The Offer
A couple of days ago, I received an offer from American Airlines to enjoy Gold Elite Status through December 16th of this year. If I acquire 7,000 Elite Qualifying Miles in that time, I keep my status through January 2018! The icing on the cake is that this offer comes with 10, 500-mile upgrade certificates!
The Plan
I’m not 100% sure I’ll be able to take full advantage of this offer, but I signed up to be safe. I have a few routes that I’m throwing around in my head, but it comes down to if I can maintain Diamond status with only my work flights. I value maintaining Diamond substantially higher, since it allows me to confer Gold to my girlfriend for when she has to fly alone.
The Perks
Though Gold is the lowest level of status you can earn with American Airlines, the 40% mileage bonus and complimentary preferred seats are a nice touch. Main Cabin Extra seats are only available at the time of check-in, so it’s not terribly likely, but still a nice perk to have. Though my credit card allows a free checked bag as well as Group 1 boarding, Gold will offer quicker boarding when I’m traveling as well as another checked bag.
All in all, it isn’t a bad status to have! Since Delta requires 140 segments to maintain Diamond medallion, and American Airlines only requires 120 to maintain Executive Platinum, it is a tempting nudge to switch. The main detractor is the timing of flights for American when I leave Raleigh (to reach connecting cities), and the frequency of cancellations for the same. Delta’s operational record is what keeps me coming back for more, truth be told. In fact, the COO of American Airlines commended Delta for their record last year!
As I mentioned, though, if I need my Thanksgiving flights to maintain Diamond with Delta, American will be out of luck. Oh well!