sigh...settling for premium economy
Feb 7, 2019, 2:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
sigh...settling for premium economy
So this is what it comes to??
I'm looking to book my annual trip to Europe in the fall, and over the years have done either award tickets, SWU, or bought business class. Seeing some really good premium economy fares, but don't like my SWU chances on 20 J seat 787s. So I'm basically settling for premium economy. Feels like a really sad day and I've finally joined the camp that SWUs are worthless.
I'm looking to book my annual trip to Europe in the fall, and over the years have done either award tickets, SWU, or bought business class. Seeing some really good premium economy fares, but don't like my SWU chances on 20 J seat 787s. So I'm basically settling for premium economy. Feels like a really sad day and I've finally joined the camp that SWUs are worthless.
Feb 7, 2019, 3:01 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Paying for Premium Economy (at a really good fare), flying in Premium Economy-- what a travesty.
Feb 7, 2019, 3:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: msp
Programs: AA PLT 3MM, DL PM 2MM
Posts: 1,142
I've tried PE (PS on Delta). Usually fly J. Now fly one way J and one way PE. Do the day trip in PE as I'm sitting upright and working/reading etc. I really like the PE/PS product. Glad to see it and glad to fly it. Also save $$$$.
Feb 7, 2019, 3:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Bonvoy titanium
Posts: 537
Pick a different routing that has better upgrade odds. I’m batting 90% swu upgrades on the rdu lhr flight. Out of ten legs one didn’t clear
if you prefer shorter flights and price then pe is in your future but there are ways. Air maroc in a few months will be an option for flights across the pond should you be ok with sub optimal routing
if you prefer shorter flights and price then pe is in your future but there are ways. Air maroc in a few months will be an option for flights across the pond should you be ok with sub optimal routing
Feb 7, 2019, 3:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
But if SWUs, and thus AAdvantage, are worthless to you, then perhaps that will free you from the mental block on flying anyone other than AA for the 100k miles, etc. needed to get said SWUs, and you can pick on route, schedule, product, etc. Potentially liberating.
Feb 7, 2019, 3:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
I symparhize with the OP, felt that way last year. Getting close to liberated feeling this year!
Feb 7, 2019, 4:03 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
Pick a different routing that has better upgrade odds. I’m batting 90% swu upgrades on the rdu lhr flight. Out of ten legs one didn’t clear
if you prefer shorter flights and price then pe is in your future but there are ways. Air maroc in a few months will be an option for flights across the pond should you be ok with sub optimal routing
if you prefer shorter flights and price then pe is in your future but there are ways. Air maroc in a few months will be an option for flights across the pond should you be ok with sub optimal routing
I'm thinking about trying to route on the 77W. But I'm based in Chicago, so the 789 with 30 J seats isn't that bad, and UG lists tend to be much shorter in and out of Chicago than DFW.
Feb 7, 2019, 4:06 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 759
Pick a different routing that has better upgrade odds. I’m batting 90% swu upgrades on the rdu lhr flight. Out of ten legs one didn’t clear
if you prefer shorter flights and price then pe is in your future but there are ways. Air maroc in a few months will be an option for flights across the pond should you be ok with sub optimal routing
if you prefer shorter flights and price then pe is in your future but there are ways. Air maroc in a few months will be an option for flights across the pond should you be ok with sub optimal routing
Feb 7, 2019, 4:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MIA
Posts: 298
I’m in the same camp as you. I’ve booked some PE trips for later this year, and requested the SWU upgrades but have small expectations.
Something that bugs me about AA’s upgrade priority is why PE fares don’t receive higher a priority than Y. (Correct me if this is wrong but..) as far as I know the upgrade priority is Elite Level > Upgrade Type > EQD > Booking Code > Time of Request. In most cases EQD becomes the deciding factor, but why wouldn’t AA throw us a bone and recognize a customer who paid up for PE instead of coach?
Something that bugs me about AA’s upgrade priority is why PE fares don’t receive higher a priority than Y. (Correct me if this is wrong but..) as far as I know the upgrade priority is Elite Level > Upgrade Type > EQD > Booking Code > Time of Request. In most cases EQD becomes the deciding factor, but why wouldn’t AA throw us a bone and recognize a customer who paid up for PE instead of coach?
Feb 7, 2019, 4:52 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Bonvoy titanium
Posts: 537
I’m in the same camp as you. I’ve booked some PE trips for later this year, and requested the SWU upgrades but have small expectations.
Something that bugs me about AA’s upgrade priority is why PE fares don’t receive higher a priority than Y. (Correct me if this is wrong but..) as far as I know the upgrade priority is Elite Level > Upgrade Type > EQD > Booking Code > Time of Request. In most cases EQD becomes the deciding factor, but why wouldn’t AA throw us a bone and recognize a customer who paid up for PE instead of coach?
Something that bugs me about AA’s upgrade priority is why PE fares don’t receive higher a priority than Y. (Correct me if this is wrong but..) as far as I know the upgrade priority is Elite Level > Upgrade Type > EQD > Booking Code > Time of Request. In most cases EQD becomes the deciding factor, but why wouldn’t AA throw us a bone and recognize a customer who paid up for PE instead of coach?
Feb 7, 2019, 6:12 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium.;UA 1.5MM; UA Lifetime Gold (whoppee); DL Plat
Posts: 2,124
Feb 7, 2019, 6:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
It does -- booking code.
And, we should be careful what we ask for. I'm still not convinced SWUs won't be changed to Y -> PE or PE -> J, or require two SWUs for a Y-J upgrade on a plane with PE.
And, we should be careful what we ask for. I'm still not convinced SWUs won't be changed to Y -> PE or PE -> J, or require two SWUs for a Y-J upgrade on a plane with PE.
Last edited by USFlyerUS; Feb 8, 2019 at 6:16 am