Originally Posted by
dsweet
I have been both an Executive Platinum on AA and a Platinum on CO. For years, I favored AA because the reward availability was much better. I also once found their First Class products to be comparable. I am fortunate to be able to book seats in FC, so upgrades are not a factor for me.
Starting around two years ago, AA basically eliminated FC Service, to the point where it was just a wider seat and free booze. I rarely drink, so the free booze did not matter to me. I still stuck with AA because the award availability was much better.
Hmmm, I must have missed that. I flew MIA-LAS on Friday night (9:40 p.m. departure, past meal time) and we got full service in F. Yes, it was a snack service, but it consisted of warm nuts, a choice of two entrees (pizza or chicken fingers), and chocolate chip cookies. I haven't experienced this cut in service in F on any AA flight recently.
This year, AA Award availability has shrunken dramatically. I have not been able to find award seats to anywhere I was looking to fly unless I was willing to pony up double miles. My wife is a teacher, and my award travel times are rarely flexible, but I am often trying to book more than 6 months out.
The award availability is no better on CO. At this point, it does not appear to be good on any airline, because all of the airlines have sold out their frequent flyers by selling miles to credit card companies and others.
Again, not my experience. I just booked 2 award tickets in F to LHR in June, with the departure on a Friday evening. And I am just PLAT on AA (though I will be EXP once the LAS segments post). That was not my experience as a PLAT on CO. I remember trying to book BF award flights to Europe in October or March (hardly peak season) and having to leave/return on Tuesday or Wednesday. Unless something has changed with OnePass, reduced award availability with AAdvantage would still be more generous.
I now choose Continental because: (1) they still have full first class service and real first class meals on the flights I travel; (2) I like the whole Elite Access system; and (3) they actually seem to care about what their best customers think (reference them actually having a person responding to people here).
Next year, I will not be Executive Platinum on AA, and have certainly let them know why.
Granted, Elite Access is a good idea, something I wish more airlines would adopt. However, I am still puzzled as to why you say there is no full service in F on AA.