Jul 6, 2017, 11:31 am
Last edit by: stheller
AA and Alaska Airlines Reduce Partnership Perks Effective 1 Jan 2018
See article by Gary Leff on July 6, 2017 (link)
Effective January 1 2018:
- AA will only allow EQM-EQS-EQD (and presumably award miles) on American Airlines marketed ("codeshare") flights operated by Alaska Airlines (AS marketed flights will not accrue AA EQM-EQS-EQD)
- "American Airlines elite frequent flyers will no longer receive travel benefits — such as priority check-in, priority boarding, access to preferred seats, and free checked bags — on Alaska Airlines." (Gary Leff)
Some current partnership benefits will continue:
- AAdvantage awards using AS flights will still be allowed.
- Admirals Club members will continue to have Alaska Lounge (formerly Board Room) access with same day travel on an AA or AS marketed and operated flight.
AA and Alaska End Major Partnership Aspects 1 Jan 2018
Jul 6, 2017, 7:49 am
#1
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AA and Alaska End Major Partnership Aspects 1 Jan 2018
But this will be a big disappointment to many of us here. E.g. We often fly to Hawai'i via Alaska's much more convenient (and often more economical) flights, such as OAK-KOA, SMF-OGG, SJC-KOA.
And Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Members will also experience a number of changes, according to Gary's article, which includes Alaska's new award chart for ASMP awards on AA.
Original information moved to Wikipost.
And Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Members will also experience a number of changes, according to Gary's article, which includes Alaska's new award chart for ASMP awards on AA.
Original information moved to Wikipost.
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 6, 2017 at 11:32 am
Jul 6, 2017, 8:01 am
#4
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First AS cannot get along with DL, now AA. Is there a pattern? Many people had expected AS and AA to get much closer after both AS and AA broke up with DL.
Jul 6, 2017, 8:11 am
#6
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Jul 6, 2017, 8:15 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Eh, I hoped that would happen, but felt there was equal likelihood of a shi!tshow like this given "New" AS competes too much with AA to make a continued comprehensive suite of benefits worthwhile for either side.
Jul 6, 2017, 8:15 am
#8
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Is there a SEA-CLT route announcement on the horizon?
Jul 6, 2017, 8:16 am
#9
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They would have to adopt the VX product on longer flights if they want to have any hope of competing with AA/DL/UA/B6 and I'm 100% sure that won't be happening.
Jul 6, 2017, 8:16 am
#10
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I was satisfied using much more convenient AS flights and losing 0.5 EQM per mile flown if I was flying F, but this will hurt. (OTOH, AFAIK ASMP members will still earn on AA international flights.)
Jul 6, 2017, 8:19 am
#11
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I disagree. While I imagine that's what AS thinks is going to happen, they still have a long way to go before they're going to be seriously competing for transcon or even midcon traffic outside of places like SEA and PDX. AS is fine for the odd 2/2.5 hour flight, but 36" pitch in F on a 5 hour 737 flight? Yeah no thanks.
They would have to adopt the VX product on longer flights if they want to have any hope of competing with AA/DL/UA/B6 and I'm 100% sure that won't be happening.
They would have to adopt the VX product on longer flights if they want to have any hope of competing with AA/DL/UA/B6 and I'm 100% sure that won't be happening.
Jul 6, 2017, 8:19 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2010
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As part of that takeover, AS agreed to end some AA codeshares as well. A number of AS flights will not be sold as AA codeshares - which can be more expensive than AS prime.
I was satisfied using much more convenient AS flights and losing 0.5 EQM per mile flown if I was flying F, but this will hurt. (OTOH, AFAIK ASMP members will still earn on AA international flights.)
I was satisfied using much more convenient AS flights and losing 0.5 EQM per mile flown if I was flying F, but this will hurt. (OTOH, AFAIK ASMP members will still earn on AA international flights.)
Jul 6, 2017, 8:22 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
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Well that's a major bummer. I was looking forward to having AAdvantage benefits on the DEN-SFO route in addition to DEN-SEA.
Airline consolidation is such a great thing for the customer.
Airline consolidation is such a great thing for the customer.
Jul 6, 2017, 8:49 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Woah. This is very surprising and quite sad. I wonder why and which airline precipitated this. It sure looks to me like they have far more complementary than competitive networks.
AS is moving from 36" to 41" pitch in F as part of the cabin reconfigurations for Premium Class.
AS is not trying to compete directly with the flat bed products on transcons (another reason I'm surprised AA and AS are cutting back their partnership, since transcons out of LAX and SFO are the main market in which AA and ASVX compete where AA and pmAS didn't compete much), thinking they have a profitable niche with a traditional frequent flyer program with upgrades to a higher-density F product for elites flying regularly at elevated coach fares.
Fortunately, I'm moving out of PHL before the end of the year. Crediting all flights to AS and maintaining AS elite status has worked well for me being based in PHL. That won't be viable with the new rules; one can't get AS*/AA codeshares on routes out of PHL that don't go to the west coast. But I guess that may be the point; AA and AS will continue to be able to use each other to extend their own networks but will force us to pick a primary carrier more than we currently have to.
I disagree. While I imagine that's what AS thinks is going to happen, they still have a long way to go before they're going to be seriously competing for transcon or even midcon traffic outside of places like SEA and PDX. AS is fine for the odd 2/2.5 hour flight, but 36" pitch in F on a 5 hour 737 flight? Yeah no thanks.
They would have to adopt the VX product on longer flights if they want to have any hope of competing with AA/DL/UA/B6 and I'm 100% sure that won't be happening.
They would have to adopt the VX product on longer flights if they want to have any hope of competing with AA/DL/UA/B6 and I'm 100% sure that won't be happening.
AS is not trying to compete directly with the flat bed products on transcons (another reason I'm surprised AA and AS are cutting back their partnership, since transcons out of LAX and SFO are the main market in which AA and ASVX compete where AA and pmAS didn't compete much), thinking they have a profitable niche with a traditional frequent flyer program with upgrades to a higher-density F product for elites flying regularly at elevated coach fares.
Fortunately, I'm moving out of PHL before the end of the year. Crediting all flights to AS and maintaining AS elite status has worked well for me being based in PHL. That won't be viable with the new rules; one can't get AS*/AA codeshares on routes out of PHL that don't go to the west coast. But I guess that may be the point; AA and AS will continue to be able to use each other to extend their own networks but will force us to pick a primary carrier more than we currently have to.
Jul 6, 2017, 9:23 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington VA
Posts: 5,735
This is unfortunate for me. I loved the Alaska non-stops to SEA from WAS.
Not sure if the AA miles benefits are worth connecting in ORD for. I am Platinum now (lifetime) so I'd get double miles on AA; making a round trip to Seattle worth say 8k miles... or a third of the way to a (hard to get) free ticket; not sure if the added travel times and risk of a missed connection make it worth the hassle.
Not sure if the AA miles benefits are worth connecting in ORD for. I am Platinum now (lifetime) so I'd get double miles on AA; making a round trip to Seattle worth say 8k miles... or a third of the way to a (hard to get) free ticket; not sure if the added travel times and risk of a missed connection make it worth the hassle.