tom911

That's pretty much where I already am, with my EXP status withering away. With the reduction of systemwides, plus the rolling revenue factor in play for domestic upgrades, on top of the $12,000 spend (and I know there's some workarounds there, but none really worked for me), AA just isn't the perfect fit after 17 years at EXP. I made the move to Alaska as my primary carrier in January. I'm fortunate to have lifetime status at both UA (1MM Gold) and AA (2MM Platinum) as backup carriers, though this years flights have gone to either AA or Alaska.

I do plan to credit some international to AA still, primarily Europe, as there will be less Alaska miles in play next year when only the AA international flight will accrue Alaska miles. In that direction lounge access plus MCE seats have me leaning towards crediting to AA if I plan to fly AA/BA. I can make Australia/Asia work with Alaska's partners in that directions nonstop from SFO (Qantas, Cathay, Korean primarily-- just did a Qantas trip in May).

If you're going to do an Alaska status match wait until October 1 or that status will expire at the end of 2017.

My expectation, when I did the status match from AA to Alaska, was that Virgin America routes would work better for me, so have been stuck in VX coach waiting for "enhancements" to come. We're told "summer" for elite seating, so may be getting closer. Don't think comped upgrades are in the plans for this year. Early boarding and free checked bags are already in place.

Don't overlook Alaska's SJC-EWR. Have cleared every upgrade on that route and the early departure time lets me avoid commute traffic to get down there.

brp

Not overlooking at all. I'd actually already been eyeing that one. The price for F was high, but your upgrade experience is heartening. I've heard that the ride into NYC from EWR is less than pleasant (and LGA is fabulous). Also, no Centurion Lounge in EWR. Still, the non-stop from SJC is very, very nice.

Cheers.

tom911

Your profile is very different than mine. In 26 years of elite level flying, I've not bought a single business class ticket. I'm self funded. AA worked great for 17 years at the EXP level for me, but Cathay in particular does not accrue any AA miles in deep discount economy, the class you'd see me in.

I will miss both the Qantas and Cathay F lounges at HKG, having been in both of them the last few months, but it's not realistic for me to ramp up AA spending just for lounge access and four systemwides. My main focus is redeemable miles and Alaska has been working better for me this year in terms of bringing those in. A typical advance purchase $300 SFO-JFK brings me over 11,000 miles on Alaska and 2750 miles on AA. I can get over the lounge access and systemwides which don't clear until a day or two out for the extra redeemable miles.

ty97

I hate going to EWR and avoid it as much as possible, but the getting from EWR to Manhattan via mass transit isn't horribly dreadful, as long as you don't come in very late at night (and as long as trains aren't derailing in Penn Station, which just happened again, and as long as emergency repairs aren't happening in Penn Station, which will be occurring starting Monday, etc, etc. But in theory, it's not bad!)

brp

So, as long as Business As Usual isn't happening in NYC, I'm all good?

(I was born there almost 57 years ago and go back frequently...it hasn't changed a bit in that regard...)

Cheers.

ty97

Pretty much! It's the same tracks, stations, and signals that were probably in use when you were born

tphuang

Thanks for your perspective, I agree that AS would make a lot more sense from your front.

I'm unlikely to get any work paid long range business trips going forward and I have no interest in flying AS, so I guess I will have to get really creative next year.

Unfortunately with AS taking away the nice FC on VX, there won't be any difference between VX's FC and AS's FC.

Yep, with all the repairs going on for the next while, not the best time to fly into EWR right now.

tom911

That may be a positive in the long term. The Alaska 737-800/900s I've been on have 12-16 F seats. When the Virgin America aircraft are converted to the Alaska configuration, much better chances at upgrades as an Alaska flyer. I'm at 95% this year on Alaska metal. The fleet conversion can't happen soon enough for me, though I don't know if those Virgin aircraft are leased or owned and when the new seating configuration will appear. Not expecting any changes this year.

JDiver

One change coming to AS is going from 36" pitch in F to 42", iirc. That will be welcome.

hbtr

I was starting to take Sna-Sjc pretty regularly, enough so that it mattered for status qualification. No codeshare on that route. Not surprised but pretty disappointed.

beckoa

AS has done a solid job in adding frequencies to the Hawaiian Islands. From the West Coast there are many options, and with the 73H there's 12 seats with a 42" pitch (all converted). More legroom, and less passengers to compete with. Sure, I wish they used Koloa Mai Tai Mix (Have written in before ) but enjoy the island flair with service.

VX F=no complimentary upgrade AS F=complimentary upgrade (space available).

And the E175's are a nice product... 12 in F and 64 in Y. How about that for a ratio?


41" to 42" depending on the config. 73H is 42" and 41" on the 739/ER. It makes a vast difference- row 1 is tolerable

All 73H's have been reconfigured, and the 739/ER's are making solid progress. (64.7% as of July 5) Fun tip: 73J is the reconfig'd model in EF.

And yes, I was referencing a hypothetical AS flown SEA-CLT.

tphuang

While that may the case. On a flight from SJC-EWR that I was commenting about, having 55 inch seat vs 42 inch seat make a big difference in comfort level. Much bigger difference than vs 38 to 40 inch FC on AA. Or even vs EMS on B6 E90.

I believe that's also the case for AA.

GTITAN

That would be nice!

Safe travels

Points Scrounger

Advice given over at the Alaska forum would be to fly the itinerary using your Alaska number, and then after the international segment has been credited, and the domestic one rejected, send the domestic segment to American for retroactive credit.

diver858

AS has done a TERRIBLE job negotiating gate locations in BOS and EWR - cramp spaces, poor PA systems, little in the way of amenities. EWR-SJC leaves before 6 pm, there should still be TSA Pre-Check available - not the case for the 6:59 pm departure of EWR-SAN. Admiral's Club is not busy in the evening, but Citi Prestige has been useless with an AS boarding pass...