AA to extend match status given EXP to UA 1Ks for flying 55K
Jun 7, 2012, 10:20 am
#91
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
It just seems to me that AA is trying to grab more high volume and often higher fare flyers from the competition, particularly if AA believes that the competition is making changes to alienate those customers.
It might also mean at least in the short run AA will not make changes that adversely impact EXPs, first and foremost requiring certain fare codes for the use of SWUs.
It might also mean at least in the short run AA will not make changes that adversely impact EXPs, first and foremost requiring certain fare codes for the use of SWUs.
Jun 7, 2012, 4:43 pm
#92
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA LT Plat, UA 1k/1mm+, National EE, IC Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,605
The problem I see with this is that it could apply every year. Setting a precedent for allowing existing customers a shortcut to EXP if they happen to be behind is, IMO, a bad idea. I see the point that maybe they should do it just this once since they're doing the UA thing. I just don't see that it would stop there in people's expectations.
In any year, there are AA fliers that might "fly more" with a reduced incentive. I don't think it's a good idea to provide this incentive. If people want a status, they should earn it. Even challenges should be once-per-lifetime, IMO.
Cheers.
In any year, there are AA fliers that might "fly more" with a reduced incentive. I don't think it's a good idea to provide this incentive. If people want a status, they should earn it. Even challenges should be once-per-lifetime, IMO.
Cheers.
Then again, I think matches should never happen, but that's a different story.
Jun 7, 2012, 5:08 pm
#93
Join Date: May 2008
Location: WAS
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 1,630
So has AA added a stop to HNL? 
The capacity is there. There were 14 gates listed on the original press release when the terminal opened, split between AA and Virgin America, and many times I see open AA gates when there. AA has 6 gates, Virgin America 7, and there is one shared gate.
That's right. All of those are AA hubs. We used to have nonstops to BOS and HNL but they're gone.
That's right. All of those are AA hubs. We used to have nonstops to BOS and HNL but they're gone.
Jun 7, 2012, 5:12 pm
#94
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Jun 7, 2012, 10:07 pm
#96
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
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Posts: 31,849
Well, if we get enough SFO UA 1K flyers that want HNL flights, I wouldn't rule it out down the line. UA does SFO-HNL five times a day. If AA sees a big increase in demand for SFO origin HNL flights, I hope they would reconsider at least one nonstop flight a day so they don't lose those UA flyers.
Jun 8, 2012, 8:01 am
#97
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
United is beginning to fight fire with fire. I have a UA LGA-DEN trip next week so I thought why not? Called and requested 1K status. Received one level below and I can go to 1K if I fly 25k in next 3 mos.
Jun 8, 2012, 8:05 am
#98
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Speaking as a current 1K, I'll just say this: Be careful what you wish for...
Jun 8, 2012, 8:35 am
#99
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA lifetime gold, United Mileage Plus silver, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 503
Could you expand on that? I am seriously considering this (reasons are a combination of limited choices that one world has for non stop flights and the fact that lately the EXP upgrades have been harder to come by ... even on mid afternoon flights)
Jun 8, 2012, 9:11 am
#100
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,811
Well, you would need to expand on what routes you are talking about but in general I doubt you will find it easier to upgrade as a 1K on UA as opposed to a EXP on AA.
Jun 8, 2012, 1:02 pm
#101
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Seriously, my best advice is to simply peruse the UA forum for all the comments by the happy campers there. In the meantime...
1.
2. As of 3/3/12, as part of its integration with CO, UA adopted CO's antiquated SHARES reservation system which means that simple changes, corrections, etc., that UA used to do (and that AA can still do easily) now cannot be done or take much longer, and that problems such as lost reservations and seats are much more likely to take place to begin with. Dealing with such problems literally can take hours on the phone, much of it waiting on hold.
3. As a ramification of #2, IRROPS have become much worse on UA. The system can't handle simple changes easily, it takes the UA staff much longer to do them, if the staff is lazy (or more commonly) busy they are reluctant to hassle with them, etc.
4. Customer service for EXPs is simply much better than for 1Ks. The AA EXP desk in particular is light years ahead of the 1K desk...Oops, there is no 1K desk any more.
5. And believe it or not, this list just scratches the surface.
Jun 8, 2012, 4:25 pm
#102
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
Do you have an hour or two?
Seriously, my best advice is to simply peruse the UA forum for all the comments by the happy campers there. In the meantime...
1.
...yes, it would be good to know what routes you have in mind, but generally scoring complimentary domestic upgrades on UA is much tougher than on AA. For one thing, as a 1K you're lower on the totem pole than UA's Global Services members. For another, while it's not official policy, UA has instituted what is colloquially called on the UA forum "Tens of Dollars" (TODs) upgrades, meaning it often sells domestic upgrades to non-elites or non-members (sometimes for tens of dollars, but often for hundreds) before offering them for free to elites who otherwise wold be first in line. Thirdly, UA's upgrade system is non-transparent in ways that go beyond the TODs issue. Etc., etc., etc.
2. As of 3/3/12, as part of its integration with CO, UA adopted CO's antiquated SHARES reservation system which means that simple changes, corrections, etc., that UA used to do (and that AA can still do easily) now cannot be done or take much longer, and that problems such as lost reservations and seats are much more likely to take place to begin with. Dealing with such problems literally can take hours on the phone, much of it waiting on hold.
3. As a ramification of #2, IRROPS have become much worse on UA. The system can't handle simple changes easily, it takes the UA staff much longer to do them, if the staff is lazy (or more commonly) busy they are reluctant to hassle with them, etc.
4. Customer service for EXPs is simply much better than for 1Ks. The AA EXP desk in particular is light years ahead of the 1K desk...Oops, there is no 1K desk any more.
5. And believe it or not, this list just scratches the surface.
Seriously, my best advice is to simply peruse the UA forum for all the comments by the happy campers there. In the meantime...
1.
...yes, it would be good to know what routes you have in mind, but generally scoring complimentary domestic upgrades on UA is much tougher than on AA. For one thing, as a 1K you're lower on the totem pole than UA's Global Services members. For another, while it's not official policy, UA has instituted what is colloquially called on the UA forum "Tens of Dollars" (TODs) upgrades, meaning it often sells domestic upgrades to non-elites or non-members (sometimes for tens of dollars, but often for hundreds) before offering them for free to elites who otherwise wold be first in line. Thirdly, UA's upgrade system is non-transparent in ways that go beyond the TODs issue. Etc., etc., etc.
2. As of 3/3/12, as part of its integration with CO, UA adopted CO's antiquated SHARES reservation system which means that simple changes, corrections, etc., that UA used to do (and that AA can still do easily) now cannot be done or take much longer, and that problems such as lost reservations and seats are much more likely to take place to begin with. Dealing with such problems literally can take hours on the phone, much of it waiting on hold.
3. As a ramification of #2, IRROPS have become much worse on UA. The system can't handle simple changes easily, it takes the UA staff much longer to do them, if the staff is lazy (or more commonly) busy they are reluctant to hassle with them, etc.
4. Customer service for EXPs is simply much better than for 1Ks. The AA EXP desk in particular is light years ahead of the 1K desk...Oops, there is no 1K desk any more.
5. And believe it or not, this list just scratches the surface.
Jun 8, 2012, 8:49 pm
#103
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SAN
Programs: UA MM Gold
Posts: 1,193
Given the praise level for AA service, this may be the general feeling. Sometimes I sense we FT-types think that a majority of elite FFs are on FT, but we are most probably a tiny fraction. The overall % of AA EXPs that are even aware of the match for 1Ks is likely pretty small.
Jun 9, 2012, 1:08 am
#104
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: Too Many to Count
Posts: 510
The more, the merrier. I am about as loyal as can be to AA. They've done some incredible things for me and I won't ever willingly switch carriers. I am very happy to welcome and retain our newly minted United EXPs. It's better for AA, and it's better for us.
Jun 9, 2012, 7:23 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
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Dave