AA "de-preferenced" by Expedia - "suspension" now lifted April 4, 2011
Dec 24, 2010, 1:10 pm
#106
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: HNL
Programs: AA EXP, Global Entry
Posts: 217
this seems risky, but i applaud AA for making this move with orbitz and not backing down from expedia. i hope other airlines follow suit.
i know that many hotels hate working with expedia because they are pressured into paying them more and more every year as reservations volume increases. i assume it is the same with the airlines. AA is saying "enough" and i hope it works out for them.
i know that many hotels hate working with expedia because they are pressured into paying them more and more every year as reservations volume increases. i assume it is the same with the airlines. AA is saying "enough" and i hope it works out for them.
Dec 24, 2010, 1:15 pm
#107
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Sparks, NV
Programs: AA HH
Posts: 58
Just received a 15% promotion code.
Dec 24, 2010, 1:28 pm
#108
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
Those may be people who have booked AA flights through Orbitz and Expedia in the past? I could certainly use such a coupon good for March travel and would love to hear from AA or some recipient who does not plan to use his.
Dec 24, 2010, 1:33 pm
#109
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,611
The e-mail says it's because I recently used Orbitz to purchase an AA flight (I did), and now they want me to use AA.com for future purchases of American Airlines flights.
Too bad I don't have or need status on AA. 20% off would have been nice on the LAX-DFW-MKE-DFW-LAX same-day mileage run that's available for just over $200 ai and with double miles on the LAX-DFW leg.
Dec 24, 2010, 1:34 pm
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Just as they know why we flow, they know where we buy. It's easy enough to send an email to every AAdvantage member who has used an AA ticket purchased on Expedia or Orbitz in the past xx months.
The notion of web visits or searches as a proxy for puchases is sorely deficient. AA doesn't need a proxy - it has data by purchase point, traveler, city of origin, fare...
The notion of web visits or searches as a proxy for puchases is sorely deficient. AA doesn't need a proxy - it has data by purchase point, traveler, city of origin, fare...
Dec 24, 2010, 1:44 pm
#111
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
I received a targeted 20% e-mail, with a pin code, from AA. It is good for most any AA-metal flight booked by Dec 31 and flown by March 6 (two of the February weekends are blacked out, though.
The e-mail says it's because I recently used Orbitz to purchase an AA flight (I did), and now they want me to use AA.com for future purchases of American Airlines flights.
Too bad I don't have or need status on AA. 20% off would have been nice on the LAX-DFW-MKE-DFW-LAX same-day mileage run that's available for just over $200 ai and with double miles on the LAX-DFW leg.
The e-mail says it's because I recently used Orbitz to purchase an AA flight (I did), and now they want me to use AA.com for future purchases of American Airlines flights.
Too bad I don't have or need status on AA. 20% off would have been nice on the LAX-DFW-MKE-DFW-LAX same-day mileage run that's available for just over $200 ai and with double miles on the LAX-DFW leg.
Dec 24, 2010, 1:47 pm
#112
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: US
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,020
I don't recall using Orbitz or Expedia since I book 95% of my flights on AA.com, but AA send me a 15% off code too.
Dec 24, 2010, 1:57 pm
#113
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA,CX, BA, Priority Club, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 1,397
Me and my wife both got 15% coupon, while my son have nothing...
Dec 24, 2010, 2:05 pm
#115
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Me too. I wonder how they determine who gets these. My wife travels just as much as I do and is also EXP, but she never got the email. Is this because I purchase most of the tickets and am logged in as myself?
Dec 24, 2010, 2:12 pm
#116
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Always on vacation
Programs: aa exp - spg gold - Hyatt Diamond - HH Gold
Posts: 6,007
I have used both orbitz and expedia in the past 12 months and have received neither discount. Would be nice for taking that option away from me.
But IIRC the OTAs did not offer anything to me last century for taking away eaasysabre. Oh wait they offered the ease of searching on their sites. Now everyone considers what they have to be the apex for what could be.
Not for me. What takes place for anyone who wants to find what they really want is multiple searchs at multiple places when it use to be possible to do it all at eaasysabre. YMMV
But IIRC the OTAs did not offer anything to me last century for taking away eaasysabre. Oh wait they offered the ease of searching on their sites. Now everyone considers what they have to be the apex for what could be.
Not for me. What takes place for anyone who wants to find what they really want is multiple searchs at multiple places when it use to be possible to do it all at eaasysabre. YMMV
Dec 24, 2010, 2:32 pm
#117
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
This may be more than a negotiating stance, it may also be a market analysis opportunity. How may people actually click through to see AA rates on Expedia? Will AA notice a drop in bookings in general, or specifically through Expedia? I use tools like Expedia and Orbitz to search, and then I buy on AA.com. AA itself may not realize how many trips to AA.com are sparked by seeing a low rate on an outside website - if they see a significant drop in website traffic, that would be interesting. I actually think this is an incredible business case study in the making.
Playing hardball doesn't seem childish to me. The best stance at the negotiating table is being able to walk away at any time.
Actual purchased tickets, yes.
Click-through referrals, yes.
Do I go to AA.com after I visit Expedia and see a price I like? AA probably has very soft data on this.
Can a corporation act arrogant? Or callous? Can a business be mean or cruel? Can AA or other companies be happy or sad? Moral or immoral? Do companies exist to make their shareholders happy?
Most importantly, since when have airlines existed to make their shareholders wealthier?
Most importantly, since when have airlines existed to make their shareholders wealthier?
Since they became publicly held companies.
Thanks for the laugh!!
Dec 24, 2010, 3:20 pm
#118
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,425
CMB is a special exception. Other sites like Orbitz don't allow ex-CMB tickets either. In general, you can use aa.com to book tickets that originate in non-AA cities outside of the US as long as you choose "All Carriers."
With that said, aa.com is very limited in booking mixed airline itineraries. I'm not happy about all these changes.
With that said, aa.com is very limited in booking mixed airline itineraries. I'm not happy about all these changes.
Dec 24, 2010, 4:32 pm
#119
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
Dec 24, 2010, 6:11 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAX
Posts: 380
I just got 15% off code from AA also, just in time for my next trip in Jan.
It's all thanks to the expedia.ca booking I made with the $300 off coupon to LAS last month.
This is awesome since I have use expedia only for browsing for many years.
It's all thanks to the expedia.ca booking I made with the $300 off coupon to LAS last month.
This is awesome since I have use expedia only for browsing for many years.