Sep 18, 2015, 10:16 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Speculation: Future changes to AAdvantage program? (Consolidated thread)
Please update as any concrete information becomes available.
Please update as any concrete information becomes available.
This situation changed with JonNYC's revelations here and on travelingbetter.com on November 5, 2015. Please see the current thread, 2016 AAdvantage Program Changes for further discussion. This speculation thread has now been archived.
Q. What do we know at this point?
Nothing.
Q. When would a change occur?
We don't know.
Q. Will there be changes?
We don't know.
Q. Are there clues?
Mr. Parker stated there would be no changes for 2015.
Mr. Parker said he'd not be averse to using others' ideas if they worked.
28 Sep 2015: AA spokesperson Laura Nedbal to Gary Leff:
"If we were to issue changes like this we would be certain to give plenty of advanced notice."
Mr. Parker said he'd not be averse to using others' ideas if they worked.
28 Sep 2015: AA spokesperson Laura Nedbal to Gary Leff:
"If we were to issue changes like this we would be certain to give plenty of advanced notice."
ARCHIVE: Speculation: Future changes to AAdvantage program? (Consolidated)
Sep 23, 2015 | 2:51 pm
#196
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG
Posts: 3,583
MM balance is already calculated using a unique formula (it doesn't include segment minimums, where EQM does) -- no reason that couldn't continue.
Sep 23, 2015 | 2:55 pm
#197
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG
Posts: 3,583
DL has made a lot of noise about having too many elites and cutting benefits. That being said, I think it is in their interest to create the *perception* that elite ranks have grown, when in fact what people are experiencing is heavy monetization of upgrades.
Sep 23, 2015 | 2:55 pm
#198
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,810
International fares ex-YYZ and YUL are unbeatable on any airline, not just AA. Going to India I've seen UA/LH/LX as low as $2000rt.
Sep 24, 2015 | 9:30 am
#199
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Sep 24, 2015 | 6:55 pm
#200
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
The posts regarding possible changes in earning AAdvantage miles flying BA or IB on October 1 2015 have been moved here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ct-2015-a.html
due to the impact and importance of such changes on AAdvantage members.
/Moderator
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ct-2015-a.html
due to the impact and importance of such changes on AAdvantage members.
/Moderator
Sep 29, 2015 | 9:11 am
#201
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT EXP; HH LT Diamond, Matre-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
One thing that has come out of the BA / IB earnings for AAdvantage members debacle (the October 1 miles earnings messages flashed on several AA websites in several languages, AA later said it was all an error 
) is, as reported at Gary Leff's "View from the Boarding Area":
AA spokesperson Laura Nedbal to Gary: "If we were to issue changes like this we would be certain to give plenty of advanced notice."
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....to-aadvantage/
) is, as reported at Gary Leff's "View from the Boarding Area":AA spokesperson Laura Nedbal to Gary: "If we were to issue changes like this we would be certain to give plenty of advanced notice."
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....to-aadvantage/
Sep 29, 2015 | 12:29 pm
#202
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Any suggestions on routes/dates? I need to pickup about 10k EQP before the end of the year and would jump on a cheap int'l biz fare. Doesn't have to be as far as India, and under 2k would be ideal.
Sep 29, 2015 | 1:37 pm
#203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,810
Not finding anything under 2000 at the moment. AA on 11/15-11/17 is offering YYZ-ICN via DFW for $2473. There's also Finnair on 11/15-11/17 from YYZ-PEK. That's running ~$2500rt in J. HKG and PVG can also be done at similar prices. A lot of the better sales were on Star Alliance and SkyTeam airlines
Sep 29, 2015 | 2:05 pm
#204
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,925
A lot of the sales that were occurring have seemingly expired.
Not finding anything under 2000 at the moment. AA on 11/15-11/17 is offering YYZ-ICN via DFW for $2473. There's also Finnair on 11/15-11/17 from YYZ-PEK. That's running ~$2500rt in J. HKG and PVG can also be done at similar prices. A lot of the better sales were on Star Alliance and SkyTeam airlines
Not finding anything under 2000 at the moment. AA on 11/15-11/17 is offering YYZ-ICN via DFW for $2473. There's also Finnair on 11/15-11/17 from YYZ-PEK. That's running ~$2500rt in J. HKG and PVG can also be done at similar prices. A lot of the better sales were on Star Alliance and SkyTeam airlines
Although I am still buying tickets on AA rather than UA, because of Elite benefits, miles, etc.
Maybe AA will keep mileage based and just charge a little more for its fares.
Sep 29, 2015 | 7:37 pm
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 19,983
https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...0-25;sc=b;a=AA
Sep 29, 2015 | 11:24 pm
#206
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 280
I (respectfully of course) disagree. I've been a UA elite since 2007 and i've only been on AA for the last 1.5 years and i have had a far better experience flying F on AA than i ever have on UA. While UA has clearly made improvements to their catering to come up to a higher level, its too little, too late. However, i have seen that DL does have a superior catering product to AA. Their Frequent Flier Program leaves a lot to be desired however and Skyteam is not as competitive of an airline alliance as Oneworld or Star. (you can't book first class awards on many skyteam partners because DL itself does not have intl F).
What exactly is wrong with charging stickers for upgrades? I think it ruins the exclusiveness of first class when you hand out free upgrades like candy. Notice how no other premium airline in the world does that. It also leaves open some seats for EPs who may buy last minute fares inside their upgrade window and not lose it out to PLTs or GLDs. But of course a non-EP would complain about sticker upgrades. Check out the UA board, you have even 1Ks who are not getting confirmed upgrades while most EXPs here report a high success percentage. 1K is pretty much nothing at UA these days, if you want any perks its Global Services or bust. Its funny because if you're a global services on UA you can still be stuck flying coach (i've seen it) and you still dont get a free item off the ala carte menu.
What exactly is wrong with charging stickers for upgrades? I think it ruins the exclusiveness of first class when you hand out free upgrades like candy. Notice how no other premium airline in the world does that. It also leaves open some seats for EPs who may buy last minute fares inside their upgrade window and not lose it out to PLTs or GLDs. But of course a non-EP would complain about sticker upgrades. Check out the UA board, you have even 1Ks who are not getting confirmed upgrades while most EXPs here report a high success percentage. 1K is pretty much nothing at UA these days, if you want any perks its Global Services or bust. Its funny because if you're a global services on UA you can still be stuck flying coach (i've seen it) and you still dont get a free item off the ala carte menu.
Oct 1, 2015 | 2:17 pm
#207
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Just had my domestic boarding pass reprinted at PHL because the one issued back in Munich had some bar code issues and wouldn't scan. Asked the US agent to add me to the upgrade list as an AA elite and she mentioned that the comped upgrade program is being eliminated and I'll need to support my upgrades in the future. As no one else has posted anything of the sort, I'm thinking the agent may not be up on the differences between AA and US upgrades yet. Time will tell.
Oct 1, 2015 | 2:25 pm
#208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 19,983
Just had my domestic boarding pass reprinted at PHL because the one issued back in Munich had some bar code issues and wouldn't scan. Asked the US agent to add me to the upgrade list as an AA elite and she mentioned that the comped upgrade program is being eliminated and I'll need to support my upgrades in the future. As no one else has posted anything of the sort, I'm thinking the agent may not be up on the differences between AA and US upgrades yet. Time will tell.
Oct 1, 2015 | 2:29 pm
#209
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PBI/FLL/MIA
Programs: DL DM/360 2.8MM, MR Ambassador, National EE
Posts: 1,616
Just had my domestic boarding pass reprinted at PHL because the one issued back in Munich had some bar code issues and wouldn't scan. Asked the US agent to add me to the upgrade list as an AA elite and she mentioned that the comped upgrade program is being eliminated and I'll need to support my upgrades in the future. As no one else has posted anything of the sort, I'm thinking the agent may not be up on the differences between AA and US upgrades yet. Time will tell.
) in the AA program and the only elites that will get unlimited UGs will be ExP. Gold and Plat will need to request UGs and apply stickers. Very surprised that someone that posts here is not aware of this at this late date as it has been discussed on every board in the AA / US forum at great length.
Oct 1, 2015 | 3:03 pm
#210
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
The agent knew I was an AA flyer. She was referring to my comped upgrades as an AA EXP flyer. US flyers weren't a topic of discussion at all. I'm not a US elite flyer.
No changes for me. Been that way since 2004.
No changes for me. Been that way since 2004.