Edgerfly

Just to give some updates, AS is being overly generous about matches. I know many of you out there want to, or should switch because of AA going to revenue now too. My Mother got matched last August from being DL gold, but at the time of the request she was no longer DL Gold since she had not re-qualified with DL's system. She wrote an e-mail to [email protected], and they matched her to Gold in their program based on her history of frequent travel on DL. Even though she did not re-qualify last year for Gold with AS because of the late match, they gave her Gold again this year.

Thought this may be helpful to know for those who did not re-qualify with their airline, but have a history of extensive travel that can be proven to get status now at AS.

davekennedy

I've traveled 50,000 miles on DL already in 2016, so I have DL Gold through end of 2017 now and likely to reach Platinum.

Given the weakness of Delta's FF plan and rarity of upgrades on the ATL to SEA route, I'm considering switching to Alaska. Should I push through on Delta to reach Platinum and stay there for 2016? Or see if Alaska will status match and collect my miles there for the rest of the year and moving forward?

Any tips?

tom911

Looking at my options with the announced AA changes today.

If I'm reading this correctly, and there have been no changes since last year, an Alaska status match right now would only hold me until the end of 2016, requiring me to fly 90K to requalify for top tier when partners are included, where a status match after October 1 will hold me through all of 2017 and give me the entire year to requalify? I can't see that I'd be able to meet the requalification requirements between Sept-Dec, but an entire year could work. Guess this assumes status matches will still be out there on October 1.

IceTrojan

tom911, even YOU are sniffing around!?

I think you have a solid understanding of AS's matching program. I don't see a reason they wouldn't keep it until October, but that's speculation. They could take it away at any time. Given the changes, they may also very well change how they calculate mileage earning on AA during that time.

Guitarthur

I'm doing some sniffing too. This will be my third year as an AA EXP, but after moving from LAX to Orange County, my upgrade percentage on AA is only about 30% and the combined route networks of AS, AA and DL are much better than AA's three routes. Coupled with the potential of more local work (and not requalifying for EXP) the Alaska challenges are pretty tempting.

tom911

I'm sure that would all be sorted out by October. I spent some time with Fredd at OzFest and I know he is still happy with Alaska. I'm a leisure traveler so the revenue based turn at AA, which pretty much matches UA and DL, doesn't work in my favor. I tend to buy tickets a few months out so an Alaska match after October could work for 2017 travel.

PV_Premier

grab a few SkyTeam premium tickets for $1700 out of SFO now for 2017 travel...if you expect to go this route...

gary_nj

The phone lines at Alaska must be lighting up today... I don't think I have ever visited this forum before, but now I am here trying to learn...

IceTrojan

With my LT PLT in hand, I status-matched to AS 3 years ago, kept MVPG throughout, and am a happy camper. I enjoy their customer-friendly policies... SDC and upgrades, both comp and GGU, have worked well for me, as has the allowed stopover on awards.

Will have to see how the updated AA earnings table will pan out... my first year of requal I had plenty of buffer, but my 2nd was by the skin of my teeth, and I rely pretty heavily on AA (int'l trips).

WillTravel4Food

Well, it looks like I'll spend the next couple months trying to accumulate the last of my AA miles for a trip this fall, then it'll be off to AS. I move to Seattle this fall and will be flying AS most of the time anyway. I do most of my flying on Gov't fares and will find it difficult to make the $6K PLT level. Hopefully the status match is still available in October. I'll be ending my 29 year run on AA with just under 900K lifetime miles. Oh well...time to seek out greener pastures.

tom911

Not ready to book that far out and won't be changing FF programs today. My annual air budget had been around $8,000. If I need to fly 90K for top tier at Alaska, you won't see me buying $1,700 tickets. Five of those tickets would go over my budget and still leave me 30K short.

I have to look at the partner charts to see if I make out better or worse. Will Alaska continue to award 100% miles on AA? Don't think they'll be deciding today, but something I want to keep an eye on. I see some Delta fares only accrue 25% miles. If those are EQM also, the 8 miles per dollar spent at AA may tilt in their direction. Still need time to process everything.

PV_Premier

The mileage numbers in the charts are EQM and base RDM for AS. So a Delta X fare only earns 25% EQM and base RDM. Which is why none of us credit DL coach fares to AS anymore.

diver858

I would make the effort to earn AA LT GLD, even if most of your travel will be on AS. The new AA revenue-based mileage formula is relatively decent for GLDs (believe PLTs should be given more). Assuming fewer people end up with elite status with the new revenue requirement, upgrades and other bennies will become a bit easier, something you will be able to use for the rest of your life. Call me naive, but I am quite confident that US airlines will grandfather million-miler / lifetime status.

diver858

How strict is AS in regard to the 1x lifetime status match?

SkyTeam777

Also curious about this. Couldn't someone just create a new account with a different address?

Also what do top level MVP fliers earn on AA? Just 100% miles flown or an elite level bonus as well? Trying to determine if elite bonus is only for AS flights or also on partner flights.