AA flight as a QF WP

[drpil]

Just returned from a trip to the US, did a flight from JFK-LAX on AA.

Was sitting in economy and was approached by a FA who remarked that I was coming up on their system as executive platinum and expressed surprise that I was not up in business class. I explained that I was a QF WP and hence OW emerald. He then said that he would like to move me up to business if he could, but the purser on the flight was quite strict and hence he couldn't. But then told me that anything that I wanted was complimentary and that they had to look after frequent flyers.

Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

[Katie]

Yes, on 3 of my 4 flights on AA in Y, I was offered complimentary snacks and drinks. Was bummed I wasn't offered on the 4th flight as I had that expectation by then.
The third flight was American Eagle ATL-ORD and it was the First FA offering me my snack. He really wanted me to drink some wine as well, but I didn't want any.
Was offered snacks by an FA bearing a manifest print out LAX-DFW and DFW-ATL, but I was feeling the effects of motion sickness.

 

[v8Statesman]

In my experience. Some AA systems can not tell the difference. The system that is used for the manifest is one I suspect can't. Sadly IMHO the system that processes the 100hr upgrades for EXP can .

For some QF WP, this can be a little upsetting. But for myself and the status chasers (flying K/YUPP fares) this isn't really an issue.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I normally fly F on AA, but on the 10 or so legs i flew in AA Y last year, i was not once offered anything (food or drink, let alone Opups!!)

 

[Boris spatsky]

Oh, flying as a OWE.

 

[Katie]

FWIW, my AA Y flights were all between 13-23 May this year.

 

[danny09]

1 flight as a WP last year flying AA me & my wife travelling in Y were called up on the PA on the plane & said "we have 2 seats at the front of the plane for you two" was a really nice suprise to be travelling in F, the doors were shut & about to taxi out when they called us. Why cant QF do that? if there are spare seats on the plane in J or F, reward the WP & WP1 pax, obviously if they dont have the catering in J or F then just have your original catering, but atleast you feel more loved by QF.

 

[gogo419]

1 flight as a WP last year flying AA me & my wife travelling in Y were called up on the PA on the plane & said "we have 2 seats at the front of the plane for you two" was a really nice suprise to be travelling in F, the doors were shut & about to taxi out when they called us. Why cant QF do that? if there are spare seats on the plane in J or F, reward the WP & WP1 pax, obviously if they dont have the catering in J or F then just have your original catering, but atleast you feel more loved by QF.

The American system of upgrading high status pax for free is not a sustainable business model.. It just makes everyone buy Y tickets knowing that they will be bumped up.. I personally would prefer to have the current QANTAS system kept the way it is.. With the odd op-up thrown in when required... It pleases a majority of people who upgrade with points..

Just my opinion.. Sorry for going off topic OP..

gogo

 

[serfty]

I feel treated somewhat better on AA flights when in economy that on QF.

What has been posted is correct, most AA computer systems can't differentiate betwixt EXP and Emerald.

Also, as posted, most of my travel is booked up front in the first place.

It will be interesting to see what happens when travelling in November in economy on QF codeshares flight numbers (something I try to avoid, but the fare was too nice). Already my seat allocation availability is as for EXP.

 

[amaroo]

The American system of upgrading high status pax for free is not a sustainable business model.. It just makes everyone buy Y tickets knowing that they will be bumped up.. I personally would prefer to have the current QANTAS system kept the way it is.. With the odd op-up thrown in when required... It pleases a majority of people who upgrade with points..

Just my opinion.. Sorry for going off topic OP..

gogo

I agree. When I've purchase J DOM seats (rare occasion) I like it when some of the seats are empty!

 

[zachary.august]

I have flown AA as a CL and they have always bent over backwards to make me comfortable. I was once in the AA F Lounge at T4 LAX for about 3 hours and they spoilt me rotten! Onboard I have always had my meal order taken by the CSM etc. Also, in a port where their is no F Host (think DEN, ORD other US cities) an AA representative always meets me and manages everything. AA certainly knows how to treat their premium passengers well. However I am glad that QF doesn't do free upgrades. They cheapen the cabin.

 

[Kangol]

It will be interesting to see what happens when travelling in November in economy on QF codeshares flight numbers (something I try to avoid, but the fare was too nice). Already my seat allocation availability is as for EXP.

What's so bad about flying on a QF codeshare on AA metal? Is it that the AA system doesn't "recognise" you has a EXP/OWE in the same way travelling on an AA flight number would?

 

[serfty]

What's so bad about flying on a QF codeshare on AA metal? Is it that the AA system doesn't "recognise" you has a EXP/OWE in the same way travelling on an AA flight number would?

TBH, the QF - AA codeshare relationship is quite good, however there are many reports with other carriers that things can go pear shaped quite easily.

As a rule of thumb, it is generally better to avoid codeshares, all other things being equal.

 

[v8Statesman]

The AA/JL tie up is flawless too. I always take the AA code on JL metal when possible. Better earn rates


Sent from my iPad using Australian Frequent Flyer app

 

[Kangol]

TBH, the QF - AA codeshare relationship is quite good, however there are many reports with other carriers that things can go pear shaped quite easily.

As a rule of thumb, it is generally better to avoid codeshares, all other things being equal.

Oh. The only WP flight I have taken on AA metal in Y has been on a QF codeshare and their system didn't recognise the difference between AA and non-AA OWE so subsequently I was given a free meal and drink because I was "Executive platinum".

What other carriers are you referring to when things can go pear shaped? BA? CX?

I guess one reason for deliberately getting codeshares would be if you do enough flying for P1 and want to make sure you get your required 2700 SCs for the year..

 

[dajop]

Wow! My last AA flight as a WP/OWE, ORD-LAX, I was allocated a centre seat in the fourth last row of a 767. No recognition, no food, and just one plastic cup of Coca Cola. Haven't flown AA since.

 

[v8Statesman]

Wow! My last AA flight as a WP/OWE, ORD-LAX, I was allocated a centre seat in the fourth last row of a 767. No recognition, no food, and just one plastic cup of Coca Cola. Haven't flown AA since.

I don't think I would want to either if I was treated like that.

 

[serfty]

Search the AA FT forum for complaints in regard to AA codeshare flight numbers on IB; the FT US forum for issues regarding codeshares on UA and other *A carriers.

While AA's SABRE continues to recognise QF elites as their equivalent on the manifests it may continue to be OK.

It's really a matter of reducing the possible points of failure in the systems.

As for "better earn rates" it's a valid point - I did post "all other things being equal"; the issue of points/SC earn can represent an inequality to needs to be considered.

In my earlier post that initiated this discussion, for the same price on the same booking I could have travelled on the AA flight numbers - in O class, so no QFF earn there.

 

[drewbles]

I normally fly F on AA, but on the 10 or so legs i flew in AA Y last year, i was not once offered anything (food or drink, let alone Opups!!)

This is consistent with my experiences on AA. Katie's experience is not the usual that's for sure.

I've probably done 30-40 flights on AA in coach since being WP and not once did I receive anything special on board. I did once get an Op-Up at the gate, but that was on a very oversold LAX-LAS flight on Thanksgiving day. There was only one other person in F, so i'm guessing no EXP's around (they mentioned it was my OWE that got me the opup).

Wow! My last AA flight as a WP/OWE, ORD-LAX, I was allocated a centre seat in the fourth last row of a 767. No recognition, no food, and just one plastic cup of Coca Cola. Haven't flown AA since.

Did you pre select your seat? I've never failed to get good seats in coach (except the other week where due to a very very oversold flight, being protected onto another flight and bypassing two AA CK's in the process, I landed myself in a window seat which I despise).

 

[dajop]

Did you pre select your seat? I've never failed to get good seats in coach (except the other week where due to a very very oversold flight, being protected onto another flight and bypassing two AA CK's in the process, I landed myself in a window seat which I despise).

Yep preselected seat, centre rear were the only ones left. Maybe because the booking was only about 2 weeks in advance didn't help, but my QF FF number was definitely in the booking. This was late 2010, so maybe things have improved. Any way doesn't matter I have sub Jetstar expectations of most US domestic carriers when in Y.