Originally Posted by emcampbe

Don't know about all the additional AA changes that are beyond UA/DLs being matched - maybe, maybe not. But in terms of the comp upgrades, AA has always only given these to their top tier, with lower status being able to buy stickers to use (maybe lower levels get a very limited amount as part of the elite package - honestly, not super familiar with the AA elite details). So I doubt competitors will match that since they haven't after all these years.

We'll see about no CC spend waiver - I hope not - this allowed me to book an end of year India trip on SQ lost year - which I probably would have booked on UA (it was the same price, on both, but wanted to try SQ TPAC and spend a few hours in SG). Not sure what I am doing for that trip this year, but want to try for a stopover somewhere in Asia, which would make it hard to book with UA as the price goes way up with an intra-Asia segment on a partner involved.

As for the outside US folks and the waiver - I still think that makes sense to have for a US-based carrier if they want to keep foreign-based folks who really can not fly UA (or other US carrier) everywhere like you can if you were US-based. After all, if you have someone who is, say, ex-EU who typically flies to places other than the US, say splits their flying with trips to the US, intra-EU and to Asia, and UA had the PQD requirements for them, there is no incentive for them to stay with UA - probably much easier to go to LH, BA, etc. where they can consolidate their flying and benefits. I bet UA would lose much of that TATL traffic, and I bet if AA requires their PQD for international folks, many of their ex-EU pax will move to BA, and from other places to a more convenient OW (or other) carrier in their region. It might make more sense to selectively choose strategic international locations to add PQD - for example, to Canada and Mexico.

Just some of my thoughts.