BlondeBomber and Empress, you are both, of course, absolutely right about the value of the SE benefits. The operative phrase, however, is "from my perspective".

For me, booking V or H class seats is nearly an impossibility. There's no way I can book 7 days in advance when I don't even know I'm going on the trip until 1 day before. Also, these fares have other restrictions such as a minimum or a Saturday night stay. The cost of this extra time (hotel rooms, car rental, my own time) almost always exceeds the difference in cost between a V and Y fare.

The other factor for me is that it's somewhat doubtful whether I'll make SE again in 2002. But I'll definitely qualify for Elite (almost there) and I could probably qualify for AA Plat as well. I figure I'm better off with status on two airlines than one and the removal of the companion ticket incentive makes this decision easier.

bluJaay, thanks, I am (vaguely) aware of AA's special offerings. I've been an AAdvantage member since the program started and continue to receive lots of direct mail from them.

[This message has been edited by After Burner (edited 04-08-2001).]