It’s no secret that I’m an American Airlines loyalist. Located in Miami, American may be the apparent option, but beyond that I think AAdvantage elite status is extremely important even although you don’t inhabit a hub city. I appreciate Executive Platinum status well above the top-tier equivalent with United or Delta, and I have the same in regards to the AAdvantage program compared to MileagePlus and SkyMiles.
To provide you with a significantly better sense of why we value my United states Airlines status so highly, I was thinking I’d offer a few examples.
1. Earning kilometers is easier
Since Delta SkyMiles and United MileagePlus changed to revenue-based frequent flyer programs, they can’t hold a candle towards AAdvantage system regarding earning kilometers. As an example, as an Executive Platinum user I’ll earn 19, 040 miles for my present economic climate flight from New York to São Paulo on American Airlines. In contrast, SkyMiles Diamond Medallions and MileagePlus Premier 1K users would make only 13, 618 miles for an identical fare on Delta or United, correspondingly.
That’s a big change of virtually 30%, and doesn’t even consider exactly how much more important AAdvantage kilometers tend to be in the first place. Of course, some leaflets emerge forward using new revenue-based receiving structure, but pound for lb, i do believe the AAdvantage system is more rewarding.
2. Premium Offers for Premium Fares
Speaking of revenue-based earning, American took a swipe at its main competitors by providing profitable mileage bonuses in advanced cabins throughout 2015, and particularly basing those bonuses (at the very least partly) regarding the distance flown. As AAdvantage President Suzanne Rubin place it, “A mile flown continues to be a mile attained in AAdvantage.” That’s sodium in the wounds of Delta and United flyers who're feeling the pinch of the new SkyMiles and MileagePlus programs.
3. Much more upgrade options
One of many Executive Platinum advantages we value most may be the 8 Executive VIP systemwide improvements, that can be used during the time of acquisition on any journey, all over the world, and even on various other passengers. In comparison, United provides Premier 1K users 6 worldwide Premier updates, and Delta provides Diamond Medallions only 4 international update certificates.
Additionally, United states enables you to utilize EVIPs to book any fare class. United won’t let you make use of GPUs for several reduced fares (particularly, Z, P, S, T, K, L, G or N fares) to most regions outside of North America. Delta does not reduce utilization of worldwide update certificates by area, but does stop you from using them on fundamental economic climate E fares and (strangely) Premium Economy W fares.
4. Exceptional transcontinental service
Us provides 3-cabin service on transcontinental flights between JFK and LAX/SFO, with 10 completely lie-flat high grade chairs in a 1×1 configuration. American is also the sole flight that offers free updates on premium transcontinental paths for top-tier elites. United makes you use improve certificates, while Delta temporarily got rid of them completely, though today occasionally offers updates to diamond elites.
5. First class lover prizes
United increased the price of its partner awards a year ago, and that means you pay even more if you wish to not fly on United metal, even if utilizing MileagePlus kilometers on a single path. For its part, Delta won’t let you book first-class companion honors whatsoever, also on lovers that do have true top class cabins. Plus, Delta has blackout dates when you can’t redeem on particular lovers. American doesn’t use these kinds of shenanigans: lover prizes cost just like prizes on AA metal, although they aren’t always easy to find oftentimes, there are not any blackout times.
As an example, give consideration to what amount of miles you’d have to travel top class from JFK to East Asia making use of partner awards on the three significant domestic carriers. United states would charge a fee 67, 500 miles for a MileSAAver award to Hong Kong in top class on Cathay Pacific. United would ask you for 80, 000 miles on two-cabin flights, or a whopping 120, 000 miles on three-cabin routes. As for Delta, well … it is a lengthy walk.
6. Off-Peak awards
American’s Off-Peak awards (also known as MileSAAver prizes) are being among the most prized mileage redemptions on the market — readers even voted all of them in to the semifinals of TPG Travel Rewards Tournament early in the day this thirty days. These honors cover a wide range of times and locations, saving you between 5, 000 to 20, 000 miles on round-trip flights to Hawaii, European countries, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Japan, and Korea.
7. Awesome customer support
I’m sure some people will disagree with me, but i believe the American Airlines elite customer service is more advanced than just what you’ll get on other domestic carriers. Besides the hard benefits (like Executive Platinum service work desk, waived ticketing solution fees, and waived honor modification and reinstatement costs), I’ve discovered AAdvantage agents generally to-be helpful and versatile in sorting aside any difficulties I might experience inside my moves. We ultimately feel like I get cared for on United states Airlines, and I also can’t state the same for experiences I’ve had in other places.
Lately, I experienced outstanding knowledge about AAdvantage customer service while looking for first class supply from São Paulo to San Francisco. Despite there being no chairs on MilesAAver level, the Executive Platinum agent we spoke with was eventually in a position to open up area in my situation because I asked. Since is customer support!
8. Great co-branded charge card choices
We today hold both the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard and also the, and every one provides myself the opportunity to earn around 10, 000 elite qualifying miles yearly. That helps me keep Executive Platinum condition from 12 months to-year, and undoubtedly the other great benefits like Admirals Club membership from Executive card, and a 10percent mileage redemption rebate (up to 10, 000 miles) from Aviator card. On the other hand, United does not have any cards that earn elite miles.
9. Exposure on ExpertFlyer
ExpertFlyer is one of my favorite resources for honor reservation, particularly for the ability to set alerts so I’ll be informed once the award room i would like becomes offered. American Airlines reveals its full honor stock on ExpertFlyer, including improvements. Delta, however, doesn’t show any trip access whatsoever, which makes it that much harder to book making use of SkyMiles. Although this doesn’t pertain to Executive Platinum status specifically, it's just one more area where in fact the AAdvantage system shows up certainly one of its primary competitors.
10. No elite investing requirements
Combined with revenue-based mileage programs, just last year Delta and United instituted revenue demands for earning elite status. Delta Medallion and United Premier users today must meet spending thresholds on airfare along with making elite miles or traveling elite segments. Delta does waive the requirement for US-based Medallion members which invest spend $25, 000 bucks during the 12 months on a Delta American Express credit card, but it continues to be yet another barrier to getting elite benefits. Fortunately, United states Airlines doesn't have these types of revenue needs, to help you be eligible for elite standing entirely on miles, segments, or points.
11. Powerful partnerships
Unlike Delta — which punishes SkyMiles members for flying with partners, and perhaps goes in terms of to prize no MQMs anyway for companion flights — American Airlines features even more equitable connections with its Oneworld as well as other partners. Specifically, I appreciate being able to earn kilometers on Alaska Airlines and British Airways.
We totally confess to becoming a huge fan, but i do believe my love for AAdvantage and Executive Platinum standing is warranted. I’d love to hear away from you about your favorite (or least favorite) areas of this program. Please share your thoughts in the feedback below!
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