Why American loves top tier leisure flyers...

Thanks for the comparison and look forward to reading your detailed review later!

Ben,

That full-fare paying EXP would trump your cheap ticket bought 11 months in advance.

See http://www.aa.com/pubcontent/en_US/disclaimers/EP_Mktg_Page.jsp

"The earlier you request your upgrade, the better. AAdvantage Executive Platinum members are given priority over all other members. Within each elite level, Full-Fare Economy Class tickets booked in Y or B are confirmed first, then all other fares, in the order in which the upgrade request was received."

The more I think about it American's system actually makes a lot of sense, as it effectively segments the market splitting leisure travelers and business travelers. Business travelers really should be booking business class if that's where they want to sit. The problem with United is that as a leisure traveler I may have to compete for the upgrade with business travelers on a much higher budget, booking last minute H and higher fare classes. Up to now I've used VDB certs to cushion the price of W fares, maybe its time to switch.

Looking forward to your report! Unless I'm mistaken, it sounds like you earned top tier with American, but with United top tier is unavailable unless you are selected to be included.....

Think many of us have heard of the ~18K estimate (give or take) of GS - has there ever been any documentation of how many Concierge Key members there are? From what I've heard it's far, far less...but are we talking, 3, 4, or 5 digits worth?

HAHAHAHAHA! YES! Lucky is going to India! Now try Kingfisher First (BA or Delta miles) and Jet Airways. Well ... Please anyways :)!

This doesn't actually explain WHY AA loves leisure fare flyers.

AA's CK doesn't factor in to upgrade priority, iirc.

Back in the day when I was an EXP (last year) my wife and I cleared 13/13 TATL upgrades (Her dad was an EXP too) All were on cheap tix and some upgrades were requested within a week of departure.

Not too shabby.

Do all these AA posts mean you won't be flying UA for status anymore?

Lucky, I gather you are showing the United fare market to SYD which is quite an expensive market for United's SWUs. Most United W & higher fares to Europe are priced at most $100 more than the lowest fare.

I think AA has better confirmable space and better usability of their SWus, and getting 8 SWUs is better than United's 6 SWUs. AA has the potential to poach some UA 1Ks, if UA continues with the lack of confirmable NC space.

Since AA does not directly fly to india, does that mean you are doing Chicago to London on American and jet airways from London to Delhi? Or are you routed via Brussels instead?

@ Gene -- Whoops, thanks for the heads up! Didn't realize that.

@ UA-NYC -- Concierge Key really is totally different than Global Services in that CK members don't beat Executive Platinums on the upgrade list or in any other way. It's more about the airport experience. I have no clue how many there are, though I'd guess it's in the four digits.

@ eponymous_coward -- Because they treat them so well!

@ Ajay -- American actually does fly from Chicago to Delhi.

You are correct that UA treats 1K's much worst that UGS members. 1K's are really what Premier Execs were - you might get an upgrade, but chances are you'll be last to clear and probably only at the gate.
UGS members get lots of nice perks whilst 1Ks just have to put up with what's left.

I have heard that one can ticket an award ticket greater than 21 days in advance to avoid the close in fee then call right back to speak to a different agent and change the day to ASAP without getting charged $100 for the close in fee.

Can someone explain to me why United doesn't grant UDUs or allow usage of SWUs on award tickets? Doesn't seem to make sense to me. Is this the same on AA as well?

I became EXP in 2008, all upgrades domestic and international were cleared!