AA tightens Advantage requirements.

[WorldTraveler]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-airlines-introduces-combined-aadvantage-130100455.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-28/american-boosts-requirements-by-20-for-top-loyalty-tier.html?cmpid=yhoo

AA is increasing requirements to obtain top benefits in the Advantage program, proof that consolidation in the industry is targeting higher fares and reduced perks.

 

[737823]

And even with these changes AAdvantage actually rewards customers and is still far above and beyond SkyMiles or Mileageplus. I expect much larger changes to the program and elite qualification next year, but to AA's credit they are keeping things as they are until the programs are combined.

Josh

 

[FWAAA]

That's a tiny incremental change from 100 segments to 120 segments.    Other qualification threshholds remain unchanged.   

 

[737823]

That's a tiny incremental change from 100 segments to 120 segments.    Other qualification threshholds remain unchanged.

That doesn't fit WTs narrative that AA gives away too many freebies unlike DL who had a joke of a FF program that restricts accrual on SkyTeam partners. Not to mention making program changes w/o communication to members, and an overall "F you" attitude to customers.

Josh

 

[700UW]

 

[WorldTraveler]

That doesn't fit WTs narrative that AA gives away too many freebies unlike DL who had a joke of a FF program that restricts accrual on SkyTeam partners. Not to mention making program changes w/o communication to members, and an overall "F you" attitude to customers.

Josh

no, it's because it would require incredible programming effort to create a dollar based program in both AA and US' systems only to combine them later.

AA will convert to a spend based system.

in the meantime, they will be incentifying lower value passengers compared to DL and UA who are more able to selectively provide benefits to those who generate higher revenue.

 

[737823]

And amazingly AA has more high value customers than either DL or UA. And again the MQD requirements aren't about thinning out elite ranks they are to get people to spend more than they otherwise would. DL still gives away Medallion status like candy to Amex Reserve and Centurion cardholders along with annual choice benefit elections. The elite status spend requirements are also easily circumvented as any of the blogs or FlyerTalk will show.

Josh

 

[WorldTraveler]

I'm not sure how you define "high value" but it hasn't translated into industry leading yields.

I'm not sure why you would think an airline wouldn't do what it can to increase spend when other companies do the same thing and do it successfully.

When people spend more, it is possible to thin the ranks by offering less benefits to those on the bottom end of the list.

again, it is AA that is behind the curve in the industry. Maybe it is part of the reason why AA's domestic RASM growth is trailing DL, UA, and WN all of whom have or are converting to spend-based FF programs.

 

[737823]

WT DL has been trying unsuccessfully for years to take AAs high value customers from NYC and LA. Maybe if SkyMiles actually rewarded customers, they had a decent premium ground service program and airport clubs that weren't packed to the gils (DL lacks a Flagship Lounge offering).

Josh

 

[WorldTraveler]

DL's revenue on JFK-LAX is up while AA's is down; AA has not increase its yield enough to cover its passenger capacity cuts, let alone what it lost with cargo.

further, DL continues to close the fare gap to LHR including from JFK.

DL is doing what it has to do to increase revenue and yield faster than AA is doing.

you can make all the arguments you want but there really is data that shows whether they are true or not.

It is a terribly thing to believe a lie, esp. when someone else can verify it

 

[737823]

Lie? Like DL marketing JFK-SEA as full BE service and only offering recliner seats on one flight and not providing the enhanced amenities and catering like their press releases state?

Josh

 

[WorldTraveler]

except DL isn't marketing JFK-SEA as full BE.

dawg managed to find a press release that is 18 months old.

and yes it is a lie to believe that AA is the airline of premium fare travel when another carrier manages to get higher average fares.

if AA were carrying those premium fares, it would show up but it isn't.

AA is a solid company but it is not the most premium airline if premium is measured by the ability to carry the best revenue.

 

[737823]

Yes they are and they continue to. There are ads all over pay phones and bus shelters in NYC it's very misleading. Even to SFO it seems some days they are using 739s which lack even recliner seats.

Josh

 

[FWAAA]

So is this thread about changes to AA's frequent flyer program or simply just another place for the OP to repeat his laundry list of everything Delta does better than AA?   

 

[WorldTraveler]

or is it a place for Josh to charge DL with false advertising?

I still want to see where DL is advertising that JFK-SEA is 100% lie flat. or that DL is advertising 100% lie flat BE on JFK-SFO.

he can reply on the DL thread of the same subject.