Sheer Speculation: Rumored AAdvantage Changes Coming in May 2009?
May 4, 2009, 7:50 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA GLD .25MM, CO, UA, US, DL, HH, SPG (all cardboard)
Posts: 1,951
As far as sheer speculation goes, I'll happily give tom911 a Gold Aadvantage Card in exchange for his Black one. Or just let them switch the colors. Either way, for the next year there will be enough confusion that I can wave my card that either was the old or is the new top tier and see if the details get overlooked. 
May 5, 2009, 8:32 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,535
Cheers.
May 5, 2009, 8:41 am
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
For many years, mine used to be navy blue, but a few years ago, AA sent me a black one and all subsequent ones have been black. I'm only an annual member, not lifetime. Perhaps lifetime still get nice navy cards?
May 5, 2009, 9:00 am
#64
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: AA - Executive Platinum HHonors - Diamond
Posts: 250
I did a survey last week that was primarily focused on the AA booking engine. It asked whether I use price+schedule or just schedule to search for flights, as well as to rate the qualities/features of each.
One of the questions (among many others) towards the end asked to rate how important it was to be able to search for flights that earned miles. Survey seemed geared towards seeing how the price+schedule search had been received, but some info in it could have broader application.
One of the questions (among many others) towards the end asked to rate how important it was to be able to search for flights that earned miles. Survey seemed geared towards seeing how the price+schedule search had been received, but some info in it could have broader application.
Offering "no miles" on the lowest fares means a lot of the business travelers (who are required to buy the lowest fare offered) will evaporate; how does AA not get this?
May 5, 2009, 9:17 am
#65
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mostly AUS or rural England
Programs: BAEC redundant Bronze, AAdvantage Lifetime PLT, CO, WN, B6
Posts: 6,526
FWIW I still don't believe airline tickets are bought solely on price, but AA seems to have trouble getting out of this commodity, one size fits all mentality.
May 5, 2009, 9:26 am
#66
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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What I find interesting is that it often seems like AA moves to cut costs/raise revenues without seeing the bigger picture. For example the checked bag surcharge which has resulted in more bags being brought aboard, which increases turnaround times.
Offering "no miles" on the lowest fares means a lot of the business travelers (who are required to buy the lowest fare offered) will evaporate; how does AA not get this?
Offering "no miles" on the lowest fares means a lot of the business travelers (who are required to buy the lowest fare offered) will evaporate; how does AA not get this?
May 5, 2009, 9:57 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Regards
May 5, 2009, 10:05 am
#68
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
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Last year, Other Revenue (including checked bag fees, upgrade sales, Buy on Board items, etc.) added nearly $2.2 billion, and in the first quarter of this year the total was $558 million, up over last year, even though total revenue was down about 20% year over year. Two billion is "billions," so I'd say that mvoight's assertion is accurate.
May 5, 2009, 10:19 am
#69
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
Pardon my ignorance: What other site?
May 5, 2009, 10:31 am
#70
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Plat Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Club Carl Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,002
Perhaps we will be able to search on the aa.com website for award seats on partner airlines?
May 5, 2009, 10:37 am
#71
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mostly AUS or rural England
Programs: BAEC redundant Bronze, AAdvantage Lifetime PLT, CO, WN, B6
Posts: 6,526
Last year, Other Revenue (including checked bag fees, upgrade sales, Buy on Board items, etc.) added nearly $2.2 billion, and in the first quarter of this year the total was $558 million, up over last year, even though total revenue was down about 20% year over year. Two billion is "billions," so I'd say that mvoight's assertion is accurate.
May 5, 2009, 10:54 am
#72
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,185
May 5, 2009, 11:42 am
#73
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Location: Miami, FL
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May 5, 2009, 11:57 am
#74
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: BOS / LAX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 43
If you're truly buying solely on price, then what difference does a loyalty scheme make? The loyalty scheme is there to get you to make slightly irrational choices when AA is more expensive / less convenient. AA's can presumably be more competitive and therefore can sell more tickets if it doesn't have to carry the 5-10% free travel cost for those passengers buying solely on price.
FWIW I still don't believe airline tickets are bought solely on price, but AA seems to have trouble getting out of this commodity, one size fits all mentality.
FWIW I still don't believe airline tickets are bought solely on price, but AA seems to have trouble getting out of this commodity, one size fits all mentality.
I make this argument because I want to accrue AA miles. Take away those miles, and I stop making the argument. Or worse, I shift to an airline that has a better loyalty scheme.
For me, airline tickets are not bought solely on price. The AAdvantage program is one of AA's differentiators for which I am willing to pay more.
May 5, 2009, 12:05 pm
#75
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
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