No more free snacks/drinks for Platinum / PLT on American Eagle (as of 6/1/11) ???
May 31, 2011, 10:39 am
#76
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Plat Hhonors Gold
Posts: 34
I was thinking about taking American Eagle from DFW to CRP even though it probably makes more sense to drive at their current fares ($105 each way or $.30 per mile). This probably pushes me over the edge toward driving. It really didn't make much sense to fly after considering airport parking and transportation costs in CRP anyway.
May 31, 2011, 10:59 am
#77
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PLT 2M, DL GM
Posts: 38
I think the point lobo was trying to make is that stickers are a form of currency - you earn them by putting your butt in a seat for X thousand miles, and you have a limited supply of them to "spend" on upgrades. I'm permanent AA PLAT and recently hit DL GLD, and every time I get upgraded on DL without having to request it or use some of my limited supply of certificates I really do feel like I'm getting something for free. Not so when I cash in certificates on AA.
May 31, 2011, 11:14 am
#78
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Syracuse, Boston, Athens
Posts: 995
Pity. For those of us who live in American Eagle stations, it is indeed a noticeable loss. Being Platinum in such airports means that most of the Platinum benefits, during traveling itself, are of no consequence:
Priority check-in is irrelevant at such small airports, priority boarding has almost no value (because carry-on will go to Valet, and the number of people boarding the plane is so small anyway), there is no First to upgrade to, "preferred economy class seating" is again almost irrelevant in a ERJ-145, etc. So the free drink/snack was almost the only "perk", even symbolic, to differentiate the experience.
Priority check-in is irrelevant at such small airports, priority boarding has almost no value (because carry-on will go to Valet, and the number of people boarding the plane is so small anyway), there is no First to upgrade to, "preferred economy class seating" is again almost irrelevant in a ERJ-145, etc. So the free drink/snack was almost the only "perk", even symbolic, to differentiate the experience.
May 31, 2011, 11:23 am
#79
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Pity. For those of us who live in American Eagle stations, it is indeed a noticeable loss. Being Platinum in such airports means that most of the Platinum benefits, during traveling itself, are of no consequence:
Priority check-in is irrelevant at such small airports, priority boarding has almost no value (because carry-on will go to Valet, and the number of people boarding the plane is so small anyway), there is no First to upgrade to, "preferred economy class seating" is again almost irrelevant in a ERJ-145, etc. So the free drink/snack was almost the only "perk", even symbolic, to differentiate the experience.
Priority check-in is irrelevant at such small airports, priority boarding has almost no value (because carry-on will go to Valet, and the number of people boarding the plane is so small anyway), there is no First to upgrade to, "preferred economy class seating" is again almost irrelevant in a ERJ-145, etc. So the free drink/snack was almost the only "perk", even symbolic, to differentiate the experience.
May 31, 2011, 11:41 am
#80
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 446
Yeah, but I believe the point is that there is no benefit to being PLT vs GLD in SK's case. For what it's worth, I used to specifically pick AE flights even when there was a mainline alternative just because I got a free snack. If the flight is only 45 minutes long, it's a little pointless to pay for an upgrade when you get the same drink service in Y.
May 31, 2011, 12:01 pm
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL, AA 1MM LT GLD, SPG PLAT, National Exec Selc, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 8,278
Yeah, but I believe the point is that there is no benefit to being PLT vs GLD in SK's case. For what it's worth, I used to specifically pick AE flights even when there was a mainline alternative just because I got a free snack. If the flight is only 45 minutes long, it's a little pointless to pay for an upgrade when you get the same drink service in Y.
Furthermore, while I've had some terrific crews on Eagle (there are relatively more enthusiastic FAs working for Eagle than Mainline IMHO) I would never choose an Eagle flight over mainline. Plus, the upgrade isn't just about service. There's the whole bigger seat thing too.
May 31, 2011, 2:55 pm
#82
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 736
I think the idea that each status tier should have a different in-flight experience on all flights is a little bit of a reach.
Furthermore, while I've had some terrific crews on Eagle (there are relatively more enthusiastic FAs working for Eagle than Mainline IMHO) I would never choose an Eagle flight over mainline. Plus, the upgrade isn't just about service. There's the whole bigger seat thing too.
Furthermore, while I've had some terrific crews on Eagle (there are relatively more enthusiastic FAs working for Eagle than Mainline IMHO) I would never choose an Eagle flight over mainline. Plus, the upgrade isn't just about service. There's the whole bigger seat thing too.
May 31, 2011, 5:25 pm
#84
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: CMI (Champaign, IL)
Programs: AA, WN, UA
Posts: 268
May 31, 2011, 5:54 pm
#85
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: AUS
Programs: AA EXP/OW Emerald
Posts: 352
Now it is First/EXP/Military, then PLT (domestic flights). You are still in the 2nd group, just that all the EXPs will be ahead of you in another group (although most are probably already upgraded on domestic flights due to unlimited upgrades, probably something that factored into this decision).
Jun 1, 2011, 4:17 pm
#86
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: CMI (Champaign, IL)
Programs: AA, WN, UA
Posts: 268
Does anyone have an update on this change and specifically when it will take place? The thread title says "June 1", but other posts say "end of June" or "July 1". As it turns out, as a GLD I am connecting from FC (sticker upgrade) to an AE flight tomorrow, June 2, and I'm curious about the policy with respect to passengers connecting from FC.
If the change did take place today, June 1, then possibly someone on FT has already experienced the new policy.
If the change did take place today, June 1, then possibly someone on FT has already experienced the new policy.
Jun 1, 2011, 4:48 pm
#87
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Radisson Premium
Posts: 6,638
I got a cheese and cracker snack box (it was the first time I saw it) on an ERJ from DFW-SPI back in March. The cheese was rubbery but otherwise pretty good. Came with raisins and shortbread cookies.
Jun 1, 2011, 5:32 pm
#88
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Does anyone have an update on this change and specifically when it will take place? The thread title says "June 1", but other posts say "end of June" or "July 1". As it turns out, as a GLD I am connecting from FC (sticker upgrade) to an AE flight tomorrow, June 2, and I'm curious about the policy with respect to passengers connecting from FC.
If the change did take place today, June 1, then possibly someone on FT has already experienced the new policy.
If the change did take place today, June 1, then possibly someone on FT has already experienced the new policy.
/Moderator
Jun 1, 2011, 9:19 pm
#89
Join Date: May 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: AA CK, Marriott LT Ti, Hertz 5*, Avis PC
Posts: 541
No. Previous official order was First, then EXP/PLT (although there are unofficial variations many of us experienced, such as First then Priority Access, First then EXP then PA, and my personal favorite: "y'all come").
Now it is First/EXP/Military, then PLT (domestic flights). You are still in the 2nd group, just that all the EXPs will be ahead of you in another group (although most are probably already upgraded on domestic flights due to unlimited upgrades, probably something that factored into this decision).
Now it is First/EXP/Military, then PLT (domestic flights). You are still in the 2nd group, just that all the EXPs will be ahead of you in another group (although most are probably already upgraded on domestic flights due to unlimited upgrades, probably something that factored into this decision).
PLTs haven't lost their boarding position, they have just be segregated from EXPs, and in all reality, how many EXPs are there on a plane? If there are 30, then there are 60 PLT and they divided it up anyway. Kudos to AA for not making EXPs enter with the cattle herd of PLTs.
Jun 1, 2011, 11:23 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,600
Apparently it is indeed June 1. On tonight's 9:40PM ORD-PIT flight, FA announced the change, along the lines of "...some of our AAdvantage members are entitled to complimentary snacks and beverages. Effective today, the company has changed that policy. Only EXPs, Airpass, CK and military in uniform are now eligible for these complimentary items. I do have a list of those eligible pax so let me know if you wish anything." And she did, handing me the trail mix without questioning my status.