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
Jan 31, 2019, 8:03 pm
#346
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, AA EXP, UA 1K
Posts: 84
Bumping this in case anyone knows from previous years.... I guess we'll know for sure in a few hours but any insight on 2018 vs 2019 EQD credit for "buy up" post 1/31 would be appreciated!
Feb 9, 2019, 9:10 pm
#347
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: FNT, but DTW if I can't help it
Programs: AAdvantage Former EXP/Current PLT / Total Rewards - Diamond / Hilton HHonors - Gold
Posts: 757
Will my purchase count toward my Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) balance?
Yes. Your purchase price (excluding any taxes) will be deposited to your 2018 EQDs within 5 business days. Purchases made after December 31, 2018 will retroactively be deposited toward 2018 EQDs.
Feb 13, 2019, 2:51 pm
#348
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,929
Not that it makes it any better, but I just received an email that I could use my miles for the elite boost/upgrade instead of cash.
"For a limited time, here's a special opportunity for you to use AAdvantage miles to secure Gold status or step up to Platinum elite status for 2019."
$799 or 80k miles for Gold
$1545 or 154.5k for Platinum
Thanks, but no thanks.
"For a limited time, here's a special opportunity for you to use AAdvantage miles to secure Gold status or step up to Platinum elite status for 2019."
$799 or 80k miles for Gold
$1545 or 154.5k for Platinum
Thanks, but no thanks.
Feb 13, 2019, 3:10 pm
#349
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,313
Not that it makes it any better, but I just received an email that I could use my miles for the elite boost/upgrade instead of cash.
"For a limited time, here's a special opportunity for you to use AAdvantage miles to secure Gold status or step up to Platinum elite status for 2019."
$799 or 80k miles for Gold
$1545 or 154.5k for Platinum
Thanks, but no thanks.
"For a limited time, here's a special opportunity for you to use AAdvantage miles to secure Gold status or step up to Platinum elite status for 2019."
$799 or 80k miles for Gold
$1545 or 154.5k for Platinum
Thanks, but no thanks.
Feb 13, 2019, 3:28 pm
#350
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,203
Feb 14, 2019, 7:37 am
#352
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Plat Pro, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 124
I've received no less than 4 additional emails since the original back in Dec 2018 from AA about boosting status, all with no difference in offer of $1245 to PPro.
Who does AA think they are kidding with the relative value of these offers decreasing day by day?
Who does AA think they are kidding with the relative value of these offers decreasing day by day?
Feb 14, 2019, 2:59 pm
#354
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Southwest US
Programs: AA (US) gold, HH gold, Bonvoy gold
Posts: 332
I flew 61,525 miles last year - over $4900 - and they want about $1200 for platinum. I was platinum for years and have over 60 upgrades banked because rarely have I been upgraded in the last 2 years. This is the second year of similar pattern and only gold status due to the spend requirement. I get little more than I would get with the credit card. I just took 3 flights on Southwest for work - I had 2 bags that went for free, free live TV, the seats were comfortable and leg room was more. I think it may be time to look at price and timing only - perhaps if going on a golf trip and need that extra bag I'll choose southwest. I was surprised - I have lifetime gold with over 1.1 million miles flown and never under 50,000 for at least 15 years - I am unsure what can keep me loyal at this point - and was insulted at the offers for upgrading to platinum that were more than what I had left to spend to make it by the new rules. It was enough of a kick in the face to make me rethink my allegiance.
Feb 14, 2019, 4:30 pm
#355
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: TX
Programs: AA: EXP MR: Ti
Posts: 495
I flew 61,525 miles last year - over $4900 - and they want about $1200 for platinum. I was platinum for years and have over 60 upgrades banked because rarely have I been upgraded in the last 2 years. This is the second year of similar pattern and only gold status due to the spend requirement. I get little more than I would get with the credit card. I just took 3 flights on Southwest for work - I had 2 bags that went for free, free live TV, the seats were comfortable and leg room was more. I think it may be time to look at price and timing only - perhaps if going on a golf trip and need that extra bag I'll choose southwest. I was surprised - I have lifetime gold with over 1.1 million miles flown and never under 50,000 for at least 15 years - I am unsure what can keep me loyal at this point - and was insulted at the offers for upgrading to platinum that were more than what I had left to spend to make it by the new rules. It was enough of a kick in the face to make me rethink my allegiance.
You were insulted? Take a breath and step back for a minute.
You were $1,100 EQD short of PLT and they offered you a buy-up for $1,200. Take a look at your receipts for the travel you actually did and you'll see that the total amount you paid (including taxes) exceeds the "fare" portion (the part you actually get EQD for) by an average of 8-10%. So IMO it is entirely reasonable to assume $1,200 total spend to get $1,100 EQD.
Feb 15, 2019, 8:07 am
#356
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
Yep, I don't know why I'd upgrade to gold for the amount of they want when I'm already OWE. I'd like to send the marketing department an email back telling them to shove it. There are no incremental benefits except the outside chance of an upgrade. I'll just buy F or use another instrument to upgrade.
Feb 27, 2019, 11:39 am
#357
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
My offer is $395 or 32.5k miles for Executive Platinum .
Last year I did $11,845 EQD and 128,000 EQMs. Only $155 short on EQD and called and asked for a review and they still denied me EP.
Should I take the miles offer? Should be worth it alone of the system sides go through.
Last year I did $11,845 EQD and 128,000 EQMs. Only $155 short on EQD and called and asked for a review and they still denied me EP.
Should I take the miles offer? Should be worth it alone of the system sides go through.
Feb 27, 2019, 11:46 am
#358
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
My offer is $395 or 32.5k miles for Executive Platinum .
Last year I did $11,845 EQD and 128,000 EQMs. Only $155 short on EQD and called and asked for a review and they still denied me EP.
Should I take the miles offer? Should be worth it alone of the system sides go through.
Last year I did $11,845 EQD and 128,000 EQMs. Only $155 short on EQD and called and asked for a review and they still denied me EP.
Should I take the miles offer? Should be worth it alone of the system sides go through.
Feb 27, 2019, 11:47 am
#359
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Right. But I thought the SW do not clear all the time ...
Feb 27, 2019, 11:59 am
#360
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: The FT AA forum, until it no longer wants me.
Programs: CK or bust
Posts: 1,913
They don't but you'd clear complimentary upgrades in North America ahead of your fellow PPro upgrades and possibly sooner.
SWUs are still quite powerful, it's just that they don't clear ahead of time as much as they used to with more aggressive C inventory management practices so it's often much closer to the flight or even at the gate that they can clear. On premium-heavy routes, your just going to have the roll the dice as a low-EQD EP but overall EP has lots of benefits that would be well worth that offer if you're traveling on AA at all in the next eight months.
That being said, most of the "upgrade" offers are absurd.
SWUs are still quite powerful, it's just that they don't clear ahead of time as much as they used to with more aggressive C inventory management practices so it's often much closer to the flight or even at the gate that they can clear. On premium-heavy routes, your just going to have the roll the dice as a low-EQD EP but overall EP has lots of benefits that would be well worth that offer if you're traveling on AA at all in the next eight months.
That being said, most of the "upgrade" offers are absurd.