Originally Posted by
JohnWM
I fly on my own dime, and when & where I please. In that regard, I realize that I am unlike most posters on this thread.
My sense of it is that the AAdvantage program has deteriorated due to two serious failings: the troubling lack of partners and the recent removal of the stopover privilege from award travel.
Because of these failings, I see the AAdvantage program as worth perhaps a 'C'. A few years ago I would have said an 'A'.
Many earlier posters on different threads here at FlyerTalk have said it succinctly down through the years: the frequent flyer programs are simply bribes to accept inferior service.
Interesting take. We're purely "own dime" fliers as well and I like AA because of the availability of very easy upgrades on the cheapest fares. Also, we don't do much award travel, so are not impacted by those aspects as much.
Yeah, the airline service is not as good as it used to be, but we're willing to deal with it because they make it so easy to pay little and sit in F or J.
Cheers.