500-mile upgrades / stickers converting to Loyalty Points; discussion, options
Jul 13, 2022, 2:43 am
#196
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
My upgrade chances on AA will go up a bit for a short while, assuming the LPs are used in ranking for upgrades. In that regard, this is better than when DL wiped out a huge pile of their equivalent of these “sticker upgrades” — DL gave me nothing for wiping those out.
With AA, I have gotten upgrades with maybe 1% of the 500-milers given to me over the past 20 years.
With AA, I have gotten upgrades with maybe 1% of the 500-milers given to me over the past 20 years.
Jul 13, 2022, 2:53 am
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
My upgrade chances on AA will go up a bit for a short while, assuming the LPs are used in ranking for upgrades. In that regard, this is better than when DL wiped out a huge pile of their equivalent of these “sticker upgrades” — DL gave me nothing for wiping those out.
With AA, I have gotten upgrades with maybe 1% of the 500-milers given to me over the past 20 years.
With AA, I have gotten upgrades with maybe 1% of the 500-milers given to me over the past 20 years.
Jul 13, 2022, 3:02 am
#198
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Is the above a response to my post?
Jul 13, 2022, 6:40 am
#203
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Phoenix/Columbus
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, United Gold, US Airways silver
Posts: 1,717
Jul 13, 2022, 6:46 am
#204
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,013
Jul 13, 2022, 7:45 am
#205
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,509
Jul 13, 2022, 7:51 am
#206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I do have an upcoming trip with a companion where it would cost 11 if all upgrades clear, and possibly a few shorter trips that might cost 1 or 2, so I'm very happy with this change. I no longer have to decide if the upgrades are worth the cost. $40/500 miles is not really that cheap (like, I would probably not pay $40 to upgrade PHX-SAN; MCE is fine)
Jul 13, 2022, 8:14 am
#207
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
This change -- basically the elimination of e500s (fka electronic stickers) is not being done for the benefit of the customer, nor even for the upfront AA revenue stream -- it will actually reduce top-line revenue.
It is being done because AA wants to reduce the number of Gate Agents, possibly to one per domestic flight. They have been looking at ways to reduce the workload on GAs -- several of which revolved around the AAdvantage program, namely:
- Customers inquiring about the upgrade and standby waitlists (the upgrade queries are supposed to be reduced by auto-processing at t-40, before boarding begins)
- Customers asking about upgrading companions (this change will help to reduce those questions, especially if they involve issuing new e500s, which could be a time-consuming gate ticketing process)
- Customers asking about seat changes -- still will be a problem, but AA has tried to get this online as much as possible
If one GA can operate one domestic flight, it could greatly reduce the headcount AA has to maintain at each station.
It is being done because AA wants to reduce the number of Gate Agents, possibly to one per domestic flight. They have been looking at ways to reduce the workload on GAs -- several of which revolved around the AAdvantage program, namely:
- Customers inquiring about the upgrade and standby waitlists (the upgrade queries are supposed to be reduced by auto-processing at t-40, before boarding begins)
- Customers asking about upgrading companions (this change will help to reduce those questions, especially if they involve issuing new e500s, which could be a time-consuming gate ticketing process)
- Customers asking about seat changes -- still will be a problem, but AA has tried to get this online as much as possible
If one GA can operate one domestic flight, it could greatly reduce the headcount AA has to maintain at each station.
Jul 13, 2022, 8:20 am
#208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Sure, but in this case it also benefits the customer. I don't really care what their motivations are. If our interests are aligned, great. Win/win.
Jul 13, 2022, 9:19 am
#209
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Berlin
Programs: BA Gold; Accor Plat; IHG Diamond-Amb; Meliá & HH & Marriott Gold
Posts: 5,450
As a data point: AA has refused to exchange the small number of purchased 500-mile upgrades on my account for miles, or to refund them. Their position is that I have not held AAdvantage status for some time (since 02/2011) and therefore can't expect a more positive response.
Jul 13, 2022, 10:37 am
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LFT
Programs: AA Plat, lots of AA, AS, DL, UA miles, former top level CO Elite (sigh...)
Posts: 10,795
I contacted AA and was given 5,000 AA miles for each purchased e500 sticker in my account.
Last year I used my otherwise useless Amex Platinum fee credit to purchase 5 stickers. They converted these to 25,000 miles. The remaining stickers, which I earned through flying,
will be converted to 250 LPs.
Last year I used my otherwise useless Amex Platinum fee credit to purchase 5 stickers. They converted these to 25,000 miles. The remaining stickers, which I earned through flying,
will be converted to 250 LPs.