View Poll Results: Is an American Airlines/US Airways merger good for the traveling public?
Yes
84
28.19%
No
214
71.81%
Voters: 298. You may not vote on this poll
Nov 12, 2013, 2:24 pm
Last edit by: aztimm
Note:
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
US/AA merger- MASTER DISCUSSION THREAD/incl 'when will US leave STAR'
Jul 27, 2013, 11:15 am
#1066
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
Jul 27, 2013, 11:46 am
#1067
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
Jul 27, 2013, 12:11 pm
#1068
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
The thought of a premium airline keeping such a trashy program is laughable, IMO. It's a goner.
Jul 27, 2013, 12:14 pm
#1069
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
Flagship Lounge (AA's First Class Lounge) is never accessible with Admirals Club membership or any lounge membership; access is limited to class-of-service/status/etc. Oneworld has a whole page detailing the Alliance's lounge access policies.
In a nutshell, mid-tier elites (AA's Platinum) get access to business class lounges when flying internationally, regardless of cabin, and top-tier elites get access to First Class lounges when flying internationally, regardless of cabin. In addition, when flying business/first class internationally, even non-status passengers get lounge access. For AA's purposes, "internationally" means Europe, South America, Asia and Mexico City. No lounge access when flying domestically, which includes Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America (incidentally, those are considered domestic for upgrade purposes as well).
In a nutshell, mid-tier elites (AA's Platinum) get access to business class lounges when flying internationally, regardless of cabin, and top-tier elites get access to First Class lounges when flying internationally, regardless of cabin. In addition, when flying business/first class internationally, even non-status passengers get lounge access. For AA's purposes, "internationally" means Europe, South America, Asia and Mexico City. No lounge access when flying domestically, which includes Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America (incidentally, those are considered domestic for upgrade purposes as well).
Jul 27, 2013, 12:25 pm
#1070
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: US-CP, UA, Marriott Rewards, HHonors, Avis,
Posts: 4,549
So I'm genuinely interested in seeing if it survives.
Jul 27, 2013, 12:45 pm
#1071
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: VCE
Posts: 14,165
While it may be a controversial program, it's quite possibly more profitable to sell the status uplift than to sell a cheap transcon to someone who is short of the next level qualifications. If you sell just the uplift, that leaves the actual flight(s) still available for another passenger to buy. With loads and fares being what they are, the "trashy" "laughable" program may generate more profit. And make no mistake: profit will still be king.
So I'm genuinely interested in seeing if it survives.
So I'm genuinely interested in seeing if it survives.
Jul 27, 2013, 12:56 pm
#1072
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
More profit if you look only at immediate short-term effects (revenue in for buy-up vs opex for flight). FF programs drive profit on multiple levels. E.g., they generate immediate revenue from wholesale mileage to CC and other partners, they incentivize passengers to be loyal to attain status and hence upgrades and other perks. As in so many areas, this is a balance. Emphasize immediate revenue and you dilute the elite ranks and may drive away hugely profitable passengers. Same for skimping too much on upgrades and award seats. (E.g., AA has publicly available award seats, "hidden" award seats for top-tier elites, and on-request award seats that may be released based on who is asking.
Jul 27, 2013, 1:59 pm
#1073
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
While it may be a controversial program, it's quite possibly more profitable to sell the status uplift than to sell a cheap transcon to someone who is short of the next level qualifications. If you sell just the uplift, that leaves the actual flight(s) still available for another passenger to buy. With loads and fares being what they are, the "trashy" "laughable" program may generate more profit. And make no mistake: profit will still be king.
So I'm genuinely interested in seeing if it survives.
So I'm genuinely interested in seeing if it survives.
AA already allows elites who didn't requalify for Gold or Plat to purchase their status (one time only) for another year (at a very high price), which will likely remain.
The thought of AA allowing anybody to purchase 100,000 miles for instant status is laughable. AA actually gives top tier elites real premium benefits, like eight system wide upgrades that can be used on any fare and actually clear 99% of the time. No airline in their right mind is going to give that away for four grand.
US Airways is a wannabe elite program with no tangible benefits, so selling it is no big deal.
Jul 27, 2013, 2:11 pm
#1074
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
OMG, I had to check my URL quickly. For a moment I thought I was on A-Net !! Really, bashing the US FF program and US Airways is a bit off topic in this Forum since most of us have used it and loved it for years. Further, buying miles provides access to all Star Alliance carriers, not just US Airways.
Parker is Not Horton and I'd bet the New AA will Not be the Old AA, as much as the AA Fan Boys would like it to be.
Parker is Not Horton and I'd bet the New AA will Not be the Old AA, as much as the AA Fan Boys would like it to be.
Last edited by perseus11; Jul 27, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Jul 27, 2013, 3:03 pm
#1075
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
It's not bashing, it's a fact: US Airways does not provide tangible premium services. That's reality
Parker might not be Horton, but he's also not an idiot. He knows that the combined entity can't compete with UA and DL by lowering itself to US standards. If I where a US FF is be thrilled. You'll soon be flying an airline that provides first class domestic services, in flight entertainment options, a real premium lounge experience, and miles that are fairly easy to redeem. You don't have any of that right now.
Parker might not be Horton, but he's also not an idiot. He knows that the combined entity can't compete with UA and DL by lowering itself to US standards. If I where a US FF is be thrilled. You'll soon be flying an airline that provides first class domestic services, in flight entertainment options, a real premium lounge experience, and miles that are fairly easy to redeem. You don't have any of that right now.
Jul 27, 2013, 5:18 pm
#1076
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,581
It's not bashing, it's a fact: US Airways does not provide tangible premium services. That's reality
Parker might not be Horton, but he's also not an idiot. He knows that the combined entity can't compete with UA and DL by lowering itself to US standards. If I where a US FF is be thrilled. You'll soon be flying an airline that provides first class domestic services, in flight entertainment options, a real premium lounge experience, and miles that are fairly easy to redeem. You don't have any of that right now.
Parker might not be Horton, but he's also not an idiot. He knows that the combined entity can't compete with UA and DL by lowering itself to US standards. If I where a US FF is be thrilled. You'll soon be flying an airline that provides first class domestic services, in flight entertainment options, a real premium lounge experience, and miles that are fairly easy to redeem. You don't have any of that right now.
Seriously, we're talking about US domestic carriers here. One of the two pigs may be wearing really nice lipstick, but it's still a pig.
Jul 27, 2013, 5:58 pm
#1077
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA-EXP, MR-PP
Posts: 3,440
That is not the case. With *A G you can get access to LH lounge at IAD. Also with US Club membership you can get access to LH lounge at IAD.
Jul 27, 2013, 6:06 pm
#1078
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: Starwoods/ Marriott Life Time Platinum, Hilton-Diamond, and HP
Posts: 823
Jul 27, 2013, 6:07 pm
#1079
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA-EXP, MR-PP
Posts: 3,440
Premium lounge experience? Seriously? I've been at EWR Admiral's Club and it is POS compared to just about any US Club.
Jul 27, 2013, 6:34 pm
#1080
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
I think he's referring to the Flagship Lounges. But while there are some nice US Club lounges, the majority of ACs are much better. With a lot of them having shower facilities and nice business centers. However, the US ones have better snack food.