jfinsocal

WN drives the action at TUS - it used to be cheap to fly there but since WN ceased to be a low cost carrier a few years ago not so much any more.

phlwookie

No - we don't know far more basic details about the merged frequent flier program and probably won't for a while.

BoeingBoy

Also, your US miles won't expire just because of the merger. They'll become "new" AA miles at some point.

Jim

YYZtoDCA

Just out of curiosity, has there been any news on when US Airways will officially be leaving the Star Alliance? US Airways has some great fares in mid-October I was looking at; but if they leave the alliance before then it may keep me from hitting my status threshold. Thanks!

BoeingBoy

I haven't seen anything not already discussed here. Given that the merger with AA won't happen till August/September I'd think October would be safe for *A travel. If you're talking about US flights you'll have no problem.

Jim

PWMTrav

We are probably looking at some of the same fares! FWIW, I am probably going to do a run or two in Sept or Oct, some of it on UA metal. I highly doubt they'll be out of *A by then.

swag

This article is about a month old:

http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler....eam-mid-month/

So October seems pretty safe.

ADSmithNRA

Normally I HATE government interference and meddling in private sector affairs but I am holding out hope the DOJ blocks this merger in the 11th hour last ditch effort in the form of an Anti-Trust lawsuit that was filed because for the love of God I do not want lose Star Alliance for the crappiest alliance in the world...One World!

PWMTrav

That's the only negative in this for me. *A is the best for the places I want to go. However, I will love burning BA Avios on short hauls out of PWM to DCA/PHL instead of paying $3-400 for them.

If you do a lot of short haul flying, now is the time for you to come up with a strategy to stockpile Amex MR points. Their distance based award chart is great for short hauls, and they have access to pretty much all AA Saver award inventory online.

I realize it's off topic to this thread, but one example is that I just redeemed 38k MR for 50k Avios (recent Amex bonus) and booked two one-way in J on EI BOS-DUB for New Years. I haven't booked the return yet because I think we might try to return from Italy.

Being able to redeem like that on the combined US/AA network will be a plus for me.

swag

Generally, when you compare two airlines, as a consumer, there are some things better on one, some better on the other. When there's a merger, the combined airline will adopt the policy of one or the other, or perhaps choose a middle ground.

But looking at the differences between AA and US, as I see it, it's very one sided. In almost every case, I think, the AA policy is better for me.

In terms of my perspective, I'm a longtime AA hub captive, with lifetime Gold status. My flights are mostly domestic mid-cons.

Consider:

• Checked bags: As a 25K level elite, AA gives 2 free bags. US only gives 1. Advantage: AA
• Upgrades: All US elites get free domestic upgrades. AA requires 500 mile upgrades; you earn enough to upgrade 20%, and have to purchase others. This seems to favor US, but lots of chatter on the AA board speculates that means 50K elites will get more upgrades, leaving 25K elites in the back. Advantage: ?
• F service: AA serves food in the front on most flights over 2 hours. US has a 3.5 hour threshold. Advantage: AA
• Same day changes: AA offers same day changes to flights on the same calendar day, earlier or later, a 24 hour window. They are confirmable for $75, or elites can standby for free. US: No fee for elites to confirm the change, but limited to 6 hours prior, not allowed for later, and you can't change the number of stops. Advantage: AA
• Award ticket changes: AA allows free changes to date and time for award tickets, if there is availability at the same award level. US, it's $150. Advantage: AA
• Award booking fee: Free on AA if booked online. $25 on US. Advantage: AA
• Award expedite fee: Waived on AA for all elites. $75 on US, not waived for Silver. Advantage: AA
• 1-way awards: AA offers 1 way awards at half the cost of round trip. US doesn't. Advantage: AA

( Sadly, two cases where US does have the advantage, we already know the AA way will survive. Star seems to be a better alliance than OneWorld. And I think the Barclay's US card offers better benefits than the Citi AA card. But post-merger, we'll have OneWorld and Citi. )

So, US Experts, what am I missing? What might I have to look forward to? What US policies would be better for me than AA's, that I can root for to survive the merger?

Edit to add one more:

• AA offers 24+ hour hold on most reservations. US requires me to ticket, then the hassle of refunding. Advantage: AA

bkafrick

Another AA Advantage (is that an AAA?) would be bonus miles for elite levels. 50K AA gets 100% bonus; 50K US gets 50% bonus. At the 25K level on both AA & US, its 25% bonus.

apeortdz

You are citing the advantages at the 25K mile level. I haven't done the analysis but I wonder how the 100K level shakes out. There are alot of CP benefits on US.

Fanjet

AA EXPs get:

8 SWUs. Good anywhere on any fare and valid routing. Transferable to anyone you choose.
Access to FC lounges (where they exist) on international travel. As well as the normal lounges.
Free unlimited upgrades in NA. One companion is also upgradable, but not for free.
No telephone or agent ticketing charges.
Free award redeposit/reissuance.
Free BOB choice and one alcohol drink if seated in Y, even if on a 50-seater commuter jet.

I_Can_Fly_US_Airways

If you think 1W is the "crappiest alliance in the world" the you NEVER have tried to pull a reward ticket on Sky Team (aka Sky Scream)!!!

6P&E

There's a reason DL Skymiles have no expiration date. You can't use them to begin with.