Originally Posted by
AccentOnTheFuture
I've been thinking about this for a while and would love to get the reaction of some of you on this board to what I would do if I ran the AAdvantage program).
Differentiating ExPlat, Plat, Gold, Others.
I think that with priority access going to everyone, AA has lost some allure. I'd propose that the coach product (exit rows and even more space) be opened to EXP, PL, and GO and different times. Say, EXP = at time of booking, Plat = 1 week out, GO= 48 hours, buy-up 24 hours or something similar. This ensures that the coach product has some differentiation for premium travelers
Okay, that works for me. Might even consider bumping PLTs back to the 100-hour mark, when EXPs' e-upgrades clear, and oftentimes exit rows become available, at least within "North America."
Might consider allowing the same buy-up offer that non-elites have. Wait for 100/24 hours to choose exit rows for free, or pay $38 per segment to choose them now. Most pax would not want to pay.
Valuing the Right Customers
I don't know why (other than system issues) AA hasn't switched to awarding points and redeeming points specifically on $$/point. This allows you to earn based on what you spend and recoup based on what you would spend. This seems simple to me and would align AA values with customers that spend a lot. Right now, AA values a last minute, $800 fare buyer the same as a $200 fare buyer if its the same flight.
I have thought for a long time that AA should be awarding more bonus RDMs to pax who purchase more expensive fares. Most pax seldom burn miles the way FTers do, so it would not disadvantage to us to toss a few more bonus miles toward those who pay a lot for their seats--in some cases, these folks always buy premium fares so they almost never burn miles anyway.
Upgrades
I think upgrade priority should be based loosely on fare class AND time of purchase within different levels, again this rewards higher value customers
NO!!!!!! It is much better for all customers of the same elite status to be treated the same as far as upgrade priority, so that the only factor is the timestamp on the request.
AA does offer one thing along these lines--mileage upgrades are cheaper, and do not have a copay, for those who purchase more expensive fares. But that is as far as I think it should go.
Overall, one of the things that makes AA the best program out there is that you don't have to spend TONS of money to earn status. It is possible to get EXP for a few thousand a year if you are very creative with routings for MRs. That should not change.