♦️RUMOR♦️: SWU “Next Service Class” Upgrade to go to Y -> W/PE -> J -> F
Apr 26, 2018, 8:00 pm
#108
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,585
Apr 26, 2018, 8:15 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
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Apr 26, 2018, 8:19 pm
#110
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,644
AA could keep the double cabin upgrade but change the upgrade priority so that cabin trumps status
Upgrade Waitlist example:
1 EXP ticketed on PE (SWU)
2 GLD ticketed on PE (miles+copay)
3 Non status ticketed on PE (miles+copay)
4 EXP ticketed on Y (SWU)
Upgrade Waitlist example:
1 EXP ticketed on PE (SWU)
2 GLD ticketed on PE (miles+copay)
3 Non status ticketed on PE (miles+copay)
4 EXP ticketed on Y (SWU)
Apr 26, 2018, 8:22 pm
#111
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,158
Apr 26, 2018, 9:36 pm
#112
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DFW
Posts: 270
I laughed at a guy last week who said about upgrades “the important people who fly a lot get those”. I said no, important people aren’t flying every week.
I have 10k spend on domestic coach this year out of DFW and my upgrade percentage is bad.
We have tasted the sweet and now we are tasting the bitter.
Last edited by shaddie; Apr 26, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Apr 26, 2018, 11:11 pm
#113
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
Apr 27, 2018, 12:44 am
#115
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,257
Agreed. And it's probably safe to say... the worst LOYALTY program for top level fliers. (Outside of OW F lounge access).
Apr 27, 2018, 1:14 am
#116
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
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Posts: 8,301
Apr 27, 2018, 2:20 am
#117
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Or does AA really care for some of the minority passengers 'gift' their SWU to some random passengers online who bought a cheap economy class ticket to sit in business class while AA lost the opportunity to sell an upgrade?
And where would you go after leaving AA?
I think the reality is airlines could not care less about upgraders although they cannot say it loud. They would like to get rid of loyalty programme all together if they get a chance.
Apr 27, 2018, 6:25 am
#118
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
I just finished an RTW (with an OSL-LHR-LAX-LHR-OSL backtrack,) essentially in PE on CX and BA primarily. The CX seat cushions were definitely comfortable, though try not to get stuck in the middle seats in the middle section, as with the seats in front of you reclined, you won't be able to get out without disturbing your seatmates and a little limbo or lap dance required. I did CX HKG-JFK in a bulkhead aisle 30D (slept very well even though too many pax from the port side use this as a crossover to the restroom instead of just going back to coach section restroom on the port side as instructed by the FA's,) but on my CX LHR-HKG, they cancelled my flight, with a good seat, and put me on the later flight in 31E. Sucked, though the seat cushion was great. My BA PE flights were on A380's, LHR-LAX-LHR, bulkhead 61B to LAX and middle section aisle 66F, with an empty middle seat, on the return. Both were fine, though the seat cushion is firmer than CX's.
As a UA 1K, also, you get used to having to pay up fare to get to use your SWU's (GPU's in UA's case.) Since AA usually copies UA and DL, I won't be surprised when something like this happens. Just that many FEWER AA flights I'll be taking. For now, I only book and ticket flights where the SWU UPG is immediate. Of course, I'm retired here in BKK, sooooo...
As a UA 1K, also, you get used to having to pay up fare to get to use your SWU's (GPU's in UA's case.) Since AA usually copies UA and DL, I won't be surprised when something like this happens. Just that many FEWER AA flights I'll be taking. For now, I only book and ticket flights where the SWU UPG is immediate. Of course, I'm retired here in BKK, sooooo...
Depending on the fares, UA W can be cheaper than the lowest AA economy fare for some Northeastern cities. I wouldn't mind going to YYZ for the flights knowing the market is ultra competitive. In addition, UA Customer Service/care has been pretty friendly lately, so dealing with them is much more pleasant. If this happens to UA as well, I will be pretty ready to move on as Lifetime Gold is all that matters for Star Alliance flights. If you are based in a city where UA doesn't fly, then anything above Gold doesn't mean anything. Might as well become a free agent or try other FFPs' LT status.
Last edited by PaulInTheSky; Apr 27, 2018 at 5:58 pm
Apr 27, 2018, 11:37 am
#119
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,301
Does AA really care for these passengers who bought O fares and sit in Business class which actually cost AA an opportunities to sell a discount international business class ticket either by revenue or miles?
Or does AA really care for some of the minority passengers 'gift' their SWU to some random passengers online who bought a cheap economy class ticket to sit in business class while AA lost the opportunity to sell an upgrade?
And where would you go after leaving AA?
I think the reality is airlines could not care less about upgraders although they cannot say it loud. They would like to get rid of loyalty programme all together if they get a chance.
Or does AA really care for some of the minority passengers 'gift' their SWU to some random passengers online who bought a cheap economy class ticket to sit in business class while AA lost the opportunity to sell an upgrade?
And where would you go after leaving AA?
I think the reality is airlines could not care less about upgraders although they cannot say it loud. They would like to get rid of loyalty programme all together if they get a chance.
So you are saying does American care for Exps who actually use their SWU? I would say yes, but you think otherwise. You can't care for me 363 days of the year and not care for me on the two days I use my SWU. (or they can, but I just remember the not caring days).
American got it's edge not through the planes but by having the best FF program in the market. Now that it's not, it will lag Delta even more. Your argument also applies to mileage awards. Why have a program at all if all?
Last edited by beachfan; Apr 27, 2018 at 11:44 am
Apr 27, 2018, 11:42 am
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,585
Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.
