Oct 28, 2014, 7:12 am
Last edit by: JDiver
HELP: JUST THE FACTS / FAQs: Combined AA/US AAdvantage FFP 2014 on
PLEASE NOTE: this thread has been re dedicated for "JUST THE FACTS" in an attempt to raise the signal to noise ratio, allowing members to find germane information about the AAdvantage program (merged pre-merger AAdvantage, and Dividend Miles, now under way) program and get factual answers to your / frequently asked questions from experienced members.
REACTION DISCUSSION: Combined AA/US AAdvantage program announced Oct 2014 – opinions
Please use the thread started for impressions, opinions, reactions, feelings, concerns, etc. and keep this thread for "JUST THE FACTS" and ACTUAL REPLIES. And of course, feel free to add new facts and findings to this wiki for members' ease in finding information on the new FFP.
Thank you, the AA fora moderation team
REACTION DISCUSSION: Combined AA/US AAdvantage program announced Oct 2014 – opinions
Please use the thread started for impressions, opinions, reactions, feelings, concerns, etc. and keep this thread for "JUST THE FACTS" and ACTUAL REPLIES. And of course, feel free to add new facts and findings to this wiki for members' ease in finding information on the new FFP.
Thank you, the AA fora moderation team
AAdvantage loyalty program in 2015 - LINK
The AAdvantage program will continue to offer three elite status levels – AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum and Gold – and you’ll still have three ways to qualify with elite-qualifying miles, points and segments. On January 1, 2015, the segment qualification requirement for Executive Platinum will move to 120, and the current 100 segment threshold will continue until December 31, 2014.
Three tiers:
- Executive Platinum - 100k EQM / 100k EQP / 120 Segments
- Platinum - 50k EQM / 50k EQP / 60 Segments
- Gold - 25k EQM / 25k EQP / 30 Segments
Elite Status Benefits:
- AAdvantage elite status members receive select reciprocal benefits to enrich their travel journey when flying on US Airways.
- This includes upgrades on US Airways on the day of departure when available, First/Business Class check-in, priority through security checkpoints, priority boarding, complimentary checked bags, access to preferred seats, and priority baggage delivery for Executive Platinum and Platinum members.
- Upgrades will still be different on American and US Airways flights until we have a single reservation system at the end of 2015. For now, continue flying and enjoying reciprocal benefits and the ability to earn and redeem miles on both carriers. We’ll keep you updated as we move forward with other important integration milestones.
Million Miler Program:
- 1 Million combined miles - Lifetime Gold Status
- 2 Million combined miles - Lifetime Platinum Status
Upgrades on American: https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/AAdvantage2015/index.jsp#500mile
- All flights 500 miles and under, no stickers needed and are complimentary regardless of elite status for the elite members.
- Complimentary upgrades will be auto requested for all elite levels at booking. Non complimentary upgrades (aka those needing 500mi stickers) will have to be requested manually.
- No complimentary upgrades for Y/B fares for Gold/Platinum anymore (unless flight is 500 miles or less)
- Companion Upgrades still will require 500mi stickers to be used.
- 8 SWUs for EXP level and EXPs still will not earn 500mi stickers to use for companions.
2015 - January Updates:
- Executive Platinum and Chairman's Preferred members enjoy complimentary same-day confirmed flight changes on American, a new benefit
- Redeem all your Special Dividends by early 2015; qualification ends in December 2014
2015 - 2nd Quarter Updates:
- Move to three elite status levels in the AAdvantage program – Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum
- Qualify for elite status based on elite-qualifying miles, segments or points
- Receive a 100% mileage bonus if you're a Dividend Miles Gold or Platinum member who becomes AAdvantage Platinum
- Redeem miles for AAnytime awards and mileage upgrade awards on both American and US Airways marketed and operated flights
- Upgrade on American marketed and operated flights before day of departure
On March 13 2015, AAdvantage sent a letter to members saying "we're on track to bring the US Airways Dividend Miles® program into the AAdvantage program within the next 30 days."
N.B. The previous thread discussing the putative, pre-announcement AAdvantage program, entitled "Speculation and discussion of what the new merged FFP might look like (consolidated)" can be found here; it has been closed and archived.
Some useful resources:
FT:Airport Terminal, Gate & Counter Changes
Link to Gary Leff's "View from the Wing" interview with AA's Suzanne Rubin
Link to TravelingBetter with JonNYC's information.
Clarifying contact from AA provided by jmachin:
We want to address all your concerns. Thank you for responding to our most recent email.
I apologize for the delay in answering. I wanted to discuss the point you raised with our executive team and get you a correct answer.
When our frequent flyer programs are combined sometime in the second quarter of 2015, if your 2014 combined elite-qualifying activity meets the requirements for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, then your AAdvantage account will be updated with Executive Platinum status. The requirements for 2014 are 100,000 elite-qualifying miles, 100,000 elite-qualifying points, or 100 elite-qualifying segments, with at least 4 segments flown on American Airlines or US Airways.
This means that if you end 2014 with 107 elite-qualifying segments and at least 4 of those segments were American Airlines or US Airways flights, then you will receive Executive Platinum status when the programs are combined. Until that point, you will have Dividend Miles Preferred Platinum status.
Please be aware, beginning in 2015, the segment requirements will be 120 segments to re-qualify for Executive Platinum status. We look forward to having you as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member!
Regards,
Kathleen L.
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines.
I apologize for the delay in answering. I wanted to discuss the point you raised with our executive team and get you a correct answer.
When our frequent flyer programs are combined sometime in the second quarter of 2015, if your 2014 combined elite-qualifying activity meets the requirements for AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, then your AAdvantage account will be updated with Executive Platinum status. The requirements for 2014 are 100,000 elite-qualifying miles, 100,000 elite-qualifying points, or 100 elite-qualifying segments, with at least 4 segments flown on American Airlines or US Airways.
This means that if you end 2014 with 107 elite-qualifying segments and at least 4 of those segments were American Airlines or US Airways flights, then you will receive Executive Platinum status when the programs are combined. Until that point, you will have Dividend Miles Preferred Platinum status.
Please be aware, beginning in 2015, the segment requirements will be 120 segments to re-qualify for Executive Platinum status. We look forward to having you as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum member!
Regards,
Kathleen L.
AAdvantage Customer Service
American Airlines.
HELP: JUST THE FACTS / FAQs: Combined AA/US AAdvantage FFP 2014 on
Oct 28, 2014, 10:31 am
#241
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BOS, LAX
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 804
Actually, there is a 51-mile grace window for 500-mile sticker upgrades.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Oct 28, 2014, 10:31 am
#242
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: USAir
Posts: 429
Regrettably the decision is junking one of the most reasonable loyalty schemes and replaces it with poorly designed American Advantage.
Instead of using the merger to make the airline better by selecting the best features of the two - the management neglected human behaviour. Just take the upgrades:
Current US Airways: will upgrade loyals' if we have the seat even without asking and your companion too;
Current AA: we'll sell you 500 mile segments so if you fly 2075 miles you'll need 5 segments to upgrade and you have to ask for the upgrade. Under 500 we'll reward you with the upgrade.
This kills the deal for me.
Instead of using the merger to make the airline better by selecting the best features of the two - the management neglected human behaviour. Just take the upgrades:
Current US Airways: will upgrade loyals' if we have the seat even without asking and your companion too;
Current AA: we'll sell you 500 mile segments so if you fly 2075 miles you'll need 5 segments to upgrade and you have to ask for the upgrade. Under 500 we'll reward you with the upgrade.
This kills the deal for me.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:33 am
#243
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, 1865 Voyager, *G
Posts: 112
Can any AA'ers point me in the right direction on what these "Upgrade Stickers" mean? I'm currently Chairman's on US for 2014. I'll only be qualifying for US-Gold/AA-Platinum next year, however. I'm just trying to figure out what this means for me. If I fly every week or bi-weekly - what do I have to do to get upgraded? It's not automatic anymore?
Thanks.
Thanks.
It's an opt-in so you can choose not to burn stickers on a flight-by-flight basis if you so choose. So I'd generally not do it on short-flights (NY -> FL was my shortest route I'd consider it) and always do it transcons (and as a PLT, I still had a near 90-100% rate Westbound and 0% Eastbound).
There are plenty of AA FFers who are way more knowledgable than I am if you have more specific questions.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:33 am
#244
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CAE,AGS
Programs: AAExP, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, IHG Spire, Marriott Plat
Posts: 3,124
No, it really is a downgrade. They used to be free, now they're $30/500 miles/person (first 28 free, if you're a US-platinum). So whereas before, when I wanted to fly say PHL-SAN up front, all I had to do was buy the coach ticket (because that was a very gettable upgrade), and I could get the upgrade every time I flew. Now, that round trip is going to use up 10 of my upgrades. So, three trips in, and they're all gone. So, how can it be considered anything other than a downgrade in benefits when I used to be able to get upgrades on as many PHL-SAN trips as I wanted, but now I'm limited to 3 unless I pay? And since the roundtrip requires 10 of those stickers, the price just went up $300.
What gets me is that I have no idea why people think they the upgrade THEY really cared about would be any different from the upgrade that everyone else really cared about. Are you going to be saving your upgrades for PHL-ORF or for PHL-SAN? Or literally any short-haul over literally any red-eye?
I get that the former AA fliers on here are really happy that there will be almost no changes made to the system you know. But this board would be a lot more harmonious a place if people would just take a minute to realize just how the US flier feels about these changes. Instead of constantly trying to tell us that our inferior product just got better when there is a very clear, mathematically provable devaluation.
What gets me is that I have no idea why people think they the upgrade THEY really cared about would be any different from the upgrade that everyone else really cared about. Are you going to be saving your upgrades for PHL-ORF or for PHL-SAN? Or literally any short-haul over literally any red-eye?
I get that the former AA fliers on here are really happy that there will be almost no changes made to the system you know. But this board would be a lot more harmonious a place if people would just take a minute to realize just how the US flier feels about these changes. Instead of constantly trying to tell us that our inferior product just got better when there is a very clear, mathematically provable devaluation.
The American sub-elites (Platinum and Gold) have never known any other system so for them, it is business as usual. US Airways had the sticker program back in the late 90's and did away with it because it felt it wasn't working for its elites. So sad to see it reinstated.
Yes, it is a major downgrade and slap in the face for US Airways flyers and no, the American flyers have no idea how we really feel about this.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:40 am
#250
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: US Airways Chairman's Preferred; SPG Platinum
Posts: 61
I was PLT for a few years and qualified EXP this year. Basically, at the time of booking, you just click a box that says "Request Upgrade" -- it's that simple.
It's an opt-in so you can choose not to burn stickers on a flight-by-flight basis if you so choose. So I'd generally not do it on short-flights (NY -> FL was my shortest route I'd consider it) and always do it transcons (and as a PLT, I still had a near 90-100% rate Westbound and 0% Eastbound).
There are plenty of AA FFers who are way more knowledgable than I am if you have more specific questions.
It's an opt-in so you can choose not to burn stickers on a flight-by-flight basis if you so choose. So I'd generally not do it on short-flights (NY -> FL was my shortest route I'd consider it) and always do it transcons (and as a PLT, I still had a near 90-100% rate Westbound and 0% Eastbound).
There are plenty of AA FFers who are way more knowledgable than I am if you have more specific questions.
Thanks. I guess my question is - how likely is it that I'll run out of "stickers"? How many do I start out with? If I "request an upgrade" - that means I'm burning these "stickers" right? Once I'm out of stickers, I'll no longer see the "Request Upgrade" box?
Oct 28, 2014, 10:40 am
#251
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: 32.7758° N, 96.7967° W
Programs: AA EXP,SPG 75
Posts: 318
The American sub-elites (Platinum and Gold) have never known any other system so for them, it is business as usual. US Airways had the sticker program back in the late 90's and did away with it because it felt it wasn't working for its elites. So sad to see it reinstated.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:40 am
#252
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
Programs: "But, I'm a GLOBALIST guest...."
Posts: 2,848
Regrettably the decision is junking one of the most reasonable loyalty schemes and replaces it with poorly designed American Advantage.
Instead of using the merger to make the airline better by selecting the best features of the two - the management neglected human behaviour. Just take the upgrades:
Current US Airways: will upgrade loyals' if we have the seat even without asking and your companion too;
Current AA: we'll sell you 500 mile segments so if you fly 2075 miles you'll need 5 segments to upgrade and you have to ask for the upgrade. Under 500 we'll reward you with the upgrade.
This kills the deal for me.
Instead of using the merger to make the airline better by selecting the best features of the two - the management neglected human behaviour. Just take the upgrades:
Current US Airways: will upgrade loyals' if we have the seat even without asking and your companion too;
Current AA: we'll sell you 500 mile segments so if you fly 2075 miles you'll need 5 segments to upgrade and you have to ask for the upgrade. Under 500 we'll reward you with the upgrade.
This kills the deal for me.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:42 am
#253
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Oct 28, 2014, 10:43 am
#254
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MSP/PIT
Programs: DL PM, AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 98
It's been a while since I was Platinum but here is what I remember...
There currently is a 51 mile buffer applied before an additional sticker is required. So 551 is the current cutoff. Not sure if this will stick around with the changes.
I remember that I was not passed over but if the upgrade cleared I was not able to check in unless I had sufficient upgrades in my account.
I thought they were pulled after boarding.
This is true.
This is true unless the flight is a thru flight, in which case upgrade inventory will need to be available simultaneously on both segments and the same seat will also need to be available on both flights. In this case the distance used for upgrade calculation is from point A to point C, not point A to point B plus point B to point C.
There currently is a 51 mile buffer applied before an additional sticker is required. So 551 is the current cutoff. Not sure if this will stick around with the changes.
This is true.
This is true unless the flight is a thru flight, in which case upgrade inventory will need to be available simultaneously on both segments and the same seat will also need to be available on both flights. In this case the distance used for upgrade calculation is from point A to point C, not point A to point B plus point B to point C.
Oct 28, 2014, 10:44 am
#255
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, 1865 Voyager, *G
Posts: 112
And, as always, it depends on your flight patterns for both spend/earning and what your threshhold is for just free MCE. I found it not-very-forgiving as a Gold, very-forgiving as a Platinum and no clue yet as an EXP (my first trip is Friday).
* = a joke because there was a period of like 8 months post-merger where the website was TOTALLY screwed up and you could only view on the mobile app! But generally fixed now!