After years of chasing Executive Platinum with American via the AA Exec Card, I’m sitting this one out. The recent Citi ThankYou changes, especially the ability to transfer to AAdvantage 1:1 totally flipped the math for me. Why earn 1 mile + 1 Loyalty Point per dollar when I can earn 2 AAdvantage miles using a combo like Citi Double Cash and Strata Premier? The fact that ThankYou points don’t count toward Loyalty Points is the catch, but honestly, I’ve stopped valuing upgrades that never clear and perks I barely use.
I’ll aim for Platinum Pro every other year just to keep oneworld Emerald benefits, and otherwise focus on getting maximum redemption value. I’d rather fly Etihad Apartment Class with miles than stress over domestic upgrades.
Anyone else ditching the loyalty treadmill in favor of flexible point hoarding?
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