View Poll Results: AA EXPs: flying AA more, less or the same because of DEQM and UA status giveaways?
I'm flying AA about the same
43
55.13%
I'm flying AA less but more on AA or oneworld partners
5
6.41%
I'm flying AA less but more on non-partner airlines / alliances
3
3.85%
I'm flying AA itself more this year
15
19.23%
I'm flying less this year overall
12
15.38%
Voters: 78. You may not vote on this poll
Long-time EXPs: Are you flying AA less because of DEQM & UA status giveaways?
Jul 6, 2012, 8:06 pm
#31
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,673
For those that fly quite a lot more than 100K, since AA does not have additional incentives other than at 125K EQP, you don't earn any additional bonuses, whereas I believe UA flyers get additional upgrades with additional flying.
Jul 6, 2012, 8:13 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,714
I'm probably in a minority on this but this just seems like a ridiculous question to me. There are probably a lot of valid reasons why someone may adjust the amount of flying they do on AA but I don't see this being one of them.
Jul 7, 2012, 5:05 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Cambridge & Honolulu
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, AA 3MM, UA 1MM
Posts: 199
At 6'5" (and limited personal/biz travel budget) the upgrade leg room really matters to me too. After 5 years EXP I'm not traveling less in-spite of the DEQM; I'm traveling less on AA because the I'm getting better service and scheduling on other airlines at my status level.
My frequent TATL flights are booked relatively last minute (<10 days); so I'm paying top dollar for Economy seats with less than a 50% upgrade success in 5 RTs on AA this year. My AA flights to/from the west coast average 15-16 hours total travel time.
So I'm now more miles on Flying Blue this year than AAdvantage with more upgrades (including paid at check-in) in that program. My new AAdvantage miles strategy flying now focuses on using BA since they a) get me to the west coast faster b) frequently have an opportunity to upgrade at check-in (paid).
Strangely enough, I've had three "involuntary upgrades" on BA this year; including one last week on a AAward ticket for my girlfriend that evidently carries my status.
As much as I love AA; I'm feeling more love from their partner BA and even other programs. It's hard to ignore.
P.S. I'll still manage to quality for EXP, but AA could have so much more from me.
My frequent TATL flights are booked relatively last minute (<10 days); so I'm paying top dollar for Economy seats with less than a 50% upgrade success in 5 RTs on AA this year. My AA flights to/from the west coast average 15-16 hours total travel time.
So I'm now more miles on Flying Blue this year than AAdvantage with more upgrades (including paid at check-in) in that program. My new AAdvantage miles strategy flying now focuses on using BA since they a) get me to the west coast faster b) frequently have an opportunity to upgrade at check-in (paid).
Strangely enough, I've had three "involuntary upgrades" on BA this year; including one last week on a AAward ticket for my girlfriend that evidently carries my status.
As much as I love AA; I'm feeling more love from their partner BA and even other programs. It's hard to ignore.
P.S. I'll still manage to quality for EXP, but AA could have so much more from me.
So initial switching without status match would be painful.
I was unable to use a 241 with BA despite attempting numerous telephone calls over a three week period.
Also an inability to credit Avios from both UK and US issued credit cards not as convenient as with UA and AA programs.
Jul 13, 2012, 8:42 am
#34
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
Interesting response so far.
I'm also frustrated with what passes for customer service from BA if one is not BAEC elite, but OTOH, as one figures out the system it's workable for an AA elite.
I'm also frustrated with what passes for customer service from BA if one is not BAEC elite, but OTOH, as one figures out the system it's workable for an AA elite.
Jul 13, 2012, 11:28 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ireland
Programs: AA PLT 2MM, IHG Plat
Posts: 3,566
I'm burning miles for the rest of the year as I don't want to cross 2mm until 2013.
Jul 13, 2012, 1:38 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
I think OP just started the thread a bit early as we haven't fully recognized a dilution of EXP benefits
(i.e. EXP complimentary upgrade and eVIP/SWU) yet.
Someone already found some signs of it but it hasn't become our common view as of now.
If eVIP and/or EXP comp upgrades become harder for EXPs, both long-time EXPs and EX-GS/1K will fly less on AA anyway.
We need a little more time to evaluate the actual impact from the status giveaway.
(i.e. EXP complimentary upgrade and eVIP/SWU) yet.
Someone already found some signs of it but it hasn't become our common view as of now.
If eVIP and/or EXP comp upgrades become harder for EXPs, both long-time EXPs and EX-GS/1K will fly less on AA anyway.
We need a little more time to evaluate the actual impact from the status giveaway.