Originally Posted by
MarkOK
And the status IS VERY relevant in terms of getting MCE seats and baggage allowances for everyone on your PNR on those family trips.
I think this is the reason that they won't (or shouldn't) let you combine them. If 4 solo travelers spending $4100/year each can't get MCE and free checked bags, why should 4 people traveling together, spending $4100 each, all get it?
AA makes the same amount of money from 4 solo travelers as they do from 4 people traveling together. The fact that they travel together should not give them benefits above what the solo travelers get.