Executive Platinum & Platinum Pro elite benefit options survey (Sep 2020)
Sep 3, 2020, 9:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,109
Executive Platinum & Platinum Pro elite benefit options survey (Sep 2020)
Did anyone else get the elite benefit survey on selecting a choice of options for making plat pro or EXP instead of a standard 4 SWUs (similar to the options at 150, 200, etc EQM)? Some creative ideas in there although hard to beat the SWU option.
Sep 3, 2020, 9:57 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 3,445
Yes. It's apparent from the different sets of benefits shown that AA will be reducing systemwide upgrades for EXP from 4 to a max of 3. And PlatPro will be offered 1 systemwide. It was a really poor set of choices. Wish they'd adopt UA's PointsPlus set of benefits.
Sep 3, 2020, 10:20 pm
#3
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/1mm/Admirals,United Silver+Club (life),Marriott Titanium,Hilton & Accor Gold
Posts: 5,061
If EXP still received eight systemwide upgrades, I would not have let my status lapse... With four systemwides, there isn't enough reason for me to bother qualifying. With three systemwides, I definitely wouldn't bother.
Sep 3, 2020, 10:29 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,109
I think PlusPoints sound nice because of the illusion of choice but offer little value. They're basically the same in the SWU department - 4 deep discount economy to business upgrades - and worse as a program because you need PlusPoints to upgrade on NYC-LAX/SFO. Sure you can use fewer PlusPoints if you have a higher fare but if you are chancing an upgrade, why pay more to use fewer PlusPoints? There's a few nice to haves in PlusPoints (e.g. option to upgrade to premium economy - which I would only use if business is full) but I wouldn't trade that for needing points to upgrade on transcon. If Plat Pro gets a SWU that's equivalent to 80 plus points which is 2x what UA gives platinums, beyond unlimited free upgrades on transcon.
Sep 4, 2020, 12:33 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Gatwick, UK
Programs: UA *G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,673
Given that an EXP must pass Plat Pro to become EXP, an EXP would still have 4 SWUs (the survey stated this directly). Yes, I would prefer it to be 8, but there is no suggestion of it being reduced further from 4.
Sep 4, 2020, 5:29 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MIA
Posts: 298
I think when COVID is over AA will find most people have been cured of the need to pursue status, and that they will need to start providing real value to generate anything close to the excitement and loyalty they’ve been accustomed to.
Sep 4, 2020, 6:37 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: FSD
Programs: AA CK, DL SM, UA PS, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium , Hyatt Globalist, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 458
Sep 4, 2020, 7:52 am
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
It's discussed (and posted) on OMAAT: AA May Add Elite Choice Awards
The version posted by Lucky would apparently allow EXP as many as 5 SWU (1 as PP, 4 as EXP), plus an additional choice benefit.
The version posted by Lucky would apparently allow EXP as many as 5 SWU (1 as PP, 4 as EXP), plus an additional choice benefit.
Sep 4, 2020, 8:12 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: American Airlines EXP
Posts: 42
I also indicated that I will have little motivation to requalify if they further reduce the number of SWUs.
Sep 4, 2020, 8:29 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
I didn't get a survey. I wonder if they are just sent out random or with a target audience in mind.
Perhaps someone at Advantage got wind of my pic holding an invisible PDB and decided no survey for mr hudson news nuts.
Perhaps someone at Advantage got wind of my pic holding an invisible PDB and decided no survey for mr hudson news nuts.
Sep 4, 2020, 12:07 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHX
Programs: AA ExPlat, United Gold, IHG Amb Plat, HHonors Diamond(Aspire), Bonvoy LT Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 454
I didn't get a survey either, but I'd suggest that maybe being able to use SWU's at time of booking, being able to secure F and J partner award flights, and being able to book AA award flights without bizarre routings and overnights might be a start.
I've been EXP for many years and I guess when the benefits just keep being whittled away a little at a time you just don't notice as much, but COVID has provided me with a much needed mental reset as to the value of all of this.