View Poll Results: Is an American Airlines/US Airways merger good for the traveling public?
Yes
84
28.19%
No
214
71.81%
Voters: 298. You may not vote on this poll
Nov 12, 2013, 2:24 pm
Last edit by: aztimm
Note:
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
US/AA merger- MASTER DISCUSSION THREAD/incl 'when will US leave STAR'
Nov 24, 2013, 1:28 pm
#2416
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,510
I am only SP - by reciprocal benefits... do they mean:
1) Will I still get priority seating, check-in, security, and first bag free when flying AA?
2) Would I have a shot at an UG? I am not going on a high-volume, elite-heavy route, so my chances even as US SP would be good if it was a US flight.
1) Will I still get priority seating, check-in, security, and first bag free when flying AA?
2) Would I have a shot at an UG? I am not going on a high-volume, elite-heavy route, so my chances even as US SP would be good if it was a US flight.
For upgrades, US SP translates to AA Gold. Even if reciprocal upgrades are a benefit, you can pretty much forget about seeing the front of the bus at that level on AA.
Nov 24, 2013, 1:53 pm
#2417
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
Programs: Alaska Airlines Gold MVP
Posts: 7,170
Here's hoping the AA sticker system stays. I can't imagine the merged carrier giving up all that revenue.
Nov 24, 2013, 2:25 pm
#2418
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: High Point, NC
Programs: None
Posts: 9,171
Jim
Nov 24, 2013, 4:49 pm
#2420
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K, AA GLD
Posts: 237
I got in on the UA YQ dump tickets to Milan...problem is traveling late March. Hoping I can still credit to US and have the EQM count for the US/AA entity.
if you're flying in Y be careful and check the fare class; a lot of cheap AC fares credit 50% on US.
if you're flying in Y be careful and check the fare class; a lot of cheap AC fares credit 50% on US.
Nov 24, 2013, 4:52 pm
#2421
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,850
Yes, while some answers had been posted already, it would have been nice to hear more about the best redemptions on US. I can't believe I've read all 2,421 posts in this thread, having followed it regularly since February 14th! If only I were being paid for it 
As an AA flyer, I'm quite happy with the award chart, and in particular the fact that all awards are one-way. Will be staying tuned to see what changes await.
As an AA flyer, I'm quite happy with the award chart, and in particular the fact that all awards are one-way. Will be staying tuned to see what changes await.
Nov 24, 2013, 5:59 pm
#2422
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
I'm not saying there aren't good points to the AA award chart, but that sticks out like a sore thumb, and given how stingy AA has gotten with Europe own-metal awards, and US's track record (even more stingy), I'm not convinced it will be an unmitigated blessing to lose the US award chart.
Nov 24, 2013, 7:07 pm
#2423
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,510
But US doesn't offer 20k off peak to Europe at all, so at the end of the day having the option - even if limited - would be a win.
Nov 24, 2013, 7:27 pm
#2424
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
But everyone's mileage varies.
I'm not saying there aren't good points to the AA award chart, but that sticks out like a sore thumb, and given how stingy AA has gotten with Europe own-metal awards, and US's track record (even more stingy), I'm not convinced it will be an unmitigated blessing to lose the US award chart.
Nov 24, 2013, 8:32 pm
#2425
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
It might be worse in some cases if part of the segments are already use (in my case, a 1x.)
Nov 24, 2013, 9:29 pm
#2426
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K, AA GLD
Posts: 237
And it wasn't that long ago where US had 60k RT offpeak J tickets to Europe...
Nov 24, 2013, 9:34 pm
#2427
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
They do, and quite a bit of remaining availability on them too in some markets such as CDG in Jan/Feb.
Nov 24, 2013, 9:35 pm
#2428
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,510
AA also used to have 7,500 mile shorthaul non stop awards, but those are gone now as well.
Nov 24, 2013, 11:21 pm
#2429
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,850
Of course, different airlines, alliances and award charts suit people differently. I'm sure there are others who have travel patterns better suited to other airlines, alliances or travel patterns. I encourage them to switch their loyalty as they wish.
* Caveat: I'm not happy with copays on upgrade awards.
Nov 25, 2013, 12:54 am
#2430
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,387
I'm happy with the AA award chart.* Although I don't normally redeem for Y travel myself, I usually have no problems redeeming the 20k awards for others. In my experience, they are not difficult to get and are great value. And at my home airport, I have access to a lot of AA and BA flights. Being an AA flyer in OW is perfect for my travel patterns and having a good award chart is an excellent bonus.
Of course, different airlines, alliances and award charts suit people differently. I'm sure there are others who have travel patterns better suited to other airlines, alliances or travel patterns. I encourage them to switch their loyalty as they wish.
* Caveat: I'm not happy with copays on upgrade awards.
Of course, different airlines, alliances and award charts suit people differently. I'm sure there are others who have travel patterns better suited to other airlines, alliances or travel patterns. I encourage them to switch their loyalty as they wish.
* Caveat: I'm not happy with copays on upgrade awards.
Since you're into reading long threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...ad-merged.html
DEN-NRT-PEK-ICN-IST-FRA-YYZ-DEN booked for 90k.
Priced at 100k first, so I had to remind the agent that our destination, Beijing, was in North Asia. Then it dropped to 90k. I have confirmation numbers for each flight except ICN-IST, but I'll be calling around to each airline to double check and maybe get a seat assignment.
EDIT - seats assigned except on TK for IST-FRA. They see the reservation, but won't let me get seats until March.
Priced at 100k first, so I had to remind the agent that our destination, Beijing, was in North Asia. Then it dropped to 90k. I have confirmation numbers for each flight except ICN-IST, but I'll be calling around to each airline to double check and maybe get a seat assignment.
EDIT - seats assigned except on TK for IST-FRA. They see the reservation, but won't let me get seats until March.
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Nov 25, 2013 at 1:04 am