Originally Posted by
Acid
As a US based person, I'm hoping for a new competitive program that one can transfer to from Amex, Chase, Cap1, Citi etc. like SQ, Avios and some others. Most of my 9W redemptions were using AA miles which gave a great value. I feel Aeroplan is decent but expensive, most other *A programs are not good for long haul partner redemption. UA gutted their 'chart'. AI can fill that void.
There was talk about revamping AI's FFP, but nothing has happened so far. They need to cut their redemption rates by about 40% in most areas to become competitive. Unfortunately UK while merging with AI, has exponentially worse international J redemption rates.
AI also has as few transfer partners as AA. Apart from a couple of co-branded cards and Citibank (which will be absorbed into Axis by March 24), AI has no transfer partners even in India.
We all wish for a better AI FFP, but given everything, I'm not that hopeful it will get significantly better.