Rumor, Speculation: AAdvantage Program Devaluation 31 Jul 2019
May 31, 2019, 9:47 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,082
As for the monetization of first/bus, I fly one particular route fairly often and upgrade on both flights total 5 500 mile upgrades worth $200. When I go to buy the ticket I can upgrade either leg for $200 so if I want to be in front I pay it.
as for Delta’s dynamic pricing, I’m not an expert but I like it because at least you can find some lower priced tickets during during the day as opposed to all of them being exorbitant. I guess it will depend on what floor AA chooses for the cost of a ticket.
Lastly, for an airline that from what I read makes it’s entire profit from its mileage program you would think/hope that they would be smart enough not to screw that up too.
as for Delta’s dynamic pricing, I’m not an expert but I like it because at least you can find some lower priced tickets during during the day as opposed to all of them being exorbitant. I guess it will depend on what floor AA chooses for the cost of a ticket.
Lastly, for an airline that from what I read makes it’s entire profit from its mileage program you would think/hope that they would be smart enough not to screw that up too.
May 31, 2019, 9:54 am
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
The funny thing like MCE is anything extra....I sit in seats that already have extra leg room (bulkhead or exit row) and I guess if you are flying overseas you get a free drink or two but for me at least my work travels are all domestic travel so MCE is nothing more than a few inches of additional leg room.
The fact Delta treats this as an upgrade is laughable but ultimately sad as AA only follows DL's moves.
The fact Delta treats this as an upgrade is laughable but ultimately sad as AA only follows DL's moves.
May 31, 2019, 9:58 am
#49
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Join Date: Mar 2001
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Posts: 27,730
I'd certainly assume so, once there's an upgrade path to PE.
May 31, 2019, 10:00 am
#50
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
There’s a thread https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...ay-2019-a.html for dynamic pricing of awards. This bit isn’t a rumor given it was announced yesterday by AA.
May 31, 2019, 12:24 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,277
A few years ago DL started allowing the use of Global Upgrade Certificates (GUC's....same as SWU) from virtually any fare class. But when that was implemented, DL also quietly changed the way that GUC's were processed. Previously, a GUC basically got you confirmed AT TIME OF BOOKING if there was a J seat available (and a spot on a waitlist on the rare occasions that a J seat wasn't available). Now, a GUC gets you onto a waitlist at time of booking. As travel date gets closer and DL has a handle on how many J seats will likely be unsold, DL starts releasing seats to thiose on the waitlist. It is pretty unheard of for GUC's to clear at time of booking anymore.
So in summary, GUC's went from heavily restricted but virtually guaranteed upgrades to a more widely accessible CHANCE of an upgrade into the leftover seats that DL hasn't sold. Each procedure s*cks, they just s*ck in different ways.
So in summary, GUC's went from heavily restricted but virtually guaranteed upgrades to a more widely accessible CHANCE of an upgrade into the leftover seats that DL hasn't sold. Each procedure s*cks, they just s*ck in different ways.
May 31, 2019, 12:41 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,277
May 31, 2019, 1:40 pm
#56
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, HH Diamond, National Executive
Posts: 1,786
I'm probably one of the odd balls who is indifferent to these potential changes. On one hand, if I'm travelling internationally it is typically for business where my company allows me to book J to Australia or PE to Europe - the only two places I go non-domestic. If SWUs to J could only be used by booking PE then this would probably help my chances to Europe. Now on the other hand, if I was going to pay for a personal vacation to Europe I'd say this would hurt me as I'd be bringing the wife so I couldn't shell out the price for PE. I'd probably still burn the SWUs in that situation as PE is better than Y.
The miles devaluation is disappointing but I can't say I'm surprised. I have quite a bit of miles these days and we typically shell out miles for 1-2 trips somewhat close (Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii). If there are cheap F fares I'd grab them but for these flights we normally just book Y and hope for a nice MCE seat. What is crazy to me is the price for international J award flights. I looked to bring my wife with me when I had to go to business for either Australia or Spain. The miles to get her in J is ridiculous.
The miles devaluation is disappointing but I can't say I'm surprised. I have quite a bit of miles these days and we typically shell out miles for 1-2 trips somewhat close (Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii). If there are cheap F fares I'd grab them but for these flights we normally just book Y and hope for a nice MCE seat. What is crazy to me is the price for international J award flights. I looked to bring my wife with me when I had to go to business for either Australia or Spain. The miles to get her in J is ridiculous.
May 31, 2019, 1:40 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SAN
Programs: AA CK, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 839
May 31, 2019, 2:02 pm
#59
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,066
My DL flying colleagues are amazed that I can book directly into MCE for free, and that my upgrades put me in (domestic) F. They think that's as ridiculous as I do the DL system.
If/when AA was to implement this, the only value of PPro for me - where I actually get upgrades at a rate better than the 10% I was getting as a Plat - would be the no charge SDFC. I don't check bags and the mileage bonus doesn't matter to me given my (relatively) high EQD level with OPM.
If/when AA was to implement this, the only value of PPro for me - where I actually get upgrades at a rate better than the 10% I was getting as a Plat - would be the no charge SDFC. I don't check bags and the mileage bonus doesn't matter to me given my (relatively) high EQD level with OPM.
May 31, 2019, 2:42 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,631
DL Plat/DM's clear at time of purchase. I think there has been maybe one instance where I didn't clear immediately as a DM. While they could potentially limit the number of C+ seats available for upgrades, it doesn't appear they are actually doing this regularly at this point.