Last edit by: JDiver
Angry about AAdvantage devaluation / vent / what can I do? (April 2014, consolidated)
Thread referred to: Devaluation, new tiers, oneworld Explorer award gone, etc. 8 April 2014
Without any prior notification, American Airlines announced on 8 April 2014 some significant AAdvantage program rescissions and devaluations, effective immediately:
- oneworld Explorer awards can no longer be claimed; (pre-existing awards will be honored)
- Stopovers at North American gateways for international partner award tickets were eliminated
- AAnytime awards now reflect variable, demand-based pricing
- US Dividend Miles North Asia premium awards have repriced
Important Information
AAnytime Awards: Effective April 8, 2014, for tickets issued for travel starting June 1, 2014, we have updated award levels. We will continue to honor any award tickets issued on / before April 7, 2014. For award bookings after April 8 for travel between April 8 and June 1, 2014, these award mileage levels will apply.
oneworld Explorer Awards are no longer available for award booking. We will continue to honor any award tickets issued on / before April 7, 2014.
AAnytime Awards: Effective April 8, 2014, for tickets issued for travel starting June 1, 2014, we have updated award levels. We will continue to honor any award tickets issued on / before April 7, 2014. For award bookings after April 8 for travel between April 8 and June 1, 2014, these award mileage levels will apply.
oneworld Explorer Awards are no longer available for award booking. We will continue to honor any award tickets issued on / before April 7, 2014.
Possibilities for action / communication:
Here's what you can do, as stated by the U.S. Supreme Court in its recent case (Source: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions...2-462_p8k0.pdf page 13)
It is your duty to enter a complaint with the DOT at http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/CP_AirlineService.htm. You can even quote this passage from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Congress has given the Department of Transportation (DOT) the general authority to prohibit and punish unfair and deceptive practices in air transportation and in the sale of air transportation, 49 U.S.C. §41712(a) , and Congress has specifically authorized the DOT to investigate complaints relating to frequent flyer programs. See FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, §408(6), 126 Stat. 87. Pursuant to these provisions, the DOT regularly entertains and acts on such complaints.
Originally Posted by ooshawn
Just wrote an unhappy letter to AA/USAir execs (all email addresses I could find), if you want to feel free to use/build off of the following:
douglas.parker<at>usairways.com,
sean.bentel<at>aa.com,
tom.horton<at>aa.com ?
Customer.Relations<at>aa.com,
ken.fischer<at>usairways.com,
robert.isom<at>usairways.com,
suzanne.rubin<at>aa.com
douglas.parker<at>usairways.com,
sean.bentel<at>aa.com,
tom.horton<at>aa.com ?
Customer.Relations<at>aa.com,
ken.fischer<at>usairways.com,
robert.isom<at>usairways.com,
suzanne.rubin<at>aa.com
Originally Posted by MyTravels
USPS:
<Executive Name>
P.O. Box 619616
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
<Executive Name>
P.O. Box 619616
DFW Airport, TX 75261-9616
Angry about AAdvantage devaluation / vent / what can I do? (April 2014, consolidated)
#17
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Programs: United 1K,Marriott Platinum Premier,IHC Platinum Ambassador,Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,898
I am happy with the new changes..If I want First Class Il pay for it..The new changes devalue AA Gold Elite status but It seems like the right thing for AA to do..If a Gold wants a 2nd bag they can pay for it,and AA can make some extra money..they are a business and thats what business does..make $$$..The new changes are a step in the right direction for the New American..A rewards program is just that..Not an entitlement program..Stop whining! @:-)
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: AA AAdvantage, BAEC Silver, LX Miles & More, AF FlyingBlue, EK Skywards
Posts: 115
I am happy with the new changes..If I want First Class Il pay for it..The new changes devalue AA Gold Elite status but It seems like the right thing for AA to do..If a Gold wants a 2nd bag they can pay for it,and AA can make some extra money..they are a business and thats what business does..make $$$..The new changes are a step in the right direction for the New American..A rewards program is just that..Not an entitlement program..Stop whining! @:-)
#19
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: BOS
Programs: Recovering AA flyer, LT PLT 2.6 MM
Posts: 1,543
@AmericanAir's full twitter stream is an endless series of apologies. Seems like about 5 per minute. https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/with_replies
My favorite is "the award structure is changing to better reflect the market and our global competitors." Yes... in the race for the bottom.
My favorite is "the award structure is changing to better reflect the market and our global competitors." Yes... in the race for the bottom.
#21
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
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: A3, AA. Plasticy things! That give me, y'know, Stuff!
Posts: 6,293
Well, my oh my... he has been busy this week, hasn't he? Hmm, odds on the partner awards going up in price, anyone? That would be a slower thing to push through as each partner gets a say in it, but it will obviously happen.
Looking at it, it's not (yet...) such a disaster for me and the flying I do. I have some friends that are... less than happy. They're off to AS.
Looking at it, it's not (yet...) such a disaster for me and the flying I do. I have some friends that are... less than happy. They're off to AS.
#25
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
@AmericanAir's full twitter stream is an endless series of apologies. Seems like about 5 per minute. https://twitter.com/AmericanAir/with_replies
My favorite is "the award structure is changing to better reflect the market and our global competitors." Yes... in the race for the bottom.
My favorite is "the award structure is changing to better reflect the market and our global competitors." Yes... in the race for the bottom.
Kind of like the FA at the door at the end of the flight (without the sincerity):
"So long."
"Bye bye."
"Have a good day".
"Thanks for flying with us".
"Good bye".
"Ta ta (my favourite)".
Repeat
#27
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
I would personally prefer them to say "Sorry guys, this is what it is", but realize we don't really live in a world where this is acceptable, as frustrating as this is to me.
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,393
Again, look at that list of airlines I posted. Can you think of an example of an airline in the past 5 years serving a significant portion of North America that has NOT in some way devalued their frequent flyer program- changing award levels for the worse, eliminating elite benefits, slapping on fees, and the like?
Take WN: they've devalued TWICE, going to RR 2.0 and then making the redemption rate worse. This is an airline with a pretty good customer service reputation- so, is their CEO driving drunk? How about UA's? How about DL's? How about LH's?
Well, my oh my... he has been busy this week, hasn't he? Hmm, odds on the partner awards going up in price, anyone? That would be a slower thing to push through as each partner gets a say in it, but it will obviously happen.
Looking at it, it's not (yet...) such a disaster for me and the flying I do. I have some friends that are... less than happy. They're off to AS.
Looking at it, it's not (yet...) such a disaster for me and the flying I do. I have some friends that are... less than happy. They're off to AS.
This is really a "nowhere to run, nowhere to hide" kind of scenario, unfortunately.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Apr 8, 2014 at 2:54 pm