Speculation: 2018 Elite Status - fewer elites, perks changes, etc.
May 6, 2017, 10:48 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: STL
Programs: AA
Posts: 167
If I may ask, how do you search for partner awards? AA obviously isn't listing them. Short of calling up AA to check is there any other way? When I called AA for travel in NE Asia in July, they told me all saver awards for AA and partner were gone for the entire month. One way economy would cost 67.5k on Cathay and that would be the best they could do 😳
May 6, 2017, 11:39 am
#32
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
I also believe AA will use those data points as an excuse to further reduce SWU's going forward on the grounds that they aren't being used anyway. The fact that AA reduced (eliminated) seats they could be used on will not, of course, be included in this rationale.
May 6, 2017, 12:08 pm
#33
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
May 6, 2017, 12:19 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
For me, the most telling indication of AA's perception of elites is the recent change in the boarding process: They now only recognize Concierge Key customers, even EXPs are nothing more than a number. Some may suggest this was done to simplify the process, cut down on gate lice, priority access holders from credit cards attempting to board with first class, I would beg to differ.
May 6, 2017, 12:26 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Ex Platinum & 1MM, DL PLT, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 2,490
May 6, 2017, 12:28 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
But any flight with open seats will at some point release inventory. We've seen no evidence of flights going out with empty J seats while SWUs or other upgrades are still pending.
May 6, 2017, 1:24 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,312
For me, the most telling indication of AA's perception of elites is the recent change in the boarding process: They now only recognize Concierge Key customers, even EXPs are nothing more than a number. Some may suggest this was done to simplify the process, cut down on gate lice, priority access holders from credit cards attempting to board with first class, I would beg to differ.
May 6, 2017, 1:45 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
How does "recognition" really help anyone? I mean honestly is it that big a deal to be identified with whatever status level one has as one tries to part the mass of humanity clogging the gate area? "Step aside people, here come's Mr. Platinum, and now people, make way for our returning guest Mrs. Gold." Just give us good service and ways to use our points at redemption rates that aren't penalty amounts like 30k each way in coach for domestic travel.
May 6, 2017, 6:03 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
If I may ask, how do you search for partner awards? AA obviously isn't listing them. Short of calling up AA to check is there any other way? When I called AA for travel in NE Asia in July, they told me all saver awards for AA and partner were gone for the entire month. One way economy would cost 67.5k on Cathay and that would be the best they could do  8563;
May 7, 2017, 4:20 am
#41
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,193
May 7, 2017, 8:16 am
#42
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AA LP pleb, QR Plat., Bonvoy Ti, IHG Diamond Amb, Foolish Hoarder of Miles, Fid. Def.
Posts: 125
For me, the most telling indication of AA's perception of elites is the recent change in the boarding process: They now only recognize Concierge Key customers, even EXPs are nothing more than a number. Some may suggest this was done to simplify the process, cut down on gate lice, priority access holders from credit cards attempting to board with first class, I would beg to differ.
May 7, 2017, 8:22 am
#43
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
I'm fairly baffled by this interpretation of the new boarding process. As I see it, the straight numbering system is meant to reduce the nuisance of having armies of "group 1" (but really group 5) pax invading the boarding lanes as soon as the agent picks up the mic. There are plenty of holders of "executive," "platinum" and "gold" credit cards who are plenty green as flyers, too. So, simplify. No sense in getting bent out of shape over it, unless your service standard is having the gate agent announce status like graduation honors at commencement.
May 7, 2017, 9:13 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP 3.8MM AC; UA Silver; Hyatt Globalist; Honors Diamond; Bonvoy LT TTM
Posts: 336
I'm guessing that we'll start to see a gradual reduction in EXP numbers very soon. There are always some that slow down travel in a given year, which reduces the numbers of EXPs traveling around. Then, we have new EXP qualifying inside the calendar year, adding to the count. However, with the new spend requirement, that will slow down the volume of new EXPs joining the rank during the calendar year. I'll be interested to see how the experience changes with fewer EXP next year. I've read/heard in a couple of places that estimates are a 20% reduction due to the new spend requirement.
May 7, 2017, 9:16 am
#45
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: AA Plat/2MM, DL Silver, UA Silver (via Marr), Marr LTT, HH Gold (via cc), Hyatt Disc
Posts: 1,039
I'm fairly baffled by this interpretation of the new boarding process. As I see it, the straight numbering system is meant to reduce the nuisance of having armies of "group 1" (but really group 5) pax invading the boarding lanes as soon as the agent picks up the mic. There are plenty of holders of "executive," "platinum" and "gold" credit cards who are plenty green as flyers, too. So, simplify. No sense in getting bent out of shape over it, unless your service standard is having the gate agent announce status like graduation honors at commencement.