oneworld emerald is better than EXP (opinion)
May 11, 2021, 12:26 pm
#1
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oneworld emerald is better than EXP (opinion)
I have come to a conclusion, Oneworld emerald (JV) not from AA is better than EXP
Oneworld emeralds get access to flagship lounges on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
oneworld emeralds get access to flagship first checkin on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
Oneworld emeralds get Free drink and snack in economy (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get access to main cabin extra (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get routed to the EXP desk (same as EXP)
The only benefits of EXP are upgrades however pre covid upgrades were getting difficult, both comp and SWU. The one world emerald benefits in my opinion make up for upgrades considering you earn far more valuable miles for less.
Let me know what y'all think.
Oneworld emeralds get access to flagship lounges on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
oneworld emeralds get access to flagship first checkin on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
Oneworld emeralds get Free drink and snack in economy (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get access to main cabin extra (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get routed to the EXP desk (same as EXP)
The only benefits of EXP are upgrades however pre covid upgrades were getting difficult, both comp and SWU. The one world emerald benefits in my opinion make up for upgrades considering you earn far more valuable miles for less.
Let me know what y'all think.
Last edited by united 1k flyer; May 11, 2021 at 12:51 pm
May 11, 2021, 12:41 pm
#2
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I agree with most of the points, especially regarding Flagship Lounges... it just seems too generous for non-AA OWE/OWS to get them on every AA flight, intl or not.
On the last few points though... Does non-AA OWEs actually get routed to the EXP desk? How do they tell? By checking the PNRs? I remembered AA EXP line always asks me for my AAdv# if I am not calling from a known phone number.
Also, I think AA miles are actually quite valuable among OW. AY has a laughably high award chart, and BA awards are useless for long-haul travel (or flights with connections). JAL does have a better award chart, but their miles are also much, much harder to come by. Most non-full-fare Coach tickets only earn 75% or 50%. And that's probably the same with BA. Unless you go out of your way to do a TP run, most coach tickets will earn next to nothing. I guess BA OWE might be cheaper to earn via TP runs, but to earn by normal flying, I think the difficulty is about the same.
Don't forget same-day confirmed changes!
On the last few points though... Does non-AA OWEs actually get routed to the EXP desk? How do they tell? By checking the PNRs? I remembered AA EXP line always asks me for my AAdv# if I am not calling from a known phone number.
Also, I think AA miles are actually quite valuable among OW. AY has a laughably high award chart, and BA awards are useless for long-haul travel (or flights with connections). JAL does have a better award chart, but their miles are also much, much harder to come by. Most non-full-fare Coach tickets only earn 75% or 50%. And that's probably the same with BA. Unless you go out of your way to do a TP run, most coach tickets will earn next to nothing. I guess BA OWE might be cheaper to earn via TP runs, but to earn by normal flying, I think the difficulty is about the same.
Don't forget same-day confirmed changes!
May 11, 2021, 12:47 pm
#3
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These 2 points are entirely subjective.
May 11, 2021, 12:49 pm
#4
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I agree with most of the points, especially regarding Flagship Lounges... it just seems too generous for non-AA OWE/OWS to get them on every AA flight, intl or not.
On the last few points though... Does non-AA OWEs actually get routed to the EXP desk? How do they tell? By checking the PNRs? I remembered AA EXP line always asks me for my AAdv# if I am not calling from a known phone number.
Also, I think AA miles are actually quite valuable among OW. AY has a laughably high award chart, and BA awards are useless for long-haul travel (or flights with connections). JAL does have a better award chart, but their miles are also much, much harder to come by. Most non-full-fare Coach tickets only earn 75% or 50%. And that's probably the same with BA. Unless you go out of your way to do a TP run, most coach tickets will earn next to nothing. I guess BA OWE might be cheaper to earn via TP runs, but to earn by normal flying, I think the difficulty is about the same.
Don't forget same-day confirmed changes!
On the last few points though... Does non-AA OWEs actually get routed to the EXP desk? How do they tell? By checking the PNRs? I remembered AA EXP line always asks me for my AAdv# if I am not calling from a known phone number.
Also, I think AA miles are actually quite valuable among OW. AY has a laughably high award chart, and BA awards are useless for long-haul travel (or flights with connections). JAL does have a better award chart, but their miles are also much, much harder to come by. Most non-full-fare Coach tickets only earn 75% or 50%. And that's probably the same with BA. Unless you go out of your way to do a TP run, most coach tickets will earn next to nothing. I guess BA OWE might be cheaper to earn via TP runs, but to earn by normal flying, I think the difficulty is about the same.
Don't forget same-day confirmed changes!
May 11, 2021, 12:50 pm
#5
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May 11, 2021, 1:46 pm
#6
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Don’t EXPs have access to Flagship First check-in regardless of the actual flight?
I vaguely recalling arriving at LAX and MIA and was able to check in at Flagship First for my flights when checking a bag.
I vaguely recalling arriving at LAX and MIA and was able to check in at Flagship First for my flights when checking a bag.
May 11, 2021, 1:59 pm
#7
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May 11, 2021, 2:10 pm
#8
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I disagree, not because the issue raised. Each FFP has its own characteristics. Just because it looks like on one end, it does not make it true.
May 11, 2021, 2:32 pm
#9
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BA forum thread--->AA removes free MCE seating perk for BA elites [Update : now restored]
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33073612-post19.html
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...abin-extra.jsp
*oneworld® Ruby members with elite status on British Airways, Iberia, Finnair or Japan Airlines
I see no reason why AS elites won't get MCE after 3/31. Remember, AS elites are supposed to get complimentary F upgrades too(not sure how that would work)
Elite member access
Who gets complimentary Main Cabin Extra seats?
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members
- oneworld® Sapphire and Emerald members with elite status on British Airways, Iberia, Finnair or Japan Airlines
AAdvantage® Gold and oneworld® Ruby members*
Enjoy complimentary access within 24 hours of departure when seats are available.*oneworld® Ruby members with elite status on British Airways, Iberia, Finnair or Japan Airlines
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33074623-post21.html
The OW Emerald and Sapphire members listed as eligible for MCE, BA, IB, AY, and JL, are currently all in joint business relationships with AA (BA, IB, AY - Atlantic joint business; JL - Pacific joint business). These four airlines are a small subset of the OW alliance. Considering that AS says that elites won't receive access to premium seating on AA until "Summer 2021" I guess I am doubtful that we will have access to MCE on 3/31.
May 11, 2021, 2:35 pm
#10
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I have come to a conclusion, Oneworld emerald (JV) not from AA is better than EXP
Oneworld emeralds get access to flagship lounges on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
oneworld emeralds get access to flagship first checkin on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
Oneworld emeralds get Free drink and snack in economy (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get access to main cabin extra (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get routed to the EXP desk (same as EXP)
The only benefits of EXP are upgrades however pre covid upgrades were getting difficult, both comp and SWU. The one world emerald benefits in my opinion make up for upgrades considering you earn far more valuable miles for less.
Let me know what y'all think.
Oneworld emeralds get access to flagship lounges on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
oneworld emeralds get access to flagship first checkin on every flight (EXP only get access on long haul international)
Oneworld emeralds get Free drink and snack in economy (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get access to main cabin extra (same as EXP)
Oneworld emeralds get routed to the EXP desk (same as EXP)
The only benefits of EXP are upgrades however pre covid upgrades were getting difficult, both comp and SWU. The one world emerald benefits in my opinion make up for upgrades considering you earn far more valuable miles for less.
Let me know what y'all think.
I would consider the Admiral's Club access more valuable than the few FLs, and you didn't even mention it. What about OWE qualification? Is it possible on most OWE airlines to earn OWE status without travel on that airline? When I was EXP, I made very few flights on foreign carriers.
Last edited by mvoight; May 11, 2021 at 2:40 pm
May 11, 2021, 2:41 pm
#11
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AA does not have a "own airline flights" requirement for status. Used to.
May 11, 2021, 3:58 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 73
I have wondered about this in the past, but like everything, it depends on your specific circumstances. If you don't originate in the 4 airports that offer Flagship First check-in, that is not too useful. If most of your flights are international, then domestic F lounge access is less important. Sure BA may be easier to get with long hauls in paid F or J, but that is a pretty small group of people who fly paid F and J INT, and still have a high domestic travel schedule. I have never found the argument compelling for myself because of these circumstances.
May 11, 2021, 4:01 pm
#13
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Not true. MCE was removed as OW benefit. Now is only available to JV partners and AS
BA forum thread--->AA removes free MCE seating perk for BA elites [Update : now restored]
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33073612-post19.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33074623-post21.html
BA forum thread--->AA removes free MCE seating perk for BA elites [Update : now restored]
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33073612-post19.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33074623-post21.html
May 11, 2021, 5:15 pm
#14
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Posts: 524
Not all int'l routes. For example MEX yes, CUN no. Many other short to mid-haul int'l destinations get the same treatment. We can use FF checkin and Flagship on Transcons JFK-LAX for example though. Benefit is diminished w the Flagship lounges still closed. I think it can be argued some OWE def get a better deal on AA than EXP do, but the SWU are too valuable to me.
May 11, 2021, 5:49 pm
#15
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Not all int'l routes. For example MEX yes, CUN no. Many other short to mid-haul int'l destinations get the same treatment. We can use FF checkin and Flagship on Transcons JFK-LAX for example though. Benefit is diminished w the Flagship lounges still closed. I think it can be argued some OWE def get a better deal on AA than EXP do, but the SWU are too valuable to me.