Does EXP experience get worse after successfully completing trial?
Jan 15, 2020, 8:07 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
Does EXP experience get worse after successfully completing trial?
United 1k refugee here and am currently on an EXP trial. I expect to complete the trial (meaning achieve EXP) in the next couple of weeks.
I have to say my upgrade rate on AA is far and away better than on United as a 1k. My travel I have been upgraded to business/first about 90% (UA at best was maybe 30-40%) of the time which is amazing to me.
Will this percentage drop after I complete my trial? Is there some kind of algorithm in place that tells AA to put me higher in the upgrade list since I'm on a trial to entice me to switch?
I am just shocked at how AA has performed vs UA and I want to temper expectations appropriately.
I have to say my upgrade rate on AA is far and away better than on United as a 1k. My travel I have been upgraded to business/first about 90% (UA at best was maybe 30-40%) of the time which is amazing to me.
Will this percentage drop after I complete my trial? Is there some kind of algorithm in place that tells AA to put me higher in the upgrade list since I'm on a trial to entice me to switch?
I am just shocked at how AA has performed vs UA and I want to temper expectations appropriately.
Jan 15, 2020, 8:31 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
It should increase after your trial as you'll have done more EQDs over the last 12 month period. The effects you're experiencing is because AA isn't as aggressive at monetizing the first class cabin as United is. I'm currently 6 upgrades/6 flights 100% upgrades this year with ~$18,000 of spend.
Jan 15, 2020, 8:44 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
It should increase after your trial as you'll have done more EQDs over the last 12 month period. The effects you're experiencing is because AA isn't as aggressive at monetizing the first class cabin as United is. I'm currently 6 upgrades/6 flights 100% upgrades this year with ~$18,000 of spend.
Jan 15, 2020, 8:44 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
Jan 15, 2020, 8:50 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA ExPlat, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 121
It's actually a rolling 1-year EQD. So right now you're on the bottom of the food chain for EXP's. As you spend more and fly longer it'll only get better.
Jan 15, 2020, 8:50 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,057
The routes you are flying are likely going to be a big factor. If you have been flying routes that were UA Elite heavy, but not on AA, naturally your upgrade rate is going to be higher on AA. There are almost certainly routes where you will do better on UA than AA (for example, routes out AA hostage hub DFW). You will see the same thing on DL with hostage hubs like ATL,DTW, MSP having lower upgrade rates for DL Medallions than for those who fly on other alliances out of those hubs.
Jan 15, 2020, 8:51 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
Jan 15, 2020, 9:43 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 3,698
The routes you are flying are likely going to be a big factor. If you have been flying routes that were UA Elite heavy, but not on AA, naturally your upgrade rate is going to be higher on AA. There are almost certainly routes where you will do better on UA than AA (for example, routes out AA hostage hub DFW). You will see the same thing on DL with hostage hubs like ATL,DTW, MSP having lower upgrade rates for DL Medallions than for those who fly on other alliances out of those hubs.
Jan 15, 2020, 9:47 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
While it's a factor, due to FCM UA 1K seems to be about as good as AA PLT in terms of upgrade success on average (i.e., expect to mostly not be upgraded). Whereas as an EXP on AA I often get upgraded even on in-demand routes like JFK<->SFO, my friends who are 1K rarely get upgraded even on secondary routes. OP's experience of 30-40% upgrades is actually a lot better than any of the 1Ks I know.
With AA I have been upgraded into SFO and SAN my two flights on this trial so far (through DFW). Am very happy about this trend.
Jan 15, 2020, 10:19 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
Jan 15, 2020, 10:20 am
#15
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Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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