Recognizing I’m creating this post in the AA Forum…

I’m a CLT resident. Longtime AA flyer, reaching Platinum Pro prior to the pandemic. As a hub flyer who doesn’t travel significantly oversees, getting enough segments to qualify for EP (even Platinum Pro) was always difficult since most flights could be done nonstop. Upgrades were about 50/50.

Then came the pandemic, in which travel for me virtually stopped. I lost all status and have used most of my award miles. Basically, I’m back to square one and have options. I’m a consultant, and will be starting a role in 2023 which I expect will increase my flying.

Transparently, I’m still not sure how LPs work (other than it takes spending, even outside of flights, way more into consideration). I’ve seriously considered transitioning to Delta, hearing that the overall customer experience may be better. I recognize connections would likely be required (which may help me earn status faster), but I found myself connecting on AA at times just to get the segments anyway.

Things that are important to me, in order:
1. Upgrade availability
2. Time
3. Award miles/usability
4. 4. Customer experience

I’d appreciate any insights from those smarter than me on recommended next steps. Stay and rebuild with AA? Switch to DL? Plan C?

The grass is not always greener on the other side
How much non flying activity that earn ff miles?
Frequent flyer programs are morphing into frequent spender programs.

AA thread of a few days ago--> For those leaving AA, where are you going?

OW forum --> Deciding on a Oneworld Frequent Flyer Program? Help is here.
And ---> Which Frequent Flyer Program to Join? Help Is Here!

If Time is the #2 most important thing, I'd go with the airline that has the most non-stop flights. Out of CLT, for most people, that's going to be on AA. I don't know why you'd even consider going from mostly non-stop to one-stops on another airline if given the choice. Especially since segments flown mean absolutely nothing anymore on AA.

From Charlotte, AA plus an AA credit card. There’s really no other choice.

Plus, if you’re doing business travel based in CLT, telling co-workers and clients that you’ll be getting there later because you’ll be connecting in Atlanta, Dulles, etc. won’t be an option.

If you only buy J/F arguably British airways is a better choice.

AA is the only option out of CLT.

Tldr: As a fellow CLT area resident I think it'd be silly to go with something other than AA. I can't think of any compelling reason otherwise.

The Big 3 domestic airlines are all about the same for overall experience, IMO. For some years now I think DL has a slightly higher percentage of one-time operations compared to AA and UA, but I would have zero desire to add a connection in to basically every flight I'm taking. No way would I give up all the non-stop service; even if a flight gets a little delayed you know you're gonna get where you're going and not have to worry about missing a connection.

Moving on to status and upgrades...

Status: Segments no longer matter, nor miles flown. LP's / status are purely a function of money spent. Huge multiplier on money spent on AA airfare, but you can accrue it through CC spend as well.

Upgrades: I've been Platinum for a few years, and cleared PPro this year. I'd say I've had a reasonably good success rate on upgrades, honestly. But it is very much a function of where you're flying and when. Some routes or times of day there's ample availability and you clear well in advance. Other times you get to the gate and see that there's a list of 20+ people vying for the one last first class seat on a 319 😂

Everyone else pulled out? Last time I was there I saw most other domestic carriers still had gates...

1. Upgrade availability
This will be similar between AA and DL. Highly dependent on routes and days of the week that you fly. Also, how high you get on the status ladder.

2. Time
You don't specify if you like to spend MORE time on airplanes and airports, or LESS time. If you prefer to spend MORE time, then DL is the clear winner, as you'll be connecting for most of your trips. If you like to spend LESS time, then obviously AA with the most non-stops.

3. Award miles/usability
Today, AA's miles are much more valuable than DL's SkyPesos. However, a change is coming in 2023 with no more mileage chart and moving all to WebSpecials. Will it devalue the AA program, or increase the value? We don't know, but history shows that it will not get more valuable (for flyers).

4. Customer experience
A few years ago, DL had better operations. Today, it's Going MechAAnical vs Doesn't Ever Leave The Airport.

Get an Admiral's Club membership (better to get it through the Citi Executive credit card), and when things go sideways you'll have the best agents in the business helping you out in the Club.

chapmads Reality is for you in CLT, AA is the cleanest shirt in your dirty laundry bin.

While it is 4th on your list, connecting flights definitely degrade customer experience. For me, non-stop flights are the number 1 consideration. Delays, and the potential to not reach your destination today, can only increase when you have a connection

This is why I finally gave up on Delta out of DCA. In 2019 Delta was so far ahead of AA in terms of reliability and passenger experience that it was worth the connection. Now I view them as being pretty much the same, so I take the AA nonstop almost every time now.

I personally consider CLT a minor AA hub that has likely better upgrade possibilities than any other hub. I wish I was at CLT, as I easily get EXP via giftcards and it would have been perfect.

Of course there are other airlines, but only to their largest hubs, whereas you can fly direct on AA to virtually every market in the US and many in Europe.

CLT is the 2nd largest hub for AA and their most important on the east coast. Delta carries around 2% of the traffic out of CLT and United even less.

Not sure about 1. 2 obviously favors AA. 3 favors AA (the only caveat is the high BA fees for transatlantic). 4 is a wash