Originally Posted by
bse118
I truly don't get the "you live in non hub outlying cities you will have a better experience" argument as regards upgrades. I live in a non-hub city. Every domestic AA flight I take involves a connection at a hub. I'm touching the hub elite population on all flights, and flying *out* of the hub on half the flights on a standard 4 segment trip.
As for EXP benefits, my off-the-top-of-the-head <subjective of course> ranking:
1. EXP line especially during IROPs
2. Lounge access / OneWorld First class lounges on international itineraries
3. SWUs.
4. MCE
5. Preferred seating on certain OneWorld partners (e.g. BA exit rows)
6. Priority / First Class checkin counters (has saved me a lot of time/hassle at international departures)
7. LP / mileage bonus
8. Domestic upgrades
9. Everything else.
2, 4, 5, and 6 are available to lower AA tiers and to OWE from other programs.
I find SWU next to worthless. I know others get value from them, but they don't fit my travel patterns and they're a hassle to use, with significant traps for the unwary if/when AA fails to properly reissue the ticket or your flight gets changed.
Domestic upgrades depend heavily on where you're based. I did okay out of PHX, but if you're at DFW good luck.
The only thing I'm really missing now that I rely on AS 75K rather than EXP is EXP phone support.