US Air vs AA - cultural problem on merger?

[serfty]

...
So I am certainly not going to be buying any more AA miles.

Good advice in any case; what with the almost certain AAdvantage program enhancements to be announced within the next 1½-2 years ...

 

[drron]

So now we are in the BA lounge at EWR.Problem though our bags are apparently still in PHL.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

So I am certainly not going to be buying any more AA miles.

Still good for cheap EY F Apartment

Good advice in any case; what with the almost certain AAdvantage program enhancements to be announced within the next 1½-2 years ...

I'll use 'em as I buy 'em then.

 

[blackcat20]

Still good for cheap EY F Apartment



I'll use 'em as I buy 'em then.

We only buy when we need. I'd hate to be stuck with a heap of useless miles....

 

[knasty]

I think useless might be a little OTT. The devaluation would have to be massive for the value of an AA mile to be similar to that of a QFF for longhaul premium redemptions when you factor in the burn rate and lack of fuel surcharge. That said I agree with the sentiment that stockpiling without an upcoming need for the points is not as good an idea as it was in the past.

 

[blackcat20]

I think useless might be a little OTT. The devaluation would have to be massive for the value of an AA mile to be similar to that of a QFF for longhaul premium redemptions when you factor in the burn rate and lack of fuel surcharge. That said I agree with the sentiment that stockpiling without an upcoming need for the points is not as good an idea as it was in the past.

Useless as in, can't book a flight for when I want to travel. That's money tied up that I could otherwise spend.

 

[knasty]

True, the rules of the game are getting harder for everyone. Having said that there are still plenty of jewels in the crown.

 

[Mattg]

So now we are in the BA lounge at EWR.Problem though our bags are apparently still in PHL.

Your experience with US sounds like a nightmare. I hope things are looking up from here for you!

 

[drron]

Before we left the BA lounge asked the agent again who said the bags were in EWR.Unfortunately they didn't arrive in ORY.Due to the missed day we are now in Holland.Tomorrow my shirt becomes a 4 day shirt.
Ah the joys of travel.

 

[moa999]

I have seen the future for AA and it is ugly.Flying US PHL-CDG.
No checkin agents at all.Everyone must use Kiosks.Absolutely useless.Got right through to our seat allocation and put in that we had 1 checked bag eack when it defaults saying my passport wasn't recognised.So go through the whole procedure again.Get to same spot,says cant recognise my passport again.Have to enter details manually and comes up that it cant proceed and c all an agent.So taken to a bag drop agen t not busy and checked in manually.
The agent then asks me whether I live in Paris-no I live in Australia."how far is Paris from Australia?"I kid you not.So I answer just the other side of the earth.So her next question-"so how to you propose to get to Paris?".Gee I thought I was checking in for the Paris flight.
Double checked that the bags were tagged to CDG.

At least keeping up our 100% record for TSA precheck with US.Only 1 problem.There is no precheck line.Everyone lines up together and when you get to the agent checking passports you are told congratulations you don't have to take off your shoes,jacket and belt.
Only 1 xray working for carryons.We are about 5 and 6 in line for our bags to go through.And everything stops for 10 minutes.They then open up the second Xray but only allow direct access to it from the agents checking the BPs.When finally it starts moving one goose going through the body scanner has stull in his pockets-empties one pocket into a blue bowl but has another pocket needing to be emptied.And you guessed it repeated a third time.
Now through security are the BA J and F lounges.Didn't even try as so many reports that if flying AA entrance is denied.When you get to the AC you realise why.Incredibly small and people standing.We were lucky and got 2 seats in the hallway.
Wine not complimentary.Ask for our coupons and told in no uncertain terms we are allowed just 1 each.So an international pax in J allowed 1 free drink if with QF but if with the local program-stiff cheese-which it was.

So welcome to Doug Parker's world.

AA has been that way for a long time...

About 4yrs ago morning flight from LAS after a holiday weekend. Turned up 2hrs before. Auto machine wouldn't work for my Aussie passport and ha checked bags (end of a 2.5wk trip) so stuck in very long queue with 3 very slow agents for 2hrs... Obviously was going to miss flight - thankfully a relatively easy shift to next flight to LAX, then across to JFK, then MIA then SJ

 

[drron]

I have found AA very good.But we do fly premium cabin and I am LTP with Aadvantage.They have been proactive and certainly don't give so much wrong info as we have had in the last couple of days with US.<br>However with Doug Parker as CEO things are sure to be made "simpler and fairer".MilesAAver awards longhaul on AA in premium cabins has basically disappeared.Already reliable reports that cheap premium cabin awards on CX will go,probably by year's end.I think only a matter of time before they disappear on other partners.<br><br>On a slightly happier note our bags have been found and will join us in Amsterdam in 2 days time.