View Poll Results: My plans for dealing with the 2016 AAdvantage changes:
I'm actually benefitting from this - good deal for me.
46
6.80%
I'm neutral - I gain some, lose some. I'll stay.
132
19.53%
I'm not happy, but stuck with AA / oneworld at this point.
176
26.04%
I'm unhappy & will use AA & other airlines opportunistically.
274
40.53%
I'm outta here! Bye, American.
48
7.10%
Voters: 676. You may not vote on this poll
AAdvantage Changes for 2016 - DISCUSSION, REACTION & POLL
Nov 22, 2015, 9:58 am
#616
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SFO, LON
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Bonvoy Tit, Hilton Dia etc etc
Posts: 2,354
I dunno, based on this thread (*this thread, not FT in general) I would say that this audience is predominantly skewed towards those the value RDMs over all other elements of the program. Not that there is anything wrong with that. But hardly a representative or meaningful sample.
No one with any sanity about them felt the changes were going to be net neutral. If you're coming out not completely trashed by this whole thing, as someone who makes plat flying LAX-DFW on cheap fares has been trashed, you're probably thinking you did well.
A perspective from the margin of AA status.
I fly 20-30k miles per year all in deep discount economy for pleasure and a little work (not counting 1-2 award tickets per year). ~1-2 trips internationally, the rest domestic. ~400k LT miles in the MM program (~500k overall AA LT miles).
I've made GLD the last 2 years but will lose it as of 3/1/16 (and probably get it back mid-2016). I truly appreciate the GLD benefits for the airport/flying experience: better seats; priority boarding; the occasional domestic upgrade; the very rare checked bag. I find it makes a big difference.
From my standpoint on the margin:
- Elite status (airport/flying experience) has not changed too much: I will accumulate EQM at the same rate (I never purchase J or F) and get largely the same GLD benefits, with slightly longer wait for 500mi stickers.
- RDM, on the other hand, have taken a major hit: Accumulate at a much, much slower rate with my only deep discount economy tickets. On average, more "expensive" award tickets.
So, conclusions: I'll probably still aim to achieve GLD if within reach, but I am kind of writing off the RDM side; any accumulation I get in passing that is enough for an award or miles/co-pay upgrade is a bonus, but it will not be a focus of mine in any way.
And if 2017 brings the minimum spend for status, I'm toast.
Thoughts?
I fly 20-30k miles per year all in deep discount economy for pleasure and a little work (not counting 1-2 award tickets per year). ~1-2 trips internationally, the rest domestic. ~400k LT miles in the MM program (~500k overall AA LT miles).
I've made GLD the last 2 years but will lose it as of 3/1/16 (and probably get it back mid-2016). I truly appreciate the GLD benefits for the airport/flying experience: better seats; priority boarding; the occasional domestic upgrade; the very rare checked bag. I find it makes a big difference.
From my standpoint on the margin:
- Elite status (airport/flying experience) has not changed too much: I will accumulate EQM at the same rate (I never purchase J or F) and get largely the same GLD benefits, with slightly longer wait for 500mi stickers.
- RDM, on the other hand, have taken a major hit: Accumulate at a much, much slower rate with my only deep discount economy tickets. On average, more "expensive" award tickets.
So, conclusions: I'll probably still aim to achieve GLD if within reach, but I am kind of writing off the RDM side; any accumulation I get in passing that is enough for an award or miles/co-pay upgrade is a bonus, but it will not be a focus of mine in any way.
And if 2017 brings the minimum spend for status, I'm toast.
Thoughts?
Nov 22, 2015, 10:11 am
#617
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
On what? You've pretty well laid it out. This thread is at over 600+ posts, the other semi-related thread is at about ~300 posts. There is almost no scenario that has not been analyzed to death at this point.
The playing field has been established, make your next moves as you best see fit for your personal situation.
Regards
The playing field has been established, make your next moves as you best see fit for your personal situation.
Regards
Nov 22, 2015, 10:22 am
#618
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 428
One thing that I've noticed just through my own behavior... I've started looking for cheaper F fares instead of only looking for cheap Y fares to take advantage of the multipliers, especially early in the year. Since I have a Trip in April that is about 21,000 BIS in J ( on AY so Only 1.5), That one trip puts me over half way to PLT and over a quarter of the way to EXP. Last night I was looking at some "multi-city" trips in F. One I found netted my about 15,000 EQM for about $1,000. So basically I can make a trip in all domestic F and get the same about of EQM as a Europe trip in Y would have been prior to the changes. For me that's a benefit as I would rather fly domestic F than intl. Y... I'm anxious to see what my fellow FTers begin to come up with!!
Long story short... My own personal metric has change from "CPM" to "CPEQM"....
Also, if they start imposing "minimum spend" requirements for elite status... I'll probably jump ship... So please AA don't do that!
Long story short... My own personal metric has change from "CPM" to "CPEQM"....
Also, if they start imposing "minimum spend" requirements for elite status... I'll probably jump ship... So please AA don't do that!
Nov 22, 2015, 11:07 am
#619
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
Nov 22, 2015, 12:44 pm
#621
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Other than a few pie in the sky FTs most expected the AAdvantage program to take a hit; the conventional wisdom being in the form of earning status. However, EQMs have remained unaffected. If you get EXP status by flying 100K miles of cheap fares that will not change. You will get only 4 SWUs and less RDMs. HVFs will earn status faster, earn more RDMs, and potentially more SWUs. Now it could be argued that HVFs have less value in SWUs (if they are already flying paid premium long haul) and maybe less RDMs. However on whole, the changes were far less draconian than originally expected.
Nov 22, 2015, 1:22 pm
#622
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Western PA
Programs: AA EXP/2MM
Posts: 441
I actually appreciate that she did not try to claim that "customers asked for these changes" like BA always seems to suggest when they roll out one of their "product enhancements."
Nov 22, 2015, 1:26 pm
#623
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Western PA
Programs: AA EXP/2MM
Posts: 441
Other than a few pie in the sky FTs most expected the AAdvantage program to take a hit; the conventional wisdom being in the form of earning status. However, EQMs have remained unaffected. If you get EXP status by flying 100K miles of cheap fares that will not change. You will get only 4 SWUs and less RDMs. HVFs will earn status faster, earn more RDMs, and potentially more SWUs. Now it could be argued that HVFs have less value in SWUs (if they are already flying paid premium long haul) and maybe less RDMs. However on whole, the changes were far less draconian than originally expected.
Down 50% on SWU's strikes me as pretty draconian... and I'm someone who qualified on EQP's, but with a lot of OW partner flying - meaning that I will still be stuck at 4 unless I play around with codeshares on every itinerary.
Nov 22, 2015, 1:29 pm
#624
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
One thing that I've noticed just through my own behavior... I've started looking for cheaper F fares instead of only looking for cheap Y fares to take advantage of the multipliers, especially early in the year. Since I have a Trip in April that is about 21,000 BIS in J ( on AY so Only 1.5), That one trip puts me over half way to PLT and over a quarter of the way to EXP. Last night I was looking at some "multi-city" trips in F. One I found netted my about 15,000 EQM for about $1,000. So basically I can make a trip in all domestic F and get the same about of EQM as a Europe trip in Y would have been prior to the changes. For me that's a benefit as I would rather fly domestic F than intl. Y... I'm anxious to see what my fellow FTers begin to come up with!!
Long story short... My own personal metric has change from "CPM" to "CPEQM"....
Also, if they start imposing "minimum spend" requirements for elite status... I'll probably jump ship... So please AA don't do that!
Long story short... My own personal metric has change from "CPM" to "CPEQM"....
Also, if they start imposing "minimum spend" requirements for elite status... I'll probably jump ship... So please AA don't do that!
Nov 22, 2015, 1:36 pm
#625
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
Other than a few pie in the sky FTs most expected the AAdvantage program to take a hit; the conventional wisdom being in the form of earning status. However, EQMs have remained unaffected. If you get EXP status by flying 100K miles of cheap fares that will not change. You will get only 4 SWUs and less RDMs. HVFs will earn status faster, earn more RDMs, and potentially more SWUs. Now it could be argued that HVFs have less value in SWUs (if they are already flying paid premium long haul) and maybe less RDMs. However on whole, the changes were far less draconian than originally expected.
Nov 22, 2015, 2:22 pm
#626
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Posts: 1,844
The Points Guy is saying there are two AAward charts depending if your flying AA metal or not? Or are codeshares "AA metal"
"apply to flights from the United States operated by American Airlines"
" award chart for flights on AA’s partners, such as Cathay Pacific and Etihad."
http://thepointsguy.com/2015/11/aa-2...ntage-program/
Where is this second AAward chart. I don't see it at AA.com:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...-chart2016.jsp
I do see the 37,500 to Asia 2, but not the 35,000.
OK. So, if you fly AA metal to HKG, you at 35,000 AAmiles, but CX will cost you 37,500.
What if you fly AA to HKG, and CX to DAD? DAD is in Asia 2.
"apply to flights from the United States operated by American Airlines"
" award chart for flights on AA’s partners, such as Cathay Pacific and Etihad."
http://thepointsguy.com/2015/11/aa-2...ntage-program/
Where is this second AAward chart. I don't see it at AA.com:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/r...-chart2016.jsp
I do see the 37,500 to Asia 2, but not the 35,000.
OK. So, if you fly AA metal to HKG, you at 35,000 AAmiles, but CX will cost you 37,500.
What if you fly AA to HKG, and CX to DAD? DAD is in Asia 2.
Last edited by zznoname; Nov 22, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Nov 22, 2015, 2:29 pm
#627
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
There are indeed 2 award charts both now and for next year
At http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/pr...antage2016.jsp
there are 2 links
Changes to American award charts
Changes to other airline award charts
At http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/pr...antage2016.jsp
there are 2 links
Changes to American award charts
Changes to other airline award charts
Nov 22, 2015, 2:37 pm
#628
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Posts: 1,844
Yes, the program is still there. Yes, some people will get some stuff, but the program, as it was known, does not exist. That's about as draconian as you can get.
Just saying.
Nov 22, 2015, 2:41 pm
#629
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Posts: 1,844
There are indeed 2 award charts both now and for next year
At http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/pr...antage2016.jsp
there are 2 links
Changes to American award charts
Changes to other airline award charts
At http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/pr...antage2016.jsp
there are 2 links
Changes to American award charts
Changes to other airline award charts
This is new correct? Something I missed. We used to have one AAward chart no matter which carrier we flew, and now the redemption amount depends on which carrier your flying, regardless if it's a codeshare?
OK. Two charts.
But still... What if you fly AA to HKG, and CX to DAD? DAD is in Asia 2.
Thanks for your help.
Last edited by zznoname; Nov 22, 2015 at 2:52 pm
Nov 22, 2015, 2:47 pm
#630
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: AA ExPlat
Posts: 45
Email I just sent to AAdvantage:
"Wow, AAdvantage, from first to worst in 2016. So now you have a frequent flyer program that mirrors Delta and United but your operational efficiency is at the bottom, it routinely takes 45 minutes to an hour to receive bags (with no guarantee), your premium cabin food has been downgraded, your US Airways planes have no power, no AVOD, no MCE etc, etc.
"Tell me: why on God's green earth should I choose to fly with you? Understand that, based on increased mileage requirements for awards and massively decreased mileage earning, I will be looking very hard at switching carriers and will strongly encourage friends and business partners to book away from AA. After all, if AAdvantage is the same as all the others, then we might as well book with the much better airline - which, for the past several years, has been Delta."
Forgot to mention that, with a greater number of partners, availability is generally better when redeeming on UA and DL. Very dumb move by AAdvantage - no competitive edge remaining.
"Wow, AAdvantage, from first to worst in 2016. So now you have a frequent flyer program that mirrors Delta and United but your operational efficiency is at the bottom, it routinely takes 45 minutes to an hour to receive bags (with no guarantee), your premium cabin food has been downgraded, your US Airways planes have no power, no AVOD, no MCE etc, etc.
"Tell me: why on God's green earth should I choose to fly with you? Understand that, based on increased mileage requirements for awards and massively decreased mileage earning, I will be looking very hard at switching carriers and will strongly encourage friends and business partners to book away from AA. After all, if AAdvantage is the same as all the others, then we might as well book with the much better airline - which, for the past several years, has been Delta."
Forgot to mention that, with a greater number of partners, availability is generally better when redeeming on UA and DL. Very dumb move by AAdvantage - no competitive edge remaining.