heyeaglefn

2015 at the earliest for sure.

Global321

I think 2015 is the "transition" year. Fly either US or AA and at the end of the year status will be determined by a combination of the two. IMHO 2016 will be the first truly integrated year.

But, like everyone else, this is just a guess. For me, it is based on the UA/CO experience.

HatAndJacket

the earliest they could at least announce the details the better... if I'm investing in status I want at least to know what I'm investing my BIS miles in

austin_res

I'd guess 2015 will be the integrated year. UA/CO integrated their program in 2012, 2 years after announcing their merger. I don't expect any advanced announcement about the combined program; I think they will silently implement the details.

Global321

Probably true. NOT announcing gives them the most flexibility.

scherzva

I think it will go four tier (25K/50K/75K/100K) not counting Concierge Key, even though none of the oneworld programs that I could find have a 75K level. This will be done to match UA, US and DL. The names might be silver, gold, platinum and executive platinum. (though I always thought "Chairman's Preferred" sounded pretty cool)

There will be a revenue requirement similar to DL and UA ($2500 for silver, $5000 gold, etc...).

I think that that bonus miles will be based off your level similar to what DL and UA do (silver gets 25%, gold 50%) rather than both Platinum and EXP getting a 100% bonus.

I am afraid that SWUs might require a particular fare class when used overseas (similar to UA's mid-level W fare minimum), UA won't let you upgrade with S, T, L, K, G, N fares outside of North America. Delta wants you to buy a Y or B fare (at that point by not buy a discounted J ticket).

They might do something similar to what Delta will be doing in 2015 with the number of miles you earned based off ticket price rather than distance. The problem is that there are only so many people that pay for a premium product so you to step it up a notch.

NiceLanding

While I do understand the concern for current US 75k flyers making the transition to the AA program, I'm not at all convinced that competitive pressures from other airlines are a reason to increase the number of elite tiers. As a long time frequent flyer myself, the three major tiers that existed for decades at AA and the others seemed to work pretty well, providing a clear separation in travel groups and benefits. In the course of the recent merger, UA moved from three to five groups (GS used to be part of 1K for most purposes, just as CK is kind of an EXP+), which added quite a bit of complexity and felt like a demotion to everyone below GS.

With regard to revenue requirements, I'm somewhat skeptical about DL's experiment (and UA's clumsy attempt to copy it). AA would do well to take a couple of years to see if DL is really gaining any comparative advantage before going down this path. Even then, there are other approaches they can use, such as simply tweaking EQP earning rates and/or the elite qualification levels that might achieve a comparable effect with less pain.

AAerSTL

The new Delta Global Upgrades (not systemwides) available as part or 2014 Choice Benefits for Diamond Medallion don't have nearly as restrictive fare requirements as the former system wides, although a couple rock bottom fares aren't available. However DMs can receive up to 8 global certificates (2x 4 certificates) but must travel with a companion-they can't be gifted like AA/UA.

dtremit

US CP certs work the same way -- elite member and companion, can't be split or transferred.

Given AA's zeal for tracking down sales and trades of these and other certs, I wouldn't be shocked to see them go the same way. To be fair, if they're going to devalue the EXP cert benefit, that's probably the least objectionable way to do it.

BusTrav8yrs

No you can select 4 Global certs, you can choose 8 Regional certs instead but they are only good for domestic and cannot be used on JFK-LAX/SFO/SEA. You cannot make the same selection twice, your second selection has to be something different so there is no 2 x 4.

AAerSTL

Interesting thanks for the correction. Still a good value, the DL hard product has improved considerably.

jaynyc

With all of the potential changes noted by Scherzva, plus other losses/degradation of airmiles value, a NEW American does not translate to a BETTER American.

Having attained lifetime PL status, it has always been hard to fly another airline, even if it meant paying more for an AA flight. But I do know that paying a little more to fly American vs. another airline is now history.

AlreadyThere

I seriously doubt a 75k level would be called Platinum, since anyone who has flown 2MM now has lifetime Platinum, and they would be understandably upset to find themselves "downgraded" to Gold (and the lifetime Golds to Silver).

My guess (for consistency with the past and least overall unhappiness) would be Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus, and Executive Platinum.

mikelat

Sorry if this is a repeat, I can't find a thread related using search.

Any ideas on if/when AA/US will announce 2015 Program/Qualification changes? I'm looking at using up some SWUs on AA in Jan/Feb '15 but if they're going to go to some revenue based requirement or make other changes to the program then I'm not sure its even worth it to me to use them. It's great if I can get a head start on EXP re-qual for '15, but if I'm not going to make EXP anyways then I'll just gift or let the SWUs expire before Feb '15 and instead use my last 2/16 expiring SWUs on a big trip or two for the wife and I and give up on re-qualifying for EXP.

Anyone have any idea by when AA will announce any changes for 2015 qualification requirements?

thenecropolist

Oh probably 12/31/14