Does AA miss its former elites?
#46
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Marriott Rewards Platinum Thingy, United MileagePlus Silver, blah on others
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If you can point to any data on that (indeed, for any US carrier), I would like to see it. I've been reading SEC filings and Investor Updates for a long time and I've never seen anything, nor even any decent allusions to such. Sources of passenger revenue by fraction just aren't mentioned, in my recollection.
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That said, I can say having worked for an airline for nearly 10 years (not anymore of course) is that it certainly ain't Joe and Jane taking the kiddos to Disney World that the airlines covet unless they are filthy rich and paying full fare F to get there. Business travelers - those who pay for the higher fares for flexibility - very much drive the revenue of most airlines in the US (even Southwest).
#47
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,644
AA seems to be focused on corporate contracts and giving way status as part of those contract - and that includes more higher levels of status. Hence Elite status is becoming more of a corporate benefit and less of a benefit to those that meet the requirements. I think this is why I am seeing 20 EXPs on a flight out of DCA. Upgrades as EXP are zero for midweek flights. Saturday seems to be the best time for upgrades.
#48
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#49
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Full doesn't matter. Anybody can fill an aircraft if they price the ticket right.
What's up are AA's profits. While that isn't directly due to moving its FFP to a spend-based operation, that is part of it.
Anybody who thinks that AA suffered financially because a few people who pay attention to this stuff are miffed, sorely overestimates their value and underestimates their impact.
What's up are AA's profits. While that isn't directly due to moving its FFP to a spend-based operation, that is part of it.
Anybody who thinks that AA suffered financially because a few people who pay attention to this stuff are miffed, sorely overestimates their value and underestimates their impact.
#50
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 2,085
I have to agree with others in that I haven't really noticed much of a change this year. My flying patterns now more typically align to that of the typical business flyer schedule (I work in big 4 consulting), out on Mondays and return on Thursday evenings. On Monday morning flights (CLT-MSP) for example, I've been number 13 on the list.
However, other flights, it all depends, I've sometimes seen no one on the list at all.
However, other flights, it all depends, I've sometimes seen no one on the list at all.
#51
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 509
I've been a CP/EXP for the last 6-7 years straight, and some form of preferred for 13 years straight. I am already booked to meet PP by the end of the year. Most of my travel is personal. I tend to book international J, albeit from cheaper originals than PHL. I would still pay probably 6-7K a year each for my fiance and I, mostly on AA metal. With the new EQD changes, we actually moved most of my international flying away from AA metal. A better return for money than spending on AA metal. Just last week, I took a step back and asked myself what is the point of going for EXP from PP again. I'm struggling to convince myself to go for it. Higher on the upgrade priority list for the few times a year I fly AA domestic? Meh. The free award redeposit has been useful in the past, but still that's maybe only used 2x a year. Flip side is, my options open up for international J travel on better, more competitively priced airlines than AA/BA.
To the topic at hand - I don't think they'd miss me/us. They'd probably be happy to see usgo since most of my money goes to other OW airlines at this point.
To the topic at hand - I don't think they'd miss me/us. They'd probably be happy to see usgo since most of my money goes to other OW airlines at this point.
#52
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,266
I can promise you they don't care. I was gold for many years. Last year, I didn't fly as much (only award travel on AA) and haven't heard squat from them except the general offer to buy back to gold.
As many have done, I've gone free agent. I just booked my first trip on United this week, in business class. Because I am in business, there are no real benefits that I am missing from elite status. The flight was ~$140 cheaper than AA and offered better flight times. The ONLY thing I am losing is about 5K of AA miles, which at the current rate of buying AA miles, I could easily get for the $140 saved, if I really want them and have the best of both worlds. (Of course, I'll now have miles on UA - time will tell if I rack up enough to make any use of them).
So no, AA doesn't miss me, and I don't miss them either. Free agent status is great.
As many have done, I've gone free agent. I just booked my first trip on United this week, in business class. Because I am in business, there are no real benefits that I am missing from elite status. The flight was ~$140 cheaper than AA and offered better flight times. The ONLY thing I am losing is about 5K of AA miles, which at the current rate of buying AA miles, I could easily get for the $140 saved, if I really want them and have the best of both worlds. (Of course, I'll now have miles on UA - time will tell if I rack up enough to make any use of them).
So no, AA doesn't miss me, and I don't miss them either. Free agent status is great.
#53
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,301
Is it me, or does the question about AA missing the former elites kinda imply the former elites miss AA? Or at least miss their elite status on AA?
I thought from reading most former elites were pretty much :"Good riddance, now I'm a free agent"
I just not sure I understand the point of asking this? I doubt AA regrets their decision, as it was all financial and they're the only ones who can see the years of spending data that FT are armchair quarterbacking about. No insult intended, it's just ironic to me that people who fell down a few notches and said they were happy to be free agents would give two sh!ts about what AA thinks about them now.
I thought from reading most former elites were pretty much :"Good riddance, now I'm a free agent"
I just not sure I understand the point of asking this? I doubt AA regrets their decision, as it was all financial and they're the only ones who can see the years of spending data that FT are armchair quarterbacking about. No insult intended, it's just ironic to me that people who fell down a few notches and said they were happy to be free agents would give two sh!ts about what AA thinks about them now.
#54
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There will never be anything to "point to" in ANY public offering regarding pricing and how much of each fare is bought by whom - that is very closely guarded by the airline.
That said, I can say having worked for an airline for nearly 10 years (not anymore of course)...
That said, I can say having worked for an airline for nearly 10 years (not anymore of course)...
The absence of evidence shouldn't leave anybody more inclined to believe your argument.
#57
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
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AC didn't just have competition from PA casinos, but also MD, DE, and NY - all reasonable distances people would drive for a 1 or 2 night visit (often comped). 2 of those 5 casinos are in the works to re-open, as well. Taj Mahal (good riddance) will become a Hard Rock this Summer and Revel is said to be near a deal to reopen under new ownership/management.
#58
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Join Date: Dec 2000
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I have to say that my upgrades as a Gold have been more frequent this year than last, however, my 12 month rolling EQD is around $6000 whereas last year I re-started work travel and had <$3000 EQD on my rolling counter. So I can't be sure if my upgrades are due to my EQD improvement or a reduction in the ranks of overall elites competing for the seats. I've even gotten a few upgrades on the A319 with just 8 seats up front on ex-CLT and ex-PHL routes.
#59
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
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Posts: 3,489
I can promise you they don't care. I was gold for many years. Last year, I didn't fly as much (only award travel on AA) and haven't heard squat from them except the general offer to buy back to gold.
As many have done, I've gone free agent. I just booked my first trip on United this week, in business class. Because I am in business, there are no real benefits that I am missing from elite status. The flight was ~$140 cheaper than AA and offered better flight times. The ONLY thing I am losing is about 5K of AA miles, which at the current rate of buying AA miles, I could easily get for the $140 saved, if I really want them and have the best of both worlds. (Of course, I'll now have miles on UA - time will tell if I rack up enough to make any use of them).
So no, AA doesn't miss me, and I don't miss them either. Free agent status is great.
As many have done, I've gone free agent. I just booked my first trip on United this week, in business class. Because I am in business, there are no real benefits that I am missing from elite status. The flight was ~$140 cheaper than AA and offered better flight times. The ONLY thing I am losing is about 5K of AA miles, which at the current rate of buying AA miles, I could easily get for the $140 saved, if I really want them and have the best of both worlds. (Of course, I'll now have miles on UA - time will tell if I rack up enough to make any use of them).
So no, AA doesn't miss me, and I don't miss them either. Free agent status is great.