Originally Posted by janey
I am one of the disgruntled who is considering a switch to BA travel. I'm not a huge frequent flyer but travel about three times a year to Europe (generally London and Paris) but no domestic travel.
One thing that I enjoyed with AA (besides their formerly generous mileage upgrades) was being able to use the departure and arrival lounges at LHR and CDG on a pay-per-visit basis. I don't always fly business or first (and will most likely do most of my BA flying in WT+) and the amount of travel I do doesn't justify the annual cost of an Admiral's Club membership.
I don't find anything on the BA website that this pay-per-visit option is available. Does anyone here have the definitive answer?
Janey,
Unlike Skippy (I do adore that handle!), I do not know all the ins and outs of AA's scheme. I have watched the shrieks of horror over at AA led by the usual people, and rather wondered what all the fuss was about. American were extremely generout, it is true - but how many times had we read about people who could not get u/g for love or miles? When you are used to paying little, and extra $500 is a lot. What I cannot get over is that even with $500 it is still so much less than the full priced product. Moreover I always wondered if anyone in any of the premium cabins on American had actually paid to be there. As I read the AA Board few indeed seem to pay for it, and in fact seem to think that you are a fool so to do.
Now I'm going to do something and that is to tell you exactly what I was told by one of American's senior US management. Basically, they are ashamed of their economy service when it comes to people paying non-discounted economy fares. I was told (I have his card so I do not think that this is phony) that AA have simply downgraded the product and totally rely on the AAdvantage programme and their connections to get passengers.
I asked about the rumour that ran a couple of years ago that BA would do most of the flying on International to and fro London as code shares. He could not possibly comment - but that was always an option. American are desperate to get premium traffic and think that selling half business at a proper fare is where they are headed. I suspect that Business will end up as premium Economy and First will be sold as a sort of Business First. Now this is entirely my view of a conversation whilst I was going around F saying Hello (You know I always think "Flyertalk" when I do that!).
There was a lot more that I'd rather not say as it will only start commotion, but suffice to say American see what we are doing, see what Virgin are doing, and then realise where they are. I offer you this - at least you still can upgrade the cheapest seats. You can't with BA. I am not bad mouthing American, but it is now very obvious that they are about to make some big changes. As my visitor said. "We cannot come close to this". We used to give caviar - we now do smoked salmon. We used to do a full seafood salad - we now give a greenone. The entrees are the same as Business, and we give them a hot fudge sundae. That's it. I told him that a lot of people liked that (I'm one - I pretend everso hard that they are all low calorie - as if!).
So I have told part - this conversation took place about 4 moths ago - I kept my promise. I think that this will cause a flurry of discontent and then everyone will grumble and go on with American. All the US carriers are doing the same and most don't allow the cheapest fares to be upgraded so I am told. Nor do we. Nor I suspect does anythng with the name Branson on it.
My 2p worth. I do hope that you like WT+ - I think that it's a rather nice cabin. If it's reasonable - we'll give you a drink for free (several if you like) not for $5 per drink on AA/UA/DL and NW (but we must not be unkind about NW, they can't help it)
PG