carlosdca

Shouldn't 4 SWUs be a given upon reaching EXP or completing the challenge?

https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...ce-rewards.jsp
So you will get the default 4SWUs but won't have a choice to replace that with the offered options (miles, EQDs, Gold gift, etc.)?

vasantn

I know one poster has reported receiving 4 SWUs after completing the challenge. Apart from that, I've never heard of anyone receiving SWUs without full qualification. I'm certainly not expecting any, but it would be nice to be wrong!

(For the record, I've done 2 successful EXP challenges prior to the current one and did not receive SWUs upon completion of either one. Both were early in the year, however; and I did receive the standard SWUs once I qualified in full.)

united 1k flyer

it would be great if I could get SWUs however it doesn’t seem like it’s gonna happen sadly.

united 1k flyer

no airline will get you to your destination 100% of the time.

united 1k flyer

I emailed them and they told me I won’t earn any 500 miles upgrades during or after the challenge. Is there any way I can get these without paying for them. I don’t feel like paying $120 bucks every time I need to upgrade a companion.

carlosdca

no way. only way to earn them is flying as GLD or PLT.
You can always use miles + copay to upgrade your companion. 15,000+$75. I value miles at $0 (i.e. worthless) so for a coast to coast it is $200 (5 stickers) vs $75

carlosdca

A long time ago in a galaxy far away, there were anecdotal reports that the EXP desk could convert "stickers" to miles upon request. But I don't think they did it the other way around.
But for many years it has been reported that they don't do that anymore.
You can always call and ask?

Reima

You can use miles to buy upgrades, 40,000 miles for 8 upgrades.

vasantn

No.

Danwriter

Once the shift from miles to money gained traction, I gave up on pursuing status and instead the mantra became "fly less, buy first (class)." (Granted, not everyone can fly less, although the last 18 months has compelled most of us to do so anyway.) From my POV, the airlines gave up on loyalty to their customers, so loyalty to an airline is an encumbrance rather than a benefit now. And FC fares are, in some cases, insanely affordable.

ChurnieEls

I somewhat disagree that its not a benefit; even as a PLT, the elite perks have been very valuable to me as travel ramped up - priority check in/bags/security, easier to get someone on the phone when something does go wrong, they're way more accommodating to my requests during IRROPS (albeit I do come armed with a number of options for them versus having them do that leg work), I've been booked on a DL flight I suggested after my AA one was cancelled last minute. For sure the hard product is currently not worth the leg work, but overall I'm happy enough with AA (the F&B nonsense aside) and will be spending the 15k to keep it next year (when hopefully trips back to Europe will be on the menu and the flagship lounges are open!).

I don't think I'd enjoy flying as a free agent now, even buying F (hello DL!). Status means you avoid a lot of the clusters that are everywhere if you're traveling these days.

bhomburg

"Stickers" could be converted into RDM for EXPs, yes. This was officially possible until AA stopped doing it in 2014. I`ve been sitting on about 50 of those things ever since.
They have to be earned or paid for, it is not and has never been possible to acquire them any other way

james318

What is there a sale on some loch ness munchies or something?

SKYEG

I know I asked the question earlier what is EXP worth compared to just having 75K_OWE on AS, and besides the upgrades, exp desk and priority waitlist/standby there is one small one lol. Flagship first check in if you're flying intl. Not offered even if flying J as AS75k but offered flying Y as AA EXP. haha