Should I Buy Up to US Chairman's or Platinum?
Dec 16, 2013, 7:50 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BOS / PHL
Programs: US Chairman
Posts: 61
I took the plunge, although it's kind of my fault I had to. Given merger, I took the approach that for 2013 I would treat US and AA as the same. Where as before, I would fly UA to chicago, this year I flew AA. Instead of connecting to Dallas or Miami on US, I flew AA. So instead of being a high platinum or CP on US Segments, I got high gold on US and gold on AA (all through segments).
Did not want to be gold on US this year, so bought up (all the way to CP). Will be happy to fly with gold on AA (actually was upgraded last week on a BOS-MIA trip) and pay for first class when necessary. Might be $1499 down the drain, but think it will be worth it for THIS YEAR. I am going to approach 2014 the same way I approached 2013 - hope for 2015 they "combine" segments to determine status... We'll see
Did not want to be gold on US this year, so bought up (all the way to CP). Will be happy to fly with gold on AA (actually was upgraded last week on a BOS-MIA trip) and pay for first class when necessary. Might be $1499 down the drain, but think it will be worth it for THIS YEAR. I am going to approach 2014 the same way I approached 2013 - hope for 2015 they "combine" segments to determine status... We'll see
Dec 16, 2013, 12:12 pm
#32
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,528
So you can't actually buy top-tier alone, they'll only sell it as part of certain expensive bundles of services (IIRC currently they start at $30k).
The number of miles flown so far in a year does not affect the pricing.
EDIT: For the sake of completeness, I'll also mention that entry-level elite status can be effectively purchased via the BusinessExtrAA program, which is basically open to anyone who books travel for more than themselves.
The number of miles flown so far in a year does not affect the pricing.
EDIT: For the sake of completeness, I'll also mention that entry-level elite status can be effectively purchased via the BusinessExtrAA program, which is basically open to anyone who books travel for more than themselves.
Dec 17, 2013, 2:56 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: Marriott Platinum, USDM Gold, National Exec Elite, IHG Dumped-now Kettle, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,787
I want to Buy up to maintain my gold status into Feb 2015. Can I wait till 1/1 so that the spend goes to my US Airways card or do I have to do by 12/31?
Dec 17, 2013, 2:57 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Dec 17, 2013, 3:01 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: Marriott Platinum, USDM Gold, National Exec Elite, IHG Dumped-now Kettle, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,787
Thanks.
Dec 17, 2013, 3:14 pm
#36
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: AA EXP & 1 MM/ LTG, CX GO, US CP, SPG Platinum Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 124
Dec 17, 2013, 3:19 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Most people buy up if they're close to a tier. Very few will buy status outright. And even if they don't fly enough to qualify for it on their own, it means they won't be flying enough to really harm anyone else's chances.
Let's also not forget that AA gave soft landings up until recently, meaning EXP could get you at least 2 additional years after if you didn't requalify for anything. And now, they're letting you buy up the difference if you're close.
So please, spare us the condescension.
Dec 17, 2013, 4:23 pm
#38
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
I see much of the "my airline is better than your airline" as the devil you know being a lot better than the devil you don't know. I think it's a fairly safe bet that most FFs in either program will find changes they don't like as the programs are merged.
Granted, that's mainly about differences in FF programs and not service, equipment, personnel, etc differences.
Jim
Granted, that's mainly about differences in FF programs and not service, equipment, personnel, etc differences.
Jim
Dec 26, 2013, 10:15 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PHX
Programs: US Airways Plat, Hilton Diamond, National Exec, Delta Silver
Posts: 18
Dec 27, 2013, 9:00 am
#40
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 3
So I just want to clarify this as I am in the same boat. What is the latest date that one can buy up for the 2014 year? I was CP in 2013 and realize that it will run until Feb 1, but I want to maintain that status for 2014 and will have to purchase up from PP qualification. Can I do this in Jan?
Dec 27, 2013, 4:29 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents
Posts: 1,214
Cheers.
Dec 27, 2013, 6:18 pm
#43
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
So I just want to clarify this as I am in the same boat. What is the latest date that one can buy up for the 2014 year? I was CP in 2013 and realize that it will run until Feb 1, but I want to maintain that status for 2014 and will have to purchase up from PP qualification. Can I do this in Jan?
Dec 27, 2013, 9:31 pm
#44
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 3
For folks asking about when they can purchase 2014 status based on 2013 miles, this e-mail from US Airway might be of help:
Based on current US Airways policy, the Preferred buy up program would apply towards the current program year if purchased before October 1, 2014. Any buy ups after October 1st would apply towards the 2015 program year.
Members who buy up between now and May 31, 2014 would have a buy-up price based on his/her 2013 activity, unless the 2014 preferred activity is higher.
These dates are based on current US Airways policies and are subject to change in light of the upcoming merger with American Airlines.
-kive
Members who buy up between now and May 31, 2014 would have a buy-up price based on his/her 2013 activity, unless the 2014 preferred activity is higher.
These dates are based on current US Airways policies and are subject to change in light of the upcoming merger with American Airlines.
Dec 28, 2013, 2:48 am
#45
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Yes, because TONS of people buy up on US ...
Most people buy up if they're close to a tier. Very few will buy status outright. And even if they don't fly enough to qualify for it on their own, it means they won't be flying enough to really harm anyone else's chances.
Let's also not forget that AA gave soft landings up until recently, meaning EXP could get you at least 2 additional years after if you didn't requalify for anything. And now, they're letting you buy up the difference if you're close.
So please, spare us the condescension.
Most people buy up if they're close to a tier. Very few will buy status outright. And even if they don't fly enough to qualify for it on their own, it means they won't be flying enough to really harm anyone else's chances.
Let's also not forget that AA gave soft landings up until recently, meaning EXP could get you at least 2 additional years after if you didn't requalify for anything. And now, they're letting you buy up the difference if you're close.
So please, spare us the condescension.
The days of the buy up programs are done and done.
And its not "condescension." AA fliers are rightfully upset because it's basically the most premium domestic carrier merging with the least premium. US domestic first is a first class seat with as much service and free food as JetBlue, and its excuse for a long-haul J is a solid seat with service and meals akin to premium economy. Like Mercedes merging with Kia, although that's not a good example, because Kia is known for a reliable product.
Fortunately, Parker so far is taking steps to make US like AA, and not the other way around. For all it's major network and labor deficiencies, AA has been the darling of business travelers and has the major corporate contracts to back that up. Parker won't mess with that.