Apr 9, 2014, 11:05 am
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)
Oct 4, 2014, 1:13 pm
#496
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG LT Plat, AA 3MM EXP
Posts: 397
Yes I'm upset too!!
...heard on a recent flight pitching the AA Citi card over the PA, "and you can redeem travel for a round trip starting at only 25,000 miles..."
I have a real problem hearing that ad on a flight, and a bigger problem giving SSNs in a pile of written forms to flight attendants to deliver. Anyway, it's funny to go to http://aa.com/awardmap and see where your miles WON'T take you! No wonder they don't advertise that portion of their website. Not many people know about it. I'm sure they spent a pretty penny developing it, but it showcases how useless the miles really are.
If we want to get some traction, perhaps we should start socializing the "aa.com/awardmap" site so everyone can make their own opinions of the redemption value.
Edit: I just read this post to my wife and she put in "25,000" miles into the calculator for ANY domestic destination with randomly picked dates in January..."NO RESULTS FOUND."
I have a real problem hearing that ad on a flight, and a bigger problem giving SSNs in a pile of written forms to flight attendants to deliver. Anyway, it's funny to go to http://aa.com/awardmap and see where your miles WON'T take you! No wonder they don't advertise that portion of their website. Not many people know about it. I'm sure they spent a pretty penny developing it, but it showcases how useless the miles really are.
If we want to get some traction, perhaps we should start socializing the "aa.com/awardmap" site so everyone can make their own opinions of the redemption value.
Edit: I just read this post to my wife and she put in "25,000" miles into the calculator for ANY domestic destination with randomly picked dates in January..."NO RESULTS FOUND."
Oct 4, 2014, 1:27 pm
#497
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
...heard on a recent flight pitching the AA Citi card over the PA, "and you can redeem travel for a round trip starting at only 25,000 miles..."
I have a real problem hearing that ad on a flight, and a bigger problem giving SSNs in a pile of written forms to flight attendants to deliver. Anyway, it's funny to go to http://aa.com/awardmap and see where your miles WON'T take you! No wonder they don't advertise that portion of their website. Not many people know about it. I'm sure they spent a pretty penny developing it, but it showcases how useless the miles really are.
If we want to get some traction, perhaps we should start socializing the "aa.com/awardmap" site so everyone can make their own opinions of the redemption value.
Edit: I just read this post to my wife and she put in "25,000" miles into the calculator for ANY domestic destination with randomly picked dates in January..."NO RESULTS FOUND."
I have a real problem hearing that ad on a flight, and a bigger problem giving SSNs in a pile of written forms to flight attendants to deliver. Anyway, it's funny to go to http://aa.com/awardmap and see where your miles WON'T take you! No wonder they don't advertise that portion of their website. Not many people know about it. I'm sure they spent a pretty penny developing it, but it showcases how useless the miles really are.
If we want to get some traction, perhaps we should start socializing the "aa.com/awardmap" site so everyone can make their own opinions of the redemption value.
Edit: I just read this post to my wife and she put in "25,000" miles into the calculator for ANY domestic destination with randomly picked dates in January..."NO RESULTS FOUND."
Oct 5, 2014, 11:26 am
#499
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG LT Plat, AA 3MM EXP
Posts: 397
Actually, you have a good point. I am in DFW, perhaps I should relocate to another homebase! Putting in that same week from DFW (1/5 thru 1/10) I believe) nets exactly one 25k possibility: Jackson, Wyoming.
Oct 5, 2014, 5:25 pm
#500
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
I will also note that the tool is not totally accurate. I found flights when it said there were none
Oct 13, 2014, 5:46 pm
#502
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 515
Wright Amendment went away today. Now even more reason for me to consider other airlines when I fly. No longer is there a strangle hold by AA. I am closing in on 2 mil lifetime. I have 7 trips coming up to FLL that I am think I might go WN.