AA Gift Cards - Save 10% @ Costco [only remaining supply left - phasing out]
Jul 10, 2012, 3:31 pm
#1366
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
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Posts: 7,039
Jul 10, 2012, 3:40 pm
#1367
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,626
Takes forever to get through. But, finally did. Pentagon City has 196 left. Thanks
Jul 10, 2012, 4:19 pm
#1368
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
Some have speculated that they are discontinuing the cards because they were selling too many. Others think they were selling too few. Others think it was always supposed to be temporary, to raise some quick cash. But I had another thought.
Early speculation when they first appeared was that they were simply a marketing tool, aimed at getting non-AA fliers and airline-agnostic fliers to choose AA. That explains why they were never available in the DFW area, since most of us here usually fly AA anyway. I wonder if they did some analysis of who was redeeming these cards, and found a higher-than-expected utilization by AA elites. If they realized that they were discounting for existing customers more than they were attracting new customers, then it would be only logical to for them to pull the plug.
Early speculation when they first appeared was that they were simply a marketing tool, aimed at getting non-AA fliers and airline-agnostic fliers to choose AA. That explains why they were never available in the DFW area, since most of us here usually fly AA anyway. I wonder if they did some analysis of who was redeeming these cards, and found a higher-than-expected utilization by AA elites. If they realized that they were discounting for existing customers more than they were attracting new customers, then it would be only logical to for them to pull the plug.
Jul 10, 2012, 4:26 pm
#1369
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Join Date: Oct 2011
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Some have speculated that they are discontinuing the cards because they were selling too many. Others think they were selling too few. Others think it was always supposed to be temporary, to raise some quick cash. But I had another thought.
Early speculation when they first appeared was that they were simply a marketing tool, aimed at getting non-AA fliers and airline-agnostic fliers to choose AA. That explains why they were never available in the DFW area, since most of us here usually fly AA anyway. I wonder if they did some analysis of who was redeeming these cards, and found a higher-than-expected utilization by AA elites. If they realized that they were discounting for existing customers more than they were attracting new customers, then it would be only logical to for them to pull the plug.
Early speculation when they first appeared was that they were simply a marketing tool, aimed at getting non-AA fliers and airline-agnostic fliers to choose AA. That explains why they were never available in the DFW area, since most of us here usually fly AA anyway. I wonder if they did some analysis of who was redeeming these cards, and found a higher-than-expected utilization by AA elites. If they realized that they were discounting for existing customers more than they were attracting new customers, then it would be only logical to for them to pull the plug.
Jul 10, 2012, 4:37 pm
#1370
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt DM, SPG GLD, Hertz 5*, AMEX PLT, GE
Posts: 340
I know I've used the gift cards quite a bit for high value international travel, with at least one segment on non-AA metal. I always wondered how they accounted for this since I assume they have to guarantee a certain minimum of revenue on those codeshares not part of a joint venture.
I'm partial to the theory that AA was cutting out the middle man on bookings made outside aa.com. They seem to really be waging war on the travel sites.
I'm partial to the theory that AA was cutting out the middle man on bookings made outside aa.com. They seem to really be waging war on the travel sites.
Jul 10, 2012, 6:54 pm
#1371
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: RDU
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 267
There's still a bunch in the Raleigh store, and this time I even got some little envelopes! Woo hoo!
Jul 10, 2012, 10:09 pm
#1372
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
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I was surprised to find the Queens store(LI city, not Rego Park) still had them.
When I bought 10 GCs at the store last week(see my post #1275), I thoght it was my last time purchasing the GCs as the remaining GCs would be sold out quite soon.
Just out of curiosity,I called the store today and was told they still had 110.
It was little odd for me as I confirmed they had only 50+ on July 3rd
Anyway I went to the store at the evening today(July 9th) and bought another 5 GCs.
When I received the 5 GCs, I again asked a store staff how many GCs they had in stock now. The staff checked about it with their computer(same as on July 3rd but by different staff) and told me they had 80 now.
As I had very inconsistent answers since last Wed about how many GCs the store currently had, I am not sure the 80 is accurate or not.
But it seems the store still have some as of July 9th.
When I bought 10 GCs at the store last week(see my post #1275), I thoght it was my last time purchasing the GCs as the remaining GCs would be sold out quite soon.
Just out of curiosity,I called the store today and was told they still had 110.
It was little odd for me as I confirmed they had only 50+ on July 3rd
Anyway I went to the store at the evening today(July 9th) and bought another 5 GCs.
When I received the 5 GCs, I again asked a store staff how many GCs they had in stock now. The staff checked about it with their computer(same as on July 3rd but by different staff) and told me they had 80 now.
As I had very inconsistent answers since last Wed about how many GCs the store currently had, I am not sure the 80 is accurate or not.
But it seems the store still have some as of July 9th.
PS: The only Costco stores I've visited have been Westbury, LI; Rego Park and LIC (for the first time today). On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), I would rate Westbury 6, Rego Park 8 and LIC 3. [Employee friendliness, parking, length of lines, general ambiance all playing a role in my ranking.]
Jul 11, 2012, 1:04 am
#1373
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
I know as FT'ers we readily jump on statements made as gospel. I just have a tough time thinking someone in a random warehouse would know the national plans of a company like Costco. There is a warehouse near me in Sac that just got the cards. Not sure they'd do that if they are being phased out.
Santa Clara, CA Costco just got these AA cards as well.
I will be surprised that they are going away.
Jul 11, 2012, 7:05 am
#1374
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
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I went to LIC Costco on 7/10 at around 11:30 am, and purchased 5; at the "pick-up" window, I asked the agent did they have many left and she showed me (from a distance) a "big pile"--at least 50, from my estimate.
PS: The only Costco stores I've visited have been Westbury, LI; Rego Park and LIC (for the first time today). On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), I would rate Westbury 6, Rego Park 8 and LIC 3. [Employee friendliness, parking, length of lines, general ambiance all playing a role in my ranking.]
PS: The only Costco stores I've visited have been Westbury, LI; Rego Park and LIC (for the first time today). On a scale of 1-10 (10 being best), I would rate Westbury 6, Rego Park 8 and LIC 3. [Employee friendliness, parking, length of lines, general ambiance all playing a role in my ranking.]
This was my first visit to that Costco, and I'd agree with its assessment above--small and cramped, and definitely a smaller assortment of inventory than in the other Costcos I've seen (the two mentioned above, Commack, Holbrook, Pentagon City, San Francisco, and North Miami Beach).
Jul 11, 2012, 7:08 am
#1375
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 488
I have a question about using this giftcard. I am a citi AA credit card holder. If my flight costs $250 and I use the giftcard. Will I still get a free checked bag and priority boarding? Or if my flight costs $350 and I use the gift card and pay the difference with my AA credit card, Will I still get a free checked bag and priority boarding?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jul 11, 2012, 7:19 am
#1376
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,905
This thread is getting kind of funny. Can't help but wonder if the rapidly declining stock of cards is caused directly by FTers panicking as they read these reports. Wouldn't be surprised if Costco has sold more of these cards in the last week than in the previous six months!
Jul 11, 2012, 7:32 am
#1377
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ATL
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Posts: 351
Jul 11, 2012, 7:40 am
#1379
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: bay area, ca
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Jul 11, 2012, 7:54 am
#1380
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I have a question about using this giftcard. I am a citi AA credit card holder. If my flight costs $250 and I use the giftcard. Will I still get a free checked bag and priority boarding? Or if my flight costs $350 and I use the gift card and pay the difference with my AA credit card, Will I still get a free checked bag and priority boarding?
Thanks!
Thanks!
The benefits are linked to your AA #.
When you put your AA # in the PNR, you should be able to get the benefits.