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 25, 2018, 7:03 pm
#166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,214
EQD 7.5K
EQM 59.5K
EQS 19
No offer showing. I have my return flight from Cancun at the weekend and then a TATL in J on BA on 001 stock so should hit the EQD, but a schedule change on the Cancun flight home in F means that I’ll just come up short on EQM for PPRO (it was originally CUN-CLT-SAN, but AA switched it to CUN-DFW-SAN, so I lose out on around 2K of EQM after the class bonus is applied)
EQM 59.5K
EQS 19
No offer showing. I have my return flight from Cancun at the weekend and then a TATL in J on BA on 001 stock so should hit the EQD, but a schedule change on the Cancun flight home in F means that I’ll just come up short on EQM for PPRO (it was originally CUN-CLT-SAN, but AA switched it to CUN-DFW-SAN, so I lose out on around 2K of EQM after the class bonus is applied)
if it was a schedule change you might be able to route differently to hit the number. For example, CUN-ORD-SAN is 50 miles longer than the CLT routing (and you may be able to get on the 787 between CUN and ORD)
Nov 25, 2018, 7:33 pm
#167
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: COU
Programs: AA EXP, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 499
Yeah, actually a useful data point, don't mean to discount it. I just couldn't get past the irony of a CK getting a buyup to EXP offer and was already down pretty far into making fun of things.
I like to think of myself as a CK anomaly. If I’m not flying TPAC then I’m required to book coach (whatever Concur spits out), so the 100% Upgrade is important to me. The Caddy is just icing on the cake. Last year, I made 8 (I think) TPACs in J (all DFW-HKG for the TPAC segments), this year, 0. I have made several TATL flights, but they are booked in whatever coach class Concur spits out. I have been able to use 9 of 10 SWUs. The other J was the only option when booking.
Yeah, I'd agree that's probably an outlier pattern for a CK. Awesome one though...you actually get to cash in on the biggest benefit. Granted, the Caddy is pretty cool...but domestic upgrades are 95% of the reason I care about status, so if I was already buying J (like most CKs, not you), the value goes down pretty fast.
Nov 25, 2018, 7:40 pm
#168
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
As for the ORD routing, we were originally scheduled for SAN-CLT-CUN on the outbound flight, but they deleted the SAN-CLT redeye that evening and as the SAN-MIA redeye was full in F that evening, I asked for the SAN-ORD-CUN routing. About a month after switching, they changed out the scheduled 737 for a 787, so that one worked out nicely (apart from the fact that I did get to see some snow for the first time in years as it was snowing when we landed at ORD on the Saturday before Thanksgiving)
Nov 25, 2018, 9:03 pm
#169
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: AA PPro, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Explorist, DL Silver
Posts: 34
Nov 25, 2018, 9:22 pm
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,669
Again, if you're expecting them to dump a $99 or $49 or $29 offer on you, you're in fantasy land.
Nov 26, 2018, 10:00 am
#171
Join Date: May 2003
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Programs: UA gold, AA Plat, HHonors diamond, DL DM
Posts: 705
I am at 99,9XX EQM, 20K in spending and 88 segments. My boost offer to EXP is $1495. No additional comment.
Nov 26, 2018, 10:33 am
#172
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Currently plat. 527 spend and 3160 miles (moved back to UA). 699 for gold, 1299 for plat.
Nov 26, 2018, 10:39 am
#173
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
I am currently sitting at $11.6K in spending, 97K EQMs, and 32 segments.
My boost offer to EXP is $1295.
Nov 26, 2018, 11:02 am
#174
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
Nov 26, 2018, 6:58 pm
#175
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
EQD 7.5K
EQM 59.5K
EQS 19
No offer showing. I have my return flight from Cancun at the weekend and then a TATL in J on BA on 001 stock so should hit the EQD, but a schedule change on the Cancun flight home in F means that I’ll just come up short on EQM for PPRO (it was originally CUN-CLT-SAN, but AA switched it to CUN-DFW-SAN, so I lose out on around 2K of EQM after the class bonus is applied)
EQM 59.5K
EQS 19
No offer showing. I have my return flight from Cancun at the weekend and then a TATL in J on BA on 001 stock so should hit the EQD, but a schedule change on the Cancun flight home in F means that I’ll just come up short on EQM for PPRO (it was originally CUN-CLT-SAN, but AA switched it to CUN-DFW-SAN, so I lose out on around 2K of EQM after the class bonus is applied)
Nov 26, 2018, 7:47 pm
#176
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: AA PPro, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Explorist, DL Silver
Posts: 34
I expected my offer to be less than someone who needs more EQMs/EQDs than I do. Not $200 more.
Nov 26, 2018, 8:03 pm
#177
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Long Beach CA
Posts: 45
I got the same offer, but $30 less and I am $1200 EQD and 1800 EQM short to get GOLD. So I got a better offer? If you look at it that way. Either way, I'm not buying. Even if I can use my AA Advantage Credit card to triple the miles.
Nov 26, 2018, 9:34 pm
#178
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ROA / CLT
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Life Plat
Posts: 801
I'm just 50 EQM short of EXP (already hit the EQD) and I got a buy-up offer of $595. I can't see them offering an EXP boost any lower than that.
Nov 26, 2018, 10:07 pm
#179
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 106
EQD: 11,579
EQM: 75,124
EQS: 64
No offer for EXP. Even before I hit the PlatPro qualifications, I had no offer. Anyone know if you don’t get a buy up offer if you took advantage of a offer in previous years? I’ve got some travel that will leave me a little over 15k eqm short and I’d consider an EXP buy up since I won’t have time for a mileage run.
EQM: 75,124
EQS: 64
No offer for EXP. Even before I hit the PlatPro qualifications, I had no offer. Anyone know if you don’t get a buy up offer if you took advantage of a offer in previous years? I’ve got some travel that will leave me a little over 15k eqm short and I’d consider an EXP buy up since I won’t have time for a mileage run.
Nov 26, 2018, 10:21 pm
#180
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 91
EQD: 11,579
EQM: 75,124
EQS: 64
No offer for EXP. Even before I hit the PlatPro qualifications, I had no offer. Anyone know if you don’t get a buy up offer if you took advantage of a offer in previous years? I’ve got some travel that will leave me a little over 15k eqm short and I’d consider an EXP buy up since I won’t have time for a mileage run.
EQM: 75,124
EQS: 64
No offer for EXP. Even before I hit the PlatPro qualifications, I had no offer. Anyone know if you don’t get a buy up offer if you took advantage of a offer in previous years? I’ve got some travel that will leave me a little over 15k eqm short and I’d consider an EXP buy up since I won’t have time for a mileage run.
EQD: 12,003
EQM: 83,055
EQS: 20
... and no EXP offer. I did have a PPro offer, but it went away when I passed 75K. I've been EXP the past two years without taking a buy up offer. I wonder if they hold EQMs/EQDs from credit card partners against you. I'm looking into a mileage run, but it's going to be hard to find time pull off 17K EQM for substantially less than the offers that have been going around. (Which may be the reason they are not making an offer :-) )