AA "de-preferenced" by Expedia - "suspension" now lifted April 4, 2011
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
As you mention, the original point indicated that "business" is abstract, detached from people, and not subject to morality, and that's what I reacted to. I see now that I was a bit OT, and apologize for it.
BTW, I do think that AA is being quite arrogant and callous, and totally support Expedia's reaction (their contract is expiring too, Orbitz just did sooner than theirs) given the circumstances.
#77
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Texas
Programs: AA EXP, UA Premier Plat, Alaska MVP Gold, HHonors Diamond, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,053
American claims the move to screw Orbitz removes the middleman but the fact is that this is just another way this airline is scrambling to get every dime it can. The real problem at AA is that even if they were packing the planes with $100 bills, they couldn't make money because their senior management team is clueless and lacks leadership.
Go Expedia!!!!!
Go Expedia!!!!!
Uh-huh. Go Expedia my ......
#78
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
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Posts: 11,956
At this point in time those managers have put AA in the position of being on the bottom rung of the legacy airlines.
#79
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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Posts: 21,422
Expedia's behavior seems to be a bit short sighted. They are depriving their customer's of a valid comparison of major carriers. Flying AA is the BEST option in many cases, but Expedia doesn't want to give their customers the best options for travel
#80
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 11,956
So it is. But Expedia has decided not to be bullied by AA. Have you heard of UA/CO DL US? They are also important airlines and often they have the BEST option - overall much more so than AA has.
#81
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold
Posts: 609
YES, this is my biggest/only concern. for people who are STUCK using expedia to book with points or with corporate travel systems that use expedia, it will be harder to book AA fares...
People still use expedia? I thought kayak would have saturated the market by now... there's no reason not to use kayak... it takes you to the lowest fare... minus WN...
People still use expedia? I thought kayak would have saturated the market by now... there's no reason not to use kayak... it takes you to the lowest fare... minus WN...
#82
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP & million miler
Posts: 3,992
Most importantly, since when have airlines existed to make their shareholders wealthier?
#83
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Western Mass
Programs: AA, HH, Hyatt Gold, Marriott Platinum, UA, DL, US
Posts: 424
YES, this is my biggest/only concern. for people who are STUCK using expedia to book with points or with corporate travel systems that use expedia, it will be harder to book AA fares...
People still use expedia? I thought kayak would have saturated the market by now... there's no reason not to use kayak... it takes you to the lowest fare... minus WN...
People still use expedia? I thought kayak would have saturated the market by now... there's no reason not to use kayak... it takes you to the lowest fare... minus WN...
JB
#84
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I never claimed AA always or usually was the best option for people, only that it often is, and some areas where it is the only major carrier.
#85
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Location: Benicia, California, USA
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#86
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold
Posts: 609
unless you are referring to the first search page where there are ads in "pop-ups" to orbitz/expedia, etc. once you enter a flight search. however, you can disable those
#89
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
So, yes, the well-educated and determined consumer can still get AA flights with the package savings.
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,097
I think this graphs are sobering. Expedia's reach is 2.5 times AA.com's
Source: http://www.google.com/trends?q=aa.co...ate=all&sort=0
Source: http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/aa.com#
Also, according to this, Expedia is over 2 times more popular than Orbitz, and AA is now either absent or "de-preferenced" from Agency sites that account for 20.73% of US traffic.
Ouch. They better quickly increase existing fees and introduce new ones to make up for the revenue hit!
Source: http://www.google.com/trends?q=aa.co...ate=all&sort=0
Source: http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/aa.com#
Also, according to this, Expedia is over 2 times more popular than Orbitz, and AA is now either absent or "de-preferenced" from Agency sites that account for 20.73% of US traffic.
Ouch. They better quickly increase existing fees and introduce new ones to make up for the revenue hit!