MachOne

deleted

MO

MSPeconomist

At the oneworld mega DO launch party, AA gave me the impression of being uninterested in current DL HVCs and not even trying. This was at the same time as they clearly did want UA 1Ks. When asked why their special status challenge offer to EXP didn't apply to DL DMs as well as UA 1Ks, they acted like they had never thought of it. It did not give a good impression.

tentseller

It is good business sense based on "Art of War" to take advantage of enemies in a weaken/uncertain state.

Vuelos

UA has a bit more natural overlap of AA customers hence going after them...

MSPeconomist

Then shouldn't DL be poaching EXPs?

MachOne

Now I can tell the whole story...

A few months ago AA was offering UA 1K's a match to Executive Platinum with no challenge. I sent an email to AA asking for a match from DM. AA's response was to offer a standard challenge to Platinum and I decided not to take them up.

Fast forward to a few days ago and I receive this email:

"At the time that our original reply was sent, the message that you
received was accurate. However, we continuously reevaluate our exception
making guidelines, in order to make fair and sound business decisions.
That said, we have made some changes and would like to revisit your
request to match your Delta Diamond Medallion status to our AAdvantage
Executive Platinum(r) status."

I sent them a scan of my DM card and have been given EXP status thru 2/28/2013 (same as DM status). Also, AA offered that if I fly 45k between now and 12/31/2012, AA will extend the EXP status thru 2/28/2014.

MO

Bowgie

MachOne,

That is one impressive offer from AA. I'd jump on it in a second if I were mad at DL for some reason, or any UA flyer, which goes without saying

Bowgie

Yes, but the operative words are "should be". DL does not appear hungry or motivated enough to make that a "will be".

A few years from now, I think business school marketing programs will be looking at the contrast between UA and AA to show why the former failed and the latter succeeded.

Sez_Who

Can't seem to find the impressive part. Status match for the remainder of this year? Maybe good for ego but worthless except for when you actually fly AA.

Fly ~9K/mo with AA for the balance of the year? Seems many here get to DM with AmEx spend so this wouldn't work for them. For those of us who actually fly avg 10K+/mo BIS, it's an option but IMO, only a serious consideration for those looking to switch to AA for good.

As for being mad at DL... if that was a criteria to switch airlines, the DL forum here would shut down do to lack of activity as everyone here would be over on the AA forum.

SFO777

AA took advantage of the chaos at UA and offered disgruntled UA elites an option. Brilliant move, IMO. Thousands jumped at the chance and apparently AA is very pleased with the uptick in revenue for the former UA 1K/GSs. Now that they have digested the new UA EXPs, someone at DFW probably suggested why not try DL. While some might jump at the offer, I suspect that the general lack of unhappiness here will temper their success this time.

uElliots

So is DL matching AA EXP's and if so to what?

MachOne

I'm not "mad at Delta" per se. I accepted the offer (no risk involved) and can easily do the 45k by the end of the year. I am giving some careful consideration base don the following points:

1. LAX is a jumping off point for most of my travel to Asia or Australia. In my home market, DL ended a 10 year codeshare arrangement to LAX. That really screws transferring at LAX and leaves me with 1 1/2 hr flights on CRJ200's to SLC (and no sign that will ever change). AA offers the ERJ's to LAX (35 minute flight) and real jets to DFW.

2. AA code shares with Alaska as well as DL. Alaska has improved there presence in my home market. So they're even there.

3. Currently AA has better pricing to overseas destinations (that I travel to) than DL.

4. If there is a merger with US, then I suspect connections in the Western US will improve.

MO

ksweeney

I think the "kick 'em when their down" approach has worked well for AA. I fly both DL and AA extensively. Of late, when on AA flights in first, I often run into 1Ks who jumped to AA. The point is that they are flying AA not just picking up an additional status. Over on the AA threads, there is a lot of chatter about how badly new CEO Tom Horton is managing the company in bankruptcy, and the chatter may generally be right, but this poaching of UA high mileage flyers at at time when UA is trying to sort out merger problems is a good move. Enticing 1Ks to leave a potentially good carrier once merger issues are resolved, to come to your bankrupt carrier is a significant success.

javabytes

No. DL prefers kettles over entitled elites.

localady

well said....