Even as many airlines make elite status less rewarding, they are still coming up with opportunities to sell it to you for cold, hard cash. The latest offer comes from American Airlines just days after it announced plans to cut back on the number of upgrades it offers members and hand out fewer miles.
However, elite status still has other, less tangible benefits. I hate waiting in line, either at the airport or on the phone. It’s nice to have first pick of seats with extra legroom. And if the airline is going to hand out fewer miles, at least with status the effects won’t be quite so painful.
American Airlines has published its offers for those who will fall short of the normal elite status qualifications. You can find your offer on the American Airlines website. Be sure to check out some of the changes coming in 2016 before you make a purchase. Some FAQs are also provided.
I’m guessing at the cost of each offer and have provided the prices used in last year’s promotion, which matches up with the offer I’ve received. I have no reason to think that it would be different — or at least not different by a significant amount.
Buy up to Gold Status
Normally this requires 25,000 EQM or 25,000 EQP. American will only track EQM starting in 2016, but it will make them a little easier to earn by awarding up to 3X EQM for premium fares. The cost to buy up depends on your current progress — the further you are the more expensive it will be.
| Current EQM or EQP | Current Segments | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 20,000 – 24,999 | 25 – 29 | $399 |
| 15,000 – 19,999 | 20 – 24 | $499 |
| 10,000 – 14,999 | 15 – 19 | $649 |
Buy up to Platinum Status
Normally this requires 50,000 EQM or 50,000 EQP. Like for Gold status, the price will depend on how far you are from the goal.
| Current EQM or EQP | Current Segments | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 45,000 – 49,999 | 55 – 59 | $699 |
| 40,000 – 44,999 | 50 – 54 | $899 |
| 35,000 – 39,999 | 45 – 49 | $1,199 |
Buy up to Executive Platinum Status
Normally this requires 100,000 EQM or 100,000 EQP. Like for Gold and Platinum status, the price will depend on how far you are from the goal. I’m actually surprised that AA is offering a buy up offer for it’s top-tier members as most airlines protect this level pretty carefully. It won’t be cheap, but it does come with unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades and 8 systemwide upgrades for 2016.
| Current EQM or EQP | Current Segments | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 95,000 – 99,999 | 95 – 99 | $1,199 |
| 90,000 – 94,999 | 90 – 94 | $1,799 |
| 85,000 – 89,999 | 85 – 89 | $2,499 |
Note that with some of these offers, you can’t buy your way up if you’re too far from the goal. Someone with 75,000 EQM might be well past the requirements for Platinum status but still doesn’t qualify for one of these offers to buy up to Executive Platinum.
However, in last year’s promotion you were allowed to buy up to Gold or Platinum if you previously held that status or higher. For example, a Gold member who had 30,000 miles would not be able to boost to Platinum because that falls outside one of the offer bands. A Platinum member who had just 30,000 miles would be able to to boost to Platinum.
I don’t necessarily recommend you take up any of these offers, but I can understand why some people would — particularly for the upgrades as an Executive Platinum member. Personally, I think the prices are still too high. That money could be used to book a mileage run or two. For the Gold tier, many of the same benefits can be obtained with an American Airlines credit card with an annual fee of less than $100.
