I ended 2016 with over 40K American EQMs. But no status.
Thanks to cheap British Airways business class fares, I banked many AA miles, both status and redemption. In fact, by the end of spring I already had earned more than 35K AA EQMs. When Lucky and I traveled around the world, I also credited my Qatar flights to AA, although those flights never posted…a common occurrence.
But despite having over 35K EQMs and spending over the $3,000 threshold for Gold, AA did not even award me Gold status. Why?
Not enough AA flights. Remember that it does not matter even if you earn 200,000 elite miles on American if you have not flown at least four segments during the calendar year.
You must fly at least 4 segments on American Airlines to qualify for elite status.
Last year I had only one AA segment–an $89 redeye from LAX to DFW that I simply could not pass up.
Well, that was the rule.
AA has eliminated the four-segment requirement in 2017, meaning that had I flown the same flights this year, I would at least have gold status with AA.
Why I Didn’t Bother to Earn AA Elite Status
I was not oblivious to this rule: I just determined status was not worth it.
Here are the perks of AA Gold Status:
- Complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles or less
- 24-hour upgrade window
- 40% elite mileage bonus
- 50% off Main Cabin Extra Seats (complimentary at check-in)
- Complimentary Preferred Seats
- 1 free checked bag
Here are the Perks of AA Platinum Status:
- Complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles or less
- 48-hour upgrade window
- 60% elite mileage bonus
- Complimentary Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats
- 2 free checked bags
Honestly, if the perks were more compelling I could have easily done a mileage run to earn the three additional AA segments necessary and push me over the 50K for Platinum. But I just do not care about free checked bags or upgrades on flight under 500 miles.
My philosophy on status is simple: with redeemable miles awarded on a revenue basis, I earn a fraction of the miles of before. I still am loyal to United when I can be, but I will buy whatever flight combo makes the most sense (note: not whatever is cheapest). That usually means I will purchase a first class fare directly because upgrades no longer occur and premium fares have dropped so much.
That is liberating indeed.
Any of you in the same boat?
I pretty much agree with everything you said. I try to fly United as much as I can, since I’m on my way to 1M miles and have some inside hookups for getting upgrades. But if it makes sense, I’ll just buy a ticket that is a good fare for where I need to go, even if its on another airlines. And yes, if First Class is reasonable enough, I’ll drop a few extra bucks for a little more comfort. I dont fly as much as you do so the few times I do fly are worth the extra splurge. Like this months flight to Vegas, for $60 r/t from Long Beach on Southwest, Ill head down there for the flight instead of a $200+ flight from Burbank or LAX.
Same here. Frankly, low-level status is pretty much worthless on AA (and DL and UA for that matter) these days. I never check bags anyway, upgrades never clear, priority security doesn’t get you through any faster than PreCheck…I could go on and on. I just select whatever flights make the most sense based on the circumstances, and I don’t mind paying the modest premium for discounted F/J tickets. Honestly, the triple TYP/UR are worth more than the bonus shinplasters your get for your Gold status, anyway.