You want us to come back.... BUT.....(lack of upgrade availability)
May 28, 2020, 10:08 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
As I said in another thread the US airlines started upgrades as a way to attract and retain higher spend loyal flyers. Over the years it's become the prized benefit of elite status whether domestic "sticker" upgrades for GLD-PLT- PLT PRO levels and in addition SWUs for EXP and CKs. The US airlines are going to have a hard time putting this genie back in the bottle. If suddenly no more upgrades then there goes the motivation to stay loyal to any airline. Either pay for F based on price/schedule or just buy Y again best price/schedule.
May 28, 2020, 10:56 pm
#47
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
So You PUBLICLY state that you want us back! But when looking to BOOK A round TRIP on Nov 2 and Nov 9, Miami - LAX... and you are NOT OFFERING a single opportunity to use a System Wide Cert.....for the entire route! ALL of you system Wide upgrade opportunities offer only 1 of the 2 legs!!!!!
It has been this way for the last couple of years.... in most cases making the use of the Cert unusable to use for an entire pair of flights. I would have thought the current situation (Covid and near bankruptcy for all airlines) would prompt a more aggressive approach towards AA's most valuable customers.
Is this how AA demonstrates it's opinion of "loyalty"?
It has been this way for the last couple of years.... in most cases making the use of the Cert unusable to use for an entire pair of flights. I would have thought the current situation (Covid and near bankruptcy for all airlines) would prompt a more aggressive approach towards AA's most valuable customers.
Is this how AA demonstrates it's opinion of "loyalty"?
I don't trust a single word they say.
May 28, 2020, 11:49 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 17,490
May 29, 2020, 5:42 am
#50
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Get real. Providing you a beverage in flight isn't any more riskier than the drive the FAs took to get to the airport. They have a job to do. If they don't want to do their job find something else in life they feel is better.
The vast majority of AA frontline staff are doing everything they can to make the journey better. On Saturday when my flight to PHL was delayed due to maintenance an AC staff member proactively came down to the gate, found me, took me back to the AC on one of the CK carts (and I''m certainly not CK), rebooked me through CLT preserving my upgrade. If these men and women can go to this length to retain loyal flyers a FA can get off his/her lAAzy butt and serve me (and all the other F paxs) a drink in flight.
The vast majority of AA frontline staff are doing everything they can to make the journey better. On Saturday when my flight to PHL was delayed due to maintenance an AC staff member proactively came down to the gate, found me, took me back to the AC on one of the CK carts (and I''m certainly not CK), rebooked me through CLT preserving my upgrade. If these men and women can go to this length to retain loyal flyers a FA can get off his/her lAAzy butt and serve me (and all the other F paxs) a drink in flight.
May 29, 2020, 1:52 pm
#51
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
That said, I agree with you that if people are using COVID as an excuse to avoid doing what is expected of them in their job descriptions then they should consider seeking alternative employment or politely step aside until COVID has passed. For me that's the issue. There is inconsistency in the experience on AA because some FAs are providing a service in F and other are just sitting throughout the flight. I'm fine with either one...as long as there is consistency.
May 29, 2020, 2:55 pm
#52
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,597
The JOB of the FAs is to ensure the safety and security of the cabin and its contents (including passengers). Airlines are not required to feed and water every passenger. They do it as a benefit.
That said, I agree with you that if people are using COVID as an excuse to avoid doing what is expected of them in their job descriptions then they should consider seeking alternative employment or politely step aside until COVID has passed. For me that's the issue. There is inconsistency in the experience on AA because some FAs are providing a service in F and other are just sitting throughout the flight. I'm fine with either one...as long as there is consistency.
That said, I agree with you that if people are using COVID as an excuse to avoid doing what is expected of them in their job descriptions then they should consider seeking alternative employment or politely step aside until COVID has passed. For me that's the issue. There is inconsistency in the experience on AA because some FAs are providing a service in F and other are just sitting throughout the flight. I'm fine with either one...as long as there is consistency.
Consistency is something that should be expected - but would you really prefer the consistency of never getting served vs the chance of getting served?
May 29, 2020, 4:31 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Wanting First. Buying First.
Programs: Lifetime Executive Diamond Platinum VIP with Braniff, Eastern, Midway, National & Pan Am
Posts: 17,490
FAs are required to to serve food and water to passengers if their employer says that passengers should be provided food and water in a specific cabin on a specific flight. That's the JOB of the FAs.
May 30, 2020, 4:22 am
#55
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
No surprise
My “.02.
I see both sides.
Just as a leopard can’t change it’s spots, a customer hostile management team can’t (won’t?) change overnight.
On the other hand, they are looking for ways to generate cash. Giving away premium seats, even to a tired old EXP like me, does not make a lot of sense in this environment. Sorry.
Personally, since I retired, and am no longer tethered to Concur, I have become WFBF airline agnostic. Qatar to Australia at Christmas, Alaska out of DAL to SFO, JAL back and forth to NRT to name a few. I was trapped “behind enemy lines” in Paris during the lockdown for 90 days, and returned just last week, AF CDG-ATL and DL ATL-DFW.
I will always check AA 1st, but now also look elsewhere, and most of the time am pleasantly surprised at the choices.
Fly safe, and may all your upgrades clear as soon as possible.
I see both sides.
Just as a leopard can’t change it’s spots, a customer hostile management team can’t (won’t?) change overnight.
On the other hand, they are looking for ways to generate cash. Giving away premium seats, even to a tired old EXP like me, does not make a lot of sense in this environment. Sorry.
Personally, since I retired, and am no longer tethered to Concur, I have become WFBF airline agnostic. Qatar to Australia at Christmas, Alaska out of DAL to SFO, JAL back and forth to NRT to name a few. I was trapped “behind enemy lines” in Paris during the lockdown for 90 days, and returned just last week, AF CDG-ATL and DL ATL-DFW.
I will always check AA 1st, but now also look elsewhere, and most of the time am pleasantly surprised at the choices.
Fly safe, and may all your upgrades clear as soon as possible.
May 30, 2020, 7:21 am
#56
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
My “.02.
I see both sides.
Just as a leopard can’t change it’s spots, a customer hostile management team can’t (won’t?) change overnight.
On the other hand, they are looking for ways to generate cash. Giving away premium seats, even to a tired old EXP like me, does not make a lot of sense in this environment. Sorry.
Personally, since I retired, and am no longer tethered to Concur, I have become WFBF airline agnostic. Qatar to Australia at Christmas, Alaska out of DAL to SFO, JAL back and forth to NRT to name a few. I was trapped “behind enemy lines” in Paris during the lockdown for 90 days, and returned just last week, AF CDG-ATL and DL ATL-DFW.
I will always check AA 1st, but now also look elsewhere, and most of the time am pleasantly surprised at the choices.
Fly safe, and may all your upgrades clear as soon as possible.
I see both sides.
Just as a leopard can’t change it’s spots, a customer hostile management team can’t (won’t?) change overnight.
On the other hand, they are looking for ways to generate cash. Giving away premium seats, even to a tired old EXP like me, does not make a lot of sense in this environment. Sorry.
Personally, since I retired, and am no longer tethered to Concur, I have become WFBF airline agnostic. Qatar to Australia at Christmas, Alaska out of DAL to SFO, JAL back and forth to NRT to name a few. I was trapped “behind enemy lines” in Paris during the lockdown for 90 days, and returned just last week, AF CDG-ATL and DL ATL-DFW.
I will always check AA 1st, but now also look elsewhere, and most of the time am pleasantly surprised at the choices.
Fly safe, and may all your upgrades clear as soon as possible.
I'm stunned to say, that for once, I actually agree with you
Regards
May 30, 2020, 9:21 am
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
So You PUBLICLY state that you want us back! But when looking to BOOK A round TRIP on Nov 2 and Nov 9, Miami - LAX... and you are NOT OFFERING a single opportunity to use a System Wide Cert.....for the entire route! ALL of you system Wide upgrade opportunities offer only 1 of the 2 legs!!!!!
It has been this way for the last couple of years.... in most cases making the use of the Cert unusable to use for an entire pair of flights. I would have thought the current situation (Covid and near bankruptcy for all airlines) would prompt a more aggressive approach towards AA's most valuable customers.
Is this how AA demonstrates it's opinion of "loyalty"?
It has been this way for the last couple of years.... in most cases making the use of the Cert unusable to use for an entire pair of flights. I would have thought the current situation (Covid and near bankruptcy for all airlines) would prompt a more aggressive approach towards AA's most valuable customers.
Is this how AA demonstrates it's opinion of "loyalty"?
May 30, 2020, 1:13 pm
#58
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Well we all want things to go back to normal, right? What's more normal feeling than waitlisting an AA SWU? 
May 30, 2020, 11:58 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: OC, CA
Programs: AA EXP, 2MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 832
Consistency is something that should be expected - but would you really prefer the consistency of never getting served vs the chance of getting served?
Jun 2, 2020, 11:49 pm
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
If AA doesn't want the customers who want to buy economy and use upgrades, then why offer them in the first place? Obviously AA wants those customers or it would not be offering them anything