Close to Platinum Pro - How close must I get? Any “grace”?
Dec 23, 2018, 12:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: EXP 2.9MM
Posts: 145
Close to Platinum Pro - How close must I get? Any “grace”?
I am lifetime platinum and after a long hiatus from regular business travel, I started making weekly trips again in the fall. I am close to making PP but will miss the PP EQM threshold by 656 miles. Is this close enough for them to give it to me? I recall AA doing this in the past but don't remember how much wiggle room there is. If it helps, my EQD spend will be close to $12k.
Dec 23, 2018, 12:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New York City
Programs: UA: 1K, Hyatt: Explorist and Marriott: LF Titanium Elite
Posts: 1,268
+1 I agree they will give you something ridiculous - if you dont have any EQD requirements for PP Pro, then I suggest doing a quick return flight
Dec 23, 2018, 12:43 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: EXP 2.9MM
Posts: 145
The emailed me an offer a couple weeks ago where I could pay ~$1800 to immediately get PP--no thanks.
Dec 23, 2018, 12:44 pm
#5
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
I am lifetime platinum and after a long hiatus from regular business travel, I started making weekly trips again in the fall. I am close to making PP but will miss the PP EQM threshold by 656 miles. Is this close enough for them to give it to me? I recall AA doing this in the past but don't remember how much wiggle room there is. If it helps, my EQD spend will be close to $12k.
See Buy Back and Boost / Buy Up Status for 2019.
See “Grace” (exception) if close to but missing Status EQM, EQS or EQD.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 23, 2018 at 12:59 pm
Dec 23, 2018, 12:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AA EXP; 1W Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; UA dirt
Posts: 7,816
Comp upgrades as opposed to stickers would be one benefit. Confirmed same day flight change would be another.
Dec 23, 2018, 12:51 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: EXP 2.9MM
Posts: 145
I’m afraid that, as of two years ago, there is no wiggle room. You make it or you don’t - unless you buy it back. See your offer at https://elite.aa.com/.
See Buy Back and Boost / Buy Up Status for 2019.
See Buy Back and Boost / Buy Up Status for 2019.
FYI: Your link is missing an "l" at the end--I added it above.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 23, 2018 at 1:00 pm Reason: Repair URL
Dec 23, 2018, 12:58 pm
#9
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
One down, one to go.By the way, it was actually four years ago the grace policy changed, though iirc there was a temporary gap (maybe 2015 for 2016 Status year). The slack they used to cut:
Historically, the automatic exceptions were as follows:
- 24,500 miles or points for Gold Status
- 49,000 miles or points for Platinum Status
- 99,000 miles or points for Executive Platinum Status
Dec 23, 2018, 1:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,313
Not saying it's owrth chasing, but the other benefits are willingness to rebook on another airline in case of IRROPS and no fee SDFC.
Dec 23, 2018, 1:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
As mentioned, the SDFC is a huge benefit. Used it this weekend. Not needing stickers is big as well. I still have stickers I bought in anticipation of an upgrade not cleared. Not having to worry about that is a big enough deal.
Dec 23, 2018, 1:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Highly debatable / variable based on flight patterns / routes....
In 4+ years of being EXP I've used SDFC precisely one time - the "must keep to the same route / connection points" is just too restrictive. I find it functionally useless as a benefit.
In 4+ years of being EXP I've used SDFC precisely one time - the "must keep to the same route / connection points" is just too restrictive. I find it functionally useless as a benefit.
Dec 23, 2018, 2:06 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
YMMV on each of the perks of the program offers, not just this one. I benefit from the SDFC because I am in a hub. I usually only take non-stops. I also mentioned the upgrade benefits. Even though I am IN a hub, often flying hub-hub, I still get upgraded enough to consider it a valuable perk. Someone in a secondary market would find that to be of even higher value.
Dec 23, 2018, 3:07 pm
#14
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Depending on where OP lives, there may be some dirt cheap round-trip he can fly in a morning, afternoon or evening. A "boost" is likely to run a significant amount more just because AA prices them that way. If time is tight, then look at your Boost offer and hopefully there is one and it's doable.
Whether something is "worth" it is a subjective judgment. Whether unlimited domestic UG's, SDFC, fee-free SDC and so on are worth it, depends on how and where you fly. Now that AA publishes its IRROPS rebooking policy, that may also matter.
Whether something is "worth" it is a subjective judgment. Whether unlimited domestic UG's, SDFC, fee-free SDC and so on are worth it, depends on how and where you fly. Now that AA publishes its IRROPS rebooking policy, that may also matter.