Qualifying points for AA elite
 

Hi, happy Thanksgiving!

I have a question on qualifying points on AA. I'm about 3300 points shy of the 25000 needed to qualify for Gold status. I just purchased a ticket for San Diego but did not realize that I purchased this in O, which only gives me 1/2 the points, which is around 2500.

So I'm about 700-800 short. Any ideas how to make up the difference?

I called AA to ask about a more expensive booking class and the fare difference is supposedly $400 (I need to change to class L)....

Thanks!

I don't know if everyone gets this (since I'm Platinum) but when I check in "online" using the AA website I'm given the option to purchase additional bonus miles for that trip. I've never selected the option and haven't paid much attention to how much it costs but the option is always offered. Perhaps others can confirm this.

Another suggestion, select a destination that's 400 miles from your home airport and do a quick weekend r/t to earn the miles you need.

There are points and there are miles. Will you have at least 25,000 miles by year's end? If so, that will qualify you for Gold. By "miles" I mean elite qualifying miles. Those are miles you actually fly ("BIS," or "butt in seat" miles). The bonus miles mentioned above don't count toward elite status.

Assuming you're qualifying using elite qualifying points (EQP) and not elite qualifying miles (EQM) then either you have to up-fare (to L or whatever the lowest 1EQP/Mi bucket is for your flights) or take additional segments/flights to make it to 25,000. You might ask about adding a connection point in your trip (e.g. if you're flying XXX-DFW-SAN, see how much the fare difference would be to make it XXX-ORD-DFW-SAN, or else just join the rest of us and do a mileage run before the end of the year. Don't look for grace - AA won't give you any fudge factor.

Miles bought don't count for elite qualification, just flying does that.

Thanks, I already need to use EQP as my miles flown are smaller. I'm benefitting from two trips to London on biz class this year.

I did originally book flights with connections. Perhaps I should change back?

Right now the routing is JFK-LAX-SAN-JFK. Any ideas what the LAX-SAN segment counts as? Is it 50% of actual mileage or is it 250 points (i.e. 50% of a 500 minimum)?

I guess I should have checked all this before clicking the purchase button!

The 500-point minimum only applies if you already have elite status (in which case LAX-SAN would earn 500 EQP regardless of fare class.) However if you're not currently Gold or above, you'll earn something like 60 EQP for it (one half the actual mileage.)

I'm surprised the up-fare charge is that high - you just need it one way. Maybe it's holiday travel dates? You might ask about the cost to up-fare to first class in one direction - at least you get something for your money.

Are you sure you can just "up charge" to an L fare base at this late date? Once a discounted ticket is purchased, wouldn't you have to cancel it (if possible without forfeit) and repurchase in the higher fare class? At the very least you would cancel original ticket (with penalty) apply the remainder of your fare toward the new L fare ticket. I know that's how it's done at DL.

That's a good point -- I forgot that I only need it one way. I'll call them again.

Yes, I'm at Gold status right now. I thought I'd get 250 EQP, but 500 is even better!

Another option I have is to connect through LAX on the way back as well. If I factor in the 500 EQP for one connection, I'm now less than 400 EQP short of 25000.

I just bought my ticket yesterday. I was told they'd waive the change fee within 24 hours?

Thanks again.

I am waiting to talk to AA, but I think it's 250 EQP for SAN-LAX and not 500? :(

http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...oints_%28AA%29

Yes, it looks like you're right - 250 EQP for LAX - SAN. I'm out of date.

If the cost is really $400, then I'd think about a short MR - LAX-SFO or some such, or any segments on Alaska, etc.

I've been on the phone for one hour. Looks like upping one way is $150. I'm going with it but she's messed up my reservation, so I need to wait for her to come back to tell her. Ugh!

Is $150 really worth it? Bleah. I've wasted so much time on this that I'm not going to back out now.

How many checked bags is that?

But I always travel carry on only and mostly international....