AA100k

Keep in mind that you must have a same day boarding pass on an AA flight to get access to an AC. In other words, you can’t get into an AC on days when you might be flying Delta even with an AC membership.

beachmouse

For international travel down the road, keep in mind that LATAM is set to leave OW in October, 2020. Indicators are that it will be for a bilateral partnership with Delta rather than SkyTeam membership. So for broader Americas travel in 2021, GM status could gain value

ggonzaga

I'm actually under 21 so I'm not allowed into the Flagship lounges. It's the most annoying thing ever. When I was flying a lot on the MIA-LHR route, I was going to AC often since I didn't have my Platinum AMEX. What they would do is have an employee escort me into the Flagship lounge and watch me pick food and what not, but then escort me into the Admirals Club. I'm not allowed into Flagship because of the open bar, which is really annoying because I wouldn't even drink.

I do travel internationally reasonably often, so I do value being a oneworld member.

As for the BOS AC, it wasn't horrible but definitely annoying. They scanned my boarding pass and said there was an error and that something was "processing" on my account. The lady asked if I had just qualified recently and I said no I'm a member for all of 2019, I didn't understand why an error was showing up. She asked if I was the primary on the account and I said yes because I thought she was just new in the job and didn't know what she was talking about (later I realized that she was referring to the credit card). Eventually she saw my elite status and said that I was all set but that she was going to call AA to find out what's going on. Later, I was getting some water and getting ready to leave for my flight and the same lady at the check in desk finds me and pulls me aside. She explained that there's no payment method on file for a membership and that if I wanted to stay I would have to purchase the AC membership for $600 (no mention of a day pass). I told her I didn't know I couldn't enter on a domestic itinerary and apologized as I was traveling mainly internationally so I didn't know any better. My flight was about to board so I had no issue with leaving. She said that I could stay for today if I wanted to, but she said that after I told her my flight was boarding. I guess she said that only to take some guilt off her shoulders, but it was really a bluff. I was courteous to her and the other staff I interacted with because it's not their fault (apart from erroneously letting me in, but I'm not complaining) and plus if I get a membership I want to be in good terms with the staff there. She also mentioned that my account with AC is flagged, whatever that means. Oh well...

ggonzaga

It's crazy, there can't be that many EXP and CKs in a given flight! I absolutely hate Plat Pro. I was so excited to be EXP from Plat a while back and then I checked and saw that they added this extra step in the way. Sucks, but I guess they're trying to make EXP as exclusive as possible. Although clearly doesn't look like it's working too well, it's impossible to clear these upgrades

ggonzaga

How much better is C+ on Delta flights? My round trip for Delta was outbound first class and return in economy, but I was being offered to upgrade to C+ for $69 and to first for $184. I upgraded to first because I wasn't sure how much better C+ is, and I'm assuming that I'd earn more MQMs by flying first class if the Delta system is anything like the AA system. But yes, MCE is great and I love how we get it for free having elite status.

enpremiere

Given that you already know that your travel behavior this year will be largely domestic (and even the route at that), there's no better time to try!

The calculus might be more complicated if you were still flying significant international trips.

IADCAflyer

You're forgetting that there is going to be a not insignificant number of paid F class passengers as well. As long as the market/economy is healthy, people will spring for a lay-flat seat.

ggonzaga

Yes, I was flying economy with AA BOS-MIA this weekend for the outbound and when I was putting my luggage on the overhead bin, I saw that the person next to me had put their suitcase and it had an EXP luggage tag. That's when I knew I was SOL for an upgrade haha

ggonzaga

Yes of course, but when I'm in a domestic flight and I see 15 names on the upgrade list screen and I'm in 10th place, that's when I realize there's a lot of frequent fliers on the routes that I take especially.

IADCAflyer

As I said, people on certain trip planning sets see a wide body and gravitate to it. My SO, flew PHL-LAS last night for work on the A-330-200. There were 37 people on the upgrade list. The flight was F0 24 hours out. I've flown LAX-DFW three times on the 789 and those upgrade lists have been 40+.

nk15

That's it, assuming you book early enough for PE seats to be still available. Because that's where all these 40 elites on the upgrade list sit, lol...

ggonzaga

That's good to know, I never thought that the AC staff would help with issues like that. For the most part I've been happy with calling in the 1-800 number for the Platinum members, I've almost always been addressed with no wait and by competent reps. Not as fancy as the EXP or CK line, I'm sure, but it's still nice to have. I'll definitely take that into consideration with buying the AC membership. Thanks for that

Jeremy3292

Delta status is much harder to achieve than AA due to the multipliers received for cabin classes. Delta maxes out at 1.5x MQM (unless you pay FULL fare) for business/first, whereas AA and Oneworld partners it is much more common to get 2x EQM (or more) for business/first. If you just fly economy a lot, then this is of no concern to you. However, if you fly internationally a lot via business class like me, AA status comes much more quickly. JAT.

bchandler02

Perhaps this is a case where the OP should consider trying to go for status on another OneWorld airline, and then crediting AA flights to that? If s/he can reach mid tier, wouldn't that get him lounge access in the US on domestic flights?

radonc1

I think that this would be the most logical approach to your problem, although I recognize the issue with obtaining it. (Age and citizenship)

However, besides the two benefits already mentioned, the one I value is the access to help when there are irregular operations. Furthermore, by getting the CC, you get a discount of $150 (25%) over the regular price of admission. That is a nice deal, IMO.