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
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'
#1111
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: US Silver Hilton Gold SPG Gold Marriott Plat AA Gold
Posts: 52
US AA preferred miles
I searched for this question and couldn't find an answer in this thread. If I earned preferred miles on both of programs, do they combine for status purposes this year? It would help in my MR decision through the rest of this year since my AA miles would help out.
#1112
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: US Silver Hilton Gold SPG Gold Marriott Plat AA Gold
Posts: 52
Different search got my answer, which there isn't an answer
#1113
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 462
This isn't me throwing a fit or saying it's unfair because if you're Silver you don't fly enough for them to care too much, but if the upgrade system changes to me only being able to upgrade 3 or 4 times a year, one way, on a transcon flights it just won't be worth it to me to keep the allegiance to US/AA.
#1114
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,945
Yup...as US Silver my upgrade percentage is 75%! Mostly due to flying odd flight schedules or dumb luck but I doubt this is going to come out positively for me since I'm at the bottom of the food chain
This isn't me throwing a fit or saying it's unfair because if you're Silver you don't fly enough for them to care too much, but if the upgrade system changes to me only being able to upgrade 3 or 4 times a year, one way, on a transcon flights it just won't be worth it to me to keep the allegiance to US/AA.
This isn't me throwing a fit or saying it's unfair because if you're Silver you don't fly enough for them to care too much, but if the upgrade system changes to me only being able to upgrade 3 or 4 times a year, one way, on a transcon flights it just won't be worth it to me to keep the allegiance to US/AA.
Odds are, I will never be more than a 25k tier elite, but I'm thinking my odds are better if the AA system is adopted. Odds on the transcons will be equally low, I'd think, but on some leisure routes I'd probably make out well. Not to mention, I'm not hub-captive, but it also means I have to connect once to get almost anywhere - I can always burn an upgrade on a short leg if I need a bigger bag or weight allowance - and odds are I'll get it.
#1115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,341
Hard to see how paying $30 per 500 miler once your freebie 500 milers are gone (which will only upgrade you 20% of the time) is "the same or better" than paying $0 and getting upgraded 75% of the time like the OP. Is this new mAAth?
#1116
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SDF
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 290
Well there's two issues here. The Merger likely screws UGs for most mid tier elites anyway (let alone silvers). Having a Sticker upgrade system likely boosts upgrades by a small % over a CPU system(though not really by much unless you only want to focus on short hops between places most Elites wont travel or waste stickers on) but is far far worse than what is currently available for existing elites. Its also more expensive too.
But we haven't had confirmation that the new AA will have a sticker system except for the promo that they are having right?
But we haven't had confirmation that the new AA will have a sticker system except for the promo that they are having right?
#1117
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,945
I'm in the 75% range as a Silver as well, but my hope is that maybe I'll now have a shot at some of those BOS-PHX or CLT-XXX legs - both from the BOS-PHX connecting traffic getting partially offloaded to BOS-DFW for connections and the people not requesting upgrades for whatever reason. I could do without some of the PWM-DCA/PHL upgrades if it means a shot at some longer flights in F.
Now, if the above is wishful thinking, you can just tell me that and I'll accept it.
#1118
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,945
My gut says it's all but a done deal that we see the sticker system.
#1119
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SFO / SJC / OAK
Programs: AS / CSR / AMEX
Posts: 266
Honestly I just want them to release more information about their FF programs as fast as possible so I can make travel plans
#1120
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New York,NY
Posts: 70
LHR Day Flight
Anyone think there's any chance the new AA would add a day flight to LHR. BOS, JFK, EWR, and IAD have one; be nice to have the option.
#1121
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,293
Regardless of the system adopted, the combined program will have slightly more elites with somewhat higher on-average status (both comments follow from the folks who have been accruing in both AA and US) chasing fewer F upgrade seats (since a merger will almost certainly cut aggregate capacity). Something (and someones) will have to give.
#1122
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
biggest thing I will miss assuming it isn't adopted by AA is cheap mileage upgrades. 9k and no copay is cheap money to guarantee an upgrade on a transcon. AA seems to be 15k plus a $75 copay.
#1123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
A day flight to LHR from where?
#1124
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Nice
Programs: Marriott Titanium, AA Concierge Key, Delta, United, Emorates, and others
Posts: 4,694
Regardless of the system adopted, the combined program will have slightly more elites with somewhat higher on-average status (both comments follow from the folks who have been accruing in both AA and US) chasing fewer F upgrade seats (since a merger will almost certainly cut aggregate capacity). Something (and someones) will have to give.
I've seen to many cases where actual results differed dramatically for guesses taht I'm leery of making any without knowing the numbers.
#1125
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,035
My assumption is the OP was thinking PHL once the merger is done.