AA offers TOD “tens of dollars” First Class & Upgrades
Jul 7, 2019, 3:07 pm
#106
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Jul 7, 2019, 3:10 pm
#107
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Jul 7, 2019, 3:10 pm
#108
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
How is this a blow to top tier elites? I'm EP and love this if it means I don't need to call to upfare my flights after booking with a corporate travel agent.
Jul 7, 2019, 3:29 pm
#109
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 am traveling BOS-ORD on July 19th, took a look at "Manage Your Booking" link and saw an ad to "Upgrade to F from $72". The outbound was what I thought it would be to upfare to F (around $350) but the return on the 19th was indeed offered at $72. Note that I am an EXP and on the upgrade waitlist. Not sure if this falls within the current conversation, but thought it was weird. Of course, I didn't hesitate to pull out my credit card and snag the upgrade. Not playing "upgrade roulette" on a Friday evening our of Boston is well worth it. Apologies if I fell into their trap.
Was this in the app where it says "manage trip" or aa.com (where I don't see a Manage Your Booking link).?
Jul 7, 2019, 3:29 pm
#110
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 58
I’m laughing so hard. So let’s follow this through: A customer remains loyal, gains points, achieves status with the idea that they’ll be able to upgrade. Only to have that seat sold for TOD. Yeah, thanks for your loyalty. Or so that is the proposal.
And that is if there are any seats available. In my last six months, with at least 16 flights on American, not one seat was open. For most there were standby lists and very long “upgrade” lists.
I can tell Warren Buffet and his minions are invested in airlines. Just as he manipulated gov’t policy to prevent/delay pipelines so his railroads could carry oil, he’s probably now mining the airline programs to manipulate value out of loyal customers. Good work, WB! You’re the man!
Hahahahahahahaha.
It’s called “CHOICE ARCHITECTURE.” Heads I win, tails you lose.
Hahahahahahahha.
And that is if there are any seats available. In my last six months, with at least 16 flights on American, not one seat was open. For most there were standby lists and very long “upgrade” lists.
I can tell Warren Buffet and his minions are invested in airlines. Just as he manipulated gov’t policy to prevent/delay pipelines so his railroads could carry oil, he’s probably now mining the airline programs to manipulate value out of loyal customers. Good work, WB! You’re the man!
Hahahahahahahaha.
It’s called “CHOICE ARCHITECTURE.” Heads I win, tails you lose.
Hahahahahahahha.
Last edited by Flight44; Jul 7, 2019 at 3:33 pm Reason: clarity
Jul 7, 2019, 4:53 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Because it looks like you're already doing exactly what AA has hoped to train their customers to do over the past few years - stop expecting free upgrades (for years a fundamental tenet of the loyalty program) and instead break out your wallet.
Jul 7, 2019, 4:58 pm
#113
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UA and DL flyers have stated repeatedly in this thread that these TOD offers aren't sent to existing elites. As for how it would be a blow even if they were...uh because you're now paying for something you used to get for free?
Jul 7, 2019, 5:00 pm
#114
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Jul 7, 2019, 5:01 pm
#115
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I didn't say "high value" in the post you quoted...I said top tier elites. "High value" customers buy premium cabins straight up and this is irrelevant to them. It's the 150-cheap-segment people who have rosy memories of the good old days of a free upgrade on nearly every flight that will be unhappy.
Jul 7, 2019, 5:23 pm
#116
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
The bulk of my travel is longhaul premium cabin, but IF I am no longer getting free upgrades on the short domestic flights AND the # of SWU has been cut in half AND they have made it borderline impossible to use SWU in advance what exactly are EXP supposed to be getting for their loyalty anymore?
Also, use the multi-quote button.
Jul 7, 2019, 6:01 pm
#118
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
As it should be. AA is in business to make $. If the flight is over 2.0 hours, I "buy up" to First unless all that's available is full fare First.
Last edited by USFlyerUS; Jul 7, 2019 at 6:07 pm
Jul 7, 2019, 6:04 pm
#119
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,212
And, honestly, upgrades have been worthless now for many years, on all carriers. I have a family member who is Delta 360 and even he rarely gets upgraded on the domestic flights he takes. Those days are gone.
Jul 7, 2019, 6:04 pm
#120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,256
No idea; you'd have to ask AA. The general takeaway - if you haven't noticed - is that the frequent flyer universe is changing, and the good old days are gone. You and everybody else can pound the table all you want; I don't work for AA so don't kill the messenger.
Also, use the multi-quote button.
Also, use the multi-quote button.
The credit card gravy train will only last so long.