<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bidkat:
Really? Why?
As an elite member of an airline that allows unlimited FC upgrades and delivers over 90% of the time, I just do not understand the glorification of elite programs, like AAdvantage, that dole out their 20% upgrades like they were Aquafina bottles in the Sahara. As one about to achieve AA lifetime Gold -- and used to finding cheap tickets -- I expect my benefits to be next to none.
And that's only while the program still exists. :-)
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My upgrade rate as a NW low-level wasn't anywhere near 90%. Perhaps because I flew the mostly in/out of MSP on flights full of more elite folks than me.
I will admit that my opinions are skewed more by the quality of the coach product than availability of the domestic upgrade. On NW, I dreaded flying Y and obsessed about whether I could get an exit row. On AA, Y is much nicer and (while I still like exit rows) I don't obsess about where I sit.
The only time I even try to upgrade on AA is when I'm flying with someone who will get a kick out of it. On most aircraft, there is at least one seat in coach that is just as good as F - if not better. With AA Gold status, I can usually grab that seat online when I book my ticket.
If AA starts jamming more seats into the planes I fly, then my opinion changes dramatically.