AA Gift Cards - Save 10% @ Costco [only remaining supply left - phasing out]
Jul 11, 2012, 7:57 am
#1381
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
This thread is getting kind of funny. Can't help but wonder if the rapidly declining stock of cards is caused directly by FTers panicking as they read these reports. Wouldn't be surprised if Costco has sold more of these cards in the last week than in the previous six months!
I would start in SEA to get around US origin rule.
Jul 11, 2012, 10:26 am
#1382
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Maybe, just maybe, the warehouses that have stocked the gift cards will not be restocking them and instead, they'll be stocked at different warehouses from now on. For instance, I have not seen them at two San Fernando Valley locations (Northridge or Canoga Park) despite their availability at Van Nuys and Westlake Village. My guess, however, is that they're disappearing. And if they don't disappear, that's ok too.
Jul 11, 2012, 10:34 am
#1383
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,639
Some have speculated that they are discontinuing the cards because they were selling too many. Others think they were selling too few. Others think it was always supposed to be temporary, to raise some quick cash. But I had another thought.
Early speculation when they first appeared was that they were simply a marketing tool, aimed at getting non-AA fliers and airline-agnostic fliers to choose AA. That explains why they were never available in the DFW area, since most of us here usually fly AA anyway. I wonder if they did some analysis of who was redeeming these cards, and found a higher-than-expected utilization by AA elites. If they realized that they were discounting for existing customers more than they were attracting new customers, then it would be only logical to for them to pull the plug.
Early speculation when they first appeared was that they were simply a marketing tool, aimed at getting non-AA fliers and airline-agnostic fliers to choose AA. That explains why they were never available in the DFW area, since most of us here usually fly AA anyway. I wonder if they did some analysis of who was redeeming these cards, and found a higher-than-expected utilization by AA elites. If they realized that they were discounting for existing customers more than they were attracting new customers, then it would be only logical to for them to pull the plug.
Jul 11, 2012, 10:41 am
#1384
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,639
I would guess that's uniform across the enterprise, so any grand vision of the future of AA gift cards or any other inventory item you think you've gotten was very likely an employee's [uniformed] opinion, nothing more.
Jul 11, 2012, 10:54 am
#1385
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.
Jul 12, 2012, 11:26 am
#1386
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,249
Picked up 25 in Waltham, MA, yesterday. I was told they have "about 75" left.
Jul 12, 2012, 1:06 pm
#1387
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,938
If the entire display of giftcards from a 4 week old costco has been removed, that is a pretty sure sign that it will not be restocked.
Jul 12, 2012, 1:07 pm
#1388
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
I only joined Costco for the AA gift cards. So when my membership expires in Aug., I won't renew. Would an email "blitz" to Costco, requesting that they re-instate the cards have any positive effect?
Jul 12, 2012, 1:14 pm
#1389
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
2) This is probably in preparation of AA going away (if in name only) after a merger or sale.
Jul 12, 2012, 1:19 pm
#1390
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
I wasn't aware of this (very nice) cancellation policy--even if I've already used the 2% rebate check.
Jul 12, 2012, 1:19 pm
#1391
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Nobody here knows exactly why the cards are being discontinued, but you can be certain that it's not in preparation of "AA going away."
Jul 12, 2012, 1:41 pm
#1392
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: jfk area
Programs: AA platinum; 2MM AA, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,291
No disagreement there, but nrr might want to wander the aisles of their local Costco - there's plenty of stuff at good prices.
I'm sorry, but that's not even in the realm of possibility. AA isn't "going away." Its stated plans are to emerge from Ch 11 as American Airlines. Even if Doug Parker completes his intended hostile takeover, he has already said that the name remains American Airlines.
Nobody here knows exactly why the cards are being discontinued, but you can be certain that it's not in preparation of "AA going away."
I'm sorry, but that's not even in the realm of possibility. AA isn't "going away." Its stated plans are to emerge from Ch 11 as American Airlines. Even if Doug Parker completes his intended hostile takeover, he has already said that the name remains American Airlines.
Nobody here knows exactly why the cards are being discontinued, but you can be certain that it's not in preparation of "AA going away."
Jul 12, 2012, 2:52 pm
#1393
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
...I'm sorry, but that's not even in the realm of possibility. AA isn't "going away." Its stated plans are to emerge from Ch 11 as American Airlines. Even if Doug Parker completes his intended hostile takeover, he has already said that the name remains American Airlines.
Nobody here knows exactly why the cards are being discontinued, but you can be certain that it's not in preparation of "AA going away."
Nobody here knows exactly why the cards are being discontinued, but you can be certain that it's not in preparation of "AA going away."
Jul 12, 2012, 2:56 pm
#1394
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Not to start an argument, but anything is possible. Doug's offer is not the only offer on the table. Last news report I heard was five companies looking at AA. Until it's all over, we just have to wait and see. FT postings are nothing but speculation and I stick to mine.
Jul 12, 2012, 2:56 pm
#1395
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
I haven't been paying attention, but did Hyatt "go away" after Costco quit carrying their Gift Cards (20% off) a year or so ago?