My New Airline: American Airlines
Posted by Rick Thursday, January 12, 2012, No Comments
I’ve gone from United top tier 1K to American Top Tier Executive Platinum. It will take me some time to learn all the program rules, but the 1K desk phone number has been removed from my iPhone and the exec plat line added. Phone service seems similar to me, but it could be that I’m still admitting my program ignorance when calling AA. They may have sympathy for me as the newbie.
From Savannah it was all regional jets to Dulles or Chicago on United. With American, the same applies to Dallas and an ATR prop to Miami. The departure time to Dallas is at 7:25 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. and I’m a 50-minute drive to the airport. Much better for me. American does not have an RJ with first class on the route. United did, so now I’m getting used to the single exit row seat (11A or 12A). It’s not that bad. The flight to the Dallas hub is longer, but I think I’ll be OK with it.
I like DFW better than O’Hare. It’s cleaner and less congested. Miami is a mess, in my mind, but I won’t be there often unless I’m heading to the Caribbean or South America.
At first blush the Admirals Clubs are more spacious, cleaner, and offer more than the Red Carpet Clubs. Now that WiFi is free in the clubs for non-club members with the Amex Plat card, I will renew that card at $450 and be sure to get my $200 per year airline credit, bringing my lounge access cost down to $250.
I have eight systemwide upgrades from American good on any coach fare instead of six with fare class restrictions on United.
I don’t see much difference in the domestic first class product between the carriers. I like the WiFi but this MD 80 has no entertainment.
I’ve known award availability to be as good as any carrier on American. No fears there.
Overall I’m happy so far. I’ll have 70k-plus towards my 2013 re-qualification by the end of this month, so I’m in for a two-year trial at least. All I have left with United is $750 each for Katy and me in credits. I can use those going Northeast or to the Chicago Seminars this fall.
I’ll be learning the system and sharing my experiences over the next couple months. As I write this we are 40 minutes late departing DFW and I have a short connection back to Miami. Let’s see how they treat their new Exec Plat!
50,000 Thank You Points!
