Seeking American EP BHM Based Flyer for Opinions
Sep 24, 23, 9:04 pm
#1
formerly CVFDCHIEF180
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Delta DM MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, TSA Pre-Check
Posts: 311
Seeking American EP BHM Based Flyer for Opinions
I am a current Delta DM member who is BHM based. I am considering a change to AA from DL due to their recent devaluation of the Delta Skymiles FF Program. I am curious most about:
-Upgrades out of Birmingham as an Executive Platinum
-Appears that AA flies mostly RJ's from BHM with the exception of 1 or 2 A319 to DFW...am I right?
-Other pros/cons or thoughts
Any help would be appreciated
-Upgrades out of Birmingham as an Executive Platinum
-Appears that AA flies mostly RJ's from BHM with the exception of 1 or 2 A319 to DFW...am I right?
-Other pros/cons or thoughts
Any help would be appreciated
Sep 24, 23, 11:51 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2015
Location: WAS, SZX, HKG
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, CX Green
Posts: 716
Not a BHM-based flyer and not an AA EXP, but my quick 0.02:
If you fly west, you will most likely have to connect in DFW. In which case, you will very rarely get upgraded on DFW-XXX if XXX is any reasonable city on AA mainline, but you might have a shot at BHM-DFW if it's primarily on E75s. DFW, however, at least has nice lounges and a pretty nice terminal D should you inevitably get stuck there for a couple of hours.
If you fly east, your connection will mostly be through CLT, with a very occasional DCA or PHL here and there. CLT is horrible for everyone, regardless of status, centurion/admirals club access, etc. You will sweat a lot with 25m connections (the MCT, and sometimes the only sensible connection), and if you miss it, it's usually a pretty uncomfortable wait. PHL isn't much better if memory serves, but I have not been there for a while. DCA is nicer and got a new Admirals Club, but recently it has been plagued by US/AW A319s which adds unpredictability to your trip.
Other thoughts: depending on when you book, it can be very hard to score MCE seats on AA 738s probably more so than C+. Those are offered to PLT+ and OWS+ from BA/JL/AY/IB/AS, and that's a lot of people!
If you fly west, you will most likely have to connect in DFW. In which case, you will very rarely get upgraded on DFW-XXX if XXX is any reasonable city on AA mainline, but you might have a shot at BHM-DFW if it's primarily on E75s. DFW, however, at least has nice lounges and a pretty nice terminal D should you inevitably get stuck there for a couple of hours.
If you fly east, your connection will mostly be through CLT, with a very occasional DCA or PHL here and there. CLT is horrible for everyone, regardless of status, centurion/admirals club access, etc. You will sweat a lot with 25m connections (the MCT, and sometimes the only sensible connection), and if you miss it, it's usually a pretty uncomfortable wait. PHL isn't much better if memory serves, but I have not been there for a while. DCA is nicer and got a new Admirals Club, but recently it has been plagued by US/AW A319s which adds unpredictability to your trip.
Other thoughts: depending on when you book, it can be very hard to score MCE seats on AA 738s probably more so than C+. Those are offered to PLT+ and OWS+ from BA/JL/AY/IB/AS, and that's a lot of people!
Sep 25, 23, 7:52 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Ala.
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 67
I am a current Delta DM member who is BHM based. I am considering a change to AA from DL due to their recent devaluation of the Delta Skymiles FF Program. I am curious most about:
-Upgrades out of Birmingham as an Executive Platinum
-Appears that AA flies mostly RJ's from BHM with the exception of 1 or 2 A319 to DFW...am I right?
-Other pros/cons or thoughts
Any help would be appreciated
-Upgrades out of Birmingham as an Executive Platinum
-Appears that AA flies mostly RJ's from BHM with the exception of 1 or 2 A319 to DFW...am I right?
-Other pros/cons or thoughts
Any help would be appreciated
First, you're going to have to connect- period. With that, there are a lot more options- LGA (which is fantastic, especially because my home airport is now YYZ). But there are direct flights to ORD and MIA...and, oh yeah, CLT.
Second, until the new upgrade policy, I was able to buy economy and get complimentary upgrades. However, don't count on that with the A319. Now, I don't chance it and just purchase first outright.
Third, I don't mind AA, as it's better than United for getting in/out of BHM...as SFO was my home airport for a few years, behind LAX. With that, Delta is my backup.
Finally, the big downside is that there's no AC at BHM. Sooooo... I hope this helps!
Sep 25, 23, 11:47 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold, Hertz Gold, Avis P+
Posts: 70
We fly DFW-BHM-DFW several times per year and have for the past 12 years or so.
Thankfully, AA has increased the number of daily nonstop flights between DFW-BHM. At least they have for high demand dates. We are EXP, but we never count on an upgrade since we are traveling this route on high demand days. On a recent DFW-BHM we were not upgraded, we were #10 & 11 on the upgrade list, there were close to 20 on that upgrade list. Instead of having our return to DFW on that high demand Sunday, we waited to return on the later flight on Monday, which was still a full flight.
I would highly recommend making note of the fall schedule for Alabama football and home games, start of classes, end of semester, and their breaks. Those flights are going to be booked months in advance. Even when I’ve done the least popular dates for traffic to be going to BHM for any UA events, the flights were always full. If I wanted F, I booked it and never counted on an upgrade.
Thankfully, AA has increased the number of daily nonstop flights between DFW-BHM. At least they have for high demand dates. We are EXP, but we never count on an upgrade since we are traveling this route on high demand days. On a recent DFW-BHM we were not upgraded, we were #10 & 11 on the upgrade list, there were close to 20 on that upgrade list. Instead of having our return to DFW on that high demand Sunday, we waited to return on the later flight on Monday, which was still a full flight.
I would highly recommend making note of the fall schedule for Alabama football and home games, start of classes, end of semester, and their breaks. Those flights are going to be booked months in advance. Even when I’ve done the least popular dates for traffic to be going to BHM for any UA events, the flights were always full. If I wanted F, I booked it and never counted on an upgrade.
Sep 26, 23, 10:44 am
#5
formerly CVFDCHIEF180
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Delta DM MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite, TSA Pre-Check
Posts: 311
Thank you all for your thoughts........its pretty bad BHM-ATL on Delta......as a DM I am frequently 10+ on the upgrade list.
Sep 26, 23, 10:56 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,347
I am not BHM-based either but fly there a decent amount (I always enjoy hearing Morgan Freeman doing the TSA announcements). Only thing I would add is don't fear the E75s and CR9s. Yes, they are regional jets and some are older, but they are the easiest planes to score an upgrade in the fleet. I'd take either over an A319 anytime.
