Originally Posted by
Often1
All that does is shift low-spend, high frequency fliers from UA & DL to AA, while UA & DL keep the HVC's. A bad deal for AA.
I predict that the 2016 program, 2017 at the latest, will be revenue-based and if AA is smart, more directly related to revenue than UA and DL.
You can also get the middle ground. Lots of business won't pony up for business/first but will pay for economy fares for their regular travellers. Making short term cash of the big spenders is fine, but there is a large market of regular travellers who will keep flying. Sure UA/DAL want to fill the cabin with cost is no object flyers, but AA could get those middle tier spenders. Better than flying with empty seats.
In the end no one knows what will play out better.