will you leave AS for AA Platinum?
May 2, 2014, 3:12 pm
#16
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Flight 668 or 667
Programs: AS MVP 75K, Starwood Rewards
Posts: 84
I have AA elite status and live in Seattle, and I fly a bunch on AS. My take on your situation is this:
As an AS MVP, you are not likely to get that many upgrades on the SAN-SEA run. You're definitely not getting any on AA. With AA Plat, you have a decent chance at an upgrade (depending on day of flight) on the much longer SAN-MIA flight. As an AA Plat, you will still get access to AS preferred seating (Row 6 and exit row in particular).
International lounge access has also been mentioned. I think the other thing to consider is that AA Plat's get 100% mileage bonus per flight (I believe MVP's get 25%). So, if you're flying 25k miles a year, you're talking an extra 18,750 miles for a year.
That being said, AA miles are a bit less useful than AS miles (depending on where you want to go - availability on can be big). And certainly, after the big devalue a month ago of AA miles, there is lots of speculation that it will continue to deteriorate as the merger takes place.
Basically, if you MVP Gold, I'd say stick with AS. AS is the best domestic airline out there. As an MVP, you do have some incentive to change to get higher status for a year.
Good luck!
As an AS MVP, you are not likely to get that many upgrades on the SAN-SEA run. You're definitely not getting any on AA. With AA Plat, you have a decent chance at an upgrade (depending on day of flight) on the much longer SAN-MIA flight. As an AA Plat, you will still get access to AS preferred seating (Row 6 and exit row in particular).
International lounge access has also been mentioned. I think the other thing to consider is that AA Plat's get 100% mileage bonus per flight (I believe MVP's get 25%). So, if you're flying 25k miles a year, you're talking an extra 18,750 miles for a year.
That being said, AA miles are a bit less useful than AS miles (depending on where you want to go - availability on can be big). And certainly, after the big devalue a month ago of AA miles, there is lots of speculation that it will continue to deteriorate as the merger takes place.
Basically, if you MVP Gold, I'd say stick with AS. AS is the best domestic airline out there. As an MVP, you do have some incentive to change to get higher status for a year.
Good luck!
Do you by chance know what the upgrade chances are for SEA/DFW on AA for AA Executive Platinum? I fly at least 125K miles every year on that one route.
I'm impatiently waiting for AS to add my dream schedule of a permanent DFW flight to SEA at 8 AM and a SEA to DFW flight out at 6:30 PM. Right now, last flight out of Seattle is on DL at 4:30ish, but you have to go through SLC and I am not a fan of DL so that route is out.
I flew AA from DFW to SEA a few times last year. 3 of the 4 times my departure time was more than 1 hour late. The only time we departed on time was the Monday morning flight I took that left at 8 AM. I remember there being at least 40 Executive Platinums on that flight! I'm guessing that's typical?
May 2, 2014, 3:18 pm
#17
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Flight 668 or 667
Programs: AS MVP 75K, Starwood Rewards
Posts: 84
Even being based in RDU and with DL starting to squeeze harder, I'm sticking with AS, at least until the AA/US merger is done with. Hard to see it not getting tougher over there. So long as I can get to Australia in CX FC for 160,000 miles, I'm staying...I waver sometimes, but AS, IMO, still has the best program out there.
Plus...one day, AS will fly to RDU. I just know it
Plus...one day, AS will fly to RDU. I just know it
That way they could plug all the holes in their schedule... RDU being a big one. I know it's a crummy location, but has any airline ever considered using OKC as a hub? It's about smack in the middle of the country. And the biggest airline there is WN. I'd bet money the State of Okla would pay big money (i.e. subsidize) for an airline to base operations out of that city. I realize OKC sucks...but that's off topic!
May 2, 2014, 4:01 pm
#19
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SEA, PAE, BLI
Programs: WN A-List Preferred, AS, DL Kryptonium
Posts: 1,607
I'm curious....
Do you by chance know what the upgrade chances are for SEA/DFW on AA for AA Executive Platinum? I fly at least 125K miles every year on that one route.
I'm impatiently waiting for AS to add my dream schedule of a permanent DFW flight to SEA at 8 AM and a SEA to DFW flight out at 6:30 PM. Right now, last flight out of Seattle is on DL at 4:30ish, but you have to go through SLC and I am not a fan of DL so that route is out.
I flew AA from DFW to SEA a few times last year. 3 of the 4 times my departure time was more than 1 hour late. The only time we departed on time was the Monday morning flight I took that left at 8 AM. I remember there being at least 40 Executive Platinums on that flight! I'm guessing that's typical?
Do you by chance know what the upgrade chances are for SEA/DFW on AA for AA Executive Platinum? I fly at least 125K miles every year on that one route.
I'm impatiently waiting for AS to add my dream schedule of a permanent DFW flight to SEA at 8 AM and a SEA to DFW flight out at 6:30 PM. Right now, last flight out of Seattle is on DL at 4:30ish, but you have to go through SLC and I am not a fan of DL so that route is out.
I flew AA from DFW to SEA a few times last year. 3 of the 4 times my departure time was more than 1 hour late. The only time we departed on time was the Monday morning flight I took that left at 8 AM. I remember there being at least 40 Executive Platinums on that flight! I'm guessing that's typical?
I wish AS would go get 40 MD80s like DL is doing for their "global airline" campaign in Seattle. Either that or don't retire those 737s so fast. (Of course they'd have to get pilots and staff to fly them but that's a different problem)
That way they could plug all the holes in their schedule... RDU being a big one. I know it's a crummy location, but has any airline ever considered using OKC as a hub? It's about smack in the middle of the country. And the biggest airline there is WN. I'd bet money the State of Okla would pay big money (i.e. subsidize) for an airline to base operations out of that city. I realize OKC sucks...but that's off topic!
That way they could plug all the holes in their schedule... RDU being a big one. I know it's a crummy location, but has any airline ever considered using OKC as a hub? It's about smack in the middle of the country. And the biggest airline there is WN. I'd bet money the State of Okla would pay big money (i.e. subsidize) for an airline to base operations out of that city. I realize OKC sucks...but that's off topic!
In terms of OKC becoming an airline hub, US airlines are preferring to have hubs in cities with lots of O&D business traffic, hence the flight reductions at MEM, CVG, and CLE. Even though airports such as LAX, ATL, and MIA are out of the way for many domestic destinations, they have lots of O&D business traffic.
May 2, 2014, 5:47 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,450
If it was ExPlat, complete with a full compliment of eVIPs... that might be tempting, especially using the eVIPs to travel overseas in J on cheap Y fares (and requalify on AS).
Last edited by eponymous_coward; May 2, 2014 at 6:04 pm
May 2, 2014, 7:54 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,817
+1. The annual fee for the AMEX Plat is worth it since we get access at the AS Boardroom in SEA and the Centurion Lounge at DFW. ^ Since all AA flights between SEA-DFW go to Terminal D it works out really well.
May 2, 2014, 9:15 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
I'm curious....
Do you by chance know what the upgrade chances are for SEA/DFW on AA for AA Executive Platinum? I fly at least 125K miles every year on that one route.
I'm impatiently waiting for AS to add my dream schedule of a permanent DFW flight to SEA at 8 AM and a SEA to DFW flight out at 6:30 PM. Right now, last flight out of Seattle is on DL at 4:30ish, but you have to go through SLC and I am not a fan of DL so that route is out.
I flew AA from DFW to SEA a few times last year. 3 of the 4 times my departure time was more than 1 hour late. The only time we departed on time was the Monday morning flight I took that left at 8 AM. I remember there being at least 40 Executive Platinums on that flight! I'm guessing that's typical?
Do you by chance know what the upgrade chances are for SEA/DFW on AA for AA Executive Platinum? I fly at least 125K miles every year on that one route.
I'm impatiently waiting for AS to add my dream schedule of a permanent DFW flight to SEA at 8 AM and a SEA to DFW flight out at 6:30 PM. Right now, last flight out of Seattle is on DL at 4:30ish, but you have to go through SLC and I am not a fan of DL so that route is out.
I flew AA from DFW to SEA a few times last year. 3 of the 4 times my departure time was more than 1 hour late. The only time we departed on time was the Monday morning flight I took that left at 8 AM. I remember there being at least 40 Executive Platinums on that flight! I'm guessing that's typical?
May 2, 2014, 9:19 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
May 2, 2014, 9:21 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,859
Almost has me regretting closing my Amex Plat card in favor of Citi Exec card. I've heard those Centurion lounges are very nice. Oh well...
May 2, 2014, 10:04 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SEA, PAE, BLI
Programs: WN A-List Preferred, AS, DL Kryptonium
Posts: 1,607
DFW Terminal D is very spacious and has good dining options much like ATL Concourse F.
My last DFW-SEA flight landed at a JetBlue gate (D5?) as the SEA-DFW redeye was delayed. Those gates appear to be common use gates.
May 3, 2014, 11:13 am
#27
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AA 2MM former EXP - driven away by "Enhancements", MVPG75, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 585
I'm curious....
Do you by chance know what the upgrade chances are for SEA/DFW on AA for AA Executive Platinum? I fly at least 125K miles every year on that one route.
I'm impatiently waiting for AS to add my dream schedule of a permanent DFW flight to SEA at 8 AM and a SEA to DFW flight out at 6:30 PM. Right now, last flight out of Seattle is on DL at 4:30ish, but you have to go through SLC and I am not a fan of DL so that route is out.
I flew AA from DFW to SEA a few times last year. 3 of the 4 times my departure time was more than 1 hour late. The only time we departed on time was the Monday morning flight I took that left at 8 AM. I remember there being at least 40 Executive Platinums on that flight! I'm guessing that's typical?
Do you by chance know what the upgrade chances are for SEA/DFW on AA for AA Executive Platinum? I fly at least 125K miles every year on that one route.
I'm impatiently waiting for AS to add my dream schedule of a permanent DFW flight to SEA at 8 AM and a SEA to DFW flight out at 6:30 PM. Right now, last flight out of Seattle is on DL at 4:30ish, but you have to go through SLC and I am not a fan of DL so that route is out.
I flew AA from DFW to SEA a few times last year. 3 of the 4 times my departure time was more than 1 hour late. The only time we departed on time was the Monday morning flight I took that left at 8 AM. I remember there being at least 40 Executive Platinums on that flight! I'm guessing that's typical?
On-time performance varies, but it's been a while since I've had a bad run (as in 3 of 4 flights an hour late). The morning flights out of SEA are almost always on time.
May 3, 2014, 8:06 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SJC
Programs: AS: MVPG, Hyatt: P, SPG: G, Marriott: G, IHG: P
Posts: 305
Nope for now.
I was UA Gold last year, and I can choose to match AS MVPG or AA Platinum (my company has a deal with AA so we can match instead of trial). I chose AS (also I could choose both, but that's meaningless as I can't keep both statuses the next year) because AA's future is unclear and I think they have big chance to follow DL and UA's footsteps. Also I live in SJC so both AS and AA give me about the same choices (less choices than UA's SFO hub) but I slightly prefer AS's fare (and easy upgrade!) of SJC-Hawaii.
I was UA Gold last year, and I can choose to match AS MVPG or AA Platinum (my company has a deal with AA so we can match instead of trial). I chose AS (also I could choose both, but that's meaningless as I can't keep both statuses the next year) because AA's future is unclear and I think they have big chance to follow DL and UA's footsteps. Also I live in SJC so both AS and AA give me about the same choices (less choices than UA's SFO hub) but I slightly prefer AS's fare (and easy upgrade!) of SJC-Hawaii.