I'm not worthy


I went to aa.com yesterday and realized with great sadness that I am fallen. I am the Lucifer of business travelers. I have been downgraded from Executive Platinum to Platinum. Today, I was going through mail that I have ignored on my recent trips and found this letter:

February 2005

Dear popemark, [well, not really, but you know I have to keep my anonymity]

As you are probably aware, your 2004 flight activity did not allow you to requalify for your current elite status, but I want you to know that we value you as our customer and appreciate your business and loyalty to American Airlines. You can be proud to carry the enclosed AAdvantage Platinum card and enjoy a higher level of elite recognition than most of our members.

Rest assured you will still enjoy many similar benefits, such as 100% mileage bonuses and complimentary upgrades on eligible American Airlines flights when you're traveling on full-fare Economy Class tickets (booked in Y or B, excluding military/government fares). And here's another bonus: As an AAdvantage Platinum member, you are once again eligible to receive four 500-mile upgrades for every 10,000 elite-qualifying base miles you earn during your membership year. We encourage you to review the details on these and other benefits online at aa.com/aadvantageplatinum. The enclosed membership card and all of your benefits are effective March 1, 2005 through February 28, 2006.

For additional bonuses associated with your membership, please check out the special offers from some of our AAdvantage participant companies at aa.com/platinumoffers. These offers are effective March 1, 2005.

Whether you choose to continue your AAdvantage Platinum membership, or strive to attain AAdvantage Executive Platinum status once again, let me assure you of our high regard and our eagerness to serve you. We look forward to your enjoying another satisfying year in the AAdvantage program.

Best wishes,

Kurt Stache
President
AAdvantage Marketing Programs

Ranting after the jump...

I was depressed enough about not getting Executive Platinum for a third year in a row. This letter made it a gazillion times worse. Is this intentional? Is this Kurt's evil design to make me feel so inadequate that I must find a way to amass 100,000 miles this year so I can get back to EP status?
Well, it's working. By my rough calculations, by the end of March, I will have accumulated 60k points year to date. That's after going to Maryland and Ohio next week, San Jose the week after, and then immediately heading off for Bucharest, Scotland, and Ireland. I took pains to establish with co-workers and business stakeholders that my presence on all the trips was required, and it was. Now I'm off to show Kurt that I love him and maybe he will take me back.

Posted: Sat - March 5, 2005 at 01:45 PM        

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