American Airlines has just updated its boarding priority for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members. It amazes me how often airlines tinker with the boarding process, because we’re essentially seeing American’s 2014 boarding policy restored.
Continue reading: American Upgrades Executive Platinum Boarding
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
AA trick if you have an exit seat you can board whenever you want, as the agent just sees the pop up to confirm if you are willing and able they dont see or care about your group number. Granted if you have an exit row seat you are probably in group 2-4 anyways but i board group 2 everytime in exits even if im group 4 or 5.
This would matter more if AA GAs actually enforced the official boarding order.
At very EXP heavy airports, this can make boarding more of a hassle for F pax.
I am a United 1K member and I admit that the pre boarding means something to me. Group 1 can be (and has been) quite substantial, so giving people who fly your airline (at least 100K miles a year) more than others is a good way for the airline to encourage and reward loyalty. Because of this and some other perks, United is the first airline I check for my travel. That works for the airline and works for me.
I agree with Sarah. Pre-boarding for United 1K's is basically the only benefit that 1K's have gotten the last 16 months (no snacks or drinks in economy). I think every airline should give their highest tier members priority boarding over those in paid 1st class.
Sounds reasonable. I was long time EP and now, since retired, falling back on my Platinum lifetime status (around 3 million miles on AA). First of all group 2 was only EP members that didn't get upgraded so many times were were very few, if any, people in that group depending on the flight. Also, I can see AA wanting to better differentiate PP from Platinum. Doing this almost required them to move EP to group 1. As for me I will always find room in group 3, can book main cabin extra seats and have a shot at upgrades so just fine w it.
One discussion on another blog was how this overall cheapens EP. Not just this but Platinum Pro being moved to Emerald status and the fact they have unlimited complimentary domestic upgrades like EP. If I was still chasing status I would be highly tempted to stop at PP since about the only benefit if EP is the 4 system-wide upgrades, being able to board w group 1 and a slightly shorter window to get an upgrade (plus since AA goes by elite tier I guess even EP award ticket holders would clear upgrade before full fare PP ticket holders on the upgrade list).
This, combined with the brand new two easy ways to maintain status in 2022, makes me think that American
1) has realized that FAR FEWER Executive Platinum members than they hoped will requalify in 2021 for 2022, even using the already 2 previous rounds of icentives released earlier, and
2) that they want to retain their customer premium and FF base, and mostly avoid giving them up to any promotion by another major (which could come at any time) nor to let them become "freelance" users of any opportunity with any carrier (the knee-jerk reaction to any program devaluation).
This actually is a brilliant move, well timed since it beats any offer that might come from competitors. The number of passengers able to combine top status with several programs is infinitesimal.
Having taken the lead with their initiative, I now expect them to target a status promotion at other proams, top clients.
For once, very well done.
READ THE FINE PRINT! STATUS RETAINED THROUGH JAN 31, 2023!!!!
Elite retention through AAdvantage® credit card spend terms and conditionsThis content can be expanded
The AAdvantage® Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Executive Platinum elite status level held as of January 1, 2021, will be retained through January 31, 2023 for the primary cardholder (“you”, “your”) if the member spends $15,000 (USD) on eligible purchases made with eligible Citi® / AAdvantage®, AAdvantage® Aviator® credit cards, or AAdvantage® credit cards issued outside the U.S. between July 15, 2021 and November 15, 2021. This offer may not be achievable based on the assigned credit line and ability to maintain that credit line.
Finally! I am AA Exec Plat. and receive almost nothing from AA.
In the last 4 days I have had 4 flights on AA. I board in group 2 because AA has not upgraded me a single time this year.
I am AS Gold 75K, and have been upgraded 100% of the time this year, so I always board in between preboard and Group A.
AS will probably follow AA with this, as both are trying to align themselves now.
On a better note, my UA 1K status gets me preboarded, meaning an upgrade to F does not improve my boarding order.
I agree with Sarah here as a 1K also. There isn’t any squeezing by first or business class passengers as you phrased it - they wait in line in group 1, and 1Ks and globals/other preboards board from the general front of gate area (and they don't line up with the others). I’ve been doing this for a few years and find it far better than the old process of grouping 1Ks together with lower tiers of the program. This recognizes top loyal fliers apart from the invite-only Global Services.
An EP would most likely be upgraded in domestic first nowadays regardlesss. As long as they don’t pull that I have one roller bag that are actually 3 bags attached with Velcro and flood the first class cabins on those regional jets before I reach my seat. I’m platinum pro.
I am EP with AA and have not been upgraded even once this year. AA should let us preboard, as UA does (I am 1K).
Boarding with AS hasn't been a problem, because I have been upgraded on every flight this year. AS will probably follow AA example now that it has joined OneWorld.
I am Exec Plat and have not been upgraded even once this year on AA.
This should have happened long ago.
Next, AA should follow UA's example and have us Exec Plats preboard. I am 1K with United and we started preboarding a few years ago. Prior to that, we boarded in Group 1 with Platinums.
My flight on Southwest was canceled on June 24th and was not given a choice to rescheduled flight. I made reservations with American airlines 20 minutes before flight took off and when I land at my first stop I had to see Ticket agent to get an assigned seat. The agent was very nice and sympathetic to my situation. He handed me my boarding pass and said "Merry Christmas " at which I responded ""and Happy New Year?"
He said "look at your ticket" I saw group 1! I smiled and thanked him for listening and caring! I had no idea it was First Class!! I don't know if my story has anything to do with this conversation. But. I just wanted people to know that what this ticket agent did to make my day, is what I needed . I had lost faith in mankind . I don't care about first class, yes its very nice ! But, it meant so much more that someone cared about making my day better. Thank you American Airline.
Thank you for your employee in Dallas Texas on June 24th working gate A34 at 8,:50pm from Dallas to Seattle!
Hey Steve,
Maybe the system was designed to assume a basic level of integrity instead of narcisstic opportunism.
But I guess you're just in it for Steve.
Haha love how you get mad that i share that exit rows can board whenever. Like i am committing a crime or something, Im sorry i forgot AA is the pinnace of integrity. I should turn my self into the nearest police station for boarding with group 2 when i was group 4.
IMHO, AA has the worst customer service in the industry. I really don't see the big deal of paying a huge price to sit on the plane longer before takeoff.
Regarding airlines, I would fly Delta any day before this half-assed airline
LOL. If you have ever been at the boarding gate, you may have noticed that there is a herd / swarm of people at the gate. There is no way to act with grace and board normally. Agents call all Concierge, then, immediately call Group 1. 15 seconds later, agents call Group 2 and 3 - at same time. I imagine Group 4 is about 1 minute after that. All the while, the herd and swarm of holiday goers in 2021, make it all a not worth traveling.
This conversation bears zero content.
Yes, the calling of Group 2 and then, very often, the immediate calling of Group 3 is such a waste of a very nice EP/Group 2 benefit. Now, EP's either board with First, or are upgraded to First. Nicely consistent. Well-played AA.
Am I the only one who does this but I book an isle or emergency exit row and wait to board last. I mean dead last, waiting several minutes after the last passenger in the boarding area so the line on the jetway is clear. Most domestic single isle flights take about 30 minutes to board. I haven’t seen pre-departure beverages in a long time so I do this even when I am upgraded. I only carry a bag that fits under the seat and use the overhead for my personal item ask the flight attendants if they can hang my suit jacket. With the larger overheads and gate agents checking carry on bags, I always find some space in the overhead. I look at it like the flight is 30 minutes shorter for me. I fly over 100k miles a year so it adds up. Risky, I know, but I don’t usually show up for the flight till after the boarding starts. AI just don’t understand the desire to get on first unless you are traveling with elderly or children.
I fly domestic F for most of my flights, and yes, this policy is most definitely a hassle. Instead of 10-20 F pax, group 1 is now 50 people sometimes. I can’t stand this policy. Lousy for F pax paying a premium to remove the hassle of flying.