AA won't honor liftime TW Ambassador memberships :(
Mar 8, 2001, 6:11 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
Just a bad business desicion here by AA if they follow thru with it: we'll see.
Mar 9, 2001, 11:06 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Milwaukee, WI (Now 3 Million Miler) NWA 120 Segment Gold, CO Plat
Posts: 71
Just received a letter today from TWA. The second paragraph is titled “JOINT CLUB ACCESS”, and reads as follows:
“More good news for our Ambassadors Club members. We are pleased to announce our club members and Trans World One passengers will have access to all 50 of the American Airlines Admirals Club locations. For admittance into the Admirals Clubs, members simply need to present their valid Ambassadors Club card along with a day of flight ticket or boarding pass for travel on TWA or American. Trans World One passengers will present their day of flight TWA ticket or boarding pass. Members may bring two guests or their immediate family to the Admirals Club and are subject to all Admirals Club rules and regulations.”
There is NOTHING pertaining to lifetime members. It just says “valid” Ambassadors card. Since I am still alive, I guess that would mean my card would still be “valid” until I am not. Wouldn’t it?
If everything else we have read and seen thus far is true, and AA is NOT going to honor the lifetime memberships, perhaps they can look at another alternative. Perhaps someone can suggest that for a nominal fee, ($1000, perhaps); they would turn these cards into a lifetime Admiral Club card. I realize they are no longer offering one, however, they have in the past, so there are some out there, and these are particularly unique circumstances, requiring particularly unique resolutions.
I’m sure they have gotten, or will get, the message that, it is definitely NOT in their best interest to alienate what will more than likely become some of their best customers, as anyone who owns a lifetime membership not only has the financial wherewithal, but obviously does a lot of flying, or they would have no need for it.
What do you think?
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Blue Skies to you all!
“More good news for our Ambassadors Club members. We are pleased to announce our club members and Trans World One passengers will have access to all 50 of the American Airlines Admirals Club locations. For admittance into the Admirals Clubs, members simply need to present their valid Ambassadors Club card along with a day of flight ticket or boarding pass for travel on TWA or American. Trans World One passengers will present their day of flight TWA ticket or boarding pass. Members may bring two guests or their immediate family to the Admirals Club and are subject to all Admirals Club rules and regulations.”
There is NOTHING pertaining to lifetime members. It just says “valid” Ambassadors card. Since I am still alive, I guess that would mean my card would still be “valid” until I am not. Wouldn’t it?
If everything else we have read and seen thus far is true, and AA is NOT going to honor the lifetime memberships, perhaps they can look at another alternative. Perhaps someone can suggest that for a nominal fee, ($1000, perhaps); they would turn these cards into a lifetime Admiral Club card. I realize they are no longer offering one, however, they have in the past, so there are some out there, and these are particularly unique circumstances, requiring particularly unique resolutions.
I’m sure they have gotten, or will get, the message that, it is definitely NOT in their best interest to alienate what will more than likely become some of their best customers, as anyone who owns a lifetime membership not only has the financial wherewithal, but obviously does a lot of flying, or they would have no need for it.
What do you think?
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Blue Skies to you all!
Mar 9, 2001, 11:27 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
(dup)
[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 03-09-2001).]
[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 03-09-2001).]
Mar 9, 2001, 11:28 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Feb 2000
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2 Million:
On all of our behalf, write AA a letter!
On all of our behalf, write AA a letter!
Mar 11, 2001, 5:36 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 149
Before everyone gets their panties in a bunch, just how much, exactly, is the "discounted" fee?
Mar 17, 2001, 1:36 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Boston suburbs, MA
Posts: 1
OK, where exactly should we complain about this one. I really want to reach the right person.
I am a lifetime TWA, an Admiral's Club member, and an AA Platiunum. Perhaps they would like me to be happy.
I am a lifetime TWA, an Admiral's Club member, and an AA Platiunum. Perhaps they would like me to be happy.
Mar 17, 2001, 3:46 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
Elleir,
AA Platinum and this was your first post to the boards? Welcome!
I would give a call to the Platinum line and ask them who you should complain to. I am not sure how they can get away (morally, not legally) with this. Randy mentioned in an article that Continental didn't honor the lifetime Eastern memberships, but I seem to remember that as long as you had purchased it before their bankruptcy it was converted automatically to lifetime PC.
FF
AA Platinum and this was your first post to the boards? Welcome!
I would give a call to the Platinum line and ask them who you should complain to. I am not sure how they can get away (morally, not legally) with this. Randy mentioned in an article that Continental didn't honor the lifetime Eastern memberships, but I seem to remember that as long as you had purchased it before their bankruptcy it was converted automatically to lifetime PC.
FF
Mar 17, 2001, 5:12 pm
#23
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,288
freakflyer, you are right about the Eastern Ionosphere conversions, the earlier members were converted to lifetime Presidents Club membership.
Mar 18, 2001, 11:14 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: DL 3MM/DM, AA 3MM/PLT, UA 1K
Posts: 322
Originally posted by zrs70:
This from the Q and A from AA's site:
Q: Would Ambassadors club lifetime members receive Admirals Club lifetime membership?
Ambassadors Club lifetime members would receive an Admirals’ Club membership complimentary for two years from the closing date and discounted pricing for each year beyond.
I hope AA reconsiders.
This from the Q and A from AA's site:
Q: Would Ambassadors club lifetime members receive Admirals Club lifetime membership?
Ambassadors Club lifetime members would receive an Admirals’ Club membership complimentary for two years from the closing date and discounted pricing for each year beyond.
I hope AA reconsiders.
Mar 18, 2001, 12:24 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Third planet from the Sun
Posts: 7,022
If you want free lounge access, put all of your miles into BA's program. Once you reach their gold level, all O/W lounges on the day of your flight are free. You can even bring in one guest.
Mar 18, 2001, 1:12 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
Tango,
This is also true for American (at least if you are on an international itinerary). Plus once you hit 2mm you theoretically have lifetime access to the Admiral's Clubs when flying OW on internationa trips.
However, I still believe that it is cheap of American not to honor the TWA cards, especially now that you can't buy them any more. As mentioned above, I do not believe that there is a single case where the acquiring airline has not honored these memberships.
If they don't accept them, I feel particularly sorry for those folks that bought a lifetime TWA card AFTER the TW/AA announcement was made and before they cut off the purchases.
FF
This is also true for American (at least if you are on an international itinerary). Plus once you hit 2mm you theoretically have lifetime access to the Admiral's Clubs when flying OW on internationa trips.
However, I still believe that it is cheap of American not to honor the TWA cards, especially now that you can't buy them any more. As mentioned above, I do not believe that there is a single case where the acquiring airline has not honored these memberships.
If they don't accept them, I feel particularly sorry for those folks that bought a lifetime TWA card AFTER the TW/AA announcement was made and before they cut off the purchases.
FF
Mar 19, 2001, 9:37 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: Inf Elite CO, lifetime AA Platinum
Posts: 1,937
From TWA.COM:
Not.
Information about Admirals Club® Usage
In the last few weeks you have read and heard a lot of news about TWA. As an Ambassadors Club® member, you can rest assured that the news is very good and getting better every day.
In the last few weeks you have read and heard a lot of news about TWA. As an Ambassadors Club® member, you can rest assured that the news is very good and getting better every day.
Mar 24, 2001, 2:11 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Milwaukee, WI (Now 3 Million Miler) NWA 120 Segment Gold, CO Plat
Posts: 71
Originally posted by wschild
:
I hope AA doesn't reconsider. As an AA Platinum, I have paid for club access for several years. AA's clubs are much nicer then the TWA clubs I have been to. Admirals clubs have many more features and better service. This costs money. How can AA make business sense in giving lifetime memberships to TWA members?
:
I hope AA doesn't reconsider. As an AA Platinum, I have paid for club access for several years. AA's clubs are much nicer then the TWA clubs I have been to. Admirals clubs have many more features and better service. This costs money. How can AA make business sense in giving lifetime memberships to TWA members?
And we haven’t been paying for years? Or the money we paid for our memberships isn’t as “good” as you money? I paid annually for several years before buying my Lifetime card. I have owned it for almost nine years now. And guess what? It cost money, too!
And as far as quality of the clubs is concerned, what’s the deal there? It doesn’t matter to me, or anyone else, I’m sure, whether the AA’s clubs are nicer. Using your logic, if the tables were reversed, and TWA was buying out a floundering AA, does that mean that AA club members SHOULD get TWA club access because they aren’t as nice as AA’s, so you really wouldn’t be gaining anything? Get real!
As far a being a good business decision to honor them, this one’s a real no-brainer. Anyone who has a lifetime membership in any club, has both the financial wherewithal to afford one, and obviously does a lot of flying, or they would not need one. Where is the good “business sense” in alienating a customer that not only has the money, but spends a lot of it flying? Or does alienating a good customer somehow make sense to you also?
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Blue Skies to you all!
Mar 25, 2001, 7:38 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: TX
Posts: 14
The airlines are in the business of providing transportation, not hosting social clubs. For all you TWA Ambassador lifetimers be thankful American is providing complimentary Admirals’ Club memberships for two years. Look at it in another perspective. They could say "we're not giving you anything, if you want in you have to pay us."
Oh! by the way, I don't remember Life giving out any "Fare tickets".
[This message has been edited by Legroom (edited 03-25-2001).]
Oh! by the way, I don't remember Life giving out any "Fare tickets".
[This message has been edited by Legroom (edited 03-25-2001).]
Mar 25, 2001, 9:01 am
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Gee, Legroom,
You sure know the etiquette of a first post! Let's see, how to respond to your naive thoughts! ...
1) You are right, the airlines are not in the business of hosting social clubs. But part of their business is offering VIP clubs.
2) True, AA might have not have offered to honor the memberships at all. Being thankful for the two years, however, is like being thankful if a new landlord evicts a tenant, but not right away.
3) "Fare tickets." No, there aren't any in life. But individuals do have discretion and opportunities to do what is right and ethical. I think AA is blowing this opportunity.
[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 03-25-2001).]
You sure know the etiquette of a first post! Let's see, how to respond to your naive thoughts! ...
1) You are right, the airlines are not in the business of hosting social clubs. But part of their business is offering VIP clubs.
2) True, AA might have not have offered to honor the memberships at all. Being thankful for the two years, however, is like being thankful if a new landlord evicts a tenant, but not right away.
3) "Fare tickets." No, there aren't any in life. But individuals do have discretion and opportunities to do what is right and ethical. I think AA is blowing this opportunity.
[This message has been edited by zrs70 (edited 03-25-2001).]