There now is something better...
Written: Oct 17 '06 (Updated Dec 15 '06)
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I have become very frustrated with American Airlines over the last couple years. If you ever fly first class then you should look elsewhere. I only fly first class when I can upgrade for free and with the level of service today I would certainly never pay for it. Just a year and half ago flying first class with AA was great. Great meals and wonderful deserts. The last two times I have flown first class I received the same meals as those in coach. The only additional benefit besides the seats was no cost for the wine. That's certainly not worth a couple thousand more. The seats are also in very poor condition in first class and need major reconditioning. One is much better off saving the money and requesting an exit row and you will have nearly the same comfort.
Also, don't assume you will easily be able to use your air miles for free trips with the family anywhere decent. I have racked up nearly 2 million miles over the years and it's nearly impossible to use them. For example, take anywhere in the Caribbean or elsewhere for that matter. No matter what date you pick it is impossible to fly there on their standard award miles. I have checked every island they fly to (besides Puerto Rico) over several months time and cannot get a decent flight in a single day. I have checked months besides the "high season" months. They give you the free flight, but with a catch. They will fly you to Puerto Rico one day and then fly you onto your destination the next. If you buy any ticket online from any source you will never see a two day travel to your destination. It's very frustrating and if you rack up a lot of miles expect to have difficulties cashing them in. Don't expect any great customer service either. The customer service agents have no desire to help you and get annoyed if you have them look for a destination to use your miles without penalties. If you think you are going to use AA and rely on the miles I recommend you spending some time at www.aa.com. Check to see how difficult it would be to use the miles. Pick a destination and click on "Aadvantage Award" to see if you can use the miles without added penalties. Good luck.
One positive is if you are able to find a destination/dates that works you will enjoy good deals.
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Update 12/15/2006
I have spent nearly the whole fall trying to plan a trip to anywhere in the Caribbean for any days in February, March and even June and have had no luck. AA will allow me to fly using my air miles, but will require to me to stay over night in Washington, New York, Puerto Rico... or other city before continuing onto my destination. The same thing for the return. Consequently, it will take me four days to travel and the extra hotel and food costs in order to use my miles.
I have looked on Travelocity and the tickets were available from AA for most of the dates at about $450 each. I then put the miles needed and did a cost comparison toward Capital One's "no hassle" card. Capital One has a card that gives you twice the miles for every dollar spent. I checked several locations and came to the conclusion I could actually get more tickets with "no hassle" using the Capital One card. Using average ticket prices for domestic and foreign destinations I could get between 20-25% more tickets with Capital One (you do need the double miles credit card). The only negative is that it is extremely expensive to fly first class with your capital one miles compared to AA. I can live with that and I still have all my AA miles sitting worthless that I can use to upgrade with my "purchased" ticket through capital one... at least I hope that will work.
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Airlines tickets
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Epinions.com ID:
unclemoman
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Reviews written: 11
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