Originally Posted by
gemini573
I'm going to take a contrarian view. AA is doing so many fast track to elite status on all three of the elite levels; Gold, Platinum, and Executive Platinum. It's been diluted. Once they merge the program, there are going to be changes.
Years ago, if you were Platinum you'd have a decent chance of using your stickers to upgrade (out of LAX). Now, if you're not EXP, you can forget it.
If you have the opportunity to get Platinum/Sapphire with AA now, get it. Once they merge the programs and announce changes, then you go from there.
No argument with your prediction of FF-mile dilution on AA (and others). "We promised you nothing, so bend over while we rake in the money selling/pandering miles. You expected to redeem them? Oh, my."
OTOH at the moment they've created way more premium seats transcon and perhaps TATL. The crystal ball said businesses were going to be doing way more travel they in fact they are.
BA's in a similar state, probably many others. Thus the week before Christmas we easily got sticker upgraded to biz LAX-JFK, followed by op-up biz to first TATL on BA. I think they had one paid butt in first, biz was half full before they rolled the cabins.