Comments on: How tAAcky! American Airlines adds elite lines while economy implodes

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 06:41:56 +0000

AA are expending a lot of resources on the folks it’s good one only and they treat folks in a well manner!!
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Carol
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By: Carl Wolf

Carl Wolf — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 06:18:50 +0000

I have only good things to say about AA – they have treated me fairly for several decades. When a friend and I used FF mileage to fly from St. Croix (USVI) to San Jose (CA), AA had our itinerary zig zg from FL to TX, and to several California cities, before landing in San Jose. As we got into line in FL, the ticket agent told us there was no need for us to spend the day in the air, and routed us directly to San Jose. Best of all, AA gave us our original seat assignments and special meal request.

By: Deb Smouse

Deb Smouse — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:01:28 +0000

I’m Executive Platinum with American and I have to say that after several weeks of traveling with this, all it does is add confusion – and lumps all AA Advantage Gold and above together…..

By: Charlotte Johnson

Charlotte Johnson — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 03:00:06 +0000

I”ll take Southwest anyday after my bags were lost 7 out of 10 flts. Also, bags of xmas gifts stolen, flts changed 6 times over 2 month period, with my connecting flt having already left. Yea, the big guys are good alright! I gave up on UAL and AA. I meet some nice people on SWA. I only met snobs in First. Besides all your rumble about amenities, your flts are a write off. Tried to use an award nonstop? I still have tix left and can’t seem to get anywhere without going to 3 different cities. Wish I could trade them for SWA Awards. No hassle!!!!!!!!!!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:24:25 +0000

I agree with Chris that this is very tacky. Since all the elite flyers have recognized and pointed out that there aren’t really any changes from what’s already happening, AA must not be trying to con its elite flyers into thinking these are new perks. The only reason for AA to make such an announcement must be to snub us poor non-elite flyers This is especially offensive in a time when lots of services that used to be free are being taken away. If the airlines are really losing so much money from passengers who don’t pay the full fare, why can’t they just raise the prices? There’s no one stopping them from doing so, and if they all raise their prices, it’s not like customers can go elsewhere. The only thing that will happen is that people who can’t pay will stop flying, which is what the airlines seem to want anyway.
I was recently on a trip where my family and I flew as non-elite passengers. We were yelled at by a customer service lady for asking a question, and she used a microphone even though she was standing right in front of us. Thinking about that experience along with this news release just makes me averse to flying. Never has anyone made it so obvious to me that they think I’m dirt right after I’ve payed them hundreds of dollars. Yes, that’s not much money compared to what elite flyers are paying, but the airlines sure seem to be wanting it by the way they are nickel and diming everyone.

By: Matt

Matt — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:42:39 +0000

Don’t the less fortunate fly Southwest anyways?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:20:45 +0000

I just don’t see cause for indignation here. I fly Delta primarily, and they already offer this service as does Continental. I’m not elite on any airline, but I fly about ten times a year, usually trans-cons, and I fly first class because I really appreciate perks just like this. Most major airlines already have first class lanes at TSA checkpoints.

I think we all agree that coach service on most domestic airlines is abysmal, which is why many people have stopped flying, and many people like me gladly pony up the extra money to avoid the misery. But the airlines are not social service agencies. They’re not required to treat low-paying customers in the same manner as higher-paying ones.

By your logic, Chris, everyone going to a car dealership should be handed a Lexus, even if all they can afford is a Chevy. The fact of the matter is that in order to bring coach back to bearable standards, prices are going to have to go up. And I think most infrequent travellers vote with their pocketbooks and choose the cheapest fair. And the cheapest fair is never going to come with warm nuts and champagne and priority lines.

By: James Hammett

James Hammett — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:06:23 +0000

Since they had almost all of this before, but now changing the labeling and making it more prominent seems like a snub to the non-elites.

The only thing new is the express boarding lane at the gate. (Which several other airlines also have).

By: Carver Farrow

Carver Farrow — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:16:33 +0000

I think the people who don’t understand why American is rolling out more services for the “elite” customers really missed the point. Elite customers tend to be high revenue business customers. Who else regularly flies 50k or 100k miles each year? AA wants to make sure that those customers are well taken care of so that they don’t ditch to JetBlue or Southworst or some other legacy carrier.

I completely agree that all passengers should be treated with respect and dignity. The reality of the situation though is that less frequent travelers tend to pay less for their seats, costs the airlines more money due to their inexperience, and tend to be the most price sensitive. All of that translates into a low revenue passenger.

That’s why we are unlikely to see AA or the other airlines expending a lot of resources on these folks.

By: Joe Farrell

Joe Farrell — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:24:49 +0000

@Chris – most businesses do not make much of an effort to help customers who lose money for them. The ‘rank and file’ coach pax loses money for an airline. The profit comes from the full fare / negotiated business fare and C/F fares.

AA has been doing this for a while – so what if its only publicizing it now?

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:13:25 +0000

Where is the story here? I thought this was common practice. I have seen it with Continental, Northwest and United. Being able to board first, and use the Elite line at security were big motivators for me to at least try to contain my flying to one alliance and earn Elite status on Continental. If I don’t have to cram a carry on in the overhead, I don’t bother with boarding first, but I have had several occasions when flying Continental internationally in to Newark where having my bag come off the plane first, and being able to use the Elite line at security was the only way I made my connection.

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:43:32 +0000

All this does is make it absolutely certain that I will not be flying American anymore. I might have reached elite status, but not super-elite. Much as I dislike United, I’ll stick with them because I have Premier Executive status and get a few of these “perks”–which ought to be simply courteous service to all its passengers.

By: David

David — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:38:47 +0000

I am priority and never board first. If you have an isle you get killed by all the “kitchen sinks” allowed onboard. If you are in first you really come across as a snob, which I am not. Board from the back of the plane and get it in the air. That is more important to me. What is more important, getting on a hot crowded plane first vs waiting in a cool concourse and perhaps leaving on time. How about each passenger getting an allowance of 275 pounds(an arbitrary number) and then you get charged for your weight and any luggage over that?

By: Doug Jensen

Doug Jensen — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:15:40 +0000

I’m with the rest of the people who note that we elite customers subsidize the infrequent fliers so it is not unfair that we get priority treatment. When I pay $1500 for a coach ticket and sit next to a person who paid $150 (assuming I don’t get upgraded, which I don’t always), it isn’t unreasonable that I am allowed to board before him so I am able to get my carry-on in the overhead instead of having to check it.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:18:24 +0000

I’m not at all shocked by this. I’m elite on USAir and the only difference is American is adding the special line at the gate.

Sure it’s good for the elite customers, and I love the ‘perks’ I get, but most of the perks at this point are merely exemptions to the new fees that didn’t exist when I became elite or have been flat out taken away, like bonus miles.

And yes, American and other airlines should be doing more to help out the normal people, but who expects them to do anything remotely kind in terms of general customer service anyway? I expect to get railroaded when I am forced to fly American, from their dingy MD-80s to their inability to get you there on time.

Southwest…At least there’s one airline doing it right.