Would you do it - $2100 to get 4 systemwide upgrades?
Dec 13, 20, 10:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 1
Would you do it - $2100 to get 4 systemwide upgrades?
I've been XP on American for years and have made good use of Systemwide upgrades on flights to Europe. As we all know, the 4 upgrades I earned last year now expire 7/31/21 and my status has been extended. However, if I qualify under 2020 rules for XP, I will get 4 more with a later expiration. I qualify on miles/segments, but not on spend. I can do a round trip day trip this week (using First-Flexible) to meet my spend requirement of about $2100 more. I guess an added benefit is that the spend/segments/miles would roll over into 2021 requirements and make it easier to achieve XP next year. The question - Is it worth the money when the only real benefit is 4 additional systemwide upgrades? If it were half that amount, it would be a slam dunk, but I'm not so sure here. Would you do it?
Thanks in advance for your replies - I've followed the forums, but this is my first post.
Thanks in advance for your replies - I've followed the forums, but this is my first post.
Dec 13, 20, 10:29 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: LAX or NYC
Programs: Sabre/IATA/Tvl Ldrs/AA 1MM/AS 75K/DL DM/MC Plat/HH Gold
Posts: 1,025
Yes, if I were that close and reasonably expected to use the certs. I'd probably try to do HI for 1-2 nights rather than a day trip, but that's a personal choice.
Last edited by NYC Flyer; Dec 13, 20 at 10:29 am Reason: grammar
Dec 13, 20, 10:50 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,601
Originally Posted by jeffk1961
I've been XP on American for years and have made good use of Systemwide upgrades on flights to Europe. As we all know, the 4 upgrades I earned last year now expire 7/31/21 and my status has been extended. However, if I qualify under 2020 rules for XP, I will get 4 more with a later expiration. I qualify on miles/segments, but not on spend. I can do a round trip day trip this week (using First-Flexible) to meet my spend requirement of about $2100 more. I guess an added benefit is that the spend/segments/miles would roll over into 2021 requirements and make it easier to achieve XP next year. The question - Is it worth the money when the only real benefit is 4 additional systemwide upgrades? If it were half that amount, it would be a slam dunk, but I'm not so sure here. Would you do it?
Thanks in advance for your replies - I've followed the forums, but this is my first post.
Thanks in advance for your replies - I've followed the forums, but this is my first post.
If you have a consistent record of being able to actually use the SWU's for long-haul travel, definitely go for it.
Dec 13, 20, 1:38 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 41,482
would you actually pay $1050 on a trip to travel business class over economy / 1st over business on a r/t journey if you didn't have the SWUs?
If yes, then is the fare difference far enough over $1050 to make it worth wasting a day taking the flights to spend $2100
If yes, then is the likelihood good that there will be ability to upgrade
If all of these are yes and with the current state of Covid in the USA , you will actually be travelling to use them, then would seem worth it - if not, then it wouldnt
I personally wouldn't do it
If yes, then is the fare difference far enough over $1050 to make it worth wasting a day taking the flights to spend $2100
If yes, then is the likelihood good that there will be ability to upgrade
If all of these are yes and with the current state of Covid in the USA , you will actually be travelling to use them, then would seem worth it - if not, then it wouldnt
I personally wouldn't do it
Dec 13, 20, 2:01 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Gold
Posts: 92
Y-J miles+copay on long international flights is 25K miles + $350, so I view 4 SWUs as being worth at most 100K miles + $1,400. $700 to save 100K miles seems worth it to me, but that of course assumes that you’ll be able to use the SWUs.
Dec 13, 20, 2:48 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 41,482
Originally Posted by jcain
Y-J miles+copay on long international flights is 25K miles + $350, so I view 4 SWUs as being worth at most 100K miles + $1,400. $700 to save 100K miles seems worth it to me, but that of course assumes that you’ll be able to use the SWUs.
Dec 13, 20, 3:22 pm
#7
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 12,026
Welcome to FlyerTalk!
I'll probably get some flack for saying this, but no I would not, nor am I doing this. I could get 4 SWU's and return to EXP status for quite a bit less than that, but have chosen not to. I do not feel safe traveling at this time, and don't know when I will feel safe traveling again to get use of that status and SWUs.
Best of luck and safe travels.
I'll probably get some flack for saying this, but no I would not, nor am I doing this. I could get 4 SWU's and return to EXP status for quite a bit less than that, but have chosen not to. I do not feel safe traveling at this time, and don't know when I will feel safe traveling again to get use of that status and SWUs.
Best of luck and safe travels.
Dec 13, 20, 5:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2000
Programs: UA 1k, AA EXPLT, NZ GE, VA PLT Hyatt Diam, Marr Plat, HH Diam
Posts: 2,984
Hmm. Taking into account both the $2100 and the time/health “costs” of taking the extra trip isn’t to me worthwhile to go from 4 to 8 EVIPs for use in 2021. If you’re pretty confident that the extra 2100 EQD will actually be needed towards your 2021 levels, then maybe it’s a bit closer to being of value. But considering the expected low J prices for intercontinental travel in 2021, I just don’t think it’s worth doing.
Dec 14, 20, 8:40 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,781
my wife who is only $1400 short of getting SWU .. said not worth it..after all we are all EXP next year anyway.. and besides between her and myself we have 14 to use.. with really no where to go..
but hey that is our opinion
but hey that is our opinion
Dec 14, 20, 8:48 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 10,791
I'd say it's dependent on whether or not you're planning on using them for intercontinental travel next year. If you have long-haul trips that you realistically still think you're going to be able to take, then I'd say it's worth it, especially because SWUs should clear pretty easily on intercontinental flights at the moment.
If on the other hand you're likely to just fly short domestic flights, I'd say not really worth the $2100.
If on the other hand you're likely to just fly short domestic flights, I'd say not really worth the $2100.
Dec 14, 20, 9:27 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NYC-BNA
Programs: Lifetime Plat/4mm miles, Starwood, HiltonHonors
Posts: 606
Originally Posted by jcatman
Welcome to Flyertalk.
If you have a consistent record of being able to actually use the SWU's for long-haul travel, definitely go for it.
If you have a consistent record of being able to actually use the SWU's for long-haul travel, definitely go for it.
be.
Dec 14, 20, 10:00 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: YYC
Programs: AA EXP | Bonvoy T | IHG P | UA S
Posts: 28
I actually did do this in October... was $2.5k EQDs short and had no upcoming travel planned, so spent an extra ~$1800 for a J flight home from Europe. Worth it for me because I'm always able to use SWUs.
Dec 14, 20, 10:19 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 493
Originally Posted by jcain
Y-J miles+copay on long international flights is 25K miles + $350, so I view 4 SWUs as being worth at most 100K miles + $1,400. $700 to save 100K miles seems worth it to me, but that of course assumes that you’ll be able to use the SWUs.
Dec 14, 20, 11:55 am
#14
Join Date: May 2001
Location: (AA EXP)
Posts: 559
I personally answered this question "yes" when I was at 56,000EQM and $8500EQD, purchased a round trip MIA-LAS in first in Dec for around $800. The key for me was this trip would count for both 2020 and 21, and I'm staying in a brand new hotel there (never been at a hotel's opening night). I'm not sure I would make that same call at $2k for a "trip to nowhere" one day trip. Maybe a weekend somewhere else? Burn some hotel points? But just a straight round trip just to make status, I would probably pass. Guess we all draw the line somewhere!
Good luck with your decision!
Good luck with your decision!
