Dave Noble

It doesn't matter why the person stopped spending money with AA - whether it be health issues, changing jobs etc - the airline doesn't really care what the reason for lack of patronage - given that it is an invitation only offering, there is no more reason for the OP to feel angry about losing it than I have for not having been offered it

Of course there is a chance of getting an invitation back by returning spending to levels where the airline decides that the person has passed the threshold to be invited back. No reason why the OP couldn't earn it back if the OP wanted to

Instead the OP has decided to take a path which will pretty much ensure no chance of an invitation by choosing to patronise UA

Rubecula

Apologies but I do not fully understand the point you are making. My assertion is that whilst BA has the premier tier without knowing the qualifying criteria it is a much smaller population than AA’s CK which, rightly or wrongly, I place closer to BA GGL rather than BA Premier.

Often1

It does not matter.

The point is that there are no published criteria for CK or PREM. Thus, when someone drops into the Other Ranks, one can't know exactly how or why that happened other than that he became less profitable in some manner. Specifically, that one cannot look to segments, tier points, dollars, and the like as absolutes.

Thus, even OP does not know where he fit into the CK scheme before he was dropped. Perhaps he was marginal to begin with and was only added for a 10th year because he had been "loyal" for nine years.

george 3

If you read posts by many former CKs who are no longer (including me), there is no such thing as a "soft landing".

warreng

I'm not sure if that was about a breakup or an airline loyalty program, either way it was beautiful.

airb330

While I feel for the OP (you're health is most important!), I agree that AA likely could have handled it better. However, CK is not a guarantee and we can only guess at the requirements. Let's face it a lot of status is simply a business transaction; isn't it generally regarded that EXP is better than 1K? So, unless UA's route network truly works better for the OP, isn't it more logical to keep flying AA as EXP for 2019? Perhaps since it isn't me personally, I am missing the emotional aspect.

QueenOfCoach

My 2 cents:

The various loyalty programs (airline, hotel, shopper cards, etc) are not there to reward you for past purchases. They are there to incentivize future purchases.

"Spend $xx with us (or fly yy miles) and next year you will see these great benefits."

They want to motivate you to do things that are otherwise against your best interests, such as book a less convenient flight or pay more for a ticket on their airline vs a more convenient flight for less money on the competition. It's all about the future, not the past.

The OP had back surgery and this is something I know quite well. My husband had spinal cord surgery in 2008 and I know from experience that his post-surgery self just cannot do the kinds of things his younger, pre-injury self could do. I'm talking about things like sprinting through an airport (he can't sprint any where any time) or sitting on long flights without discomfort. I extend my sincere best wishes to the OP for a fast and complete recovery.

The airlines (as well as other "loyalty" program admins) hear every day from people who have become very accustomed to perks of high status, but for some Life Change event have not been able to re-qualify. The question for these decision-making admins is when and under what circumstances do they make an exception and reinstate the high status.

A huge problem is that many of these Life Changes also result in a permanent reduction in spend, especially when the immediate past has evidence of reduced spend.

-Surgery (in this case) might result in the customer being physically unable to fly as often as they used to.
-Retirement and obvious reduction in employer-paid travel.
-Job change and reduction in travel.
-Birth of a child and time priorities changed to the needs of the baby.
-Needs of a family member (elderly parent, teenaged child) taking precedence over long absences with travel.
-Need to delegate work related travel to younger up-and-coming employees so they gain experience.

We all grow older and with age comes changes in our life situations. At 64, I am well aware of my own limitations. It's only human to wish for the same perks and benefits (as well as the agile body) we had when we were younger.

However, in the cold cruel eyes of the bean-counters (and I am a bean-counter extraordinaire), those folks with Life Changes that have resulted in lower spend are (1) likely to remain in lower spend and (2) are simply no longer entitled to the benefits of high status. Let them regain the status like anyone else, if they can: Spend $$$.

ZbadhabitZ

I understand the OP's frustration and, personally, have found AA's customer support and executives to be far more human than other airlines. Unsure whether OP has opted to reach out to someone outside of traditional support e-mails, but I'd be surprised to hear if the airline was not willing to show some compassion to the situation.

I know we're all different, but I strived to hit CK last year. Didn't make it, but alongside the journey, it also became apparent to me that, for my situation, all I was really after was upgrade to First on the LAX-JFK route. The additional perks mattered little to me, and for my lifestyle, I just wanted a private lie-flat seat after long business days. Paying out of pocket for the seat to guarantee what setup is worthwhile. I feel valued as a customer even though I was a few thousand shy of where I think CK requirement was, and hope the OP finds this airline to offer enough to continue service.

truthknown

Man... I know many in this forum are pragmatic and practical, but damn you all are cold! Look, if I had CK for 10 years and they didn't renew me because I had surgery, I would be seriously mad! It may not be as reasonable as some may want or expect, but I would still be mad. The OP has every right to be mad. Hell, I had a baby this year and was afraid I would lose my CK status after 3 years and if I did, I would be MAD! Fortunately I didn't...

So yeah, many of you can post about how its a $$$ game and he didn't spent so he doesn't deserve to be renewed. Blah, blah, blah. At the end of the day, assuming what the OP says is true, 10 years of CK worthy spend deserves some type of compassion by the airline for having a life event that caused a lapse in his ability to meet the requirements. 10 YEARS! I do not believe there are many in this forum who have been CK for 10 years. Give the guy a break! I can't imagine what the OP must be feeling for giving 10 yrs of loyalty and receiving none back when he needs and deserves it...

It's so sad that in this industry, like many others, loyalty is often a one-way street.

To the OP, I hope AA gains a heart and at least engages you in a conversation about this situation. If going to UA is the best course of action, I wish you luck. Make the best choice for yourself because being loyal has very little meaning anymore.

FlyerBeek

If OP remains committed to flying AA this year, I believe a $50k AirPass membership will automatically provide CK status. Depending on the type of travel OP typically does, might be beneficial to look into this option if remaining CK is so important.

-FlyerBeek

userX

So, you take OP's point: A CK qualifier for 10 years running should - would, you believe - get a little consideration here.

I don't know, but certainly reasonable for OP to ask, and to feel some measure of disappointment at negative response. After all, the whole point of loyalty programs is to reward loyal customers. Anybody who qualifies as CK 10 years running, as OP claims, is a seriously loyal customer. It seems exceptionally shortsighted, not to say "straight up stupid," for the company to risk that relationship for a year of CK status.

Interesting to see you say here, "Yeah, they wouldn't actually." especially as so many people throwing shade on OP for whining..

LovePrunes

You forgot to offer a therapy dog and coloring book to help OP with processing the trauma.

Uncle Nonny

This forum isn't cold, just opportunistic. The thought of a CK position opening up sends many into a fluffy dreamland, imagining themselves being whisked from gate to gate in a Cadillac (in reality, and Equinox with a different hood ornament) and being greeted at the jet way with you backlit name on an iPad. Do not put a wet blanket on these people's dreams!

Mike Rivers

They reward people who fly a lot, continuously. They don't have any love for people who have flown a lot and for one reason or another, have slacked off. I always thought that there should be a "legacy" class for someone who, say, has been at an advanced flyer level for 10 continuous years - not all the perks, but maybe offer early boarding, or a free checked back, or even a few free drink coupons.

But, no; no fly, no favors.

Exhausted6millionmiler