American Elites Can Pay to Retain or Upgrade Status

American today confirmed that current AAdvantage elite members will once again enjoy the option of paying to either retain or boost their status for 2015.

The options, similar to last year’s, are as follows:

The Boost

• Current elite members who are within 5,000 miles or five segments of qualifying for Gold status can pay $399 for Gold through 2015.
• Current elite members who are within 5,000 miles or five segments of qualifying for Platinum status can pay $699 for Platinum through 2015.
• Current elite members who are within 10,000 miles or 10 segments of qualifying for Platinum status can pay $899 for Platinum through 2015.
• Current elite members who are within 5,000 miles or five segments of qualifying for Executive Platinum status can pay $1,199 for Executive Platinum through 2015.
• Current elite members who are within 10,000 miles or 10 segments of qualifying for Executive Platinum status can pay $1,799 for Executive Platinum through 2015.

The Buy Back

• Current Gold, Platinum, and Executive Platinum members who are not within boost range can pay $649 for Gold through 2015.
• Current Platinum, and Executive Platinum members who are not within boost range can pay $1,199 for Platinum through 2015.
• There’s no buy-back option for Executive Platinum status.

The Verdict

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Although there’s still time to earn more elite-qualifying miles before the end of 2014—by making a mileage run, for instance—some travel-weary flyers will welcome the opportunity to avoid the unfriendly skies and simply use a credit card to lock in elite perks for the next year.

Reader Reality Check

How much would you pay to retain your status?

This article originally appeared on FrequentFlier.com.