Hello folks,
I'm hopeful for some help here. A bit of background - I have worked in the airline industry for about a decade, US and now AA, so I have a reasonable understanding of the AAdvantage program, but never have really paid much attention to loyalty programs in general. I'm leaving soon for a non-airline role which will require a fair bit of travel (not certain if I'd hit 100k, but it's certainly a possibility), and quite a bit of it INTL. I'm based in PHX, and don't want to necessarily confine myself to AA simply because it's a hub. I won't have any routes that I fly constantly, it will largely be all over the place, but always needing to get back to PHX. That said, here're my answers. Any and all help is greatly appreciated!
1. What is most important to you in a frequent flyer program (FFP)?
upgrades, priority services, baggage allowance, good award redemption rates, better award access, lounge access, etc.
>>> Reply: 1st: upgrades, 2nd: convenience/ease of use, 3rd:lounges
2. How many miles do you usually fly each year? How many flights/sectors?
less than 25000 miles, 50000+ miles and 20-25 flights, etc.
>>> Reply: 50k+ miles (not really sure if I'll hit 100k...), 20 or so flights?? Really unknown at this point... I'll know more in a year.
3. What fare class do you usually buy?
first, business, premium economy, economy
>>> Reply: Domestic, <4 hrs - Economy, Domestic > 4hrs, P. Econ or Business, INTL - Business.
4. Are you able to choose your airlines and/or class of service? Do you travel for work and/or pleasure?
>>> Reply: Can choose the airline/alliance for the most part. Travel for both, but mainly work right now.
5. Which routes do you fly most often?
transatlantic, domestic USA, intra-Asia, etc.
>>> Reply: Likely #1 . TATL, #2 . Domestic, #3 Trans-Pacific.
6. What is your home airport?
>>> Reply: PHX. I know this may nudge people into recommending AA, but I likely need to leave PHX to get anywhere INTL (except LHR), so I'm not convinced it HAS to be AA.
7. Do you have status in any FFP? What is it? How miles do you have banked in each FFP, if any?
>>> Reply: Not really... Always fly standby, and can't earn miles on that.
8. What are your preferred airlines, if any?
>>> Reply: None. Looking for reliability and easy to do business with.
More thoughts by me that may help in a suggestion: For INTL travel, I understand the need to connect as home base is PHX. I'd prefer to backhaul to LAX to go East, rather than flying transcon to ATL, PHL, CLT, EWR, JFK, etc.... LAX is a decent Asia gateway, SFO even better. DFW or IAH are equal to me as far as going south.
I'm leaning heavily to UA right now just given the strength of their route network as well as the strength of the Star Alliance....tho just as I say that, AA is adding LAX Asia, and the nonstop PHX-LHR on BA is appealing... I've also noticed they are improving on-time performance...
However, while I may understand the route networks, I don't know which company is better at taking care of its elites? I hear the horror stories, but haven't been on the road with either company before, so hoping for real world advice.
Thanks!