AA raises award mileage, online redemption fee - how long until DL follows?
May 29, 2008, 11:02 am
#1
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AA raises award mileage, online redemption fee - how long until DL follows?
I note that AA is raising the mileage required for a number of their awards... AND implementing a $5 fee to redeem awards through aa.com. Changes take effect this fall and winter. If you want an award ticket, you can either pay $5 online or the telephone service fee.
The online booking fee is most troubling.
Given the penchant of DL to "enhance" the program, and given that it costs more to process an online revenue transaction (credit card fees and the like), I wonder how long it will be before we see the next "enhancement" or additional fees on DL's end.....
The online booking fee is most troubling.
Given the penchant of DL to "enhance" the program, and given that it costs more to process an online revenue transaction (credit card fees and the like), I wonder how long it will be before we see the next "enhancement" or additional fees on DL's end.....
May 29, 2008, 12:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Found the info....
Last edited by AsiaTraveler; May 29, 2008 at 12:36 pm Reason: Nevermind...
May 29, 2008, 12:46 pm
#3
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My bet is that AA's award pricing changes that will go effective later this year are not as substantial as the award pricing changes that DL wants to implement.
May 29, 2008, 1:43 pm
#4
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Atlanta, GA
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I find the principle of this a bit troubling, and perhaps even fodder for the inevitable class action lawsuit.
Ignoring the fact that it makes no sense whatsoever to have a rewards program that people have to pay when they redeem the "free" travel awards, the ability to just unilaterally add this fee irks me. It's $5.00 now, but what if AA had made it $100? Or, $200? If it can unilaterally impose a fee, then there is no limit to what the fee can be.
Ignoring the fact that it makes no sense whatsoever to have a rewards program that people have to pay when they redeem the "free" travel awards, the ability to just unilaterally add this fee irks me. It's $5.00 now, but what if AA had made it $100? Or, $200? If it can unilaterally impose a fee, then there is no limit to what the fee can be.
May 29, 2008, 1:49 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,388
I find the principle of this a bit troubling, and perhaps even fodder for the inevitable class action lawsuit.
Ignoring the fact that it makes no sense whatsoever to have a rewards program that people have to pay when they redeem the "free" travel awards, the ability to just unilaterally add this fee irks me. It's $5.00 now, but what if AA had made it $100? Or, $200? If it can unilaterally impose a fee, then there is no limit to what the fee can be.
Ignoring the fact that it makes no sense whatsoever to have a rewards program that people have to pay when they redeem the "free" travel awards, the ability to just unilaterally add this fee irks me. It's $5.00 now, but what if AA had made it $100? Or, $200? If it can unilaterally impose a fee, then there is no limit to what the fee can be.
May 29, 2008, 3:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
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May 29, 2008, 4:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Augusta, GA, USA
Programs: DL FC, NW
Posts: 3,522
AA started charging $15 for the first checked bag and DL refused to match it.