It would be lovely if DL's PM could use either "miles + copay" or "PMUs + copay". Personally I would pay a $350 copay/leg every time on TATL flights...

AA forum is almost laughing at DM vs EXP
 

Quote in thread asking about rollover EQM and would AA implement.

"Although I don't think the same would apply if they did this at AA. There would be few people who would want to stop short of 100K to keep PLT and have a jump start on PLT for the next year because the benefits of EXP weren't worth it. Sure, there would be some who wanted PLT-PLT the easy way, but they'd know they were losing substantially improved benefits by skipping EXP. Sounds like this is not the case with the DL Diamond, and might be a viable strategy there."

That's funny
 

It's funny that you post that one comment as it was representative of the views of the majority of people in other airlines' boards... it's not. I have been monitoring other boards and I would say that 75-85% of the response in them has been very positive about these changes.

Here is the link to the only thread on AA that discusses rollover EQM. To me that is 100% of AA's and most people here are comparing EXP vs DM. I could have picked on a few comments specific to NW and saving their flyer's etc. I was not trying to be one the people that come across as a NW loyalist and unhappy with the world. I was just trying to be realistic about DM. It would surprise me if 75-85% of people think 50,000 miles to get a little better upgrade order, save the ridiculous change fee for awards, free SC membership, an extra elite perk (there were always two by 125K anyway) is worth the effort, especially when 50,000 miles gets middle tier all over the place.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-aa-match.html

Many folks have been posting about how DoD PMU is worthless, as they wouldn't want to gamble on the potential of availability.

There is another segment of customers though, who will benefit very nicely from this. I worked for a company for 6 years that required me to purchase fully refundable coach tickets for all flights. They had determined that people in my position had to change plans and flights so frequently (responding to the needs of the business), that it was more efficient, convenient for me, and ultimately did not cost that much more than constant cancel and change fees.

So I ended up with YBM fares on nearly every flight. Would I have loved a Dod PMU? You bet! My flight schedule was very often last minute, and the occasional Intl upgrade would have been a wonderful perk.

I know this type of customer is a small minority compared to most fliers, but it is a very profitable minority, and I think Delta is smart to accommodate them.

Having said all that, I also would prefer an HBK PMU, or 2 for 1 deal, or something that suits my current travel habits better...

I agree with you, even though you are probably in the minority, if you are required to buy a refundable ticket than these are great.

In my case, and I think the majority to over pay to maybe get the upgrade, I need to be in a rubber room to overpay to MAYBE get upgraded.

For us that don't want or need to pay for a refundable ticket AA's copay (I think CO has one and UA has more fare classes that allow upgrades for miles) is the way to go. Only pay the money if the upgrade clears.

Same here, great idea. Not quite what DL intended, but rollover miles really make it easy to test the waters at AA. I think I'll pile on the DL miles for the rest of this year to roll at least 100k towards 2011 status. Then I'll start flying AA in Jan 2010, hit EXP by mid year and see if it's really as great as people say. If not I'll come back to DL and easily reach DM thanks to the rollovers. ^^

credit (to jbatl) where credit is due

For those who are interested.

I'm booking my annual holiday season flight to Brasil.

AA doesn't have the lowest upgradable fares (N) anywhere close to the days I need, so the lowest upgradable fare is about $1500 to $1800 verses $2200 (M) on DL. DL has Z inventory available and AA has C availability.

Just an example. The difference between eVIPs and PMUs is there, but not necessarily as large as some make it out to be since AA has limited the number of N bucket seats on many destinations

So you save $700 out of $2200 by flying AA instead of DL, even when AA's most restricted fair class isn't available?

30% hardly seems like not large....

TWSS ;)

I think, however, the comparison is not PMU vs. no PMU. The comparison is DL vs. other airlines. And wouldn't you rather fly an airline that gives you better upgrade certificates and lower fares to use them on?

It's really about comparing programs. I don't mind if we lose a bunch of FF benefits (well, I do MIND, but I understand) if the program is competitive with other airlines and I feel like I'm being dealt with honestly.

I definitely don't feel like DL has dealt with me honestly since the merger.

I have been looking at the various FF programs, and so far it does not appear that DL's will come out on top for me, nor for most travelers I can consider. It is looking increasingly likely that, barring a total devaluation of the CO/UA programs when they align, or DL fixing the items that are really bothering me, that I will switch to CO or UA soon.

Imagine the difference if "N" was available. Plus I do not believe the aggressive pricing for M/Y/B fares on DL to SA is as bad as how they really inflate Europe fares on M/Y/B.

One thing not mentioned is that for flyers who buy a combination of premium as well as low-end fares, AA's program is not that great for reaching EXP. If you choose to focus on obtaining EXP by Miles, you get screwed when you buy Business or First Class or even higher-end Economy tix (you still get 100% miles, no class-of-service bonus EQM unlike 1.5X MQMs at DL or UA); if you choose to get to EXP by points, you're screwed when you buy low-end fares that only qualify for 50% points even though the premium fares qualify for 1.5X EQPs.

so sorry, but I'm a little confused. Was this YOUR answer or Jeff's answer?