AA Discontinuing Elite Membership Cards
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EP, HH Diamond, Admirals Club, Global Entry
Posts: 417
AA Discontinuing Elite Membership Cards
Gary Leff reported yesterday that American Airlines no longer sends membership kits to frequent flyers (including EXP, but not sure about CK) when they earn AAdvantage elite status.
No More American Airlines Elite Membership Cards, But You Can Still Call For Employee Recognition Certs
I am disappointed. I use my EXP card frequently for 2 reasons:
(1) Print boarding pass at self-service terminals,
(2) Access One World Business/First Lounges, Immigration, Check-in, Customer Service, etc. when flying Economy.
I wonder if it might be possible to request a card. Any thought?
No More American Airlines Elite Membership Cards, But You Can Still Call For Employee Recognition Certs
I am disappointed. I use my EXP card frequently for 2 reasons:
(1) Print boarding pass at self-service terminals,
(2) Access One World Business/First Lounges, Immigration, Check-in, Customer Service, etc. when flying Economy.
I wonder if it might be possible to request a card. Any thought?
#2
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
Gary Leff reported yesterday that American Airlines no longer sends membership kits to frequent flyers (including EXP, but not sure about CK) when they earn AAdvantage elite status.
No More American Airlines Elite Membership Cards, But You Can Still Call For Employee Recognition Certs
I am disappointed. I use my EXP card frequently for 2 reasons:
(1) Print boarding pass at self-service terminals,
(2) Access One World Business/First Lounges, Immigration, Check-in, Customer Service, etc. when flying Economy.
I wonder if it might be possible to request a card. Any thought?
No More American Airlines Elite Membership Cards, But You Can Still Call For Employee Recognition Certs
I am disappointed. I use my EXP card frequently for 2 reasons:
(1) Print boarding pass at self-service terminals,
(2) Access One World Business/First Lounges, Immigration, Check-in, Customer Service, etc. when flying Economy.
I wonder if it might be possible to request a card. Any thought?
Last edited by PaulInTheSky; Sep 25, 2020 at 2:07 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA Executive Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott Titanium Elite-Lifetime, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,210
My gut says post-COVID where the idea is to minimize touching as many things as possible, this will likely be less of an issue. However, time will tell of course.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Nah, UA did this a few years back. I think it's just a money-saving measure. I think this is good. The cards are a waste of plastic. If they do it like UA, you can order a plastic card (I think) if you call and say you're having problems in partner lounges.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Roswell, GA
Programs: AA EXP 2.8m,Lifetime PLT, Hilton Diamond, IHG PlLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 3,191
for me... I have never had to show my physical card... I have one in my phone just in case...
my ticket info usually has all the info needed... but that is me..
yes it was nice to get the packet... but over the years... the offerings in the welcome pack.. well... nothing special
but on the bight side for me.. I have enough cards and luggage tags to last me for the rest of my travels..
my ticket info usually has all the info needed... but that is me..
yes it was nice to get the packet... but over the years... the offerings in the welcome pack.. well... nothing special
but on the bight side for me.. I have enough cards and luggage tags to last me for the rest of my travels..
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
I've used AA and partner lounges around the world....and not once was I asked for a card.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK/USA
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 830
#8
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP/2MM, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,185
It's been a while since I've had to show a physical card at a partner lounge, but it has happened. Or I've had to flash it to get into a J/F check in line.
I have also run into issues where a status change takes weeks or more to show up on a reservation with FF number attached, or that the status attached depends on status at time of booking. A few years ago I requalified for PLT mid-trip and tried to use the AA card in the app for a JL lounge invitation. The check in agent didn't know what it was and didn't accept it. However, she was willing to make a few phone calls, not sure to whom, but I did eventually get that invitation.
I'm a little frustrated because I had to change my FF # of 20+ years because of some data breach so it would be nice to get a card with the new number on it. As long as the phone app card is accepted exactly the same as the physical card by all partners then I'm fine with it, I just don't think it's going to go that way.
I have also run into issues where a status change takes weeks or more to show up on a reservation with FF number attached, or that the status attached depends on status at time of booking. A few years ago I requalified for PLT mid-trip and tried to use the AA card in the app for a JL lounge invitation. The check in agent didn't know what it was and didn't accept it. However, she was willing to make a few phone calls, not sure to whom, but I did eventually get that invitation.
I'm a little frustrated because I had to change my FF # of 20+ years because of some data breach so it would be nice to get a card with the new number on it. As long as the phone app card is accepted exactly the same as the physical card by all partners then I'm fine with it, I just don't think it's going to go that way.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
#10
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 821
Not quite a total waste. Some international partner lounges want to see the physical card. It is a waste if those lounges are not important to you.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Another cost-cutting measure.
Physical cards are useful for dragons at partner lounges that sometimes refuse to accept a digital card. Luggage tags are also useful for "finding space" when in Y and the overheads are full. I've often been able to sneak my bag in the closet with an EXP tag on it and I expect that would be unlikely had that not been there. Of course, I'm not even sure how many AA aircraft have closets anymore.
Physical cards are useful for dragons at partner lounges that sometimes refuse to accept a digital card. Luggage tags are also useful for "finding space" when in Y and the overheads are full. I've often been able to sneak my bag in the closet with an EXP tag on it and I expect that would be unlikely had that not been there. Of course, I'm not even sure how many AA aircraft have closets anymore.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
YMMV I guess.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ORD and RSW
Programs: Former long time AA EXP and CK - 4 MM; Now LTPL; Hilton Diamond; UA Platinum
Posts: 380
UA also has stopped sending UC cards. Has AA stopped sending AC cards too? I was told by UA that I could request a UC card for use in partner clubs if needed.
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I’m with the ‘fair enough’ crowd on this. It is very rare to have to show a card, and they have minimal utility. It would be ideal, of course, to have an alliance-wide notification that the card in your digital wallet (with QR code or similar) is sufficient.