Originally Posted by
pdx1M
What I see at this point is relatively unempowered agents - so poorer service on things like clearing upgrades etc. Very questionable upgrades with the new ToD approach. Little ability to use international upgrades. Little award availability for my wife to use miles on trips with me.
I generally consider most of these to be temporary issues that will likely be resolved once the dust settles ... most of it, I believe falls under my statement that "They ARE going to lose some (perhaps lots) of them over the next few months as the system and culture integration issues drag on".
I still think that TOD upgrades that displace elites are mostly the byproduct of a broken system rather than an intentional change. Having said that, I do think that advertising appropriately-priced buy-ups are here to stay. Take of that what you will.