Originally Posted by
scubadu
I mean no offense, but just because somebody "wants" something doesn't mean it should be granted without careful consideration of the ramifications. I'm aware that UA GS's would be "over the moon" to have Polaris Lounge access on domestic flights, but that doesn't mean UA should cave. Polaris lounges are quite often over crowed as it is and adding in GS domestic access would further exacerbate the issue and dilute the experience for all. I firmly believe that a businesses best customers should be treated well and in fact better than others, but that doesn't mean I believe they should simply be granted anything and everything their little hearts desire.
I agree with you, and I hope AA does continue to treat CKs the best. For DFW, on or around 400-500 CKs go through there each day based on the meet and greet CK agents and their daily roster/work load. I am uncertain about MIA's CK loads. With FFD opening in the afternoon, that probably cuts 1/3 to 1/2 of CKs who would physically be there. Most will want to get to their destinations ASAP, and won't have the time to do FFD. Personally, I don't think as many CKs will use the benefits, and am pretty sure AA has already calculated the true costs of expanding FFD to mileage redemption and if they have the staff to handle such volumes. I am just surprised they're expanded to PPRO, rather than CK/EXP. Whenever I go to DFW FFD, during the times of the LHR flights, only about 3-4 tables are occupied. So the utilization is not much at this time; they have capacity to expand.
Originally Posted by
scubadu
You might be right, hard to say. Yet I'm continually surprised at what human beings seem to be willing to do these days in order to access lounges and "Instagram worthy" experiences. Its just getting bizarrely out of control...
Let me ask you this... can you point to any lounge experience, whatsoever, any... that has gotten better or improved when access has been expanded/broadened? Any? Amex CL, Capitol One, airline lounges, etc?
I know you think broadening access will not impact things, but never underestimate that in this game, we see this time and time again. The FFDs are very, very small physical spaces and my guess is there will be times now where the experience will be less than it was with more people in that space (particularly at peak times). Now all that said, and to your point, if that keeps these things open then I guess that is a net postive. But, personally, with all the dllution over the years in premium experiences (e.g. lounge over crowding, etc). I want to see some experiences remain premium/exclusive for those that desire them and can achieve them, even when it will often screen me out (which will be often).
But, hey, we'll see how it goes, My overall fear is that in a world literally swimming in miles, you might find there are a lot more takers for this than you expect and the experience will ultimately be downgraded over time. We shall see and it's a prediction that I'd be delighted to be wrong about.
I agree with you about degradation of lounges over time, since I've seen the changes in quality to AMEX lounges from inception to currently. The biggest difference is that FFD is a pay to access, rather than Amex/Chase/Capitol One's flat captitated one time yearly fee. AMEX and etc. can easily correct the over crowding by charging entrance fees per use, but they deem this as not part of their vision since it competes with their desire to expand market share.
AA will be smart to constantly charge for each access, similar to Private Suites at LAX. You will never see pay to access places over crowded as this will screen out majority of travelers. We are literally talking about a fraction of the top 1% earners in the US that will even spend money on such luxuries of travel.
However, I do believe AA is trying to capture top US spenders in the future, rather than frequent flier travelers. My hypothesis is that we will eventually see a movement towards unbundling of "luxury" travel experiences on AA, that take precedence over being a CK, as already present with Five Star Select. We shall see....