Originally Posted by
tcraig
I'll throw in my 2c. I don't think this is going to result in a large bounty of new EQM. Mostly, this is going to move some AS FF international flying from DL/AA/KL/AF to BA/QF/CX/KE. Flyers currently using BA/QF/CX/KE (1) are unlikely to be AS members or (2) are not FF hounds or (3) are already tied into OW or ST alliances and not interested in moving or (4) have elite status in multiple programs already or (5) don't fly AS often enough to impact elite benefits much. I just don't see how the new EQM earning opportunities is going to either increase elite ranks or dilute benefits much.
Nicely put.
To amplify point 3: frequent flyers with large amounts of foreign travel are probably more interested in alliance elite status than AS elite status as long as benefits like lounge access (a significant deal, particularly for foreign carriers' lounges, when travelling long haul) remain tied to alliances, not AS elite status. So I don't think this will result in a huge number of international flyers switching to Mileage Plan and this trumping "truly loyal" AS elites for upgrades when they do fly AS metal. Instead, this strikes me as a benefit for AS flyers with a bit of foreign travel, and I certainly agree that it makes AS less reliant on DL.
Also worth noting that QF flights in many discount economy fare classes will now earn 100% AS EQMs while earning 25% or 50% on QF's joint venture partner AA.