Well none of these are documented benefits. Why do you earn AA miles? If on the balance of it you get more benefit from being a AA member and you don't think CX treats you well, then go ahead and fly on another airline instead. If you fly a lot on CX, then you should probably join the CX program instead.

I used to be a QF platinum member. They devalued their program, I jumped ship and haven't looked back.

Well, I think it is getting close to the point if CX continues to reduce the already minimal perks for OW elites flying with them.

I started with AA program when then CX didn't offer AM for N.American CS. On the balance, I think AA program is much better than CX, IMHO.

CX still has one undocumented benefit for OW elites that other OW airlines don't seem to reciprocate (like KACommuter I've never been upgraded by AA/BA/QF or JL over the past 7 years as DM) - CX very frequently op-ups OW elites.

I've been tempted numerous times to switch over to AA but still not quite sure why I never did - maybe it's the little things as a DM that did make a difference (although over past year, it's not quite the same).

In 2000, CX had their N.American pax signed up for AA. That's how I got in and years later, decided to remain in AA. I like the lifetime status after achieving the million and 2 million points target. Otherwise, I think AM is better in more areas.

Let's start by not having the FA's put their trolleys in the overhead lockers!!!
How about size restrictions for them?

Over the last few months noticed the significant reduction in service level on CX flights. Really don't consider CX a 5* airline anymore!
Food, comfort on board, service it all went down so fast.

Will not go for DM this year but first level off at GO and try to maintain my SEN level at LH and then bring my SL of KLM to GO as well... One loyal customer less for CX.

I have no idea why CX is charging twice the amount that SQ charges for these seats on long hauls. CX is charging $100 USD per sector while SQ only charges $50 USD per sector on the long hauls.

SQ has done this practice for a while now and with CX coming in later with this, I would expect them to at least match it not double up.

Perhaps because SQ also charges their elite members this fee whereas on CX elites get it for free. So they are willing to annoy their non-elite pax and charge them even more. The pax who really pay the bills at CX get it for free.

How long ago was this? I used to pay $300-$400 for H (Nov 2005 - Feb 2009). 3 months or so ago I started seeing $900 uptick to earn AA miles. Today I was looking at Manila in Feb 2010 - price went from $1100 to $3200! (was full Y, not H - the Economy Flex option that triggers H wasn't available). Biz is $5667.

I will admit I have had a lot of recent success with free op-up's on CX and I still think they're service is great.

^^ I'm beginning to think for my upcoming Asia trips I'll either fly LAX-NRT or LAX-ORD-PVG (that's going to make a long - timewise - journey) on AA and just eat the 2nd leg without earning miles.

I never know that CX GO can use FL. Thought that they are reserved for emeralds. I was in JFK 12 hours ago...

You misinterpreted the post. It would have been clearer with a "respectively" in there. DM maps to FL, GO maps to AC.

Ah...Thanks!

on a flight back from Perth we 'lost' the emergency exit row seats we had requested. They had gone at OLCI and when we checked again at the check-in desk the agent reckoned they had been sold. Does this sound right? Diamond and Gold MPC members

This happened to a friend of mine as well who is a Gold member. They were not sure why the seat was "unallocated".

If they are giving away seats allocated to Golds and Diamonds to people who pay the price, then they should note this so that Golds and Diamonds have an option to also pay. But for CX to say that status members don't need to pay to reserve the seat and then to have it taken away later is outrageous.

Um, I was lucky last time then. I fly mostly SFO for long hauls, and I do not like the 74A exit row seats. So I seldom request for it. I only requested exit row seat once in the last few months. I was flying on 77A and requested 31C. I guess I was lucky to keep that seat.

It was actually noted on CXworld that exit row seats are on a first-come-first-served basis, regardless of status.