rumor : new upgrade co-payment effective 01dec04
Oct 5, 2004, 2:11 pm
#106
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: La Quinta, CA
Posts: 2,056
VIP's not affected
Originally Posted by MikeFly
The desk said yes. The USD 250 is one way required for all fares except Y&B did not ask about discounted J. All flights starting Dec.1 that have NOT been waitlisted by that time will be affected.
VIP upgrades are not affected.
I have already sent out three letters to AAdvantage, Daniel P. Garton and Gail Green. Maybe Arpey is next.
BTW I can't remember the last I used miles to upgrade for me it is is the principle of the thing. Gain market share by differentation not being a me too with an inferior product.
This one I hope they change and soon.
VIP upgrades are not affected.
I have already sent out three letters to AAdvantage, Daniel P. Garton and Gail Green. Maybe Arpey is next.
BTW I can't remember the last I used miles to upgrade for me it is is the principle of the thing. Gain market share by differentation not being a me too with an inferior product.
This one I hope they change and soon.
I'll second the findings on VIPs. They arent affected at all. For now.
Oct 5, 2004, 2:18 pm
#107
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA PLT, SPG PLT, MR SLVR, HH GLD, etc.
Posts: 191
Originally Posted by tinnub
Apparrently AA doesn't know why I fly 
Oct 5, 2004, 2:27 pm
#108
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Washington
Posts: 1,173
Wow! BA is best for upgrades?
Before the BA changes of last year BA for a very brief period offered the best program out there for North American members looking to upgrade. Ignoring the BA does not do that c**p from the BA board, it appears BA may be back to the top for the sub-100K flyer.
Especially one that only flies to Europe or has Lifetime plat for domestic AA flights.
AA now wants: cheapest fare + $500 + 50K miles = biz class (usually must waitlist)
BA wants: cheapest fare + $300-400 WT+ upgrade charge + 25K miles = flat bed biz class with much wider availabilty.
I cannot figure why a mileage upgrader would ever choose AA over BA now.
Especially one that only flies to Europe or has Lifetime plat for domestic AA flights.
AA now wants: cheapest fare + $500 + 50K miles = biz class (usually must waitlist)
BA wants: cheapest fare + $300-400 WT+ upgrade charge + 25K miles = flat bed biz class with much wider availabilty.
I cannot figure why a mileage upgrader would ever choose AA over BA now.
Oct 5, 2004, 2:30 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
The only way this makes sense to me is if AA is going to do one of four things:
1) establish a consistent market for transatlantic I-class fares in the $1800-$2400 range (and similar fares for transpacific etc), and the I fares use the same bucket as the C upgrades. But even then, why wouldn't I fly CX transpac or BA via YYZ/YVR/MEX/MBJ transatlantic?
2) establish corporate fares that confirm a B->J upgrade on international 767 flights out of C inventory;
3) Cut down the size of the 767 J cabin to add more Y seats.
4) Add more LRTC 757 capacity on leisure routes and give elite/Y/B first crack at the brown F seats for coach travel
Now, the 757 BOS-MAN route looks like absolute gold for elite passengers - book it far enough in advance to get 2A/2B for the coach price, and be done with it. If I can get halfway decent connections out of MAN on BA, that might become my route of choice.
1) establish a consistent market for transatlantic I-class fares in the $1800-$2400 range (and similar fares for transpacific etc), and the I fares use the same bucket as the C upgrades. But even then, why wouldn't I fly CX transpac or BA via YYZ/YVR/MEX/MBJ transatlantic?
2) establish corporate fares that confirm a B->J upgrade on international 767 flights out of C inventory;
3) Cut down the size of the 767 J cabin to add more Y seats.
4) Add more LRTC 757 capacity on leisure routes and give elite/Y/B first crack at the brown F seats for coach travel
Now, the 757 BOS-MAN route looks like absolute gold for elite passengers - book it far enough in advance to get 2A/2B for the coach price, and be done with it. If I can get halfway decent connections out of MAN on BA, that might become my route of choice.
Oct 5, 2004, 2:35 pm
#110
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SJC
Programs: AA 2MM PLT, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 612
Originally Posted by inlanikai
American will always do what's best for American.
The value of an AAdvantage mile has gone down, and I'm personally less inclined to jump through hoops to get one.
Oct 5, 2004, 2:37 pm
#111
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LT Gold, DL SM, HY Disc, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 12,507
Originally Posted by RichLond
I cannot figure why a mileage upgrader would ever choose AA over BA now.
Oct 5, 2004, 2:39 pm
#112
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA Plat, 1MM
Posts: 282
Originally Posted by sgm
Of course the effect of this change will be for Y to be full of elites with J pretty empty = more operational upgrades. Moreover, more people will use miles for tickets.
Oct 5, 2004, 2:52 pm
#113
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Madison(WI) USA
Programs: , AA Plat 2MM, FB Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 375
Originally Posted by FlyerTim
Hmm:
DL: highest Coach fares only
NW: highest Coach fares only
CO: highest Coach fares sans surcharge, lowest fares with surcharge
AC: highest Coach fares only
US: nobody cares about their UG policies anymore
So yeah, among the North American 2-cabin players, AA was the lone holdout.
DL: highest Coach fares only
NW: highest Coach fares only
CO: highest Coach fares sans surcharge, lowest fares with surcharge
AC: highest Coach fares only
US: nobody cares about their UG policies anymore
So yeah, among the North American 2-cabin players, AA was the lone holdout.
Oct 5, 2004, 2:57 pm
#114
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska 100K - MM, defender of shoes on the carpeted bulkhead 4ever, AA LT PLT, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia
Posts: 7,447
So, let me get this straight, I pay this surcharge only if my upgrade goes through or does AA get to keep my money if my upgrade does not clear -- like with Continental?
Also, can someone post the different fare classes and what they mean. I am looking at booking a london trip for MLK's bd weekend and the S fares are pricing out higher than the N fares. I always thought S was much more discounted that N.
lala
Also, can someone post the different fare classes and what they mean. I am looking at booking a london trip for MLK's bd weekend and the S fares are pricing out higher than the N fares. I always thought S was much more discounted that N.
lala
Oct 5, 2004, 3:01 pm
#115
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails® | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
Originally Posted by venk
If this happens, I predict a 10+ page thread in the near future. 
Oct 5, 2004, 3:06 pm
#116
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: PIT
Posts: 10,985
Originally Posted by venk
If this happens, I predict a 10+ page thread in the near future.
You have under estimated the depth of feeling on this subject it appears....
Oct 5, 2004, 3:09 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Maine
Programs: AA Plat, FI Silver, DL alumnus
Posts: 1,432
Originally Posted by ElmhurstNick
Now, the 757 BOS-MAN route looks like absolute gold for elite passengers - book it far enough in advance to get 2A/2B for the coach price, and be done with it. If I can get halfway decent connections out of MAN on BA, that might become my route of choice.
Oct 5, 2004, 3:15 pm
#118
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Just logged onto AA.com and saw JFK-LHR$239 (before taxes, etc. needless to say) in my "NetSaaver Alert" box. Heretofore that would have got me excited-- all those off-season long-weekend jaunts to TXL, LON, FCO, etc... All a thing of the past now. 
Now I gotta' hold on to my eSWU's like they are gold.
This su€k$.
If AA has new J seats in mind-- they better hurry up and announce them.
Now I gotta' hold on to my eSWU's like they are gold.This su€k$.
If AA has new J seats in mind-- they better hurry up and announce them.
Oct 5, 2004, 3:18 pm
#119
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: ORD, AA EXP, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 594
My bet is that this fee will be imposed on VIPs too, and if not, that the VIPs issued to those who qualify for 2004 activity from now on will be restricted to Y,B fares (maybe, if we're real lucky, some less discounted fares as well).
Even though I will requalify for EXP this year, I find this concerning. Normally, in year I'd burn through 8 VIPs and some mileage upgrades between myself and wannabe S.O.'s trips. Now wannabe S.O. (PLT) will comp over to US, and fly to get status and upgrades, etc., so we can take advantage when we're better off flying another airline. And when we fly international, her ticket will be purchased with miles. Bye bye lots of revenue, AA.
Anyone else notice how it is almost always cheaper to buy a trans atlantic on another carrier than AA? And I keep paying more to take advantage of the upgrade policy....
Even though I will requalify for EXP this year, I find this concerning. Normally, in year I'd burn through 8 VIPs and some mileage upgrades between myself and wannabe S.O.'s trips. Now wannabe S.O. (PLT) will comp over to US, and fly to get status and upgrades, etc., so we can take advantage when we're better off flying another airline. And when we fly international, her ticket will be purchased with miles. Bye bye lots of revenue, AA.
Anyone else notice how it is almost always cheaper to buy a trans atlantic on another carrier than AA? And I keep paying more to take advantage of the upgrade policy....
Oct 5, 2004, 3:23 pm
#120
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,436
Originally Posted by JonNYC
Just logged onto AA.com and saw JFK-LHR$239 (before taxes, etc. needless to say) in my "NetSaaver Alert" box. Heretofore that would have got me excited-- all those off-season long-weekend jaunts to TXL, LON, FCO, etc... All a thing of the past now. Now I gotta' hold on to my eSWU's like they are gold.
This su€k$.
If AA has new J seats in mind-- they better hurry up and announce them.
Now I gotta' hold on to my eSWU's like they are gold.This su€k$.
If AA has new J seats in mind-- they better hurry up and announce them.
Is an exit seat in coach that much worse for you than biz?
