FlyerTalk Forums - AirPass Essentials: new annual subscription program?

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AirPass Essentials: new annual subscription program?

Just noticed something called AirPass Essentials in the promotions page on my account, and didn't see it posted anywhere yet. This is what it says:

Quote:

You have an exclusive opportunity to join AirPass℠ Essentials, our new annual travel benefits subscription. Through May 21, 2021, unlock an elevated experience for an entire year with travel perks curated just for you:

Unlimited Main Cabin Extra and Preferred seat coupons

You and up to 8 companions can enjoy more legroom with Main Cabin Extra, along with access to Preferred seats (when available). Simply use a Main Cabin Extra or Preferred seat coupon available in your AAdvantage® wallet while booking your trip.

Free inflight Wi-Fi

Stay productive in flight with a Wi-Fi access code that’s unique to your AAdvantage® number. Enjoy upgraded, high-speed Wi-Fi on select American Airlines and American Eagle® North American flights equipped with Gogo, Panasonic or Viasat internet service.

Admirals Club® membership

Enjoy premium amenities and services at our Admirals Club® lounges to make your travel even more productive and relaxing.

Priority privileges

Get to where you need to be faster with Priority check-in, security (where available) and Group 4 boarding.

Cost looks to be $1,699 a year, plus tax (comes out to a little over $1800 for me).

Not really sure how many people would find any real cost savings in this, though, and obviously if you have status it's useless. The latter two benefits are basically the same benefits you get with the Citi Executive card, so its essentially like paying $1250 ($1700-$450 AF for the Executive card) for unlimited MCE/Preferred seats and unlimited wifi. Theoretically, if you were going to pay the $50 monthly subscription for wifi, that's another $600 a year, meaning you're effectively paying $650 for the seat selection. But how many people without status (and the ability to get MCE/Preferred seats for free) are paying $50 a month for wifi? And while I place a little more value on MCE/Preferred seats than most people on here seem to, they don't cost that much (again, unless you're flying a lot and the costs would certainly add up, but in that case you probably have status anyway). The only people I think who might be interested in this are people who just miss out on Gold or people with more money than sense (of which there are, sadly, too many...).

I got an email offer today about this, priced at $1000+tax for me as a low level gold elite. I kinda agree that the benefits are slim for the price they want, as it is I don't pay for Admirals Club and stick to the Priority Pass lounges I can find haha.

MCE at booking would have a small value for me, but I am pretty good about getting an MCE seat if I wait.

Yeah I'm hard pressed to see the value prop here. Most people who fly with regularity will have some seating and priority benefits already as part of elite status, and the rest of the benefits are probably obtained for cheaper just buying them individually or getting a credit card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MathMusic (Post 33214800)

So basically $1000 for the AC membership and unlimited wifi. If you're paying $50 for the monthly wifi subscription then I guess an AC membership for $400 is technically a discount... :rolleyes::o

So little do they care about their AAirpass product that they’ll use this for the name for an unrelated product?