AA First Class, again and again... trying to re-qualify for EXP in one month
Jan 12, 2016, 12:10 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
AA First Class, again and again... trying to re-qualify for EXP in one month
January 1st means the clock resets for elite re-qualification. So... we're all back to 0 miles. Thanks to an attractive AA First Class "sale" one weekend last October, I decided to pack a ton of AA flying into one month and then play the field for the rest of the year. Crazy? For sure. But nothing as insane as jona970318's 5 day back-to-back-to-back marathon.
So here we go... flying AA again and again in January to virtually re-qualify for American Executive Platinum status for the next two years... all by early February.
We start on January 1st with the last leg home from our Christmas trip to New Zealand. Our Singapore A380 landed just before noon and we headed to a quiet corner in the Admirals Club for a couple of hours. At around T-50, we headed out to Gate 44 and the bus shuttle to the Bus Terminal, yet another reason to start playing the field.
AA 5929
LAX-Denver
E75
3:00p-6:24p
January 1, 2016
Dinner
Granted that after 26 hours in SQ Suites, anything AA is going to pale in comparison. But like wearing an old shoe, it feels morbidly comfortable back in the mediocre AA saddle. Oh, joy... not one but two "emotional support" dogs today...
...and a clueless FA who woke people up while still at the gate to ask their meal selection, "salad with chicken" or "pastrami sandwich". No PDB until the captain announced a mechanical delay and then only after someone asked. In the air, she passed out ramekins of nuts but no drinks. Drinks came 10 minutes later on the meal tray. Chicken turned out to be the pecan crusted chicken which catering forgot to season today. On the other hand, the chocolate mousse cake was tasty.
Naturally, once done, trays sat on tables for at least 10 minutes as FA disappeared into Y to help out there.
On the other hand, she made two passes with mints, although I'm thinking that she forgot that she had already made a first pass.
So here we go... flying AA again and again in January to virtually re-qualify for American Executive Platinum status for the next two years... all by early February.
We start on January 1st with the last leg home from our Christmas trip to New Zealand. Our Singapore A380 landed just before noon and we headed to a quiet corner in the Admirals Club for a couple of hours. At around T-50, we headed out to Gate 44 and the bus shuttle to the Bus Terminal, yet another reason to start playing the field.
AA 5929
LAX-Denver
E75
3:00p-6:24p
January 1, 2016
Dinner
Granted that after 26 hours in SQ Suites, anything AA is going to pale in comparison. But like wearing an old shoe, it feels morbidly comfortable back in the mediocre AA saddle. Oh, joy... not one but two "emotional support" dogs today...
...and a clueless FA who woke people up while still at the gate to ask their meal selection, "salad with chicken" or "pastrami sandwich". No PDB until the captain announced a mechanical delay and then only after someone asked. In the air, she passed out ramekins of nuts but no drinks. Drinks came 10 minutes later on the meal tray. Chicken turned out to be the pecan crusted chicken which catering forgot to season today. On the other hand, the chocolate mousse cake was tasty.
Naturally, once done, trays sat on tables for at least 10 minutes as FA disappeared into Y to help out there.
On the other hand, she made two passes with mints, although I'm thinking that she forgot that she had already made a first pass.
Jan 12, 2016, 12:11 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
January 5, 2016
Tuesday afternoon, I head for DIA and my usual garage Level 1 parking space. Then up to level 5 to security, only to find that the South PreCheck is closed. Seriously? 3:15p on a Tuesday?
So over to North Security where PreCheck was open but mobbed, not so much at the ID station, but the line for the conveyor.
Apparently, it was kettle central today. Since there was only 35 minutes to boarding, I headed for the usual Gate 53.
DEN-LAX
AA 5977
E75
4:15p-5:55p (sked)
4:35p-6:25p (actual)
January 5, 2016
Dinner
Since I had added a few lbs. on our New Zealand trip, I decided to see if I could go alcohol-free this trip. Also food free at least on this flight, as I declined the salad (with chicken or salmon) or pastrami sandwich options.
AA Flagship Lounge at LAX
A three-class First LAX-JFK ticket gets you entrance to AA's Flagship Lounge, located inside the Admirals Club.
Tonight's menu looks good, at least on paper.
In reality, not so much. Do you think the kitchen staff could check these every now and then? Pretty pathetic. You have to be pretty desperate to eat this stuff.
I checked back about a half hour later and the staff had finally replenished the food offerings.
Salmon was pretty good. Beef was terrible.
Dessert was yummy.
At T-25, I headed down to the gate. The nice thing about the A321T, is that there is rarely any gate lice. Just board and take your seat.
LAX-JFK
AA 10
A321T
9:30p-5:45a +1
January 5, 2016
First Class
Late Night Supper
The 1-1 First Class cabin is about as good as it gets for domestic flights.
Excellent crew tonight and a new more substantial January menu. Choice of Shrimp Sliders with Asian Aoili (next week) or the Wagyu Meatloaf.
Spinach and artichoke dip was excellent as always, especially with the warm roll. The pita rounds continue to be disgusting. I've tasted better cardboard.
The Wagyu Meatloaf was a pleasant surprise although a little dry. Could have used a little more seasoning and/or a lot more pomodoro sauce. Roasted garlic mashed potatoes were gross... tasteless and absent any garlic flavor whatsoever. Odd that they would highlight caramelized onions when I only saw a sliver of one inside the half of the meatloaf I ate.
I slept pretty well for 3 hours or so. Just prior to landing, scones and yogurt fruit smoothie were tasty.
For many more pics and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com.
Most recent flights just added to SFO777.com...
• January 6th...Back to LAX and DEN.
Will be added to FT ASAP.
And if you like these reports, we'd love if you would sign up for e-mail alerts from SFO777.com on new trip reports and our upcoming newsletter.
Please click here.
Tuesday afternoon, I head for DIA and my usual garage Level 1 parking space. Then up to level 5 to security, only to find that the South PreCheck is closed. Seriously? 3:15p on a Tuesday?
So over to North Security where PreCheck was open but mobbed, not so much at the ID station, but the line for the conveyor.
Apparently, it was kettle central today. Since there was only 35 minutes to boarding, I headed for the usual Gate 53.
DEN-LAX
AA 5977
E75
4:15p-5:55p (sked)
4:35p-6:25p (actual)
January 5, 2016
Dinner
Since I had added a few lbs. on our New Zealand trip, I decided to see if I could go alcohol-free this trip. Also food free at least on this flight, as I declined the salad (with chicken or salmon) or pastrami sandwich options.
AA Flagship Lounge at LAX
A three-class First LAX-JFK ticket gets you entrance to AA's Flagship Lounge, located inside the Admirals Club.
Tonight's menu looks good, at least on paper.
In reality, not so much. Do you think the kitchen staff could check these every now and then? Pretty pathetic. You have to be pretty desperate to eat this stuff.
I checked back about a half hour later and the staff had finally replenished the food offerings.
Salmon was pretty good. Beef was terrible.
Dessert was yummy.
At T-25, I headed down to the gate. The nice thing about the A321T, is that there is rarely any gate lice. Just board and take your seat.
LAX-JFK
AA 10
A321T
9:30p-5:45a +1
January 5, 2016
First Class
Late Night Supper
The 1-1 First Class cabin is about as good as it gets for domestic flights.
Excellent crew tonight and a new more substantial January menu. Choice of Shrimp Sliders with Asian Aoili (next week) or the Wagyu Meatloaf.
Spinach and artichoke dip was excellent as always, especially with the warm roll. The pita rounds continue to be disgusting. I've tasted better cardboard.
The Wagyu Meatloaf was a pleasant surprise although a little dry. Could have used a little more seasoning and/or a lot more pomodoro sauce. Roasted garlic mashed potatoes were gross... tasteless and absent any garlic flavor whatsoever. Odd that they would highlight caramelized onions when I only saw a sliver of one inside the half of the meatloaf I ate.
I slept pretty well for 3 hours or so. Just prior to landing, scones and yogurt fruit smoothie were tasty.
For many more pics and an HD version of this report, please visit SFO777.com.
Most recent flights just added to SFO777.com...
• January 6th...Back to LAX and DEN.
Will be added to FT ASAP.
And if you like these reports, we'd love if you would sign up for e-mail alerts from SFO777.com on new trip reports and our upcoming newsletter.
Please click here.
Jan 12, 2016, 9:08 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
SFO777, how many of these RTs do you have to do to qualify for EXP?
Anyway, hope it all goes well. May be non-delay, non-cancellation, non-weather, non-mechanical spirits be with you!
Jan 12, 2016, 10:40 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
LOL. Thanks Madone59. With the new AAdvantage rules, it's really pretty easy, especially on premium fares.
Agreed. Though if you're going to make that transition, SFO777's getting off an SQ A380 F suites flight is the way to do it.
SFO777, how many of these RTs do you have to do to qualify for EXP?
Anyway, hope it all goes well. May be non-delay, non-cancellation, non-weather, non-mechanical spirits be with you!
SFO777, how many of these RTs do you have to do to qualify for EXP?
Anyway, hope it all goes well. May be non-delay, non-cancellation, non-weather, non-mechanical spirits be with you!
Jan 12, 2016, 1:36 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
Sounds like my kind of trip, especially given that you appear to be doing all of the salient legs in First Class. Maybe next time you could bring a Ziploc bag along and sneak a load worth of veggies/rice/potatoes along to accompany the meatloaf for the overnight run to JFK.
I haven't done any big time mileage runs (or at least none worth reporting on) since my 87000 mile jaunt back in 2012. I envy you AAdvantage elites for being able to re-up over so short a time span! ^
Good luck with this set of flights!
I haven't done any big time mileage runs (or at least none worth reporting on) since my 87000 mile jaunt back in 2012. I envy you AAdvantage elites for being able to re-up over so short a time span! ^
Good luck with this set of flights!
Jan 12, 2016, 9:41 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Sounds like my kind of trip, especially given that you appear to be doing all of the salient legs in First Class. Maybe next time you could bring a Ziploc bag along and sneak a load worth of veggies/rice/potatoes along to accompany the meatloaf for the overnight run to JFK.
I haven't done any big time mileage runs (or at least none worth reporting on) since my 87000 mile jaunt back in 2012. I envy you AAdvantage elites for being able to re-up over so short a time span! ^
Good luck with this set of flights!
I haven't done any big time mileage runs (or at least none worth reporting on) since my 87000 mile jaunt back in 2012. I envy you AAdvantage elites for being able to re-up over so short a time span! ^
Good luck with this set of flights!
Most recent flights just added to SFO777.com...
• January 6th...Back to LAX and DEN.
• January 11th... DEN to LAX to JFK.
• January 12th... And back to LAX and DEN.
Will be added to FT ASAP.
And if you like these reports, we'd love if you would sign up for e-mail alerts from SFO777.com on new trip reports and our upcoming newsletter.
Please click here.
Last edited by SFO777; Jan 12, 2016 at 10:09 pm
Jan 12, 2016, 10:34 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,610
AA First Class, again and again... trying to re-qualify for EXP in one month
Good luck on your EXP run! I'm hoping that you find some Jetsmart (?) fares during these EXP runs to add more spice, although I guess you'd need a return and not one-way! I'm amazed you can accept domestic F after the joys of private! I think that's why I'm afraid to try private - I rarely fly, and only in discounted F; I'd rather not fly than fly in Y.
Jan 12, 2016, 11:51 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: So Cal
Posts: 937
I was in the Flagship lounge two weeks ago and my take was that of yours. The beef was HORRIBLE!!! And I encountered the same empty trays, though on my second approach I spoke to the lady who did the refill, and she added that I must have the sauce with it. It was this green goo that was just as bad. You can get better meat at The Hooters buffet in Vegas, yes it is that bad.
Jan 13, 2016, 10:59 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SAN, MIA, GOT
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 349
I had a fantastic experience a couple of weeks ago in the flagship lounge LAX. The beef was tender and delicious with the chimichurri The chicken empanadas were great as well.
I also found out that the Flagship lounge is going to serve hot food starting 2PM.
I also found out that the Flagship lounge is going to serve hot food starting 2PM.
Jan 13, 2016, 7:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: In between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Plat 1.1MM , Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,262
Read it all on your website, SFO777. Great stuff as usual. I just missed you in LAX on Jan. 6th by a few hours. Was on a MR myself and was flying back to IAD on UA on the 7:30am flight. East ops was fun, but was probably more fun for landing.
Thanks for sharing! AA food looks pretty disappointing for the most part. UA and DL aren't that much better though LOL. Pick your poison.
Thanks for sharing! AA food looks pretty disappointing for the most part. UA and DL aren't that much better though LOL. Pick your poison.