American AAdvantage introduced a status buyback program and – as expected – US Airways Dividend Miles followed with its own a couple of weeks later.

Now Dividend Miles has made some edits to their offer page.

Now, I’m the last one in a position to criticize typos (!). But this one rather struck me.

They also clarified the offer’s introductory text.

So here’s the thing. You ‘can renew to the same status level or lower’ if you’re Platinum would mean that you can renew to Platinum.

But if you’re Chairmans Preferred you can only renew to Gold.

Of course once the American and US Airways programs combine there won’t be a Platinum (US Airways 75,000 mile) level. Although there will be a Platinum level, since that’s what American calls its 50k tier.

This is why US Airways is not actually offering a ‘renew’ or ‘boost’ offer to the Platinum level, since 75k status will become equivalent to 50k status with the new program.

The clarification should say, I think, that Silvers can renew at the Silver level, while all other elites can renew at either Silver or Gold. And of course any member can buy up elite qualifying miles towards the next-higher status level. Although bear in mind that you’re not actually increasing your qualifying mileage balance by doing so, just jumping to the next elite tier. That means buying qualifying miles won’t help you if you are getting American AAdvantage qualifying miles combined with US Airways qualifying miles when the two programs become one (in other words, buying and combining duplicate or offset each other so save your money).

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