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Anyone bothered by the shortcuts to status?
Recently there has been talk about United and American offering various ‘challenges’ to low mileage flyers to achieve new statuses within their respective programs. United has started giving out surprise upgrades and Eco+ subscriptions. American has been targeting Citi CC users with Gold status tied to spending requirements (I have received an offer). Now, American is offering free Plat status challenges to existing Gold members ([URL]http://thepointsguy.com/2016/05/aa-targeted-free-platinum-challenge/[/URL]).
My question is what is the end game here? Does it actually pay to be loyal? Are traditional elite members upset with this?
Whether it pays to be loyal depends on how much you fly and what you think elite status and the perks it comes with is worth. Current members might be upset that there is more competition on upgrades but even members who obtain elite status from a challenge have to re-qualify at the normal rates if they want to retain that status.
Personally, I dont fly often enough to qualify for status normally. A challenge might motivate me to fly more if I already had some travel planned and signing up for the challenge would put me over the threshold for status. But Platinum is just AA’s mid tier status. If I wanted EXP, I’d still have to qualify with the standard requirements like anyone else. Plat would make it easier though.
[QUOTE=”David W, post: 16809, member: 29″]Whether it pays to be loyal depends on how much you fly and what you think elite status and the perks it comes with is worth. Current members might be upset that there is more competition on upgrades but even members who obtain elite status from a challenge have to re-qualify at the normal rates if they want to retain that status.
Personally, I don’t fly often enough to qualify for status normally. A challenge might motivate me to fly more if I already had some travel planned and signing up for the challenge would put me over the threshold for status. But Platinum is just AA’s mid tier status. If I wanted EXP, I’d still have to qualify with the standard requirements like anyone else. Plat would make it easier though.[/QUOTE]
I’m trying to understand how you feel. Is it your opinion that ultimately this isn’t a big deal because so far free challenges and upgrades haven’t been to the highest level? Additionally, because those who qualify via ‘shortcut’ routes probably can’t re-qualify, so it’s a temporary increase.
I’m kind of interest in how current platinums and golds feel. I think I would be frustrated if they positioned their flying in such a way to achieve some benefit over those who did not. That being said I have only qualified in the past on challenges and shortcuts rather than miles or segments.
I am a low mile flyer recently (former DL Diam.) but just got an offer in the email to qualify AA ExPlat with only 35000 miles between now and September. Plat and gold are laughably lower. I took the bait and am doing a mile/status run back to the states from Korea and can qualify in one trip. Have never seen an airline practically give away their top tier before. It is good for 18 months as well. Is this normal?
I know that AA does offer challenges somewhat often so it’s not unusual. I think there was an offer last year for EXP after 25k miles flown or something – really generous.
II wouldnt call it giving away status but to give an incentive to flyers to fly with AA. How much is your mileage/status run costing you in total? Would you have otherwise paid for the flights if you werent offered the promotion?
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