Renew AC membership - do they help ACs?
Jun 11, 2008, 10:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP 1.5MM, Asiana Club Silver, KE Morning Calm, Hyatt Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 7,161
Renew AC membership - do they help ACs?
My AC membership is up for renewal in August. I want to give thanks to this "investment" that I made. This little card helped me in times of irrops, delays, and requesting last minute changes.
Does renewing at a specific AC benefit them in anyway? Do I have to go my favorite AC (HNL) of choice, or can I call them and renew it over the phone with them, despite the fact that LAX is my home airport?
Thanks in advance
Does renewing at a specific AC benefit them in anyway? Do I have to go my favorite AC (HNL) of choice, or can I call them and renew it over the phone with them, despite the fact that LAX is my home airport?
Thanks in advance
Jun 11, 2008, 10:37 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,949
It's a long held FT myth that AC renewals help give "credits" to various clubs in the eyes of management. Turns out not to true.
Regardless - I still call my fav club (HNL - no surprise there) to renew by phone.
Regardless - I still call my fav club (HNL - no surprise there) to renew by phone.
Jun 11, 2008, 10:41 am
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
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According to the AAngels at SJC, the high # of renewals at that clus was one factor that was considered when the club's lease was renewed last winter. It wasn't the only factor, but it was definitely a factor.
Jun 11, 2008, 10:41 am
#4
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
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As HNL noted, the renewal does not help the individual club (yet I still go to SJC and do it in person). What does help is "swipes." The more people that visit, the better. When I travel back into SJC, for example, I go to the club to swipe, even though I'm not staying.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jun 11, 2008, 10:49 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,233
This was someone I had dealt with several times before, who knew me by name as a regular customer, and had no reason to invent something like that.
Jun 11, 2008, 11:11 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
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Someone should tell the AC gatekeepers at the smaller outposts that renewals don't matter - since I've been hit up recently at five of them to renew my membership that expires at the end of August. They all seem to think it helps.
Jun 11, 2008, 11:11 am
#7
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Location: RDU <|> MMX
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While it may no longer be true, it's much more than an FT myth. At the BOS AC a while back the desk agent noted that my membership was about to expire and asked if I'd like to renew. I said I'd do it online later. She asked if I could possibly do it at the club, then or later, as it helped them. (I don't recall what I did, not that it matters for this thread.)
This was someone I had dealt with several times before, who knew me by name as a regular customer, and had no reason to invent something like that.
This was someone I had dealt with several times before, who knew me by name as a regular customer, and had no reason to invent something like that.
Jun 11, 2008, 11:27 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: St. Louis, MO
Programs: AA EXP, MR Plat, PC Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 279
Another point...
I was recently told in STL that ACs receive more (or better?) credit if entrance is based on taking an international flight as opposed to being a member.
ZakkW
ZakkW
Jun 11, 2008, 11:32 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
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Posts: 33,533
Bottom line is that we're getting inconsistent information from similarly-placed sources, and it sure ain't gonna hurt to renew at a favorite small club.
Cheers.
Jun 11, 2008, 11:46 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DFW
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Jun 11, 2008, 11:58 am
#12
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When I went to renew at the SJC AC, I asked my go-to AAngel there (someone I trust completely) about this. She told me that the renewals didn't count for the club, only the swipes.
Bottom line is that we're getting inconsistent information from similarly-placed sources, and it sure ain't gonna hurt to renew at a favorite small club.
Cheers.
Bottom line is that we're getting inconsistent information from similarly-placed sources, and it sure ain't gonna hurt to renew at a favorite small club.
Cheers.
Perhaps somebody should email [email protected] to find out the official word?
I've heard conflicting info as well. The AAngels at HNL were so grateful when I called out there to renew last December! I got a lovely thank-you note.
Jun 11, 2008, 12:05 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,949
An agent asking you to renew in person or they are grateful when you do renew (in person or phone), does not mean the renewal is helping insure the clubs viability. Maybe they are just happy to have you as a continued customer.
Jun 11, 2008, 12:06 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Perhaps somebody should email [email protected] to find out the official word?
Sounds like you are volunteering for duty
Jun 11, 2008, 12:48 pm
#15
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I had an ac membership for two years and let it lapse, when aa opened the door to amex plats to use the ac's (and dl, co, nw lounges when flying on a same day ticket.)
I mentioned to one of the ac club angels, that I had switched to amex (since their offer was too good to pass up--$100 credit on my card for switching from business gold to business plat; 20,000 reward points) she noted that her husband was planning not to rewew ac but go amex route also.
I mentioned to one of the ac club angels, that I had switched to amex (since their offer was too good to pass up--$100 credit on my card for switching from business gold to business plat; 20,000 reward points) she noted that her husband was planning not to rewew ac but go amex route also.