Should I Buy Up to US Chairman's or Platinum?
#61
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 47
I think this question was answered in this thread, but just to confirm...the miles/segments accrued during the "calendar year" count towards status but you still can Buy Up until the end of the "program year" in Feb correct?
I'm just a few segments short of plat and don't know if the fight home yesterday will post before the end of December. It looks like I can still buy up those last two segments I need next week, right?
-thanks
#62
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Northern Virginia
Programs: US Airways Silver Preferred, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 44
#63
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CAE,AGS
Programs: AAExP, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, IHG Spire, Marriott Plat
Posts: 3,124
Very few people buy up on US because it's not worth it. Offer EXP for $4k and everybody and their brother would sign up, as EXP offers significantly superior benefits on a significantly superior airline, most notably one that actually has service in first class.
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.
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.
And agree totally with what other responses have been to this post....especially dml105 had to say:
Is this looking down their noses what US elites need to learn to expect from AA fliers?
#64
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,945
Holy crap, having flown both US and AA very recently, I don't even know how people spout that nonsense - domestically at least. Take the logos down and it'd be hard to tell which airline you're even on. The only differentiator I'm honestly looking forward to on AA is MCE. I get it, meals on shorter flights and IFE. I generally get a better meal on the ground and I have this thing called a tablet for IFE. Maybe it's my generation, but I want to minimize the hassle at the airport, get a comfortable seat, and get where I'm going on time. Both airlines work just fine for that if you're in F, and a little better on AA MCE in Y.
The whole "actual service" bit makes me laugh a little bit harder, considering the best domestic F service I've had all year has been on YX-operated USX flights.
The whole "actual service" bit makes me laugh a little bit harder, considering the best domestic F service I've had all year has been on YX-operated USX flights.
#65
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Philadephia, PA
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 477
If only there was a different forum to discuss the actual merger in and compare product and speculate on changes... Oh, wait..
I made Gold with actual BIS miles this year; probably going to buy back up to Chairman for 2014. The upgrade ratio (even with lower BIS) and the Envoy certs make it worth it to me. And Emerald status in OneWorld will be nice on the trip I'm probably doing to Australia probably on Qantas. I'm assuming no benefits in 2014 on AA beyond club access with US Club card and those that Emerald status would bring.
I made Gold with actual BIS miles this year; probably going to buy back up to Chairman for 2014. The upgrade ratio (even with lower BIS) and the Envoy certs make it worth it to me. And Emerald status in OneWorld will be nice on the trip I'm probably doing to Australia probably on Qantas. I'm assuming no benefits in 2014 on AA beyond club access with US Club card and those that Emerald status would bring.
#66
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,945
If only there was a different forum to discuss the actual merger in and compare product and speculate on changes... Oh, wait..
I made Gold with actual BIS miles this year; probably going to buy back up to Chairman for 2014. The upgrade ratio (even with lower BIS) and the Envoy certs make it worth it to me. And Emerald status in OneWorld will be nice on the trip I'm probably doing to Australia probably on Qantas. I'm assuming no benefits in 2014 on AA beyond club access with US Club card and those that Emerald status would bring.
I made Gold with actual BIS miles this year; probably going to buy back up to Chairman for 2014. The upgrade ratio (even with lower BIS) and the Envoy certs make it worth it to me. And Emerald status in OneWorld will be nice on the trip I'm probably doing to Australia probably on Qantas. I'm assuming no benefits in 2014 on AA beyond club access with US Club card and those that Emerald status would bring.
I'm just hoping that in 2014, US Gold somehow gets AA MCE seats for free. Are AA MCE part of the "preferred seats" benefit that OW Sapphire currently receive? EDIT: Duh, googled, MCE are a OW sapphire benefit.
#67
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents
Posts: 1,214
We usually check 4-5 bags on our yearly trip home over Xmas and the free bag allowance is worth my buy up fee right there...
I think this question was answered in this thread, but just to confirm...the miles/segments accrued during the "calendar year" count towards status but you still can Buy Up until the end of the "program year" in Feb correct?
I'm just a few segments short of plat and don't know if the fight home yesterday will post before the end of December. It looks like I can still buy up those last two segments I need next week, right?
-thanks
I think this question was answered in this thread, but just to confirm...the miles/segments accrued during the "calendar year" count towards status but you still can Buy Up until the end of the "program year" in Feb correct?
I'm just a few segments short of plat and don't know if the fight home yesterday will post before the end of December. It looks like I can still buy up those last two segments I need next week, right?
-thanks
#68
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 124
I just bought up to CP for the first time. 92,000 PQMs last year and a flight to portland next monday...Too bad i missed it on miles. I'm really nervous that AA will only match to EXP based on CY13 PQMs, not 2014 status level....
We shall see. Either way it should be worth it for the envoy certs.
We shall see. Either way it should be worth it for the envoy certs.
#70
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
Very few people buy up on US because it's not worth it....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.....
#71
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,372
Holy crap, having flown both US and AA very recently, I don't even know how people spout that nonsense - domestically at least. Take the logos down and it'd be hard to tell which airline you're even on. The only differentiator I'm honestly looking forward to on AA is MCE. I get it, meals on shorter flights and IFE. I generally get a better meal on the ground and I have this thing called a tablet for IFE. Maybe it's my generation, but I want to minimize the hassle at the airport, get a comfortable seat, and get where I'm going on time. Both airlines work just fine for that if you're in F, and a little better on AA MCE in Y.
The whole "actual service" bit makes me laugh a little bit harder, considering the best domestic F service I've had all year has been on YX-operated USX flights.
The whole "actual service" bit makes me laugh a little bit harder, considering the best domestic F service I've had all year has been on YX-operated USX flights.
Just like in business those who don't keep up with modern technology and efficiencies are a dying breed whose last gasps may be loud yet futile.
Ah well if AA was so invincible, it wouldn't be the new US (in AA clothing).
#72
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: WFBF
Posts: 963
Just bought up to CP (was Platinum), as belated Christmas gift to self.
Not that there's a ton of difference between Plat and CP, but seemed the safest thing to do coming into merger, and certs are nice since I likely have more Europe in my 2014 than previously, so yay more upgrades on that.
Also, obviously, twirling my moustache and cackling about all the undeserved upgrades I'll steal from AA fliers.
Not that there's a ton of difference between Plat and CP, but seemed the safest thing to do coming into merger, and certs are nice since I likely have more Europe in my 2014 than previously, so yay more upgrades on that.
Also, obviously, twirling my moustache and cackling about all the undeserved upgrades I'll steal from AA fliers.
#73
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents
Posts: 1,214
Just bought up to CP (was Platinum), as belated Christmas gift to self.
Not that there's a ton of difference between Plat and CP, but seemed the safest thing to do coming into merger, and certs are nice since I likely have more Europe in my 2014 than previously, so yay more upgrades on that.
Also, obviously, twirling my moustache and cackling about all the undeserved upgrades I'll steal from AA fliers.
Not that there's a ton of difference between Plat and CP, but seemed the safest thing to do coming into merger, and certs are nice since I likely have more Europe in my 2014 than previously, so yay more upgrades on that.
Also, obviously, twirling my moustache and cackling about all the undeserved upgrades I'll steal from AA fliers.
#74
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SYR
Programs: US/AA-Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, AVIS-Presidents Club, National-Executive Elite
Posts: 2,755
#75
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,945
Can you still get AA status without BIS miles? Thought they closed that loophole, although many folks churned to get million miler status.