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It has been so liberating choosing early on this year not to keep up my never ending chase for Delta Diamond Medallion this year and to have come to the understanding, that many others have now as well thanks to the program changes, that the “crumbs” are no longer worth the effort.
I must say I have been very tempted to apply for a Bank of America Alaska card and then simply match my Delta status to Alaska top status to enjoy those perks but I just never fly Alaska and putting in my Alaska number for my American Airlines flights just does not motivate me that much (yes, I know Alaska points are truly valuable but AA is working for me for now). Maybe I should quickly rethink this and go for a match?
I have been generally impressed with my AA flights (ok maybe not the food). Their frequent flyer points have real value to me vs.. SkyPennies and for many of my flights I am finding business class awards at ¼ of the price of a Delta award. The service by the flight attendants is usually as good or even better than Delta. There are never lines to get into the lounges and I have found phone reps – even with no AA status – simply delightful and helpful with changes I have needed to make.
But clearly AA has some issues and I get that AA is not as good as Delta. For example, the App is a joke compared to even the updated crummy Delta one (side note: why in the world do folks think complaining about the airline in the reviews of the app will have any positive reaction?)! Is there any hope of making the App better next year? I am told for SDC the AA app works like butter but what about all the other features I will miss from the Fly Delta App?
I get there is little hope (because it would take years) to fix how tight AA seats are and the lack of seat back entertainment but honestly it is not a deal breaker as I can bring entertainment and I tend to book first with AA.
Is there any news insiders have about upgrades to the poor food choices in the clubs. I mean I love not waiting in line but it would not take that much to compete with Delta. What are the chances this could happen next year?
Another major point of contention is gate agents propensity to force you to gate check bags that will fit onboard. Is there any push back from elites to change this and let us bring bags onboard that clearly will fit? I know it is not “that big a deal” to wait for them to bring it to you at the jet bridge but it just bugs me and during winter I hate my bag drug through the snow when it could be in the overhead above me!
I already have a diverse set of airline flights booked for the first half of 2024, all of them in business / first other than one leg, and soon I will be working on the second half of the year. I really wish AA would address some of these frustrating issues to make it simpler to consider AA vs. other airlines domestically. – Rene
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The answer is probably ‘no’ to the vast majority of that, but a couple specific thoughts:
“I am told for SDC the AA app works like butter but what about all the other features I will miss from the Fly Delta App?” What features are you looking for? The AA app has its quirks, but seems to do most of what I need, although my experience with the Delta app is minimal.
“I get there is little hope (because it would take years) to fix how tight AA seats are” They are the same 30″ pitch as Delta, at least domestically.
@Ben – Thanks
AA lifetime Platinum and EP here. Captive market (DFW)
Last 4 flights, no card pitch, on time. In 35 years I have only had to check hand luggage once.
Planes are newer, and it shows.
No butt kissing ever from staff. They get the job done. Rarely delayed.
App is just as bad as Delta. I guess it’s familiarity. You know, IOS vs Android.
Upgrades? You’re kidding, right?
But, I manage to take my extended family to Mexico on AA for less than the Sky…. for one seat on Delta.
And, OneWorld partner redemptions are doable. Skyteam? You know the answer.
I feel the blogosphere goes into feeding frenzy too often attacking airlines, especially in the comments.
United has been very good to me. Alaska just does not seem to have ever worked for me.
Hi Rene, I followed you religiously for years and had to switch to AA about 4 years ago to match my travel pattern. I have been generally quite happy with AA. The loyalty points system work for me to keep EP, so far…. I was in a LGA Delta club this month and was not impressed with food selection, no better than the average AA club. But I have to admit the SLC DL club, wow! If there is one thing I really miss, it is Skyteam and especially KLM and flying through AMS. But I have still have about 500K DL miles which I am slowly using on short-hop KLM flights. About AA and Oneworld, I absolutely _hate_ transiting through LHR and flying BA, and that alone is probably my main complaint about being with AA. But by and large I am satisfied with AA and haven’t noticed anything better or worse than when I was DL Diamond. Oh and yes, you get quite a lot more from AA miles, and they accumulate fast with credit card and hotel spend.
Anyone having issues with AA’s Simply Miles? I use (or attempt to use) it frequently and usually if there is a glitch and miles/Loyalty Points do not show up it’s easily remedied with a message through the site. However, since August I have not received any miles/Loyalty Points despite completing multiple offers per month since. I have tried the normal customer service message route with them multiple times and keep getting stuck in a never ending… your issue is pending with “Tier 2” auto generated message. Have provided receipts and proof of payment with the applicable card but again, just the AI regurgitating the same Tier 2 message to me as the response. Is anyone aware of another way to contact them besides the messaging though the Contact Us portion of the site?
I have found Simply Miles to have become progressively worse the last year and a half. No good offers, and it is very hard to track your rewards. In general, it is just not user friendly to begin with, and my attitude has been that I am randomly using my Mastercard in question, but, I don’t go out of my way to use them. Seems I only really try when there is a chance we can stack offers.
The ability to change flights in the app with Delta when there are delays is one thing I like about the app. How does that work in the AA app?
Delta started offering kosher meals in many of its clubs after a conversation with management. Delta never stopped offering special meals on domestic flights like AA did and this is the only reason I switched to Delta, but when I did I found I liked them more. It took 10 years to get these meals reinstated on AA. I wonder if AA offers them in their lounges.
I have higher lifetime status with AA than Delta but I’m not ready to switch back in such a hurry. However the points you made about business class awards on Delta bother me too and if I can fly to and from the UK and Israel in business class for a reasonable number of points and AA doesn’t increase the level, it could be tempting.