Free agency. An AA loyalist no more - YMMV
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
Free agency. An AA loyalist no more - YMMV
MrsDallas49er and I just completed our 1st "free agent" trip.DAL-SFO-DAL on Alaska (albeit, the artist formerly known as Virgin America) in F. It was an eye opening experience.
It was a welcome change to be appreciated from start to finish, instead of the usual slow, torturous, death march, that sucks the life out of you, which seems to be every AA flight. We're tired of AAttitude. From the Corporate suite, to check-in, to the gate, to in-flight, to OUT!
On AA going forward 2018, I only have left DFW-HKG in "f", LHR-DFW in "j", and we only have DFW-SAN-DFW and DFW-CDG-DFW.
2019 plans include 6+ trips to CDG, 2-3 trips to NRT, 1-2 trips PEK/PVG, 1 trip to DEL, all in PAID J (by me) . Plus monthly trips to SFO, and quarterly trips to NYC. Half are already booked away. In most business models, I/we would be HVC .
We have both re-qualified as EXP through 1/31/20 and will have 16+ EVIP's and all that "faux availability", and it will be the ONLY driver to AA for us.
If you wish to throw rocks from the safety of sitting behind a screen, DON'T BOTHER.
However, if I had to travel the way I used to : 175+ segments/yr x 25yrs, plus vacation travel, I would suck it up. Because, when everything goes to poo poo, after the CKs get the red carpet, the limo, the lobster with his/her steak, and gets home, and EXP's are left with the ... I pity PLTs that still think they are special.
Fly safe!
It was a welcome change to be appreciated from start to finish, instead of the usual slow, torturous, death march, that sucks the life out of you, which seems to be every AA flight. We're tired of AAttitude. From the Corporate suite, to check-in, to the gate, to in-flight, to OUT!
On AA going forward 2018, I only have left DFW-HKG in "f", LHR-DFW in "j", and we only have DFW-SAN-DFW and DFW-CDG-DFW.
2019 plans include 6+ trips to CDG, 2-3 trips to NRT, 1-2 trips PEK/PVG, 1 trip to DEL, all in PAID J (by me) . Plus monthly trips to SFO, and quarterly trips to NYC. Half are already booked away. In most business models, I/we would be HVC .
We have both re-qualified as EXP through 1/31/20 and will have 16+ EVIP's and all that "faux availability", and it will be the ONLY driver to AA for us.
If you wish to throw rocks from the safety of sitting behind a screen, DON'T BOTHER.
However, if I had to travel the way I used to : 175+ segments/yr x 25yrs, plus vacation travel, I would suck it up. Because, when everything goes to poo poo, after the CKs get the red carpet, the limo, the lobster with his/her steak, and gets home, and EXP's are left with the ... I pity PLTs that still think they are special.
Fly safe!
Last edited by Dallas49er; Sep 22, 2018 at 5:12 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
And, they already had their chance to "get a feel" of this-- from this exact OP-- even if they did just for the laughs and eyerolls:
EXP for 2019 going free agent - Warning YMMV
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,457
I live in PHX and travel to ATL for work several times per year. Until now, I have exclusively flown AA and have the AA credit card, since I don't travel enough to earn Elite status under the new conditions. I'm so tired of AA this year. I feel like I'm flying an ULCC. It has gotten THAT bad.
I'm looking now for my next trip. I may switch to DL and see how they are.
I'm looking now for my next trip. I may switch to DL and see how they are.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
Not every FT has the resources to pay for F. Most businesses do not allow J travel unless over a certain number of hours, if at all. I’d rather be PLT with MCE and occasion upgrades than a true nobody stuffed into 35 E. Believe it or not many business flyers have no discretion on who they fly me being one of them. Since I’m at a hub usually its AA for me.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
You can't imagine how little attention from "AA HQ lurkers" a thread like this gets. Even if you tried you couldn't imagine how little.
And, they already had their chance to "get a feel" of this-- from this exact OP-- even if they did just for the laughs and eyerolls:
EXP for 2019 going free agent - Warning YMMV
And, they already had their chance to "get a feel" of this-- from this exact OP-- even if they did just for the laughs and eyerolls:
EXP for 2019 going free agent - Warning YMMV
Well, if enough of us walk away ...
Unlike most that rant only, my household is voting with our dollars., unlike <committed loyalists>..
Have a nice day!
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 22, 2018 at 8:07 pm Reason: Redacted negative characterization not permitted in this forum
#10
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,580
If AA doesn't work for you - great, that's your decision to make. But this attitude that everyone who's not ditching AA is automatically an "AApologist" is what I don't get. It's not that binary.
As for "those that rant only" - as pointed out upthead, you posted basically this identical thread a little more that month ago. What's the point of posting the same thing again, if not to rant?
Last edited by JDiver; Sep 22, 2018 at 8:08 pm Reason: Edited for consistency with edited post content
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
Sure I'll forget about my 100% success rate on SWUs; my 75% rate on domestic upgrades; my access to great lounges; the essentially guaranteed access to MCE; the free award deposits; the access to better handling during IROPs; etc - all while flying around on mostly deep discount Y fares.
If AA doesn't work for you - great, that's your decision to make. But this attitude that everyone who's not ditching AA is automatically an "AApologist" is what I don't get. It's not that binary.
As for "those that rant only" - as pointed out upthead, you posted basically this identical thread a little more that month ago. What's the point of posting the same thing again, if not to rant?
If AA doesn't work for you - great, that's your decision to make. But this attitude that everyone who's not ditching AA is automatically an "AApologist" is what I don't get. It's not that binary.
As for "those that rant only" - as pointed out upthead, you posted basically this identical thread a little more that month ago. What's the point of posting the same thing again, if not to rant?
I have/had been hoping for intelligent discourse (discussion) and not vilification, but if this is what I get... and what its going to be ....
I guess its not to be.
Bon soir.
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Sure I'll forget about my 100% success rate on SWUs; my 75% rate on domestic upgrades; my access to great lounges; the essentially guaranteed access to MCE; the free award deposits; the access to better handling during IROPs; etc - all while flying around on mostly deep discount Y fares.
And I've had a few paid F and some Y trips on AS and DL but I don't find the service or the aircraft markedly different. Different brands of chips on shorter flights and the same inconsistency on PDB but nothing that significant. And sure, I'd rather have a Qatar level product.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA ExPlat, Delta GM, Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 140
I have certainly had some wanderlust myself recently - looks like I'll be traveling on UA for most of the rest of the year (to the delight of my company's travel dragons).
However, that's only after requalifying EXP on AA. There are some things that annoy me about AA (although less than others, since I'm an ex- pre-HP US flyer). But:
Now, heading to Europe in a couple weeks, I'm on AY and my wife is on EI, so we'll see - I suspect she'll rather enjoy EI.
However, that's only after requalifying EXP on AA. There are some things that annoy me about AA (although less than others, since I'm an ex- pre-HP US flyer). But:
- My wife really likes the Flagship Lounge at ORD
- My wife and I both really enjoy AA's International J hard product (we've also gotten fairly lucky with crews - including an ORD-LHR segment where my wife got sick due to backwards seat + fairly epic turbulence - they were fantastic taking care of her)
- I'm 80% on upgrades this year (closer to 100% if you remove DFW and MCO from the equation), but, more importantly, my wife is nearly 100% when traveling with me
Now, heading to Europe in a couple weeks, I'm on AY and my wife is on EI, so we'll see - I suspect she'll rather enjoy EI.
#14
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 279
How can your revenue be so low if this is what you're flying:
2019 plans include 6+ trips to CDG, 2-3 trips to NRT, 1-2 trips PEK/PVG, 1 trip to DEL, all in PAID J (by me) . Plus monthly trips to SFO, and quarterly trips to NYC.
2019 plans include 6+ trips to CDG, 2-3 trips to NRT, 1-2 trips PEK/PVG, 1 trip to DEL, all in PAID J (by me) . Plus monthly trips to SFO, and quarterly trips to NYC.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Bay Area
Programs: WN A-List, AA good-riddance, Safeway Club Card Extraordinaire
Posts: 3,851
Judging from the thread title, I suspect those are not on AA