Originally Posted by
AccentOnTheFuture
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
Rather than differentiating for the sake of differentiating, they should just make sure that they block off a certain number of premium seats for higher level elites. I could be wrong, but I imagine that EXPs are more upset when they don't get an exit row, than they are about the person sitting in the exit row next to them being a non-elite.
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 $$/point. This allows you to earn based on what you spend and recoup based on what you would spend. This seems simple to me and would align AA values with customers that spend a lot. Right now, AA values a last minute, $800 fare buyer the same as a $200 fare buyer if its the same flight.
There are many reasons to keep AA the way it is (from AA's perspective). FF programs are desired to drive marginal spend. I am a last minute traveler on occasion, and the miles earned is not a factor in the decision. If I am traveling for work, the goal is to get from point A to B as quickly as possible. If I am traveling for personal reasons, the goal is to get from point A to B as cheaply as possible, as price differences on last minute flights can be quite astronomical. So in my case, increasing the RDMs earned on the high value ticket would give me rewards that were unnecessary to get my business. In contrast, I book my many $200 tickets with AA in part because of how AAdvantage rewards me for flying with AA.
Obviously there are customers out there that would give more $$$ to AA if the miles were more closely tied to the fare paid. But it is not a definitively better system, just one that is better at attracting some customers, and worse at attracting others.
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
Thoughts on other modifications you think would align AA and loyalty program better?
AA already gives flexible fare purchasers instant upgrades, and they are now pricing first class low enough that people who are willing to pay for first can do so. I don't think using fare basis to prioritize upgrades is a good idea, because with the exception of flexible fares (which are already rewarded), most people are not going to pay extra $$$ for a greater chance at an upgrade, so all you are doing is rewarding people for money that they would have spent anyway