Who is with me on moving to AA.
Jul 20, 2015, 5:09 pm
#61
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
You state that like it's fact, and it's not a fact. It's a theory at best and more likely your (unsupported) opinion. Your theory/opinion that legacies can't compete with discounts on revenue based is disproven by the hotel industry. All major hotel brands have revenue based earning systems. Yet Marriott and other nicer hotel chains seem to compete just fine at filling rooms over Motel 6 and Super 8. Your theory/opinion also discounts the fact that, while probably shocking to many FTers like yourself, plenty of flyers have reasons other than the FF program for selecting the airline that they do when they fly, with everything from service (or lack thereof), to schedule, to total travel time, to the airline network, and other factors as well.
Jul 20, 2015, 5:16 pm
#62
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
I'm curious to find out if AA were to devalue their program, and everybody purchased based on price, how screwed the legacy carriers would be. I think that's a scary bet Delta/United are making... If the industry becomes even more price driven, PRASM will drop and LCCs will thrive. Especially JetBlue, if recent numbers + Mint is any indicator.
I think the risk to the legacies from "everyone shopping on price" is overstated and I think it ignores the fact that, currently, so many people do shop on price that it isn't clear that day hasn't already come.
Jul 20, 2015, 5:22 pm
#63
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
True, might be comp UG's. But wait FCM is taking care of that. So what's left free bags. I don't think so. IRROPS, I have had 2 in the last 5 yrs. No wait the Porsche ride.
Jul 20, 2015, 5:48 pm
#65
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,114
I am ready to move with my wallet and not just with my posts.Who is up for moving their loyalty to AA from delta. This is my thought. I am a diamond with delta. I am willing to status challenge to AA to platinum level.
I think if we can get enough diamonds to transfer to AA we may be able to negotiate a better deal. Discuss....
I think if we can get enough diamonds to transfer to AA we may be able to negotiate a better deal. Discuss....
Jul 20, 2015, 7:09 pm
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,356
Let us assume that what you say is a proven fact and mine is an unproven opinion. Then finally "The Berlin Wall" between LCC and legacy carriers is down and they are on an equal playing turf!! In that case, the bet you have to make is whether point to point can give hub-and-spoke (which requires back tracking as well as more inefficient use of planes -- 9 hours in air vs. 11) a run for their money. My bet is they can as 80% of the US and global population lives in large cities which a p2p can easily serve.
And also your theory discounts another important fact: most hubs are in major cities that generate sizeable O&D numbers and fly nonstop to and from the hub city. Someone flying ATL-LGA on DL is flying point to point. In fact, legacy hubs rely heavily on solid O&D numbers to keep the hub profitable. Why else do you think DL cut CVG and MEM and UA cut CLE?
Last edited by ATOBTTR; Jul 20, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Jul 20, 2015, 7:13 pm
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: AA Gold, Delta DM Hilton Diamond SPG Gold, and Foodland premium.
Posts: 824
Thanks for all the input. FT is a an amazing place for sharing of ideas. There is a lot to think about.
A) I really do think that a sticky should be in place for folks who are tired of the devaluations so that they don't clog up the main board. This way, folks can just vent/knoodle there
B) AA could devalue their skymiles program by January 1. Then anyone can make a choice on which airlines work best for their travel policies and preferences.
C) this is not an emotional decision. If delta is working for you...stay. I'll see what happens with delta and AA. Then chose what works best for me with my crazy travel schedule and travel restrictions.
Thanks for the lively discussion.
A) I really do think that a sticky should be in place for folks who are tired of the devaluations so that they don't clog up the main board. This way, folks can just vent/knoodle there
B) AA could devalue their skymiles program by January 1. Then anyone can make a choice on which airlines work best for their travel policies and preferences.
C) this is not an emotional decision. If delta is working for you...stay. I'll see what happens with delta and AA. Then chose what works best for me with my crazy travel schedule and travel restrictions.
Thanks for the lively discussion.
Last edited by Esltroy; Jul 20, 2015 at 7:32 pm
Jul 20, 2015, 7:17 pm
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,356
That's what I value in the FF program - a lot of the benefits that can't be assigned a straight $$$ figure. But I can't make you value it too and if you don't find value there, more power to ya.
Jul 20, 2015, 7:38 pm
#70
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM/1.3MM, Marriott PP/LTP, Natl EE, Etihad Guest, FT FNG
Posts: 662
Jul 20, 2015, 7:42 pm
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Jul 20, 2015, 7:46 pm
#73
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
Jul 20, 2015, 7:57 pm
#75
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
Define "large city". And then you will find that either 1) plenty of "large" cities lack point to point service or 2) your figure of 80% is pulled out of thin air with nothing to back it up. Otherwise - Greensboro, NC is a "large" city. So is Wichita, KS. What airline is going to fly that point-to-point? Columbus, OH and Salt Lake City are both major cities. How come no airline is flying that point-to-point? What about Raleigh-Durham to Portland, OR? See - all these nice examples that put a bit of a hole in your theory or your figures. You can figure out which.
And also your theory discounts another important fact: most hubs are in major cities that generate sizeable O&D numbers and fly nonstop to and from the hub city. Someone flying ATL-LGA on DL is flying point to point. In fact, legacy hubs rely heavily on solid O&D numbers to keep the hub profitable. Why else do you think DL cut CVG and MEM and UA cut CLE?
And also your theory discounts another important fact: most hubs are in major cities that generate sizeable O&D numbers and fly nonstop to and from the hub city. Someone flying ATL-LGA on DL is flying point to point. In fact, legacy hubs rely heavily on solid O&D numbers to keep the hub profitable. Why else do you think DL cut CVG and MEM and UA cut CLE?
Regarding large cities, there are at least a dozen ways to define it. A few: Top 100 metros by population; top 50 metros by population; the same by total income level (per capita GDP * pop of the metro). Since this is about airlines and airports, let's define by top 50 airport with O&D traffic. My guess is that the top 50 O&D airports account for at least 70% and more if you count international of the total US O&D traffic.
Last edited by jediwho; Jul 20, 2015 at 8:08 pm