Smeadcw

And the DL cards give no mileage credit to the companion. It's a cheap flight much like AS, but no hopes of the companion making elite status with it.

jackal

The change to the MVPG upgrade certificates was supposed to increase complimentary upgrades for AS elites by preventing many of the certs from being used, but I haven't heard anyone say their upgrade percentage has gone up since that happened. I think the number of people using their companion certs for full F is so small as to be a non-issue...which means that AS's use of it as the reason for the change is .

Good to know Caroline is only the messenger. Folks should be sure not to direct their anger at her personally but rather at AS. Make the letters fit to forward on to the C-levels who are responsible for making these policy changes.

I have put out the idea that these changes are coming from the top down--the fruits of having an accountant take over the company and ruin what the former CEOs who came from marketing backgrounds had built up into one of the best and most-loved carriers in the market. I've even floated the idea among a few with inside knowledge, and while lips are pretty tight, the assertion has not been challenged by anyone legitimate, so I can only assume I'm hitting pretty close to home.

sxf24

I don't know who you're talking to, but I've consistently heard that the change in leadership has not changed the culture.

The focus on sustainable financial results has been in place for many years. We're just seeing it manifested in areas that are more visible to consumers.

Cholula

Exactly what happened 10 years ago to DL when they made a bean counter their CEO.

Leo practically destroyed the SkyMiles program and nearly took the rest of the airline down with him until the Board of Director's mercifully replaced him with someone who focused on customers and employees.

Peter_Ng

our 2 certs will be expires on 7/11. I am trying to book something refundable to extend them. I assume that the new certs would be issued on 7/12 (?). How about I will book that two new ones and cancel both card at the end of the monthly cycle to prevent the $75 fee. Can I do that? Anyone with experience can shed me some light. Thanks

golfingboy

IME, the certs will be deposited in your account shortly after Bofa collects your annual fee. I have never seen any of my discounts/certs posted into my account on the day or a few days before the annual fee is due.

ANC

I wont be keeping my card around anymore. A coach companion fare will bsically cost you not 110 but $185 annually. Not worth it. I can see where this is going too. Next the fee will be raised to $95 a year. Yeah we all now know the previous so called errors or typos were not typos. They just published it prematurely.

ANC

on going costs to retain a worthless card is whats going to prompt me to get rid of it and make changes

Eujeanie

I just got my annual renewal and companion cert so it can still be used for F. It expires July 3, 2013. That does not mean I have to fly by July 3, 2013, correct? It just means I have to book by next July, so I can book something for, say, May 2014 still using this F-able cert, yes?

sxf24

Yes, you just need to book by the expiration date.

golfingboy

Let's say the fare is $400... Your companion will cost you:

$75 annual fee
$110 companion fee
$50 in taxes

Total: $235

Total price for two tickets will be $635, which will only effectively save you $165. Does not really sound like a great deal to me... YMMV, of course.

Eujeanie

I'd like someone to hand me $165 today.

I agree the change sucks but I'm not sure I'm going to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I live in Eugene and AS is our only viable choice for the places we fly most.

I really don't put much on my AS Visa, preferring to use my Hilton Amex, but I use the Visa for transactions that don't take Amex.

czpdx

How is saving $165 not a good deal? Would you rather pay AS $165 more than you would otherwise?

When the competitor's flights are $83 cheaper (x2), then it's a wash (which I see a lot and which dilutes the value further), but all else being equal, I'll take $165 in my pocket all day long.

golfingboy

1. Often from the east coast going to somewhere other than PNW, to get a decent connection the times usually suck if you want the lowest fare. Often requiring an overnight.

2. Often AS's fares are higher than UA/DL/AA on many east coast to west coast routes, which eats into the potential savings and often exceeds the savings.

I never meant to imply that it is worthless, I am just disagreeing on the notion that it is a "GREAT deal". I am not sure if it is worthwhile to suffer with a rather restrictive east coast to west coast schedule along with 4+ hours connections just to save $165 for two people.

If the flights you normally take and the companion discount works for you, then great, but it is not the great deal it once was for me.

johnp012001

What's the $50 in taxes?