Concierge Key event in Dallas 11 Apr 2019...did anyone go?
Apr 18, 2019, 10:53 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
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Apr 18, 2019, 11:17 am
#47
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, mid-tier with pretty much everyone else
Posts: 873
Well, I have reservations about AA targeting the only most elite of all their travelers for their opinions. For sure I'd like to be considered for CK status.It's not a burning desire of mine, though. However, there is a quid pro quo. CKs, while high revs, are less likely to leave AA once they've reached the pinnacle. AA should be listening more to their mid-level elites, Plat/Plat Pro, as they seem to be more easily dissatisfied and more likely to take their $$ elsewhere. Lesser elites tend to be more disenfranchised.
Apr 18, 2019, 11:20 am
#48
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Well, I have reservations about AA targeting the only most elite of all their travelers for their opinions. For sure I'd like to be considered for CK status.It's not a burning desire of mine, though. However, there is a quid pro quo. CKs, while high revs, are less likely to leave AA once they've reached the pinnacle. AA should be listening more to their mid-level elites, Plat/Plat Pro, as they seem to be more easily dissatisfied and more likely to take their $$ elsewhere. Lesser elites tend to be more disenfranchised.
They’re not likely to be enthusiastic about hoi polloi like us storming the gates.
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 18, 2019 at 11:28 am
Apr 18, 2019, 11:29 am
#49
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I get confused on this entire Oasis argument and CKs in general. It seems to me Parker has done right by CKs. He's made it an official status level above EXP with greater benefits like first to board after pre-boards and a bigger upgrade window. Really, what is the percentage of time that a CK finds him/herself in a non MCE Y seat? How many do not AC memberships or access to other lounges? That's assuming they actually have the time to enjoy a lounge pre flight.
Yes Parker has cheapen the domestic F experience but is this some huge game changer? Other than the transcons the food has always sucked. The huge F seats were going out with the remaining MD80s. PDBs were an LAA issue pre merger. Other than forcing the unwashed masses to board and deplane by the rear door what else is it that CKs are surely lacking?
Now if your talking about guy/gal that travels 2-3 a month, is forced by policy to take the "most direct routing as the lowest cost", can only upgrade using stickers (or out of pocket) and hopes that MCE is available upon booking maybe one has a point.
Yes Parker has cheapen the domestic F experience but is this some huge game changer? Other than the transcons the food has always sucked. The huge F seats were going out with the remaining MD80s. PDBs were an LAA issue pre merger. Other than forcing the unwashed masses to board and deplane by the rear door what else is it that CKs are surely lacking?
Now if your talking about guy/gal that travels 2-3 a month, is forced by policy to take the "most direct routing as the lowest cost", can only upgrade using stickers (or out of pocket) and hopes that MCE is available upon booking maybe one has a point.
Apr 18, 2019, 11:38 am
#50
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
Spend alone isn’t what many Keys bring to the table. They’re often arrangers if travel, influencers and higher level representatives of Fortune 500 companies, so it’s about the revenue from their company, etc. AA was early to the table with this - Admirals clubs opened at Idlewild and DCA to host and wow influencers like legislators and high mucks as a way to reach them and advocate for aviation and AA. They were “Admirals of the Flagship fleet”.
Those are sent to Keys and posted in private social media groups. They’re not likely to be enthusiastic about hoi polloi like us storming the gates.
Those are sent to Keys and posted in private social media groups.
They’re not likely to be enthusiastic about hoi polloi like us storming the gates.
Apr 18, 2019, 11:47 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
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i don’t deny that CKs should be much more important. But plenty of hub-hub Y flying ExPlats feel disenfranchised . Nothing like zero upgrades and being in the ticket counter line with all the cobranded credit card holders to send me a message.
Free food on the plane, I don’t care. Having a densified seats will be the last straw. I fly mostly lax-Mia and the change in return departure time for the 777s is likely going to have me go out on AA and return in B6. I’m lifetime plat, so what am I really losing that matters?
Apr 18, 2019, 11:50 am
#52
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,029
And there's the issue. How is someone responsible for making decisions on travel vendors supposed to evaluate their product/service if they are getting the ultra premium treatment while those that will be actually be using the service get the service we all know from AA (and other airlines)?
Regards
Apr 18, 2019, 11:51 am
#53
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,224
I get confused on this entire Oasis argument and CKs in general. It seems to me Parker has done right by CKs. He's made it an official status level above EXP with greater benefits like first to board after pre-boards and a bigger upgrade window. Really, what is the percentage of time that a CK finds him/herself in a non MCE Y seat? How many do not AC memberships or access to other lounges? That's assuming they actually have the time to enjoy a lounge pre flight.
Yes Parker has cheapen the domestic F experience but is this some huge game changer? Other than the transcons the food has always sucked. The huge F seats were going out with the remaining MD80s. PDBs were an LAA issue pre merger. Other than forcing the unwashed masses to board and deplane by the rear door what else is it that CKs are surely lacking?
Now if your talking about guy/gal that travels 2-3 a month, is forced by policy to take the "most direct routing as the lowest cost", can only upgrade using stickers (or out of pocket) and hopes that MCE is available upon booking maybe one has a point.
Yes Parker has cheapen the domestic F experience but is this some huge game changer? Other than the transcons the food has always sucked. The huge F seats were going out with the remaining MD80s. PDBs were an LAA issue pre merger. Other than forcing the unwashed masses to board and deplane by the rear door what else is it that CKs are surely lacking?
Now if your talking about guy/gal that travels 2-3 a month, is forced by policy to take the "most direct routing as the lowest cost", can only upgrade using stickers (or out of pocket) and hopes that MCE is available upon booking maybe one has a point.
Apr 18, 2019, 11:53 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,029
Then why don't those "disenfranchised" EXPs move their business? And if your response is "well, they can't, their captives in a hub" then you sort of have your answer on why airlines don't feel they need to court that particular segment.
Regards
Apr 18, 2019, 11:57 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
Programs: IHG Spire, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 2,274
Because some/many are likely under a corporate situation where they are forced to AA.
Apr 18, 2019, 12:09 pm
#56
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
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Apr 18, 2019, 12:26 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 146
May be the most interesting question is if elites as a whole, represent more revenue than the total of regular, non elite, customers. I realize that the exact figures are likely undisclosed. But I assume estimations might be similar across the industry and more or less well known. Anyone?
Apr 18, 2019, 12:27 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, mid-tier with pretty much everyone else
Posts: 873
on a per passenger basis, yes. If the economy goes South and the planes aren’t full in back, I don’t know that there are enough F passengers to make up the revenue shortfall.
i don’t deny that CKs should be much more important. But plenty of hub-hub Y flying ExPlats feel disenfranchised . Nothing like zero upgrades and being in the ticket counter line with all the cobranded credit card holders to send me a message.
Free food on the plane, I don’t care. Having a densified seats will be the last straw. I fly mostly lax-Mia and the change in return departure time for the 777s is likely going to have me go out on AA and return in B6. I’m lifetime plat, so what am I really losing that matters?
Apr 18, 2019, 12:32 pm
#59
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Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Lots of EXPs are hub captive. If you're on the road during the week and like most have employers that expect 60 hours plus a week (particularly as a consultant) there's little desire for one to connect and so one can enjoy the DL SC at ATL, MSP, JFK, SLC, etc. It would be interesting to see EXPs by home airport but that information is under lock and key.
Apr 18, 2019, 12:41 pm
#60
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Posts: 27,730
No he didn't
Your statement was wrong and uninformed, no comment on your new, moving-target, version.
Not a write-off, being repaired, Airbus on site helping.
Probably not on the 321 because of additional FA. And maybe not today on other a/c. But if fuel costs continue to rise or there's a slowdown in the economy AA (and other airlines) are going to be hunting for additional sources of revenue to offset. Unfortunately the Wall Street vampires will demand it.
Not a write-off, being repaired, Airbus on site helping.