AA drops oneworld airliner partner elite seat benefits Oct 2020
Oct 1, 2020, 3:54 pm
#1
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AA drops oneworld airliner partner elite seat benefits Oct 2020
American Airlines eliminates partner elite seating benefits
By Zach Griff, The Points Guy, 1 Oct 2020 — link
This has little effect on AAdvantage members, but certainly affects elite members of other oneworld airline partners flying on AA.
By Zach Griff, The Points Guy, 1 Oct 2020 — link
This has little effect on AAdvantage members, but certainly affects elite members of other oneworld airline partners flying on AA.
Effective immediately, AA’s partner elites will no longer receive complimentary access to the airline’s extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra seating. This policy change has been confirmed to TPG by an American Airlines spokesperson.
The AA spokesperson also confirmed that Oneworld elites will still have complimentary access to Preferred seats. These seats offer standard coach legroom but they’re positioned at favorable locations within the cabin.
Previously, partner Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members received free Main Cabin Extra seating at booking for themselves and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. Oneworld Ruby members could previously assign complimentary extra-legroom seats beginning 24 hours before departure.
Going forward, partner elites will need to purchase Main Cabin Extra legroom at standard pricing, which ranges depending on flight length and seat location. For example, a bulkhead extra-legroom window seat from Miami to New York hovers at around $28.
...Of the Big 3 U.S. carriers, American’s partner elite seating policy had long been the most generous. Neither Delta nor United offer confirmed complimentary access to Comfort+ and Economy Plus seating options, respectively, to partner elite members.
The AA spokesperson also confirmed that Oneworld elites will still have complimentary access to Preferred seats. These seats offer standard coach legroom but they’re positioned at favorable locations within the cabin.
Previously, partner Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members received free Main Cabin Extra seating at booking for themselves and up to eight traveling companions on the same reservation. Oneworld Ruby members could previously assign complimentary extra-legroom seats beginning 24 hours before departure.
Going forward, partner elites will need to purchase Main Cabin Extra legroom at standard pricing, which ranges depending on flight length and seat location. For example, a bulkhead extra-legroom window seat from Miami to New York hovers at around $28.
...Of the Big 3 U.S. carriers, American’s partner elite seating policy had long been the most generous. Neither Delta nor United offer confirmed complimentary access to Comfort+ and Economy Plus seating options, respectively, to partner elite members.
Oct 1, 2020, 4:24 pm
#2
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What a customer-unfriendly move toward partner airline elites. And what interesting timing for such a move.
AA was already worse than DL and even UA in various ways, so even copying DL or UA in partner airline elites' seat selection is just making AA an even worse option than it already was in ways.
About the timing of this AA move, is it because of the large pool of AS elites coming into Oneworld?
AA was already worse than DL and even UA in various ways, so even copying DL or UA in partner airline elites' seat selection is just making AA an even worse option than it already was in ways.
About the timing of this AA move, is it because of the large pool of AS elites coming into Oneworld?
Oct 1, 2020, 4:29 pm
#3
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Horrible decision. I've had occasions where I only flew AA for their generous legroom in their A321 exit-rows when available and competitors have the same price, plus their Flagship Lounges was a huge effect on my decision when choosing an airline to fly within the USA. At least 28A on A21N's are considered as a Preferred seat rather than MCE.
At least they could have offered them to non-AA elites at online check-in as they offer to AAdvantage Gold.
However, I would like to admit that 2x23kgs ( 2x50lbs ) baggage allowance for non-AA OWS and 3x32kgs ( 3x70 lbs ) baggage allowance for non-AA OWE would still be a factor over other US carriers. United is known for offering 1x23kgs for non-UA*G's and I think the case is similar to Delta.
At least they could have offered them to non-AA elites at online check-in as they offer to AAdvantage Gold.
However, I would like to admit that 2x23kgs ( 2x50lbs ) baggage allowance for non-AA OWS and 3x32kgs ( 3x70 lbs ) baggage allowance for non-AA OWE would still be a factor over other US carriers. United is known for offering 1x23kgs for non-UA*G's and I think the case is similar to Delta.
Oct 1, 2020, 5:04 pm
#4
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I had given AA a fair amount of shorthaul F and some transatlantic PE revenue to keep BA Silver. No more. Just redemptions in F/PE on AA from now on. Delta and Southwest for revenue tickets. Delta has a much bigger version of MCE on many of their plane types, especially the 738 (5 rows!).
Oct 1, 2020, 5:31 pm
#5
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The BA thread on this topic---> https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ld-elites.html
Oct 1, 2020, 5:35 pm
#6
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Not a good move from my perspective. Being able to choose MCE seats was a *big* perk of OWE status. I am not sure how / if it will affect future travel plans as most upcoming travel is booked in paid F, but going forward it will definitely make me compare other carriers.
Oct 1, 2020, 6:24 pm
#8
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Oct 1, 2020, 6:36 pm
#9
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For example, I would not pay AA $75-100 on a transcon for 4 inches of extra legroom.
United does not offer preferred seating for non-UA *A elites which means that their policy is much worse than AA's new seating policy for non-AA elites.
Same for Delta, Delta did never offer free Comfort+ seating for non-DL SkyTeam elites and I guess their policy is similar to United where passengers need to pay extra to sit in the preferred non-extra legroom seats.
Oct 1, 2020, 6:45 pm
#10
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What a customer unfriendly move that does not overly surprise me. I'm really looking forward to post pandemic free agency. As a US based BA elite, this was the benefit that I valued the most.
Oct 1, 2020, 8:30 pm
#14
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I feel the timing might have something to do with AS joining OW? AA members probably won’t get AS Premium Class upgrades, so probably it will be wise to block AS elites from getting MCE.
However, it probably won’t matter until AA start policing MCE self-upgraders.
However, it probably won’t matter until AA start policing MCE self-upgraders.
Oct 1, 2020, 8:33 pm
#15
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Any cross airline upgrades are airline to airline, outside of OW.