The new American Airlines AAdvantage program was announced this morning. I considered the program announcement very positive.
Others, however, not so much. While there will always be folks that are against changes, and will always be affected by mergers, I’ve been sifting through various postings, social media comments and forum comments to summarize the initial reaction to the newly released AAdvantage program.
To be forward, these are not my views, but rather a summary of what I see across the interwebs.
The “Good”
- The continuation of 8 systemwide upgrades for Executive Platinums.
- The removal of the same day change fee for Executive Platinums.
- Complimentary upgrades for lower level elites on sub-500 mile routes.
- Mileage earned in Business Class will increase from 25% to 50%
- US Airways elites merging into an American status will now experience a 100% mileage bonus, if they merge into Platinum or Executive Platinum.
- US Airways elites like being able to use their 2 systemwide upgrades this year, and then receiving another 8 next year. That’s a total of 10 upgrades!
The “Bad”
- US Airways elites merging into American will now have to use sticker 500 miles upgrades on 500 mile or longer routes.
- US Airways elites do not like the upgrade window being reduced from 7 days to 10 days.
- US Airways elites do not like that they will have to use sticker upgrades on companions.
- For those who fly shortfall routes, they’ll have to add an additional 20 to their repertoire to attain Executive Platinum status.
In general, it looks like US Airways elites are taking the brunt of the comments in the “bad” section.
As an AA elite, I’m happy with the changes, and even more looking forward to Executive Platinum status.
What do you think?
Jamie Larounis is an avid traveler, blogger and miles/points educator. Traveling well over 100,000 miles a year and staying in hotels for over 100 nights, he leverages miles, points and other deals to fly in first class cabins, and stay in 5-star hotels. The Forward Cabin shares his experiences, musings, reviews, tips, tricks, resources and industry news with you, the fellow traveler.
Might want to check your list of “the bad”
1). US elite do not like the upgrade window shortened from 7 days to 10 days? Did you mean 100 hours?
2). What is a shortFALL flight?
Appreciate the quick turn on analysis of social media but your gaffes (and only on what matters to US elites list) reflects our concern. pmAA apologists don’t listen or really care about pmUS elites.
A big thing you forget ..is now a US Airways Platinum will be downgraded to AA Gold…more competition for ugrades.
I would also submit that the loss of a 75K tier level in the new system is among the “bad.”
I realize that the general opinion is that only a few of us are affected by this loss, but for those who are, the experience is going to be dramatically different on the new AA than it was on US.