Move from UA to AA - Status match
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,145
Move from UA to AA - Status match
I am currently relocating my home airport from ORD to PHX. The ONLY thing about this move causing me any stress is changing my airline affiliation from UA to AA. I currently am 1mm flier with UA and hate the thought of not using the Lifetime Gold for my wife and I. That being said, UA just does not fly direct to enough of my business locations.
Let me preface that I have no desire or intent to use Southwest unless I literally have no other option.
Some of my travel points it seems AA flies direct that UA does not are DFW, MCO, BOS, OGG.
While I could still use UA for ORD, SFO, LAX, LAS and SEA. I would probably just give all of that business to AA to work on the status.
What can I expect from AA if I approach them about a status match (not Lifetime obviously) but for first year. What is the process I should follow
Let me preface that I have no desire or intent to use Southwest unless I literally have no other option.
Some of my travel points it seems AA flies direct that UA does not are DFW, MCO, BOS, OGG.
While I could still use UA for ORD, SFO, LAX, LAS and SEA. I would probably just give all of that business to AA to work on the status.
What can I expect from AA if I approach them about a status match (not Lifetime obviously) but for first year. What is the process I should follow
#3
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,946
Occasionally, AA offers a status match to UA elites. There’s not such a match available now, though I’d recommend calling. AA does offer a status challenge. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ge-2017-a.html
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,437
Or look at the BUF web site.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,980
don't be so quick to dismiss Southwest.
I fly weekly, primarily on Southwest and AA. Southwest is definitely better in coach and marginally inferior when in AA first.
I fly weekly, primarily on Southwest and AA. Southwest is definitely better in coach and marginally inferior when in AA first.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,261
It is always worth calling. AA will be more interested in OP's current flying, spend, and status, then any lifetime background. OP should be prepared to accept a challenge rather than a match. But, as a practical matter, if one isn't flying enough to meet a typical challenge, then one would not last long with a status match either.
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,592
If you are not 1K, I am almost sure they will steer you towards their status "Challenge" anyone can sign up for a AA account and click on the challenge, pay the fee and fly, if you meet the terms you get the status - but this does not work for EXP
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,637
You have to call and they send you a form and you fill it out with your last year totals (I also included YTD when I did it as I had already re qualified 1K in Jun 2016) and they sent me back a welcome letter and I had 90 days to get the EQM and maybe EQD and was matched to EXP immediately (a few days) - I don't remember the exact requirements.
If you are not 1K, I am almost sure they will steer you towards their status "Challenge" anyone can sign up for a AA account and click on the challenge, pay the fee and fly, if you meet the terms you get the status - but this does not work for EXP
If you are not 1K, I am almost sure they will steer you towards their status "Challenge" anyone can sign up for a AA account and click on the challenge, pay the fee and fly, if you meet the terms you get the status - but this does not work for EXP
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,546
I am currently relocating my home airport from ORD to PHX. The ONLY thing about this move causing me any stress is changing my airline affiliation from UA to AA. I currently am 1mm flier with UA and hate the thought of not using the Lifetime Gold for my wife and I. That being said, UA just does not fly direct to enough of my business locations.
Let me preface that I have no desire or intent to use Southwest unless I literally have no other option.
Let me preface that I have no desire or intent to use Southwest unless I literally have no other option.
I tend to agree: on flights of up to 2-3 hours, I'm relatively indifferent to F or Y, and those stage lengths are the meat and potatoes of my travel, especially if I can get exit row or extra legroom in coach. Airplane food just isn't all that good and a $5-7 drink in first class just isn't worth that much to me). I'm trying on A-List for 2019 because of changes in AS MP that don't work for me (MVP Gold there, will almost certainly drop down a level). I've been consistently nailing the exit row A or F seat without a seat in front.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; May 15, 2019 at 9:08 am