NYC Flyer

Before 500 mile segment upgrades were electronically allocated, AA mailed them to members in sticker form, and they were affixed to paper ticket coupons when redeemed. Many still refer to the segment upgrade instruments as stickers, even though they processed virtually now.

6 for 75K

lsquare

I really like flying CX over AA. Although to be clear, I've only flown AA on Y while I've tried both Y and J on CX. Even CX Y food is better than AA Y food. For SWUs to be useful, AA really needs to make it easier to use. If a customer isn't satisfied with their program, it means less engagement.

lsquare

How is Platinum Pro not the sweetspot?

jcatman

Very interesting thread so far, with different perspectives between those who see this change as a positive if they won't make or are not currently EXP, and those who are EXP and see this as a negative.

AA's recent changes this year have motivated me to place attaining British Airways Gold above attaining American Airlines Executive Platinum.

Nicc HK

It is, and the Neil Perry food combined with the food incentivises me to eat there before flying rather than in Sydney, which is a great place to eat in its own right.

My personal recommendations

1. Salt'n'Pepper Calamari (comes with nice hot chillies)
2. Hamburger (but if like me don't forget to ask to avoid the beetroot, for some strange reason Aussies have this fetish with putting beetroots on burgers)

Dave Noble

This seems to revolve around flying to get status rather than status being the outcome of travel undertaken

I would have said that earning Sapphire status would be a sweet spot if looking at getting status for status sake. That gives OW Sapphire status with business lounge access and additional baggage allowance. 1st lounges, where they exist, are a bit nicer than the business lounges, but not worth a huge amount more to spend on for the odd hour before a flight. My experience is that the nicest 1st lounges don't tend to give access based on status

travelinmanS

As a many year EXP who has dropped to lifetime gold for a few years after switching from crediting to AA to AS, I think the thing I miss most is the F lounges in HKG, LHR and SYD as well as the flagship in LAX. The Amex lounge in HKG and SYD soften the blow a lot but it seems like with AS joining next year I’ll be OWE again and be able to pretend I’m accessing all these lovely lounges in 2021

Dave Noble

My favourite OW lounge at LHR is the QR lounge and that one is a lounge for Business and 1st passengers - I think it is nicer than the 1st lounges around T5 andT3

my last visit to a 1st lounge was WY's at Muscat and that one really impressed - the lounge was empty apart from me and my foster son , with great menu, a good selection of non alcoholic drinks ( which is lacking from many lounges I find ) and an escort to the aeroplane when it was time for flight to depart - pretty much got on the aeroplane and they closed the door behind us - not had this at any lounges in Heathrow

the UA 1st lounge in T2 was a nice quiet spot though when I visited it and only one I have been to that I thought was better than QR's in T4

Overall generally, either 1st orbusiness lounges tend to be a reasonable spot to spend an hour over sitting in the main departure terminal - with some exceptions where I would rather go to a cafe

nachosdelux

If you do a lot of international travel, it is (would be) worth the stretch to Plat Pro (OW Emerald), IMHO.

fotographer

I do .. well did until March of this year.;;;so sad

enviroian

Because you can visit a lounge now for free on international travel? If you like to eat free buffet food (when it was available) YMMV. I don't get too excited about eating in a lounge 1 hour before I'm about to eat on a plane. Also as a AC member it's useless. In fact when the FFD were open I rarely used the one in LHR for example as the regular business lounge was leaps and bounds above the FFD.

What else...extra bag? I haven't checked in luggage in 20 years so n/a for me.

VFR

F lounge access is the main benefit for OWE, but remember that oneworld First lounges only exist at the following airports (off the top of my head, where a separate lounge exists for F like the CCR I have marked with a star):

USA:
LAX (QF), JFK (BA*)

Europe:
LHR (CX, AA, BA*), LGW (BA), FRA (JL), HEL (AY)

Asia:
DOH (QR*), DXB (EK when on QF flights), NRT (JL), HND (JL), SIN (QF), HKG (CX)

Oceania:
SYD, MEL, PER, AKL (all QF, international)
Note that OWE also gets you into Qantas domestic business lounges while OWS does not.

If you are flying internationally through these airports regularly, your life may improve. Otherwise, the marginal benefit of the F lounge is rather limited.

I think the soft OWE benefits that are not guaranteed by oneworld policy are actually more interesting, like a higher priority for op-ups on CX, or a much higher chance of a blocked seat next to you on BA. I am hopeful for a free snack in Y on AA too.

teemuflyer

First class lounges provided by BA, CX and QF all provide made to order food, champagne and relatively high end wine and spirits. The (AA) FFD never had a chance to be opened at LHR before T3 was closed due to Covid. Instead AA had an Admirals Club and the last Flagship First Lounge in the system which limited access to OW F and OWE flyers.

If one is perfectly satisfied with business class check-in and business lounges while traveling outside the US on OW airlines, then PLT is a great deal. If one enjoys the benefits of F check-in and the higher end lounges, then the AA PPro is a good choice to obtain OWE status. All depends on preferences, and of course, means.

LINDEGR

How is it a negative for us EXPs? Marginally more crowded F class lounges?

mvoight

Nah, just give 3MM+ LT Plat Pro