
$995 for PlatPro (LOL)
$3765 for EXP
Yeah, no thanks. I (or Mrs. pa3lsvt) fly F for leisure most times anyway and my PlatPro benefits are adequate when we don't. Otherwise, I'm just commuting to work through an airport and, again, my PP benefits are adequate for the task.
Dec 15, 2018, 10:14 pm
#255
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AZ
Programs: AA EXP; (HP-FF>US DM - RIP);Marriott Lifetime Plat and a bunch of others
Posts: 74
I am at $16755 spend and 93,647 miles. The last miles posted just today. They are asking $2795 to maintain my ExP. The flight that would have put me over had to be canceled so I might consider this.
Since the last flight miles just posted today, anyone think the price will go down in a day or two? The cost seems higher than what others have posted who are at about my point for the year.
Since the last flight miles just posted today, anyone think the price will go down in a day or two? The cost seems higher than what others have posted who are at about my point for the year.