BA versus AA
May 11, 2010 | 8:06 pm
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,295
As for AA, I just checked ORD-PVG for another poster earlier today, and C was available on 4 dates in August v. 11 days for Y.
May 12, 2010 | 9:39 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: BAGold; AA3MMPlat; UA1MMGold; FBGold; MarriottAmb; AccorPlat; HHGold; ICPlatAmb; HyattDiscoverist
Posts: 4,378
If you are buying discounted coach tickets and earning miles for free flights has any value to you, you should stay with AA for the time being. BA, IMO, has a slightly better Y product than AA (e.g., widebodies on your route and free drinks) as well as vastly better J product (which may not be relevant for you) but you will only earn a very reduced percentage of miles if you travel on a discounted coach fare. As noted above, fees on claiming an award on BA are substantially higher than on AA. BA offers a great deal on an upgrade award to J from premium economy (no copay and only 25K miles roundtrip), but that will be off a fare that is generally (though not always) higher than the lowest you can find on AA, and it will take you longer to earn those miles flying on BA than flying on AA if you're in the back in a cheap seat. (CC earning, however, is a different story.) I can't speak to UG availability BOS-LHR, but BA has been limiting it ex-JFK once again this year, so this may be a laregely illusory deal.
No one knows how these programs will shake out after ATI is implemented, so watch and wait for the future.
No one knows how these programs will shake out after ATI is implemented, so watch and wait for the future.
May 13, 2010 | 3:08 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern VA
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 110
Keep you fingers crossed and hope the EU doesn't squash the AA/BA agreement. US has already approved it. If the deal goes forward, you could fly BA and earn AA miles. In any case even today, your AA status will let you use the preferred check-in lines/ lounge etc if you are platinum or platinum exec., as both airlines are members of the OneWorld Alliance.
In my opinion BA offers the far superior product, but like you pointed out you need more points / flying to get things like upgrades and free trips. In most cases people have found this is simply not worth it and so they frequent AA.
In my opinion BA offers the far superior product, but like you pointed out you need more points / flying to get things like upgrades and free trips. In most cases people have found this is simply not worth it and so they frequent AA.
May 13, 2010 | 3:37 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: AUS
Programs: AA Plat 2MM
Posts: 74
We fly boston to london heathrow once or twice a year. usually with miles on American. American is now using planes that are 3/3 seating. rather small. no entertainment center, etc. were using 2/3/2 also no entertainment center.
with the recent volcanic activity this week they are not flying at all. BA and Virgin are. - must be going around.
If we switch to BA and start accumulating miles on their plan- (thru starwood). what can we expect re planes and understand the fees are much? higher on tickets bot with miles? why? since both land at heathrow.
any info would be helpful.
with the recent volcanic activity this week they are not flying at all. BA and Virgin are. - must be going around.
If we switch to BA and start accumulating miles on their plan- (thru starwood). what can we expect re planes and understand the fees are much? higher on tickets bot with miles? why? since both land at heathrow.
any info would be helpful.
You mention switching from AA to BA and accumulating miles thru starwood. How are you currently accumulating miles for AA award travel? If it is thru starwood for AA as well, then why the need for a switch? Just transfer when ready to the airline that has the award flight dates you want.
May 24, 2010 | 1:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 118
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