Dave Noble

Lifetime Platinum is exactly the same as the annual platinum
Lifetime Gold is exactly the same as annual gold

When you were earning miles in the 90s and 00s , all miles ( flown, bonus, credit card etc ) counted towards earning Lifetime status , so if earning 100% bonuses as a platinum or executive platinum member, you needed to fly only 500k for Gold and 1M for Platinum ( 5 years as an EP member could easily get lifetime platinum )

It offers noting beyond this, but never has ; once you earn the lifetime platinum status, can just rest on ones laurels and enjoy what it offers

What do you expect AA to do for you once you have completed its highest lifetime status? if you studied the programme , you must have known that you had everything to offer, many years ago

fotographer

Just finished my morning cuppa, interesting posts from everyone, but just wondering, why do we chase status on airlines with so much passion. ( I am now, not really bothered that much)
its not like any airline will treat us like family /friends.. is it a boost for our ego's to say that we are EXP this, or DM that or lifetime gold on BA?
Does having status with hotels, car rentals, etc really make us feel better about ourselves?
anyway, just thinking

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

Assuming the program doesn't change I have for the rest of my flying days free MCE, OW lounge access when traveling Internationally, free bag, priority boarding Group 3, the chance to upgrade. I'm good with that. I'm not sure what the "rip off is."

PHL

MasterPlanner

To answer your question: for me, yes. It feels good to be able to travel with family and friends and be somewhat 'taken care of' by the companies with which I have achieved status.

Others may feel differently, of course.

jordyn

What a goofy statement.

Sure, if all you want to do is understand AA's lifetime program it takes five minutes. If you want to understand how it compares to the entire universe of alternative FF programs, it takes a lot longer. (Hence the value of threads like this for future researchers.)

LINDEGR

Thanks to LT status I no longer chase but did so for many years for the extra perks - not ego-driven at all.

LINDEGR

That's my biggest frustration. LT Platinum means one thing when mid-tier. It is now the second lowest of arguably five (at least four) tiers. That and the change to rolling EQDs for upgrades means a LT Platinum who rarely flies is effectively just at the top of the golds. These downgrades to my perceived value of LT Plat occurred without any changes to the written terms. Nonetheless, I am still glad I have it for the benefits it confers as it sure beats nothing!

carlosdca

On this, can someone explain what the purpose of the luggage tags is other than to flaunt your status?
Or do they get you lounge access?

MiamiAirport Formerly NY George

Can we accept that the wonderful days of FF programs have come to an end and most changes going forward won't be a benefit to FFs. Let's just be happy we had the days of glory. Those young bucks and dos road warriors will will never know the days of obtaining EXP by mid year, upgrades a plenty, 8 SWUs, and oodles of RDMs. Be happy for some of the better things. Free drink(s) in MCE. Better offerings in the ACs.

fotographer

Have not had a luggage tag including the million milers on my luggage in the last 6 years..
(it helps that a dont check a bag and been lucky not to have to gate check)

QueenOfCoach

True. In my opinion, the Aadvantage program is losing that credibility. I am having a very tough time finding award tickets for the flights I want to take.

Often1

Well, if you are a PP, you are quite happy that there is no lifetime EXP beating you out for that one UG seat. It's a zero-sum game and if everyone is special, nobody is special.

cova

Only speculation here and on the blogs - which usually are pretty accurate of future changes (they have connections at AA). There is a thread on the subject here on FT in AA forum.

UA has had TODs for some time and it is only a matter of time when AA does (my view).

At least on UA the upgrade priority (if it ever happens) is based on elite level, but then within elite level - the fare code you have in your current ticket. AA is rolling 12 months EQD. At least with UA you ave a better chance if you buy a more expensive ticket for a given flight.

On AA - many CKs don't buy expensive domestic ticket or J tickets because they know they have a very high chance of getting an upgrade.

jcain

I first got AA Platinum in 2015 and even that was still early enough to experience the 100% RDM (on FLOWN miles) bonus. Used to regularly get 10K RDM a pop on $300 JFK-LAX roundtrips which was clearly unsustainable. Great while it lasted, though.