AAdvantage [losing value or] Is it just me?
Feb 14, 2012, 7:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas Area
Programs: AA EX PLT, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 149
AAdvantage [losing value or] Is it just me?
Is it just me or has the AAvantage program been losing value over the last few years.
Upgrade from Economy to Business on an international flight and they stick you with $350 each way.
The credit card miles no longer count toward million mile status. I am sitting at 1,800,000 miles and was hoping to hit the magic 2 mill in the next 18 months, now it will take longer.
If I did not live in Dallas, I would have bolted to Star Alliance long ago.
Upgrade from Economy to Business on an international flight and they stick you with $350 each way.
The credit card miles no longer count toward million mile status. I am sitting at 1,800,000 miles and was hoping to hit the magic 2 mill in the next 18 months, now it will take longer.
If I did not live in Dallas, I would have bolted to Star Alliance long ago.
Feb 14, 2012, 7:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bay Area
Programs: WN A-List, AA good-riddance, Safeway Club Card Extraordinaire
Posts: 3,851
Losing value for you, gaining value for those who are willing to pay $350 for upgrades and achieve million-mile status through flying alone. Which type of customer do you think brings more revenue to AA?
Feb 14, 2012, 7:48 pm
#3
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Do you hold elite status with AA? If you're moving to UA, there's been a lot of changes over there (and credit card miles don't count towards lifetime status there--never have).
What benefits, exactly, do you see by jumping to Star Alliance?
Feb 14, 2012, 7:50 pm
#4
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
What would it cost to just buy the cabin class you actually wish to fly in? Can you upgrade all fare inventory class on the competition? Can you use miles from any source to make Million Miler status with the competition? And how many million miles do you have on UA now, anyway? 
Is it just me or has the AAvantage program been losing value over the last few years.
Upgrade from Economy to Business on an international flight and they stick you with $350 each way.
The credit card miles no longer count toward million mile status. I am sitting at 1,800,000 miles and was hoping to hit the magic 2 mill in the next 18 months, now it will take longer.
If I did not live in Dallas, I would have bolted to Star Alliance long ago.
Upgrade from Economy to Business on an international flight and they stick you with $350 each way.
The credit card miles no longer count toward million mile status. I am sitting at 1,800,000 miles and was hoping to hit the magic 2 mill in the next 18 months, now it will take longer.
If I did not live in Dallas, I would have bolted to Star Alliance long ago.
Feb 14, 2012, 7:50 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum
Posts: 23
Feb 14, 2012, 8:04 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: Fabulous on one of the US carriers..
Posts: 11,878
Op - have you checked out the copays on United?
http://www.united.com/ual/asset/MUA_...after_6_15.pdf
And while you are at it, check their million miler program. It might be tough for you starting all over.
http://www.united.com/ual/asset/MUA_...after_6_15.pdf
And while you are at it, check their million miler program. It might be tough for you starting all over.
Feb 14, 2012, 8:24 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: AA EXP, 3MM AA, Admirals Club
Posts: 461
Is it just me or has the AAvantage program been losing value over the last few years.
Upgrade from Economy to Business on an international flight and they stick you with $350 each way.
The credit card miles no longer count toward million mile status. I am sitting at 1,800,000 miles and was hoping to hit the magic 2 mill in the next 18 months, now it will take longer.
If I did not live in Dallas, I would have bolted to Star Alliance long ago.
Upgrade from Economy to Business on an international flight and they stick you with $350 each way.
The credit card miles no longer count toward million mile status. I am sitting at 1,800,000 miles and was hoping to hit the magic 2 mill in the next 18 months, now it will take longer.
If I did not live in Dallas, I would have bolted to Star Alliance long ago.
Feb 14, 2012, 8:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: NY "expat" living in BOS
Programs: AA Gold, rif-raf on most others; MBTA "valued customer"
Posts: 374
Have you considered Delta, home of the 80k Y Domestic Award and 300k Transatlantic J award?
Feb 14, 2012, 8:51 pm
#10
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I'm one of those. I gave away seven of my UA systemwides last year to friends with international travel booked and used the remaining two on a domestic itinerary. I refuse to buy up on international in an attempt to use them. There's even a thread on the UA forum about those who have bought up to a higher fare and then not cleared (and no refund of the fare difference if you don't). I don't have a single mile booked on UA this year solely due to reductions in benefit in the 1MM program there. It's become pretty worthless to me as a UA 1MMer.
Feb 14, 2012, 8:54 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Dallas Area
Programs: AA EX PLT, Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 149
Thanks for the info.
I guess every airline has upped the Co-Pays
I have about 800K on UA mostly from when I lived in Chicago.
I have been a Platinum on AA for the last 20 years.
Some of my clients that cover my travel push me to the lowest fare and that keeps me from hitting the 100K each year on AA.
I guess every airline has upped the Co-Pays
I have about 800K on UA mostly from when I lived in Chicago.
I have been a Platinum on AA for the last 20 years.
Some of my clients that cover my travel push me to the lowest fare and that keeps me from hitting the 100K each year on AA.
Feb 14, 2012, 8:55 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Thanks for the info.
I guess every airline has upped the Co-Pays
I have about 800K on UA mostly from when I lived in Chicago.
I have been a Platinum on AA for the last 20 years.
Some of my clients that cover my travel push me to the lowest fare and that keeps me from hitting the 100K each year on AA.
I guess every airline has upped the Co-Pays
I have about 800K on UA mostly from when I lived in Chicago.
I have been a Platinum on AA for the last 20 years.
Some of my clients that cover my travel push me to the lowest fare and that keeps me from hitting the 100K each year on AA.
Feb 14, 2012, 9:01 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Feb 14, 2012, 9:06 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 699
I'd say it's lost some value, but compared to other programs it has loss less - still the most superior program.