I’ve posted previously about my desire to see the current way that American Airlines handles its AAdvantage elite upgrades stick around after the new American merges the Dividend Miles program into AAdvantage. For background purposes, American offers complimentary upgrades to its top-tier AAdvantage Executive Platinum members. Gold and Platinum members earn four 500-mile upgrade credits for every 10,000 miles flown. They can also buy upgrade credits if they don’t have enough, and wish to upgrade. The price for those is $30 per 500 mile upgrade. Many of us that have been around AAdvantage for a while still refer to these electronic upgrades as “stickers.”
Many took some solace in recent comments in Business Travel News by AA CEO Doug Parker that a move to a revenue-based frequent flyer program was “not even on the plate right now.” He went on to say that “we have to get the frequent flyer programs merged first.” While I don’t think this necessarily means AA never goes revenue based, it does give them a window to measure the effects of the Delta and United changes. While many are understandably focused on that, I keyed in on the focus on getting the programs merged first.
There is a ton of work that needs to happen behind the scenes on that, a lot of which is likely already in progress. Management has stated previously that they are focused on adapting legacy AA systems. Adapting the systems of the larger airline is a wise move, as there are fewer employees to train, and fewer customers to educate on new systems, etc. Could this also make it more likely that the merged program adapts legacy AA’s upgrade system too? I think that’s a distinct possibility. At least I’m going to keep telling myself that!
While one could argue that the fact that AA Executive Platinums means that AA already has the tools in place to offer complimentary upgrades, you could also argue that the fastest way to merge the programs is to roll Dividend Miles into AAdvantage as it stands. That might upset some US elites, but they might enjoy a better upgrade percentage for the flights they really care about upgrading on. That’s been my experience with the current system, and I hope it remains. In the meantime, here’s a reader poll. Tell us how you feel. Which upgrade system do you like best?
-MJ, August 14, 2014
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
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Someone tell Dougie that the AA way and selling stickers gets more $$$ in his pocket…that’ll for sure guarantee that AA’s upgrade system sticks.
Whereas I will definitely miss the complimentary upgrades (Platinum with US–I’m on three -500 legs on Monday evening, and I amazingly got upgraded on all three),I guess it won’t be that terrible if we switch to the American system.
I’m more curious about how many levels the new AAdvantage program has. I’m just about to cross the 50,000 mile line for 2014. I’m way curious about the possibility (or not) of a 75,000 mile level with the merged program.
@Joseph Unfortunately, the upgrades are the only real benefit I get for my travel. Since I’m on these short hops, my status comes from segments, not from miles. Thus I’m collecting a pittance of miles each time I fly. I’d much rather take transcon flights in AA’s 321T in F off an upgrade, but since my longest flight in months clocked in at 850mi, I’ll take the RJ and occasional A319/20/21 F upgrade over nothing. At least I work hard to keep myself off of CR2s and Dash8s because there is no benefit to those only cramps and noise. @Tom… Read more »
Having gone from 500 milers to unlimited on United, I much prefer the “sticker” method. It gives the flyer the opportunity to decide when an upgrade is worth it and doesn’t cause inflated expectations.
One thing is for certain: if AA goes unlimited, the US lower tiers are in for a shock when they NEVER get upgraded anymore. That’s just the nature of mega-airlines, until they pull the “thin the herd” garbage that DL and UA have done.
@Dan
Why does it matter? You get a bigger seat and maybe a drink for two for an hour and half flight. Dougie P put the nails in the coffin for meal service. Granted a first seat is better than a coach seat, but you want to upgrade on an RJ?
@Dan: Actually and luckily for you, you’re wrong: I’m not sure this is officially published, but for many yours now you get a 50-mile “round down” for the total trip length so 541 should equal just one sticker. The only exception I’ve experienced personally is DFW-BOS, even at 1561 miles, only requires 3 stickers.
I’d forgotten about rounding down.
I’m a US Gold and for my type of flying, I’d hate to see the AA system adopted for upgrades. I fly a lot of sub-500mi flights, lots of connections to small cities. I get upgraded on these flights almost every time. If I was under the AA system, I’d hate to burn any stickers for the little flights, but the constant relegation to coach on the RJs would be tough. Plus my most frequent route between JFK and CLT clocks in at 541, meaning I’d have to waste 2 stickers just to get an upgrade that I’ve never missed… Read more »
@Dan,
I may be wrong, but I’m guessing once the two airlines are combined, and perhaps even before, the upgrade successes of a lot of lower level US elites is going to change.
So, you have to buy more in advance of a flight to put in the upgrade, even if it doesn’t clear?
@Joe,
You can wait and see if the upgrade clears before you buy. However, if you are trying to get on the airport standby list, you won’t be able to without having the necessary upgrades in your account.
Can you buy upgrade stickers with miles?
@Isabel,
Yes you can.