ARCHIVE: What is a SWU VIP eVIP SWUs? How does one work / long do they last? (Old)
Oct 18, 2009, 9:32 am
#166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,547
There are probably many things that frequent fliers don't like about the way that their programs operate. Things that are clearly stated in the rules of the program. I'm not sure of the benefit of coming here to whine about each and every one of these well-publicized things that we don't like. From your second post, it seems that you already knew about this before trying. From the first, I also got the impression that you were caught unaware. If the former is the case, I suggest more reading of the rules here so that you can avoid future surprise disappointments. As a starter- they do not give automatic 50% discounts to EXP, although I'd really like that.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Oct 18, 2009, 9:33 am
#167
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MIA/LAS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Starwood PLT
Posts: 572
Additionally, the fact that I can't book One World reward tix online is absurd. If I want to buy a reward ticket I'm basically limited to the five or six European AA destinations. Anything else and I need to sit on the phone for an hour.
Just venting on this Sunday morning. This is BS.
Just venting on this Sunday morning. This is BS.
Oct 18, 2009, 9:36 am
#168
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MIA/LAS
Programs: AA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Starwood PLT
Posts: 572
Oct 18, 2009, 9:54 am
#169
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
Should those AA flyers that have 500 milers in account also be able to upgrade award tickets on domestic routes? For that matter, would you advocate flyers accumulating frequent flyer miles when they fly on award tickets? All those would certainly show customer appreciation, wouldn't they? Why limit it to systemwides on award tickets?
Oct 18, 2009, 9:56 am
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,547
Cheers.
Oct 18, 2009, 10:02 am
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,959
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)
My last award trip that included partners took less than 5 minutes to book on the phone. YMMV
Originally Posted by Panamajon513
Additionally, the fact that I can't book One World reward tix online is absurd. If I want to buy a reward ticket I'm basically limited to the five or six European AA destinations. Anything else and I need to sit on the phone for an hour.
Just venting on this Sunday morning. This is BS.
Just venting on this Sunday morning. This is BS.
Oct 18, 2009, 10:27 am
#172
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
Oh, the injustice.
The rule may suck but it's been the rule for many years, like since AAdvantage debuted in 1981. And it's pretty clearly stated in the rules in several places, so it shouldn't have been a surprise to you.
Oct 18, 2009, 10:28 am
#173
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: BOS
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Free Agent
Posts: 142
Upgrade Awards are trying to get you to be loyal to AA with future purchases (and fork over cash, at least in terms of the base ticket)
Travel Awards by straight miles are priced for the full cost of the class of travel. More miles spent, the higher class of travel (generally). Truly a "award" and AA gets no cash from you, but you need to buy it all in the currency of previously earned miles (from previously received cash)
The fact that the two types not cannot be combined does not seem stupid to me; seems they are trying to accomplish different things.
Oct 18, 2009, 10:33 am
#174
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: All over
Programs: AA-LTP, HH-DIA, Marriott-LT+AMB, Hyatt-Globalist, Hertz-PC, UA-GS
Posts: 6,828
So you rack up 200k miles and get eight SWUs (maybe four more in January or February if you do the elite rewards) and you book a coach award ticket to Spain? Thinking that you'll be able to upgrade it? Why didn't you just book a business class award ticket? Or buy a cheap paid ticket and upgrade it?
Oh, the injustice.
The rule may suck but it's been the rule for many years, like since AAdvantage debuted in 1981. And it's pretty clearly stated in the rules in several places, so it shouldn't have been a surprise to you.
Oh, the injustice.
The rule may suck but it's been the rule for many years, like since AAdvantage debuted in 1981. And it's pretty clearly stated in the rules in several places, so it shouldn't have been a surprise to you.
Oct 18, 2009, 10:54 am
#175
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
^^^If the OP has flown 100k++ miles on AA, he/she should consider just using additional miles for a J/F redemption. As for upgrades on domestic tickets, AA is certainly behind DL who gives upgrades on award tickets to both Gold and Plat and now Diamond medallions, so that would be a welcomed addition. However, I can see AA's side of it that is EXP/PLT/GLD can upgrade a Y award ticket, they are less likely to get an F award.
Oct 18, 2009, 11:12 am
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,815
I'm curious, -- what's the longest you've ever had to wait when using the EXP phone line? I've never waited more than about 45 seconds (and I do keep track), and I'm almost always connected immediately.
Oct 18, 2009, 11:47 am
#177
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 2,080
Several OW partner airlines have availability tools on their websites. If you use those to check availability before you call (basically the same process you would follow if you could book the ticket online at AA's website), the phone call takes about five minutes.
Oct 18, 2009, 11:59 am
#178
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,946
If I'd just made EXP, I'd certainly hie myself to the aa.com website and download the EXP PDF members' guide to maximize the benefits. And when I call the EXP desk for awards or the like, I am usually well armed with information (e.g. QF J award to Australia via BNE, as they often only think of MEL and SYD as Australian gateways.)
The only times I've had to wait for an inordinate length of time is if there are flight disruptions or if they have to call RM with a request to release a seat.
The only times I've had to wait for an inordinate length of time is if there are flight disruptions or if they have to call RM with a request to release a seat.
Oct 18, 2009, 12:01 pm
#179
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Francisco
Programs: United GS, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Plat
Posts: 260
I agree with OP on these 2 counts
- It should be possible to upgrade award tickets using SWUs. It is certainly my wish too. I realize AA will not get ticket revenue but they do eliminate liabilities in their account books as I will use miles for the award tickets.
- In this day and age, I really should not have to make a phone call to book any reservation. With young kids at home, I certainly find it easier to do "voice-less" communication
Lastly I am really disheartened by outright hostility shown at times in these forums. I do realize some newbies might make some mistakes but there is no reason to pounce on them.
- It should be possible to upgrade award tickets using SWUs. It is certainly my wish too. I realize AA will not get ticket revenue but they do eliminate liabilities in their account books as I will use miles for the award tickets.
- In this day and age, I really should not have to make a phone call to book any reservation. With young kids at home, I certainly find it easier to do "voice-less" communication
Lastly I am really disheartened by outright hostility shown at times in these forums. I do realize some newbies might make some mistakes but there is no reason to pounce on them.
Oct 18, 2009, 12:01 pm
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,850
I finally make it to Ex Plat, rack up 200,000 miles and now I want to use them. I have a ticket booked for a weekender to Madrid and wanted to use one of my SWU's, but when I called the AAdvantage desk they told me that free upgrades are only on paid tix.
That sucks!
That sucks!