US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - US Airways to end frequent flyer relationship with American

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003510.html

So much for an reward ticket to Hawaii via AA. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

Not much of a surprise - wonder if it changes if merger isn't approved.

If the merger isn't approved AND the decision to part with American is not reversed, you've got one big hole in Dividend Miles.

From: US Airways Dividend Miles [maimailto:dividendMiles@usairways.com]
Sent: None
To: xxx
Subject: Regarding American Airlines


Dear xxx:

We are committed to keeping you informed of changes related to the Dividend
Miles program in a forthright and timely manner.

The latest information related to the pending merger of US Airways and
United
Airlines can be found at http://www.usairways.com/corporate/uaus/index.htm .
The
web site is being updated regularly, as new information becomes available,
in
order to provide you with the most complete and up-to-date information. The
regulatory approval process for the merger is currently underway. US Airways
and
United Airlines remain fully committed to the merger and to delivering the
significant consumer benefits that it will bring.

In addition to merger news, American Airlines has decided to end the
frequent
flyer and club relationships between US Airways Dividend Miles and American
Airlines AAdvantage, and US Airways Club and American Airlines Admirals Club
programs on August 23, 2001. We are discussing a transition plan with
American
and this final date is subject to change. We will keep you advised as the
plan
is completed. Until the official final date is determined, the reciprocal
award
redemption, combining of miles and club relationship benefits you have come
to
enjoy will, of course, remain in place. The US Airways Shuttle 500 mile
bonus
promotion will continue until December 31, 2000, as scheduled.

US Airways is committed to providing you with world-class service, including
a
frequent flyer program that is second to none. On behalf of the 45,000 women
and
men of US Airways, I want to thank you for your business and continued
loyalty.

Sincerely,

B. Ben Baldanza
Senior Vice President, Marketing

If you have any questions regarding your account, please e-mail the Dividend
Miles Service Center at DividendMiles@usairways.com . To unregister for this
e-mail, please log into your Dividend Miles Account at http://www.usairways.com
and go to Update Profile.

I was very disappointed by this announcement, especially since I just finally broke down and joined the UsAirways Club for the first time.

------------------

There's a cost for doing business with the enemy. Besides, if this takeover does go through, it's very likely they will be forced to divest the Shuttle, which is the only reason AA did the deal to begin with. And if they do sell it off, I wonder who would have the money to buy it? Now let's see, Delta has one of it's own (as does CO, sort of). That leaves Air Tran, Midway, TWA, America West, NWA...and oh yeah.....I almost forgot... American.

Yep, I could see American forming the American Shuttle in the Northeast, assuming that US will be required to give it up if a merger happens. Actually, AA now is running hourly service between Boston and National, I think, so they are trying to break into that market, even though their product isn't a shuttle (walk-up, guaranteed seat, etc.)

Continental was supposed to announce a NE Shuttle service with Amtrak, in an air/rail FFP and deal, but this announcement hasn't yet come. I don't know if it is off, or delayed due to the delay of Acela Express.

The Shuttle is an important product to provide to high yield business pax. American will pull out the stops to get it. You need the slots to operate the thing, and they can only reasonably obtain them by buying the entire operation.

Hey, if the merger goes through, your lifetime US Club membership will most likely convert to a lifetime RCC membership.

There is a great deal of opposition to the merger, and CO has offered to purchase the national operations of USAirways at a premium over DC Air.

Originally posted by BizJet:
Yep, I could see American forming the American Shuttle in the Northeast, assuming that US will be required to give it up if a merger happens. Actually, AA now is running hourly service between Boston and National, I think, so they are trying to break into that market, even though their product isn't a shuttle (walk-up, guaranteed seat, etc.)

Continental was supposed to announce a NE Shuttle service with Amtrak, in an air/rail FFP and deal, but this announcement hasn't yet come. I don't know if it is off, or delayed due to the delay of Acela Express.

From talking to some Amtrak people, the announcement is being held until it's closer to the opening date. I guess they don't want to build expectations until they've built the service...


[This message has been edited by CO FF (edited 10-11-2000).]