AA Matching DM to EXP
Jan 23, 13, 3:48 am
#106
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Seat 1A
Programs: DL; AA; UA; CO; LHLX; NZ; QR; EK; BA
Posts: 7,250
AA: EQM vs EQP
For those who think AA is a better option because of the M MQM going from 150% to 100%, here are a few things to take note of:
AA awards Elite status based on EITHER EQMs or EQPs. If you qualify via EQMs, bear in mind that there are NO bonuses for any fare class on EQMs. Even if you spend $10000 round trip on a First Class ticket to Tokyo with a full F fare, you will still get 100% EQMs.
Class-of-service bonus for elite qualification only applies with EQPs. Here, you will get 150% EQPs for all premium cabin fare classes (First, Business) and the top two Y fares (codes Y and B). They also include "W" in the 150% category and this is the Premium Eco inventory (which is really only applicable for BA-operated flights since AA, like DL, does not have a separate Premium Eco cabin/fare class). So for Economy fares, only the top two (Y, B) qualify for 150% EQPs. The next tier of Y fares (H, K, M ,L, etc.) are at 100% EQPs, while the lowest fares (G, Q, N, O, S) get LESS THAN 100% - they are at 50% EQPs.
In terms of the equivalent of the DL "M" fare on the AA side, it's a little difficult to do a comparison as it could vary by market. In some markets, I have found that the DL M fare is the equivalent of the AA B fare, in which case you will earn the 150% EQP; but in other markets, the DL M fare is the same as the AA H fare, in which case you only earn 100% EQPs, no different than what you would have gotten at Delta with the M fare....
If you are like me, and travel with a mix of premium and heavily discounted Eco fares, AA's program actually makes it more difficult to qualify for Elite status. Basically, when you are buying premium fare classes, your EQP count is way ahead of your EQM count, but when you buy those really cheap Y fares, you are knocked back down on the EQP front (with only 50% EQPs) though you're steady on the EQM front....
AA awards Elite status based on EITHER EQMs or EQPs. If you qualify via EQMs, bear in mind that there are NO bonuses for any fare class on EQMs. Even if you spend $10000 round trip on a First Class ticket to Tokyo with a full F fare, you will still get 100% EQMs.
Class-of-service bonus for elite qualification only applies with EQPs. Here, you will get 150% EQPs for all premium cabin fare classes (First, Business) and the top two Y fares (codes Y and B). They also include "W" in the 150% category and this is the Premium Eco inventory (which is really only applicable for BA-operated flights since AA, like DL, does not have a separate Premium Eco cabin/fare class). So for Economy fares, only the top two (Y, B) qualify for 150% EQPs. The next tier of Y fares (H, K, M ,L, etc.) are at 100% EQPs, while the lowest fares (G, Q, N, O, S) get LESS THAN 100% - they are at 50% EQPs.
In terms of the equivalent of the DL "M" fare on the AA side, it's a little difficult to do a comparison as it could vary by market. In some markets, I have found that the DL M fare is the equivalent of the AA B fare, in which case you will earn the 150% EQP; but in other markets, the DL M fare is the same as the AA H fare, in which case you only earn 100% EQPs, no different than what you would have gotten at Delta with the M fare....
If you are like me, and travel with a mix of premium and heavily discounted Eco fares, AA's program actually makes it more difficult to qualify for Elite status. Basically, when you are buying premium fare classes, your EQP count is way ahead of your EQM count, but when you buy those really cheap Y fares, you are knocked back down on the EQP front (with only 50% EQPs) though you're steady on the EQM front....
Jan 23, 13, 5:43 am
#107
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Wild Wild Life, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 57,916
(I'm already EXP but I will be immediately delivering some solid >$12.5k/year revenue to AA thanks to this match.)
Jan 23, 13, 6:16 am
#108
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MLB
Posts: 445
Seems that most people are comparing the FF programs. Don't forget - you actually have to travel on the airline! Based on personal experience, there's a reason there are so many DL DMs floating out there - it's just a better-run airline right now than its counterparts. I've flown every significant domestic airline in the past year, and AA ranks above only NK for me (not kidding). I actually think US is a better airline as far as travel experience, so if AA were to become more like US, it would actually be a positive, based on my experience. DL has a more comparable travel experience to B6 and VX (slight notch below both), and a better travel experience than all its legacy competitors at the moment. To be sure, DL has significant room to improve, but anyone who wants to move over to AA - thanks, more room for me!
Jan 23, 13, 8:25 am
#109
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: DM
Posts: 1,067
Um yes. 12 flghts in Y (upgradeable if the customer wants) and $36k is a pretty smart business move. Why Delta wants to fire that type of customer is possible one of the biggest airline program blunders in history. If they want to get rid of cheap elites make fare class = lower MQM at THE LOWER CLASSES not the premiums!
Delta is giving AA the keys to the kingdom here because they are FIRING THE WRONG CUSTOMERS. They could not help themselves. The MQD was enough but they had to lower MQM earnings......complete IDIOTS (and so greedy it you can smell it).
Delta is giving AA the keys to the kingdom here because they are FIRING THE WRONG CUSTOMERS. They could not help themselves. The MQD was enough but they had to lower MQM earnings......complete IDIOTS (and so greedy it you can smell it).
Jan 23, 13, 2:10 pm
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Seems that most people are comparing the FF programs. Don't forget - you actually have to travel on the airline! Based on personal experience, there's a reason there are so many DL DMs floating out there - it's just a better-run airline right now than its counterparts. I've flown every significant domestic airline in the past year, and AA ranks above only NK for me (not kidding). I actually think US is a better airline as far as travel experience, so if AA were to become more like US, it would actually be a positive, based on my experience. DL has a more comparable travel experience to B6 and VX (slight notch below both), and a better travel experience than all its legacy competitors at the moment. To be sure, DL has significant room to improve, but anyone who wants to move over to AA - thanks, more room for me!
Jan 23, 13, 10:44 pm
#111
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tulsa, OK
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,264
AA needs more Asian non stops to build up their route network. Until then, it becomes a difficult value proposition for Elites to connect and then sit in a Y seat for the hop from NRT.
You may not care but I can assure you that the vast majority of FF'ers out there want a direct as possible connection.
I like AA as much as the next guy but I won't stick my fingers in my ears and pretend their Asia network isn't a major weakness.
Jan 24, 13, 1:26 pm
#112
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM, 3M; AA, FB, UA some lower status
Posts: 394
I wouldn't say "dreadful", but it does not compare well to DL's lie-flats. I'd put it a notch ahead of the angled-flats in the A330's, and well ahead of the cradle seats DL still has on at least some of the 767s and 757s. The nice thing about AA is that the seats are consistent across the fleet. No guessing or getting screwed by equipment changes. In addition, AA also has F on its 777s, where the seats hands down beat anything in the DL fleet. If you buy into J it's a fairly easy upgrade to F. And AA will leapfrog DL when it starts rolling out its new J and F seats. DL's business class pillows are way better than AA's, or anyone else's for that matter.
As an AA EXP I'm not excited to see it given away like this, especially after the deluge of UA refugees last year. But I would be surprised if there were many DL takers. EXP is much more of a lateral move from DM than it was from 1K. Upgrade rates, CS and treatment in IROPs is probably equivalent. The AA SWUs kill DL's, the domestic F experience is more "first class", the lounges are better, and the companion upgrade program works like it should. DL has a better international network.
As an AA EXP I'm not excited to see it given away like this, especially after the deluge of UA refugees last year. But I would be surprised if there were many DL takers. EXP is much more of a lateral move from DM than it was from 1K. Upgrade rates, CS and treatment in IROPs is probably equivalent. The AA SWUs kill DL's, the domestic F experience is more "first class", the lounges are better, and the companion upgrade program works like it should. DL has a better international network.
Not sure whether you call it the "hard" or "soft" product, but I have always found AA in-flight service to be rather cold and thin compared to DL.
YMMV, but I don't see much difference in domestic F, other than the aforementioned behavior of the FAs.
The clubs are maybe a toss up - on the one hand, DL domestic clubs are packed to the gills, on the other hand, free drinks...
Jan 24, 13, 1:40 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
So? Most people want to fly direct and use the SWU instead of flying to a hub (like NRT) then connecting to a Y seat flight.
AA needs more Asian non stops to build up their route network. Until then, it becomes a difficult value proposition for Elites to connect and then sit in a Y seat for the hop from NRT.
You may not care but I can assure you that the vast majority of FF'ers out there want a direct as possible connection.
I like AA as much as the next guy but I won't stick my fingers in my ears and pretend their Asia network isn't a major weakness.
AA needs more Asian non stops to build up their route network. Until then, it becomes a difficult value proposition for Elites to connect and then sit in a Y seat for the hop from NRT.
You may not care but I can assure you that the vast majority of FF'ers out there want a direct as possible connection.
I like AA as much as the next guy but I won't stick my fingers in my ears and pretend their Asia network isn't a major weakness.
There's a reason I have maintained CX status as well as I don't want to connect in NRT/the US both ways when I go there due to lost time (I already lose 16 hours going there) and security theater on the way back to the US (I have a large reserve of duty free in YVR and I want to keep building it.)
Jan 26, 13, 11:11 am
#114
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA Exec Plat, DL Plat (but not for long)
Posts: 175
For those who think AA is a better option because of the M MQM going from 150% to 100%, here are a few things to take note of:
AA awards Elite status based on EITHER EQMs or EQPs. If you qualify via EQMs, bear in mind that there are NO bonuses for any fare class on EQMs. Even if you spend $10000 round trip on a First Class ticket to Tokyo with a full F fare, you will still get 100% EQMs.
Class-of-service bonus for elite qualification only applies with EQPs. Here, you will get 150% EQPs for all premium cabin fare classes (First, Business) and the top two Y fares (codes Y and B). They also include "W" in the 150% category and this is the Premium Eco inventory (which is really only applicable for BA-operated flights since AA, like DL, does not have a separate Premium Eco cabin/fare class). So for Economy fares, only the top two (Y, B) qualify for 150% EQPs. The next tier of Y fares (H, K, M ,L, etc.) are at 100% EQPs, while the lowest fares (G, Q, N, O, S) get LESS THAN 100% - they are at 50% EQPs.
In terms of the equivalent of the DL "M" fare on the AA side, it's a little difficult to do a comparison as it could vary by market. In some markets, I have found that the DL M fare is the equivalent of the AA B fare, in which case you will earn the 150% EQP; but in other markets, the DL M fare is the same as the AA H fare, in which case you only earn 100% EQPs, no different than what you would have gotten at Delta with the M fare....
If you are like me, and travel with a mix of premium and heavily discounted Eco fares, AA's program actually makes it more difficult to qualify for Elite status. Basically, when you are buying premium fare classes, your EQP count is way ahead of your EQM count, but when you buy those really cheap Y fares, you are knocked back down on the EQP front (with only 50% EQPs) though you're steady on the EQM front....
AA awards Elite status based on EITHER EQMs or EQPs. If you qualify via EQMs, bear in mind that there are NO bonuses for any fare class on EQMs. Even if you spend $10000 round trip on a First Class ticket to Tokyo with a full F fare, you will still get 100% EQMs.
Class-of-service bonus for elite qualification only applies with EQPs. Here, you will get 150% EQPs for all premium cabin fare classes (First, Business) and the top two Y fares (codes Y and B). They also include "W" in the 150% category and this is the Premium Eco inventory (which is really only applicable for BA-operated flights since AA, like DL, does not have a separate Premium Eco cabin/fare class). So for Economy fares, only the top two (Y, B) qualify for 150% EQPs. The next tier of Y fares (H, K, M ,L, etc.) are at 100% EQPs, while the lowest fares (G, Q, N, O, S) get LESS THAN 100% - they are at 50% EQPs.
In terms of the equivalent of the DL "M" fare on the AA side, it's a little difficult to do a comparison as it could vary by market. In some markets, I have found that the DL M fare is the equivalent of the AA B fare, in which case you will earn the 150% EQP; but in other markets, the DL M fare is the same as the AA H fare, in which case you only earn 100% EQPs, no different than what you would have gotten at Delta with the M fare....
If you are like me, and travel with a mix of premium and heavily discounted Eco fares, AA's program actually makes it more difficult to qualify for Elite status. Basically, when you are buying premium fare classes, your EQP count is way ahead of your EQM count, but when you buy those really cheap Y fares, you are knocked back down on the EQP front (with only 50% EQPs) though you're steady on the EQM front....
Feb 9, 13, 10:01 am
#115
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: BER, SAT, AUS
Programs: Feels like FO (AA EXP)
Posts: 1,611
I am tempted to match but the information provided is misleading: I got a call from an AA representative and she was telling me about an adapted process still featuring a challenge but with waived fees for EXP. However, it is very unclear what is used as basis for calculating the conclusion: is is MQP or MQM? The agent insists on it being the miles while the e-Mail is stating points. Does anyone has deeper insight?
Feb 9, 13, 10:12 am
#116
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 66
AA Matching DM to EXP
I can confirm it is points. 25000 points --keep in mind discount y only earns .5 points per mile.
For those of you saying good riddance to the less than 12.5 k flyer, this challenge requirement alone would not suit one of the so called gamers.
8 segments in so far. 7/8 upgrades. AA is now my primary, with DL second.
For those of you saying good riddance to the less than 12.5 k flyer, this challenge requirement alone would not suit one of the so called gamers.
8 segments in so far. 7/8 upgrades. AA is now my primary, with DL second.
Mar 20, 14, 5:30 pm
#118
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: DL DM; SPG Gold
Posts: 1,733
Mar 20, 14, 8:02 pm
#119
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA`
Posts: 204
let me/us know
thanks !
A
