I've missed 1 in 5 years of receiving eVIPs. And it was technically my non-status dad who missed clearing the list. Mine cleared and I gave the upgrade to him.

So, this AA FFer is batting close to 98% on successful eVIP usage. I have no complaints about AAdvantage's eVIPs.

This is a sneaky way to ask a one-sided question and I can predict what will happen (based on a previous thread by RealDLInsider).

They will lower the fare class required, but they will decrease the number of PMUs given, and limit them to only those PMs who reach higher levels of MQMs. So you will need to earn 125,000 or more MQMs to earn perhaps 2 PMUs (similar to NWA).

Then when they couple that with allowing the PMUs to be used on lower fare classes, they will claim that they are responding to their most valued customers who responded positively in a survey that this is what was desired, despite that the question above does not ask "would you like to be able to use PMUs on less expensive fare classes if it means limiting the number of PMUs you can earn."

Sure I would like to be able to purchase lower fare classes and see increased Z availability, as long as I still receive 6 PMUs for reaching the current PM status of 75,000 MQMs. Does anyone really think this is going to happen?

Susan

I'm not sure we're all with you here, hfly. While I have little experience with AA, UA allows upgrades from all but the lowest fares, and they receive the lion's share of my TATL business these days (despite a vastly inferior network) precisely because I refuse to shell out for an M fare to play the lottery. Moreover, DL gets absolutely none of my revenue leisure TATL travel---I either use miles to fly DL or buy on UA to upgrade. Perhaps DL wants it that way, but it certainly doesn't encourage discretionary purchases on DL.

Actually, I'm an AA loyalist and have never had problems getting an eVIP to clear. It doesn't always clear at the time of booking, but it does, eventually.

Mike

I'm not saying that it's would necessarily be the best business decision for Delta, I'm just saying that it would be even more incentive for me to stay loyal to Delta.

And loyal to Delta I am: I don't just use them for all of my TATL travel, but for all of my domestic as well (which is not as frequent, but typically transcontinental), whether it's for work or leisure. I rarely bother even checking other airlines' prices, as the combination of convenience (I live in Atlanta), miles, and Delta's generallly very good service keeps me coming back. My loyalty's been rewarded, too: lots and lots of award travel over the years, as well as the various perks that come with status.

PMUs just happen to be a perk that adds exactly zero value in my case. And if Delta can suck an additional $1 or 2K out of business travelers with far deeper pockets than mine and thereby stay in business and keep offering me frequent, convenient flights to just about anywhere I care to go, then I'm happy.

I'd just be happier if I could, every once in a while, upgrade.

I'm at 127k MQM's so far this year. I think it would make perfect business sense for delta to allow "me" to use my PMU's at any fare class, especially when seats go out empty.

Delta has 99.9% of my business. I had to fly airtran last week and I was not happy even though the fare was 1/2 of deltas.

Allowing some one like "me" to have the opportunity to upgrade to BE 6 Times a year (3rt), if the seats are open, HAS to be a good business decision. It will ensure they retain my business, which is quite substantial.

By then end of 08, I will prob reach 200,000 MQM's. Cmon DL...

The problem is, DL has been offering all these MQM promos, which has totally saturated the PM pot, thus increasing the amount of PMU's out there. This has put us all in a not so good situation. Perhaps it truly is time for the 150000mqm PM. DL could then treat us to greater benifits like PMU's at any fare, Domestic upgrades for H fares at booking, free CRC, etc... Just a thought

Since it remains fairly difficult for me to use my PMU's in any year, I would like to see some type of exchange for unused ones at the end of the year... maybe 1000 MQMs per unused PMU? (or some other ratio, I'm just making up the number)... with all the other MQM giveaways, how much could this cost?

You do realize that the minumum fare class is not relevant...? Currently, many flights have M class tickets available for purchase but no Z inventory. Following recent "enhancements" it is very possible that DL will "give back" the ability to upgrade from a T class, but severely restrict the Z upgrades on any particular flight - thus even more limiting the usefullness of the PMU. Or, limit the inventory until such time as only M class and above are available for purchase. Pardon my skepticism.

It is the last part of your equation that I see departing.

I think increasing Z availability (by either a real increase, or using a different inventory bucket for PMUs, or by allowing standby clearance on day of departure) and keeping the same number of PMUs is possible IF the PM status threshold is raised back to 100,000 MQMs where it once was.

I would be fine with that change, particularly if it gets the added benefit of being able to upgrade some additional fare buckets below the M fare level.

How about something as simple as allowing PMU's to be redeemed electronically.

Its such a pain dealing with check-in agents who have no clue what they are doing when they have to use PMUs to ugprade M fares to Z (internationally)

This is just not true. If you read the AA board you will see that even the low-fare, lerisure flyers have little trouble getting their international upgrades cleared.

I am curious how AA pulls it off. Are they never selling these seats so that they are always, or almost always, available?

Not being EXP, I can't really speak authoritatively. But AA strikes a balance between keeping elites happy and maximizing short-term revenue. Domestically, even as a lowly GLD and then PLT, I've frequently been cleared into the last empty F seat as much as 2 days before departure. EXP friends of mine have had their international upgrades cleared on near-full flights. While the lower tiers have to "pay" in some fashion for upgrades on AA, I actually prefer that system over the free-for-all that DL and NW seem to have.

To answer the question, AA's philosophy seems to be that it will give up a short-term revenue boost (by not always holding the last few seats for sale) to encourage the loyalty of its best customers, hopefully to gain a long-term advantage.

But, this philosophy still couldn't possibly satisfy everyone. The number of available seats is finite. Given the level of satisfaction with the AAdvantage upgrade program expressed here, it appears that if you want an upgrade on AA and have the cert to "pay" for it, you'll get one. It just doesn't seem possible that there would be enough seats to go around to move everyone up, everyday...not even factoring in the idea that they might still sell some of them. I know Delta routinely leaves many in the back and I know for sure that they are selling some.

I'm sure I'm missing something, but I can't make the numbers work.

People suddenly get very cheap when they have to pay for their upgrades. Many GLDs and PLTs will not upgrade if they have to buy stickers (upgrade units) at $30 per 500 miles. This reduces the upgrade-seeking population significantly, and satisfies a good percentage of the people who are willing to fork over some form of currency for their upgrades. Of course, I'm referring to domestic flights here.