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Elite Status: American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum Benefits

For the past few years I’ve begun each year with a simple goal. That goal is to earn the highest level of elite status currently offered by the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program. This year I finally achieved that goal. While I did quite a bit of flying naturally, it was my insane year-end…
American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum Welcome Kit

Each year after you earn an AAdvantage elite status American Airlines sends you a welcome kit. The kit generally contains some information about the AAdvantage program, a ‘signed’ thank you note from the president of AAdvantage, a brief overview of your new benefits, and most importantly, an updated AAdvantage membership card. Each welcome kit is…
My American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Pro Welcome Kit Arrived

In 2016 American Airlines announced several major changes to the AAdvantage program. The major changes included going revenue based for 2017 and beyond and introducing a new elite status. The new elite status, Platinum Pro, helped fill the gap between AAdvantage Gold and Executive Platinum status. In years prior many AAdvantage members would simply stop…
My Final American AAdvantage Buy Up Offer To Executive Platinum

A few weeks ago American Airlines started sending AAdvantage members buy up offers. These offers allowed AAdvantage members to buy up from their current elite status level to a higher level for 2018. Additionally, when a member takes AAdvantage of the offer they’ll receive status within 24 hours of payment. When I received my first…
Elite Status: American Airlines AAdvantage Gold Status

Currently, there are four levels of elite status offered through the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program. AAdvantage members can earn status by flying a certain number of miles or segments and spending a certain amount of money with the airline in a calendar year. American’s lowest elite level, AAdvantage Gold, is by far the easiest…
Major Updates To The Hilton Honors Program

No the title is not a typo, Hilton is dropping an “H” from the Hilton Honors program. According to multiple reports Hilton will officially change the name of the Honors loyalty program tomorrow. In addition, Hilton is making some fairly significant changes to the Hilton Honors program. Unlike many of the recent changes or “enhancements”…
Travel Tip: Book Travel Before Elite Status Benefits Expire

Last year was unique. I switched jobs and temporarily decided to switch airline loyalty. Like the rest of American AAdvantage members, I was fed up with all of the “enhancements” to the AAdvantage program. I also realized my travel pattern changed with my new job. My travel became much more Midwest focused. So, I decided…
Virgin America Officially Joins Alaska Air Group

In early 2016, Virgin American let the world know the airline was open to a sale much to the dismay of Richard Branson. Shortly thereafter Alaska Airlines and Virgin American announced an agreement for Virgin America to join the Alaska Air Group. For several months it became unclear if the acquisition was going to be approved…

After remaining extremely loyal to American Airlines for over two years I have once again become a free agent! It is definitely a weird feeling knowing that I will not retain status with American Airlines, but I am excited to try new products and hopefully begin to understand why so many people despise American. In…

Earlier this summer Chipotle announced the introduction of a loyalty program which would run from July through September 2016. The program’s aim was to win back loyal customers by incentivising them (us) with free food. The program offered a 33% rate of return and was extremely generous, but it appears to have not been the…