Originally Posted by
MarkOK
MCE seats? Meh. unless you are long legged, it just doesn't make that much of a difference to a lot of people. Cramped is cramped whether your knee-to-seatback clearance is 2 inches or 4 inches. (and, the chances of sitting next to people of a somewhat bigger size in MCE seems like twice as high, IME, vs being farther back).
Not sure about the theory of the bigger size people, but perhaps. The nice thing about MCE is you can sit near the front of the plane, and be off quickly. And if you would like to enjoy an adult beverage after a long day of work, it is complimentary.
Originally Posted by
MarkOK
Being on an upgrade list? Meaningless. Except on short regional hops, you often have to have like 300K LPs to have any hope and chance.
True. The more loyal you are, the higher your rate of success will be.
Originally Posted by
MarkOK
Companion upgrades on the upgrade list? Even more meaningless since IME it's impossible since AA hardly ever releases two seats at a time. So you just get skipped. And skipped, and skipped, as they trickle clear 1 seat at a time.
Not sure about the one seat at a time speculation. But there is also the option of selecting to be separated if only one seat is available.
Originally Posted by
MarkOK
International lounge access? Most people would hardly ever get to use such a thing, and let's admit it, lounge access is more vanity than value.
If you are not traveling internationally, then correct. But if you are, you couldn't be more wrong about the vanity vs. value. Would you rather be spending a 9 hour layover in genpop, or in a lounge with sit down menu service, sleep rooms, showers, even massages, etc? Even domestic lounges- I had a 7 hour misconnect in CLT, and as much as people complain about the Admirals club there, it was way more comfortable than out in the wild. Breakfast and lunch included, and also agents ready to help without the big lines trying to re-accomodate the masses.
Originally Posted by
MarkOK
More than 1 free checked bag? Such a rare person who checks even 1 bag, let alone 2 or 3.
This is good if you have kids.
Originally Posted by
MarkOK
Bonus miles on flying? Perhaps this is the truest benefit, but, it's hard to justify loyalty for an extra handful of devaluing miles.
While miles can devalue, you can also find some great deals. (international partner awards).
Originally Posted by
MarkOK
(That being said, I feel like I get crazy value in my hotel loyalty program)
Its been a very long time since I chose to earn hotel loyalty points- even as Marriott lifetime titanium. I see way more value in AA points. 62,400 Marriott Rewards points will give you a night in Boston at a hotel with a rate of $548 per night. Or 60K AAdvantage points will get you a business class seat on Japan Airlines from Boston to Toyko at a value of ~6700. Add that to the 10X benefit of the Citi Exec card and AAdvantagehotels, you can rack up LPs and RDMs pretty quickly.
But I do see your points- If you are not traveling a lot, then loyalty programs may not make sense. Since partner awards are becoming more scarce, my spending pattern may be shifted to American Express, or I may even look at Chase (transferable points to other airlines).