AAdvantage Elite Card Use?
Feb 25, 2012, 8:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: 2014 SPG Plat, 2013 Marriott Plat, 2011 AA EXP->PLT->GLD, 1MM, 2013 Delta Gold
Posts: 35
AAdvantage Elite Card Use?
This isn't particular to AA but I'm posting here because it's the card I most recently received in the mail.
Why do the frequent flyer programs continue to send the physical elite card? I have never used one and don't see any reason I'd ever use it as long as I have my FF number. When do you use your card?
Why do the frequent flyer programs continue to send the physical elite card? I have never used one and don't see any reason I'd ever use it as long as I have my FF number. When do you use your card?
Feb 25, 2012, 9:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
For me, I can think of 3 occasions when using the card
1) to request my free drink, snack for EXP when traveling on coach.
2) when approaching a counter to request stand by on earlier flight
This one is somewhat more related to me, but I bet there are others that share this problem.
3) check in kiosk, I happen to have 2 last name and sometimes the kiosk ask for last name, which sometimes is together, other time is separate. It is simpler for me to use the card, as I have no way on knowing how is it that AA ticketed my bp.
2) when approaching a counter to request stand by on earlier flight
This one is somewhat more related to me, but I bet there are others that share this problem.
3) check in kiosk, I happen to have 2 last name and sometimes the kiosk ask for last name, which sometimes is together, other time is separate. It is simpler for me to use the card, as I have no way on knowing how is it that AA ticketed my bp.
Feb 25, 2012, 9:11 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, Citi AA Elite, HH GLD, Grand Wailea Elite
Posts: 94
Flash it to the FA when ordering a cocktail in Y instead of a verbal DYKWIA?
Feb 25, 2012, 9:14 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA Exp/1M, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Pre Plat
Posts: 146
sometimes you need it to get into one world lounges (i needed it for entry in the royal jordanian back in the day....).
Feb 25, 2012, 9:21 pm
#5
Senior Moderator and Moderator: American AAdvantage & TravelBuzz
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 10,417
This isn't particular to AA but I'm posting here because it's the card I most recently received in the mail.
Why do the frequent flyer programs continue to send the physical elite card? I have never used one and don't see any reason I'd ever use it as long as I have my FF number. When do you use your card?
Why do the frequent flyer programs continue to send the physical elite card? I have never used one and don't see any reason I'd ever use it as long as I have my FF number. When do you use your card?
/ModeratorAs for me, I carry my EXP card for two purposes: 1) to show FAs on my Eagle flights to get my snack/drink, 2) lounge access. (I normally don't have to show my card for AA or oneworld carrier lounges; however, I have needed it to gain access to third-party contract lounges that operate on behalf of oneworld airlines.)
Edit to add: One thing I forgot... 3) I've occasionally flashed my EXP card to gain access to priority TSA lines when I'm not flying AA.
Last edited by JY1024; Feb 25, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Feb 25, 2012, 9:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LAX/JFK
Programs: AA PLT
Posts: 106
I needed to show the card to an AS ticket agent recently to avoid being charged baggage fees for two checked bags.
Feb 25, 2012, 10:02 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,439
I keep my card handy in my travel wallet, and use it to swipe at the ticketing kiosk.
Feb 25, 2012, 10:19 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,267
It comes in handy if you lose your keys while traveling and need to pop the lock on the back door. ^
Feb 25, 2012, 10:48 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
I normally keep my card with me to flash to the contract employees who are posted near the entrances to the LAX and JFK priority check-in areas. They seem to think I'm one of the riff-raff (young, t-shirt, jeans... yet somehow, an EXP).
If your upgrade hasn't cleared yet (or you might do standby and wind up in coach), keeping your EXP card handy to show the FA for the snack/drink benefit is a good strategy.
If your upgrade hasn't cleared yet (or you might do standby and wind up in coach), keeping your EXP card handy to show the FA for the snack/drink benefit is a good strategy.
Feb 26, 2012, 7:59 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 41
Mainly use mine in Europe.
They have those master switches in Hotels that require you to insert a room key to have the electricity running.
I insert my AA card instead - that way the heat or air con works when I am not in the hotel room.
They have those master switches in Hotels that require you to insert a room key to have the electricity running.
I insert my AA card instead - that way the heat or air con works when I am not in the hotel room.
Feb 26, 2012, 9:43 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Park, Metropolis
Programs: AA LT PLT 3MM, Hilton/Marriott/SPG/Club Carlson GLD, IHG PLT
Posts: 4,608
I forgot about this one
+1^
Feb 26, 2012, 9:45 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: west of DFW airport
Programs: AA LT Gold 1.9 MM flying my way to LT PLAT
Posts: 11,074
Feb 26, 2012, 10:47 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: AA EXP/LTP, BA GGL/CCR/GfL, HH D/LTD, SPG/MR Plat/LTP
Posts: 10,076
Feb 26, 2012, 10:54 am
#14
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton
Posts: 3,191