American introduces more elite incentives and bennies. Will UA respond... this time?
Apr 23, 2013, 5:35 pm
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Worse is when Dougie takes over and guts it all just as Jeff did with UA, so AA folks enjoy while you can it wont be around for long. Dont see UA matching no real need at this time of the year. Theres not enough being offered to someone who hasnt already started racking up AA EQMs
Apr 23, 2013, 5:43 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: ABE
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Posts: 764
Nobody is about to change carriers in May to try to achieve those milestones.
Methinks this is to try to keep their own elites to stay put because of the merger.
Apr 23, 2013, 5:45 pm
#33
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Of course, doubt we'll ever see anything this creative with this regime.
Apr 23, 2013, 5:49 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: VAG
Posts: 1,865
You don't have any friends who might like some free Platinum status?
Apr 23, 2013, 5:54 pm
#35
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
Ummm
I'd rather have CPUs than having to collect 500 mile upgrade coupons and the like.
The AA promotion is totally meaningless (because UA Elites have the CPUs, and at those levels the RDUs and GDUs) other than maybe the free club membership at 125K or 130 segs (but you would have to give up the RDUs and GDUs)
I'd rather have CPUs than having to collect 500 mile upgrade coupons and the like.
The AA promotion is totally meaningless (because UA Elites have the CPUs, and at those levels the RDUs and GDUs) other than maybe the free club membership at 125K or 130 segs (but you would have to give up the RDUs and GDUs)
You may buy food and then figure out you get upgraded or you gamble to not to buy food but you don't get upgraded. As a EXP on AA, I don't need to worry
about this. If I don't get upgraded, I have free food and wine in Y.
oh.....If you really know about your carrier, COdbaUA, it's RPUs and GPUs not RDUs and GDUs.
Also, GPUs require W fare and gambling while eVIPs don't.
Apr 23, 2013, 5:55 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: ABE
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Posts: 764
b. The more friends one gives free status the more rear ends he/she has to compete with for CPUs. Plus I suspect that ebay will have a heyday with that promotion
Apr 23, 2013, 6:01 pm
#37
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,616
I gave MsHalls120 premier associate status one year. It was a nice gesture and was definitely a benefit for those rare times she flew on business.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:02 pm
#38
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Join Date: Nov 2007
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oh...right...as a EXP on AA, I get "CPU" between JFK-LAX/SFO and I don't even need to use RPU. Plus, as a UA 1K, most of time your upgrade will be at gate.
You may buy food and then figure out you get upgraded or you gamble to not to buy food but you don't get upgraded. As a EXP on AA, I don't need to worry
about this. If I don't get upgraded, I have free food and wine in Y.
oh.....If you really know about your carrier, COdbaUA, it's RPUs and GPUs not RDUs and GDUs.
Also, GPUs require W fare and gambling while eVIPs don't.
You may buy food and then figure out you get upgraded or you gamble to not to buy food but you don't get upgraded. As a EXP on AA, I don't need to worry
about this. If I don't get upgraded, I have free food and wine in Y.
oh.....If you really know about your carrier, COdbaUA, it's RPUs and GPUs not RDUs and GDUs.
Also, GPUs require W fare and gambling while eVIPs don't.
You mean the same UC access I get with my status matched EK *G?
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 23, 2013 at 6:38 pm Reason: multi-quote should be used
Apr 23, 2013, 6:03 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
AA has some great, tangible benefits here, but let's not pretend that UA does not have any measure of rewarding continuing loyalty. For the 150-200k FFer, UA already offers additional RPU/GPUs (2 RPU per 25k pqm, 2 GPU per 50k eqm, unlimited), plus fee-waived Global Entry at the 75k tier.
AA is certainly more flexible, but I think UA offers a competitive product, especially at the upper limits. The 200k+ FFer at UA will finish with 10+ GPUs, 10+ RPUs and GE fee waived as a matter of right, while the 200k+'er at AA will have something like the following:
- 15 SWU + 10k miles
- 9 SWU + AC + gift Plat + 10k miles
- 11 SWU + GE + 10k miles
or some combination thereof, but after 150k, that's it, no more earning potential. Both have their merits, I suppose.
Slick infographic, too, but not completely unlike ones that UA has put out recently on Hub. A complete website redesign is YEARS overdue at this airline, however.
AA is certainly more flexible, but I think UA offers a competitive product, especially at the upper limits. The 200k+ FFer at UA will finish with 10+ GPUs, 10+ RPUs and GE fee waived as a matter of right, while the 200k+'er at AA will have something like the following:
- 15 SWU + 10k miles
- 9 SWU + AC + gift Plat + 10k miles
- 11 SWU + GE + 10k miles
or some combination thereof, but after 150k, that's it, no more earning potential. Both have their merits, I suppose.
Slick infographic, too, but not completely unlike ones that UA has put out recently on Hub. A complete website redesign is YEARS overdue at this airline, however.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:03 pm
#40
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: 2012 Plat-2013 Plat-2014 Silver-2015 GM
Posts: 818
Also, I'm liking the new AA TV commercials here in DEN. It's a simple Branding message. Classy though.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:07 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US
Programs: AA/UA/DL
Posts: 2,773
AA has some great, tangible benefits here, but let's not pretend that UA does not have any measure of rewarding continuing loyalty. For the 150-200k FFer, UA already offers additional RPU/GPUs (2 RPU per 25k pqm, 2 GPU per 50k eqm, unlimited), plus fee-waived Global Entry at the 75k tier.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:09 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
Programs: UA MM 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 4,419
Ummm
I'd rather have CPUs than having to collect 500 mile upgrade coupons and the like.
The AA promotion is totally meaningless (because UA Elites have the CPUs, and at those levels the RDUs and GDUs) other than maybe the free club membership at 125K or 130 segs (but you would have to give up the RDUs and GDUs)
I'd rather have CPUs than having to collect 500 mile upgrade coupons and the like.
The AA promotion is totally meaningless (because UA Elites have the CPUs, and at those levels the RDUs and GDUs) other than maybe the free club membership at 125K or 130 segs (but you would have to give up the RDUs and GDUs)
Apr 23, 2013, 6:18 pm
#43
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 9,454
. Amidst the grass-is-greener banter, I'm just pointing out that UA has a reasonable, competitive continuing loyalty program, even if it is much more of an afterthought than the recently-enhanced AA program.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:30 pm
#44
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Location: Bay Area, CA
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Posts: 35,068
I think this can be either a) AA doing what an AA "suit" I sat next to late last year said..."we are aware that many FFs of other airlines are dissatisfied with their current programs and are prepared to offer the best FF program to entice them to AA" or b) AA is smelling blood in the water (primarily UA's) and is putting pressure on those airlines in a second FF attack (after last year's status matching)...or c) none of the above (or maybe both).
Regardless of the reason, all I can say is...Good Show AA!...I am glad we moved a significant amount of our business to you!
Regardless of the reason, all I can say is...Good Show AA!...I am glad we moved a significant amount of our business to you!
Maybe AA is offering this as a retention incentive because with the US/AA merger, customers may be fearful of any upcoming changes.
UA does not need to expend resources on perks like this because there are no impending changes coming to UA.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:57 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2002
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I am terrified of more changes coming. Oh wait I think you were being sarcastic. I feel better now.