American Airlines Opinions
Travelers have strong feelings about the big three domestic carriers, but it seems no airline is more polarizing than American Airlines. It feels like things are going terribly, exceptionally well, or both. Geez, it’s like I have those equally-opposite feelings on a daily basis. I certainly won’t cover every example of those emotions today since I and definitely you want this article to eventually end. Instead, I’m chiming in with American Airlines opinions in the following three areas.
Recognizing Outstanding Service Coupons
American Airlines loyalists receive a half-dozen or so of these chits along with their luggage tags once achieving Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum status levels. Despite my efforts, I failed yet again to hand out all of mine this past year. More often than not, I end up forgetting to grab them before a trip. Perhaps some of you can relate.
But I recently discovered that these coupons don’t expire (perhaps this isn’t breaking news). A few MTM Diamond members mentioned this in our Slack group, and reddit users have also discussed this. Armed with this info, we took our remaining coupons on our recent Maui trip. On our DFW-OGG flight in premium economy, I handed one to an attendant during beverage service. Sheepishly, I mentioned what I had heard, and he confirmed that the coupons do not expire. I handed out our remaining coupons during the remainder of the trip.
I can understand AA loyalists have different beliefs about giving these coupons. Some have told me they didn’t hand out theirs because they haven’t received noteworthy service. I generally take a different approach when sharing them (when I remember them, that is). I don’t expect much, providing them for merely average service on occasion. We just have so many laying around that I don’t need to be that discerning.
Some may think I’m watering down the meaning of these coupons by being so liberal with them. Perhaps that’s the case. But I’d rather try to ever-so-slightly improve someone’s day with this gesture than let the opportunity pass. Much like giving away fuel points to perfect strangers, why not? Take those moldy, bent-up, “expired” coupons and freely hand them out to AA employees. Friendly reminder – giving feels good!
Free, Glorious Wi-Fi
I’ve been on several trips now since American Airlines rolled out free inflight Wi-Fi across its fleet. It’s been truly glorious throughout every experience. Granted, as someone who has never paid for Wi-Fi on a plane, anything here was an improvement. Plus, I’m not giving American extra credit, as the airline was clearly late to the game in providing this perk to AAdvantage members.
But once connected, I’ve noted remarkably stable experience. I don’t recall having any issues at all. Streaming has been smooth and uninterrupted. For part of our premium economy flight to Maui, my little ones and I actually preferred to watch a stream on my phone rather than picking something from the airline’s larger-screen IFE.
I’m frankly surprised at the speed of the rollout. I recently flew on a few smaller CRJ aircraft where I didn’t expect Wi-Fi, but I was happy to be wrong. I received the exact same, high quality service as I had on the 787.
I’ll stop here as I don’t want to overstate this development. But kudos to American – better late than never.
Recent and Upcoming Devaluations
all negative. Several days ago, DDG shared a few of the airline’s recent and upcoming changes here. These are the highlights:
- As of December, AAdvantage members no longer earn redeemable miles or Loyalty Points on basic economy fares.
- American has increased checked baggage fees by $10, but $15 for basic economy travelers.
- Starting on 18 May, all travelers will need to pay extra for a basic economy seat assignment.
- Also effective on that date, basic economy fares will no longer eligible for complimentary or systemwide upgrades.
- Later this year, AAdvantage members without status or those not holding certain AAdvantage credit cards will receive group 7 boarding. (American hasn’t yet specified which cards get around this.)
In my view, the best response most American loyalists can make (without changing carriers) is to operate as if AA basic economy fares do not exist. And, of course, redeeming miles for flights avoids these downward trends. (Unlike Delta, American doesn’t issue award tickets at the basic economy level.) Book awards and continue doing big things!
American Airlines Opinions – Conclusion
Selfishly, I’m happy to already avoid this latest round of American Airlines devaluations as an award-bookings-only guy. That may change in the future, but I’ll take this relative good news in the meantime. And that’s beyond the other positives coming our way, such as free Wi-Fi and lounge improvements at CLT and elsewhere. While I expect fewer LPs coming my way this year, I’m still confident I’ll requalify again for Executive Platinum. I have no concerns doing so based on where things are headed with American. Plus, American’s award rates are still clearly superior to United and Delta, in my experience.
How are you feeling about American Airlines right now? What changes are you making?
Dallas based. 70% share of my travel wallet but still aiming to reduce that. I agree there are some improvements but American probably would have never elected to implement if UA and DL hadn’t implemented leaving them to seem delivering in customer value.
Still plagued with delay. Food still on par or below average. My favorite alliance though of big 3. Not too impressed with new business cabin- again, playing catch up with UA or DL, but great reward redemptions.
Lounge offerings also weakest of the big 3 by significant marginn