AALoyalNYC

I realized this has been briefly discussed in other forums, but I believe it merits a separate thread given what I see as the biggest change to the combined FF program...having to use 500-mile sticker upgrades on US flights for non EXP's.

As a steady (legacy AA) PLT who will likely never see the benefits of EXP again, I loved the recent complimentary upgrade system at US...getting upgraded on nearly every one of my US flights over the past year to/from LGA. Inferior service and comfort, but for a comp upgrade, what's to complain about? Nothing...

However, the thought of a)paying for stickers to sit up front and/or b) using my precious "earned" stickers on a US flight seems grossly unappealing. My feeling is that for legacy US fliers this is going to be true "sticker shock." Charging the same price for two very different products on AA vs US planes.

I welcome others input on this...maybe I'm overthinking the impact of this change, but for me and my routes, it's pretty material.

falconred

As a long-time AA Plat, I have a huge pile of stickers I never get to use because the upgrades are so often taken by EXPs. So I wouldn't worry about it too much.

AALoyalNYC

Well, that's not the case for me. I often need to purchase stickers to cover flights where upgrades go through. AUS-JFK, JFK-SJU and even LGA-DFW more often that I would have expected.

Maybe just the times and routes I fly, but the US system made me feel like EXP...always upgraded, always free.

Often1

Gone and not coming back. Expect to see UA and DL move away from freebie UG's for their lesser elites now that AA/US is complete.

JDiver

I've taken the liberty of modifying your thread title to comply with the Rules <link> .

I do feel your pain, and it is a big change. The HP / US CEO made a number of changes when he took over managing the new American with his handpicked execs, such as last year eliminating the much beloved oneworld Explorer awards, complimentary stopovers at North America POE/POD, and adding several new and inflationary award tiers. He then chose to eliminate one LUS status tier, UDUs for those not CP / EP, and I suspect we may see more changes in the future.

Airlines modify their FFPs all the time - DL and UA, as I'm sure you know, now require a minimum spend; BA, CX and IB have made significant changes to their FFPs this year as well. All we can do here that has an effect is share our knowledge and experiences to try to enhance our travel experiences.

apeortdz

Given this new thread, I hope this is the right place to ask. As an EXP flying with my Gold wife, what is the best way to maximize the upgrades - so that I get comp-ed and she gets it via stickers?

skunker

If you fly together on one PNR then she gets upgraded with you without stickers. Of course there has to be two seats or you must be willing to separate if there isn't.

carlosdca

I think that would be a very rare statement to hear from any around here.

In any case, IMO, it totally makes sense to me.
If you were upgraded so easily in those routes, that means that demand for F in those particular flights is very WEAK, and AA might as well make some profit there and make you spend money.

I don't know about most elite flyers, but in my case, I always have more 500-mile upgrades (Stickers) than needed because as PLT or GLD I get stuck in the back of the bus more often than not. I would never pay for stickers for domestic F (unless for those flat LAX-JFK seats perhaps).

RogerD408

You might want to read http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...stions-24.html. EXPs do not get free companion upgrades. 500-mile upgrades can be used for companions.

JDiver

There's some pretty good discussion in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html as well.

FlyingLaw

I personally don't mind having to use stickers... I feel like it increases my likelihood of getting upgraded... However, I don't request an upgrade unless its a flight with a meal (over a meal period), its a long flight (i.e. ORD-west coast), or there's something special about first class on that flight (i.e. its a domestic flight being operated by a wide body with intl. business/first class). However, I can understand the dismay of coming from US where the upgrades were all free! But, and as others have mentioned, that is likely going to completely disappear in the near future for all those except the highest elites.

Xero

One potential positive effect of "charging" for upgrades is it gives AA an extra revenue stream and gives the airline an incentive to improve F.

no1cub17

Haha! That's a good one.

BSBD

AFAIC they already have. I was a UA Gold until beginning of this year. Never got an upgrade ever. I am a current multi year DL Gold. I average 1 upgrade per year on DL, and those were on routes with 30 min flying time.

RogerD408

You do get 4 free 500-mile upgrades for every 10,000 miles flown (BIS) so there is some cutting into the "revenue stream". Not that they bring in that much there.

Thinking any of that funding would make a difference in F, let alone be applied to F, is a stretch. A lot like baggage fees improved baggage handling.