TheBOSman

Want me to do one for my G4 flight I did last month? It actually wasn't that bad and was far cheaper than any AA ticket I've EVER paid for (even the honored mistake ones ).

Superguy

UA didn't copy it either, so I guess they're following them instead of DL.

AAFlyerSPGStayer

System-wides are unfortunate, but I imagine it was a choice to cut the allotment or the eligible fare classes. I think they made the right call.

Wish the rest of these changes had been in place last year. Probably would have earned at least 100k extra points / miles, even though I started the year as a plat. Would have also probably made EP based on the published criteria (flew mostly discount domestic first) versus a revenue exception at the tail end of the year.

It's pretty clear what they're doing with these two changes though, trying to win loyalty from customers who buy into first because they can fill coach regardless right now.

salfcl

That's why I had not flown AC for the last decade ...it was always AA, despite the non-direct route - because of AAdvantage.

No reason to stick around with AA with this change ...convenience, service and price become more important

nyczreklis

Less EXPs in 2017???

salfcl

Parker is looking forward to a big bonus in 2016, thanks to the gutting of the FFP. AA will scoop up all the high-rev pax and become the most profitable airline in the country. Thumbs up for Parker.

cmd320

With what? Their industry leading product? LOL!

Why on Earth would an HVC choose AA over DL or UA where they have better products and a spend requirement for status?

GUWonder

More EXPs that are incidental (and perhaps less "loyal") EXPs -- that's my bet.

First you boost the size of the herd. Then you can afford to slaughter and fleece the herd without being as concerned about people (even legitimately) crying wolf.

DL leads the way, and that was DL's path.

JonNYC

But many times vice-versa as well!

Left a less-than-ideal situation in search of a unrealistic, idealized, grass-is-greener, better one.

mooper

In absolute terms, perhaps, but you need to look in the context of what market prices and overall demand has been doing on its own. It's easy to say that award availability has shrunk over the past few years and that the number of miles has increased, "devaluing' the programs, but you should really be looking at what each mile is saving you in dollars you would have actually spent otherwise. Sure, it was a breeze to redeem 25K miles for a coach domestic ticket 5-7 years ago compared to the scenario today where you likely need more miles, but the market price of those same tickets is likely 2x greater on many routes. I'd rather use 35K miles to replace a $600 ticket than 25K miles to replace a $300 ticket.

I'm not saying that these changes will suddenly cause AA award availability to suddenly open up. Rather, it may not improve it at all. But if it helps stabilize it as market prices and general demand for seats creep up, that's a good thing and may boost the actual value of banked miles over time.

The biggest impact should be domestic UA awards. International and partner travel introduces other variables. RE: CC bonuses - They've been aggressive for years and I doubt they'll be more plentiful than they currently are. Also, those who earn primarily via CC (I'm one of them) don't tend to fly as much as those who earn via BIS.

That's because paying you less won't make a marked impact on inflation. But AA minting substantially fewer miles and statuses will help counter award inflation, even while market price inflation creeps up, as noted above.

Superguy

Usually, if the grass is greener elsewhere, it's because it's fertilized with BS.

GrandMoffJoseph

Exactly.

pvgman

I am mostly disappointed in the big increase to redeem miles as I use these mostly for my wife travel, for the SWU I'm struggling to use them every year, I keep giving them away to colleagues or to upgrade from J to F, which I can definitely live without.

On the earning side, it will make me feel better when I pay last minute ticket at a very high price, at least I'll get more out of my money in terms of RDM.

For the rest, I would have like that at least OW F get 2RDM per miles flown.

GrandMoffJoseph

Why on earth would a high-value pax switch to AA at all? Especially now?

All they'd get are longer bag waits, less service, fewer amenities in-flight, and ancient planes (unless they already live in a hub city)

If UA/DL were really cutthroat, they'd immediately push their FFPs closer to AA's old model, and poach a ton of customers overnight.

GrandMoffJoseph

This is likely common knowledge around here, but for those who may be wondering:

I tweeted at Alaska Air last night, and their rep did confirm that they will status match customers coming over from AA.

Just FYI.