For those of you who haven’t heard the news on FlyerTalk, American Airlines is matching the elite status of ALL United elites, including matching Premier 1K members to Executive Platinum. This is very rare, as usually Executive Platinum is not included in status match offers (temporary exceptions are made). To make it more exciting, you don’t have to fly at all. This is an outright match, not a challenge, although it only lasts through February of 2013, so you’ll still have to meet the normal qualifications to continue your status through 2014. Here are the match opportunities from the email:
- AAdvantage Gold® membership for Premier Silver
- AAdvantage Platinum® membership for Premier Gold or Premier Platinum
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum® membership for Premier 1K
Learn more about AAdvantage elite status here. I’ve also heard rumors that current Global Services members will be matched to American’s Concierge Key.
You must send in a copy of your United MileagePlus membership card or a copy of your current account statement with your status clearly indicated. See the bottom of this post for a complete transcript of my offer email. You’ll need to call the AAdvantage customer service line at (800) 882-8880. Now, the problem is this number actually connects you to all customer service features, including reservations, and I found it incredibly difficult to reach an agent by request. So just pick the first option for Reservations and get them to transfer you. The AAdvantage desk is only open from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM Central time on weekdays and limited hours on the weekend.
Any of you who follow my posts on my blog or in forums like MilePoint or other BoardingArea blogs know that I’m critical of AAdvantage’s current promotions with double or triple EQM. It reeks of desperation as they try to maintain customer satisfaction and revenue during their bankruptcy. I guess they figure the amount of free upgrade and award space out there is relatively fixed, so it just means more elites fighting over the same pie. Or perhaps they plan to cut benefits later. Or maybe they have no plan for what to do with all these elites and are just kicking the can (and the costs) down the road. My point is, do not assume that the actual benefits will match up with promised benefits once 2013 rolls around.
I’m a betting man
I’m going to take advantage of this offer anyway. If I can get Executive Platinum status in exchange for my Premier 1K status with United, without having to fly at all with American before it kicks in, then that is about as good a deal as I can hope for.
I’m not giving up on United at all, mostly because I appreciate that United gives complimentary upgrades to lower tier elites, bumps up companions to the higher tier, and has better partners IMO (and Megan and I have made extensive use of all of these benefits without too much trouble). But now I’ll have top-tier status in two airlines. I figure either (1) I will get an awesome job when I graduate later this year that lets me fly a lot and requalify with both AAdvantage and MileagePlus; or (2) I will have no job and can become a full-time blogger, fly a lot, and requalify with both AAdvantage and MileagePlus. See? It’s a win-win! Of course, Megan would prefer option (1). 😀
In the meantime, I expect to take advantage of some more direct routes on American Airlines to cities that currently require some annoying connections with United. DFW, for example, is a pain to get to on United. I also look forward to getting 8 eVIP systemwide upgrades without having to put in any effort. These are valid on any fare, unlike United’s Global Premier Upgrades, of which I only get 6 per year and have to be used on W fares or higher that cost 50% or more over a deep-discount coach ticket. These will come in handy if Megan and I do a lot of travel this fall and winter after I get my Ph.D.
There have been some questions at One Mile at a Time and on FlyerTalk about whether people matched to Executive Platinum will also be getting the eVIPs. The first agent I called this morning to request the match knew exactly what I was talking about and sent the information to my email account right away, but I neglected to ask her. So I called back and got someone else who was shocked to learn that American was matching to EXP. She was a little shakier on the details but said there was no language indicating I would not receive the eVIPs, so I should assume they will come along with the package.
I also asked about whether this would void any future status matches (if I fail to maintain my status this year, for example). While she was uncertain, and there’s no language mentioning it in the terms and conditions, she said that in general American looks at the number of requests over a 5 year period. I also figure there’s a good chance they’ll merge with US Airways eventually, so there will be a “new” program that wipes the slate clean. So it’s not like I’m ruling myself out for life. I say grab it while you can, and see what you can make of it. I’m not convinced that American is going to be that much better than United, with which I’m reasonably satisfied, but some of you may have been waiting for an opportunity like this to jump ship. Hat Tip to Lucky for bringing this offer to my attention.
Terms & Conditions (“The Email”)
Thanks for speaking with me about a special opportunity to obtain American Airlines AAdvantage® elite status without meeting the standard qualification requirements. In order to proceed, please provide us with documentation reflecting the Premier level that you hold with United Airlines.
Please send us the following documentation. Simply “Reply” to this message, and for prompt service, do not change the subject line:
- A copy of your dated elite membership card reflecting your name and Premier status level for the 2012 Membership Year (.pdf, .tif, .jpeg, .bmp formats, not to exceed 1MB)
- Alternatively, you could send a copy or screen shot of your most recent account summary, reflecting your name and Premier status level (.pdf, .tif, .jpeg, .bmp formats, not to exceed 1MB)
- Your AAdvantage number and phone number
Alternatively, you may FAX copies of your documentation to (817)963-7882. Be sure to include your AAdvantage number and phone number and the Subject Line: Requesting AAdvantage Elite Status. Please do not send both an email and a FAX.
Once your documentation is accepted, you will receive an email within10 days confirming your new AAdvantage elite status, which will be valid through February 28, 2013. Your credentials will follow in 3-5 weeks. Please note the following status equivalents:
- AAdvantage Gold® membership for Premier Silver
- AAdvantage Platinum® membership for Premier Gold or Premier Platinum
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum® membership for Premier 1K
We look forward to welcoming you aboard your next American Airlines flight and await your reply.
