A few days ago I wrote about how I’ve once again qualified for AAdvantage Executive Platinum elite status. In that post I discussed how many miles I’ve flown this year (on American) and a few of the benefits I receive from my elite status. Toward the end of that post I mentioned that I hadn’t yet received my American Airlines Executive Platinum Welcome kit for the 2018 qualifying year. That all changed over this past weekend when I finally received my 2018 welcome kit.
My 2018 American Airlines Executive Platinum Welcome Kit Arrived
American delivers elite status welcome kits a few weeks after qualifying for elite status. In your first qualifying year you may receive a kit for every level of elite status. In the re-qualifying year American will only send one final welcome kit following the qualifying year or once you reach an elite status level not previously reached. Finally, American sends out welcome kits for all Executive Platinum customers once they qualifying or re-qualify for top-tier status. This year my Executive Platinum Welcome Kit arrived about three weeks after I officially qualified.
The welcome kit arrived in a plain American Airlines branded envelope with very little detail on the front about what was inside.
The back of the envelope however was clearly marked with American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum branding. The branding coupled with the thickness of the envelope and rigidity of the plastic cards inside made it clear what was inside.
Inside the 2018 American Airlines Executive Platinum Welcome Kit
As I opened the envelope I pulled out a folded pamphlet with the familiar snow-covered field image found in the email I received a few weeks prior.
When I unfolded the pamphlet I found my new 2018 American Airlines Executive Platinum Membership card which looked exactly the same as the one from last year.
On the next page was a brief message from American congratulating me on my accomplishment. The note also directed me to the elite benefits page on AA.com to review my Executive Platinum elite benefits.
Finally on the back of the pamphlet (welcome kit) was another snowy field image which must be the landscape of choice for EP. Other elite status welcome kits feature sandy beaches or green fields.
As you can see, there really isn’t much to this years EP welcome kit. However, there was still one more thing inside that many top-tier elites look out for each year.
American Airlines Executive Platinum Brag Tags
Also included in the 2018 EP welcome kit American provided a fresh set of AAdvantage Executive Platinum Brag Tags (luggage tags). These luggage tags are often referred to as brag tags because they don’t really serve a practical purpose. Essentially, the only thing these tags accomplish is letting others know that you’ve earned EP status.
These luggage tags are identical to the ones I received last year so I doubt I’ll ever use them. While I generally dislike using brag tags I do find that by having them on your carry-on customer service agents are less likely to harass you for having an “oversized” bag. For that reason I put one tag on my carry-on bag and put the rest in a drawer. One thing is certain, I won’t be adding brag tags to my backpack or briefcase any time soon.
Final Thoughts
As I was last year, I’m overall disappointed by this years Executive Platinum Welcome Kit. Take United’s 1K welcome kit for example. This year 1K elite receive a set of coasters and a hand full of complimentary drink vouchers. Not that I need a set of coasters, but it would be nice to see American make more of an effort to recognize its most loyal customers.
Personally I think American has an opportunity to do a lot more with their welcome kits. First off, I’d like to see American make the kit unique to each qualifying year. Perhaps each year’s membership card and luggage tags could feature a different aircraft in American’s fleet. Another idea would be to features the livery of one of American’s predecessors as the airline does on some of their 737s.
Even if American’s marketing folks aren’t comfortable putting other airlines’ colors on their materials maybe they could use historic AA logos. No matter what they do I’d like to see the AAdvantage team make each year’s welcome kit unique.
Additionally, I think it would be nice if American included two Admirals Club passes. Again, it would be nice to get something small like that to show that American values your loyalty. Sure American provides elite benefits, but you expect to receive those in exchange for your loyalty. Things like WiFi codes, Admirals Club passes, or drink vouchers are small gestures that end up making a huge difference. It’s a bit like getting a $25 gift card from work. It’s not much, but it’s not expected and it makes you feel appreciated.
