Aug 13, 2014, 6:59 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
What are Executive Platinum / EP / EXP benefits? Are they worth it?
Link to oneworld web page “Emerald Privileges”
Executive Platinum status requirements: rack up 200,000 Loyalty Points in one calendar year
*See FT: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on)
(Members NO LONGER must fly at least 4 American Airlines marketed segments during the qualifying year to receive elite status.)
Status will last the current status year and the following status year - earn EP during 2019, your status ends 31 Jan 2021.
Preferred benefits:
Airport benefits
Upgrade benefits (on AA)
Systemwide Upgrades (SWU)
You’ll receive four (4) systemwide upgrades (8 SWU years prior to c/y 2016 ) when you qualify or re-qualify for Executive Platinum status.
You may earn two more SWU at 150,000 EQM, and again at 200,000 EQM
SWU upgrades are valid, when available, for one-way travel on any American Airlines marketed and operated flight (up to 3 segments) and you can give them to anyone, even if you're not traveling with them.
Linkto further SWU information
Other benefits
Award benefits
oneworld benefits*
*oneworld benefits are available only to passengers on scheduled flights that are both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline (marketed means that there must be a oneworld member airline flight number on your ticket).
**AAdvantage member access to American Airlines lounges excluded (regardless of status or class of service) if traveling within North America or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Link to aa.com guide to AAdvantage Elite benefits (all levels)
Link to aa.com AAdvantage Elite Status benefit comparison charts
Link to aa.com [b]Elite Status Benefit Guide
Previous posts: Archive: Is EXP / Executive Platinum worth it? What are the benefits? (consolidated)
Link to oneworld web page “Emerald Privileges”
Executive Platinum status requirements: rack up 200,000 Loyalty Points in one calendar year
*See FT: Earning EQD / Elite Qualifying Dollars on AA and partner airlines (2017 on)
(Members NO LONGER must fly at least 4 American Airlines marketed segments during the qualifying year to receive elite status.)
Status will last the current status year and the following status year - earn EP during 2019, your status ends 31 Jan 2021.
Preferred benefits:
- Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats
- Up to three (3) free checked bags with oneworld benefit, 32 kg / 70 lbs ea. (extends to all traveling companions same PNR)
- Minimum mileage guarantee available[/color] (for EQM only as of 1 Aug 2016)
- 100% elite mileage bonus (changed to 11 Award miles per "fare dollar" (base fare plus carrier fees, not taxes) spent as of 1 Aug 2016)
- Guaranteed Main Cabin seat availability [/color] (up to 24 hrs from departure)
- Systemwide Upgrades (see below)
- First class lounge access qualifying longhaul international and MEX** (see below)
Airport benefits
- Check in at First Class counter)
- Priority Lane / Fast Track through the airport at check-in, security and boarding (link) (see post #472 - link)
- Checked bag fee waived for three (3) bags up to 70 lb / 32 kg
- Priority baggage delivery
- Complimentary same-day standby
- Complimentary same-day flight change on American Airlines
- Discounted Admirals Club® membership
- Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club access on qualifying flights, regardless of class
Upgrade benefits (on AA)
- 100-hour upgrade window
- Flights* 500 miles or less: Unlimited, auto-requested complimentary upgrades
- Flights* over 500 miles: Unlimited, auto-requested complimentary upgrades*
- Upgrade one companion traveling with you on the same flight with 500-mile upgrades*
- As of June 2017, Executive Platinum members can use their complimentary 500-mile upgrade benefits on AAdvantage® award tickets for travel on American from Main Cabin to the next class."
- Courtesy 500 mile Upgrades confirmed before departure (as early as) 100 hours
- *Upgrades on American are valid on American marketed and operated flights, within and between the U.S. (including Hawaii) and between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Bermuda and Central America (based on availability). Upgrades are valid from the Main Cabin to the next class of service.
- Executive Platinum members DO NOT earn 500-mile upgrades.
Systemwide Upgrades (SWU)
You’ll receive four (4) systemwide upgrades (8 SWU years prior to c/y 2016 ) when you qualify or re-qualify for Executive Platinum status.
You may earn two more SWU at 150,000 EQM, and again at 200,000 EQM
SWU upgrades are valid, when available, for one-way travel on any American Airlines marketed and operated flight (up to 3 segments) and you can give them to anyone, even if you're not traveling with them.
Linkto further SWU information
Other benefits
- Exclusive Executive Platinum service desk (actual separate dedicated call center staff)
- Waived ticketing service charge
- Guaranteed availability in the Main Cabin*
- Waitlist priority for purchased First or Business Class (on American)
- Complimentary alcoholic beverage and snack in the Main Cabin / coach (no, does not extend to traveling companion)
- Complimentary preferred seats (extends to up to 8 traveling companions)
- Complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats (extends to up to 8 traveling companions)
- Two EP baggage tags
- Exclusive partner offers
Award benefits
- Extended MileSAAver award availability (must call EXP Desk, your FFN must be used during the award search, availability is not unlimited)
- Award processing charge waived (awards within twenty-one days of travel)
- AAdvantage award change and reinstatement charge waived (for awards reinstated to the EP member's account)
- Special discounts on hotel and car awards
oneworld benefits*
- oneworld priority check-in and standby
- oneworld priority boarding
- oneworld priority security
- oneworld partner lounge access** First Class and frequent flyer lounges
- Extended 3 bags and weight (32 kg / 70 lbs ea.)
*oneworld benefits are available only to passengers on scheduled flights that are both marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline (marketed means that there must be a oneworld member airline flight number on your ticket).
**AAdvantage member access to American Airlines lounges excluded (regardless of status or class of service) if traveling within North America or between the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Link to aa.com guide to AAdvantage Elite benefits (all levels)
Link to aa.com AAdvantage Elite Status benefit comparison charts
Link to aa.com [b]Elite Status Benefit Guide
Previous posts: Archive: Is EXP / Executive Platinum worth it? What are the benefits? (consolidated)
What are Executive Platinum / EP / EXP benefits? Are they worth it? (master thd)
Jul 17, 2013, 8:05 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
1) This year may be a last chance to become EXP by reasonable (additional) cost
and/or
2) This year and next year(qualified in 2013) may be the last year that EXP is somewhat worth seeking.
Jul 17, 2013, 8:38 pm
#17
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA GLD, Marriott PLT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,900
just so you know, you still need X inventory to open up. Plus, you are competing with other EXPs. On elite heavy routes, upgrades aren't always sure things. you very may well sweat them out. My flying has been very, very light this year. 6 total segments. only one upgrade cleared at 100 hour mark. . Out of the remaining 5, one, cleared at the gate, one at about T-3 hours, another at about T-24. And one I wound up burning an SWU on.
Jul 17, 2013, 8:40 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
just so you know, you still need X inventory to open up. Plus, you are competing with other EXPs. On elite heavy routes, upgrades aren't always sure things. you very may well sweat them out. My flying has been very, very light this year. 6 total segments. only one upgrade cleared at 100 hour mark. . Out of the remaining 5, one, cleared at the gate, one at about T-3 hours, another at about T-24. And one I wound up burning an SWU on.
Jul 17, 2013, 8:49 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Hi guys. My home airport is EZE and on an annual basis I usually fly just above 50,000 in OW flights, which allows me to keep my AAdvantage Platinum status. This year however, I will be flying to HAN during October and my balance will reach 78,000 EQM. My question is twofold, is it worth trying to hit 100,000 EQM in order to reach Executive Platinum? If so, which would the the cheapest way to obtain 22,000 EQM?
1. EXP brings 8 SWUs. If one uses all 8 to upgrade itineraries like EZE-JFK-LAX-NRT, definitely worth it. If one uses 4 to upgrade flights like LGA-ORD and LAX-LAS, and lets the remaining 4 expire, then clearly a waste. Please note that "flying OW" is not enough; for all practical purposes SWUs only work on AA.
2. EXP will entitle you to First Class lounges. However, PLT will give you access to Business Class; if the cities you fly to have Admirals Club, that membership is a few hundred $ per year. You decide if the difference is worth the trouble/expense for your flying patterns.
3. EXP entitles you to free domestic upgrades whereas PLT costs one sticker per 500 miles. How much you actually fly on AA's domestic network will determine the value you get out of this benefit.
Last edited by aktchi; Jul 18, 2013 at 8:04 am
Jul 17, 2013, 9:09 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: AA PLT Pro (2MM), HH DIA, IHG PLT
Posts: 496
I won't change my screen name but if I did it would be 3CFORME but that has already been taken. (I do get that seat about 80% of my successful ug's and I really like it. Maybe 3CFORME wants to negotiate for Maui Time???
Jul 17, 2013, 9:18 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: AA PLT Pro (2MM), HH DIA, IHG PLT
Posts: 496
8 SWU's
Since most of my flights are mid-con DFW or ORD to either coast, how many of you waste SWU's on mid-con flights? (I have 100 segments on mid-cons through this week) I do fly to OGG or HNL a couple of times each year and I (out of ignorance) think they would work fine for these trips.
My wife is pushing for Europe for use.
I will let the experts weigh in.
Flame on!
My wife is pushing for Europe for use.
I will let the experts weigh in.
Flame on!
Jul 17, 2013, 9:35 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA GLD, Marriott PLT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,900
Just something for them to be aware of. Hopefully, he doesn't get his hopes as high as I did.
Jul 17, 2013, 9:39 pm
#23
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA GLD, Marriott PLT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,900
Since most of my flights are mid-con DFW or ORD to either coast, how many of you waste SWU's on mid-con flights? (I have 100 segments on mid-cons through this week) I do fly to OGG or HNL a couple of times each year and I (out of ignorance) think they would work fine for these trips.
My wife is pushing for Europe for use.
I will let the experts weigh in.
Flame on!
My wife is pushing for Europe for use.
I will let the experts weigh in.
Flame on!
As mentioned, I burned one for a domestic hop. BOS-DFW. For me, living in Dallas, that's a long flight. I can't possibly use 8 SWUs for long haul TATL or TPAC flights in a year. I just don't have the time or money for that many flights/ I'll burn 4 of those in December (already pulled), but I found it was unlikely I would have any other opportunity to burn them on a longer flight that would yield better value. So, I used it BOS-DFW (outbound cleared at 100 hours). Some say it's a silly use. But I thought it worthwhile. IMHO, it would have been to finish out Feb 2014 with SWUs in my account and having 'suffered" a ride in Y when I didn't have to.
Jul 17, 2013, 10:42 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
Programs: AA PPRO, Marriott/Hilton Gold, AMX-Plat, Global Entry
Posts: 3,109
Alex, my answer would hinge on what your flying plans are in 2014. The key benefits to EXP (for me) are nearly unlimited upgrades when flying on AA within the US and the 8 SWU's for international travel. (There are many others, of course). If you have minimal travel plans next year within the US and internationally on AA metal then it's probably not worth it, but if so then by all means...
Best of luck!
Best of luck!
So far during 2014 I will be flying EZE-JFK-EZE and EZE-JFK-YYZ-JFK-EZE on AA, some flights within Argentina on LAN, and EZE-FCO-EZE in BA or IB...
As others have noted, the amount of domestic US flying one does is a determinant of value as well as smart/creative use of SWUs. I'm bundling trips to MXP and SCL together and effectively getting 2 RT Intl trips upgraded with 2 SWUs.
Jul 17, 2013, 11:48 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
Since most of my flights are mid-con DFW or ORD to either coast, how many of you waste SWU's on mid-con flights? (I have 100 segments on mid-cons through this week) I do fly to OGG or HNL a couple of times each year and I (out of ignorance) think they would work fine for these trips.
Aug 9, 2013, 9:03 am
#26
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sonoma
Programs: ex-ExPlat, AA Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 161
i am EXP and will need to do an award ticket booking while in Helsinki. it appears that there is a 60 euro fee for award ticketing by phone or in person at the airport. does anyone have experience if this ticketing fee is waived for EXP?
Aug 9, 2013, 10:35 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
Since most of my flights are mid-con DFW or ORD to either coast, how many of you waste SWU's on mid-con flights? (I have 100 segments on mid-cons through this week) I do fly to OGG or HNL a couple of times each year and I (out of ignorance) think they would work fine for these trips.
My wife is pushing for Europe for use.
I will let the experts weigh in.
Flame on!
My wife is pushing for Europe for use.
I will let the experts weigh in.
Flame on!
Aug 9, 2013, 10:56 am
#29
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Since most of my flights are mid-con DFW or ORD to either coast, how many of you waste SWU's on mid-con flights? (I have 100 segments on mid-cons through this week) I do fly to OGG or HNL a couple of times each year and I (out of ignorance) think they would work fine for these trips...My wife is pushing for Europe for use...I will let the experts weigh in.
Japan > UK or Hawaii > Transcon > The Rest > Let Them Expire!
Use them on the longest itineraries you would actually fly.