Originally Posted by
bhomburg
given that you can satisfy the four-AA-segments minimum with your US flights and they now have service to TLV thanks to the merger switching to AA would be something I`d seriously consider.
AAdvantage has cheaper longhaul redemptions without scamcharges on most carriers (except BA...), way better earning than BA post-April28 devaluation, and you'll get eight systemwide upgrades upon qualifying for top tier.
Pretty much the only thing you'll miss are the RFS redemptions and lounge access on domestic AA itineraries.
With the ongoing "
more EQPs" promotion, you'll easily qualify for Executive Platinum all the way through Feb. 2017 with just the DONE and the NYC flight you listed as upcoming (the flights need to be AA/US marketed to qualify, though!), should you make the switch now.
Long-term, AA might follow BA and the other two US legacies and massively devalue the program at some time in 2016. But this will still leave you with OW Emerald status while you can re-evaluate.
Agree with this. Even though AA flies from TLV to PHL, the fastest connection through PHL (to LGA) will likely put you on the street in NYC quicker than the fastest LHR routing, counting time for border controls. And the US longhaul J product is pretty darned good.