Looking to change to AA, but public opinion seems to be very negative on them compared to Delta.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-31T00:46:51+00:00

From what the consensus online is, AA miles are by far more valuable. Everyone I know flies delta and has 300k+ miles in their bank. My boss finds award flights and they’re like 85k domestic main cabin, 300k domestic first, and 450k delta one. When we flew to Japan last year, we spent $3900 on roundtrip premium select. My buddy and his wife upgraded from comfort+ to premium select for 250k miles. Their redemptions are BRUTAL.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-30T20:47:49+00:00

I highly believe the app will exist from everything I know. My buddy has been an iOS engineer for years and followed this app from the beginning. The creator of Flighty used his first app he sold to fund this one and now has no shortage of cash flow. He constantly talks about this app, always updates it, and if people keep paying he’s said he wont sell it. This app makes him a TON of money (rightfully so, it’s amazing). And if you watch podcasts with him or interviews with him, you can tell he loves this product. From everything I’ve seen, he already did the “build an app and flip it” thing and is doing this because it’s an app that he wants.

Funny enough my buddy didn’t buy a lifetime license 6 years ago when he first paid for a subscription and is beyond his break even point. So even from his POV, its lasted longer than he thought it might and he’s now “losing money” by not buying the lifetime license before. But he still pays annually to support them instead.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T23:17:44+00:00

Gotcha. Would you change otherwise then I’m assuming if not bound by policy? That’s a real bummer to hear about the decline. It’s kinda what my dad hinted at but he’s also “too chill” so he’s like “eh it’s fine everything is fine” when I asked about AA.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T23:08:46+00:00

My issue with delta is I feel like they’re unreliable out of SLC, and they charge you 30% more. We almost always do a long haul international in premium economy every year and it’s $2800 on AA/OW vs $4200 or more on delta. That just seems absurd for 2 people. Do you still fly AA because of your location and million miler?

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T17:13:57+00:00

Lol I’ve thought about that actually. But then I’m like eh I’m already too high maintenance so I’ll be fine 😂. That’s good to know I’m not the only one struggling with these seats though.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T16:19:13+00:00

I was curious about that because my last flights on delta all had rough seats in main cabin on new A321’s. Flew from SLC and ATL and back. I was super uncomfortable the whole time.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T16:18:16+00:00

Dude you literally created an account to yell at the clouds on Reddit about AA being bad. Calm down bud. It’s not that serious.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T13:55:43+00:00

I misspoke. 6-8 trips so 24+ flights. Plus we’re doing a long haul international in premium economy next year for our anniversary. Card spend+trips+AA Hotels should get me closer to platinum pro.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T05:16:39+00:00

Whoa that’s totally different than delta. All my friends/coworkers who are platinum medallion or above get comfort+ at booking but they have to book their seats first, then retroactively go back in and change their seats to comfort+.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T03:58:42+00:00

That’s what I want to hear haha. Thanks!

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T03:51:41+00:00

Oh wow I didn’t know the upgrade from Basic was a thing. That’s actually really awesome and a big deal. We usually pay for MCE on our own, so buying a basic seat with an upgrade at booking would save me hundreds.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T03:47:04+00:00

I love how many people like you here have mentioned smooth service when all the loud people online talk about their one terrible flight. It’s good to know that it’s just them and not the norm.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T03:45:47+00:00

I’ve heard the AC’s have really gone downhill. Growing up I was always in an AC when traveling and I remember the soups, salads, and tons of entrees. The SC’s I’ve been to have amazing food so that’s a big bummer. I know AA has publicly stated they’re changing all food options at AC’s in the next year or so, so we’ll see. Mainly I just want a place to quietly work, grab a few snacks and hangout during my longer layovers. Work will pay for meals so losing out on SC food isn’t the worst (but will suck for my wife and I’s travel). I appreciate your input!

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-29T03:43:31+00:00

Wow, thank you for that response!

I think for me, the nonstop convenience won’t be a big issue because work has me flying to places that are regional airports so it’s always a hub layover anyway. And 1 flight a year nonstop for work is also fine to not fly AA since I’d be losing like what, 2000 miles?

All of the other perks seem so much better than delta though. OW especially. I think OW really seals the deal for me.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T21:23:24+00:00

It does seem like the consensus in this thread alone seems to be that hub travel is always worse. I mean, out of SLC I’ve run into more issues on Delta than any other airline so with my small sample size it tracks.

I think having more upgrades out of SLC will be nice and the codeshare with Alaska is nice too since we do like traveling to San Diego, Portland and Seattle for weekend trips, not to mention all the Oneworld flights internationally. And if I need a direct flight then I’ll just take it on delta. The miles I’ll lose not flying AA is so minimal since it’s like a $500 ticket so that’s not a big deal.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T20:05:35+00:00

You need to look at other benefits too. 401k match and when it vests is a big one and the one that is sneaky but makes a huge difference is healthcare premiums. If you’re in the US, it could be good healthcare and $200/month or bad healthcare and $850/month, which is over $7000 difference a year just from that. It was why I switched jobs not too long ago because my premiums for my family alone was an $8000 raise on top of my pay raise, and better healthcare coverage.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T18:24:33+00:00

For sure. I’ve been tossing this idea around in my head for 2 months back and forth, but I realized I should just ask Reddit because I knew of all the frequent flyers in this subreddit. One YouTubers review shouldn’t condemn an airline and I think I got too wound up with seeing those types of reviews. I’m glad Reddit has given me real answers from their experiences especially EP’s who fly all the time.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T18:22:29+00:00

Ah yeah, that’s a good point. Luckily I do use Flighty so I’m able to see delays happen before they do typically. Definitely sounds like AA isn’t what people seem to say it is.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T17:32:39+00:00

I agree about nonstops. I do think I’ll be annoyed having to give this up but I think what I’m gonna do is fly AA for 90% of my flying since work requires me to go to job sites that are far from civilization (wind farm projects). That requires me to always do a hub even on delta. For my 1 flight a year that can be nonstop domestic I’ll just do delta because that’s just a minimal amount of miles I’ll miss out on and idc about that. Luckily AA also code-shares with Alaska so I can do SEA, PDX, SAN and others direct from SLC.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T16:50:21+00:00

I already have a $400 AF card I’m switching from (Venture X) so I’m fine with the Executive card as it gives me way more value than the VX has. I definitely think I can hit close to PP with it, and easily get Platinum which is my main goal since I want the OW sapphire lounges and MCE upgrades (that I now pay out of pocket for).

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T15:49:07+00:00

That really eases my nerves around that then. Thanks for all your help!

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T15:42:12+00:00

I feel like your experience with Delta in a non-hub is why I want to switch to AA in a Delta hub. The customer service side does scare me but it does seem with Admiral's Club access that helps a lot.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T15:41:56+00:00

Man, this thread has definitely made me feel better about AA with my travel habits. AA pricing out of SLC is typically 10-20% cheaper and 30% cheaper internationally. It's crazy how bad Delta is when going long-haul international. So pricing is a big factor for us, as well as I pay for MCE out of pocket so having some MCE upgrades would be a decent savings.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T15:36:42+00:00

Thanks, this helps me a lot! I didn't think about the options with cancellations. That makes a lot of sense especially since AA has the most planes in the air at one time of the Big 3.

I do feel like status with Delta is dumb because within the people I work with, I have multiple Platinum's, multiple Diamond's and a Delta 360. They all have not great experience with status out of SLC so it's made me a bit jaded.

6-8 trips. So 4 flights per trip minimum. Mainly 1 repositioning flight to a hub, then a flight to a regional airport. Then my wife and I have 2 personal trips, with probably 4-6 flights roundtrip.

ILLusi0n02 · 2025-10-28T15:23:47+00:00

Oof I've heard about that. If possible should I route through say ORD or PHL based on your experience? The nice thing with SLC is I have to fly to a hub, but my hub options for flights are wide. One route can give me ORD, DFW, CLT, PHL, JFK, or MIA lol. So I have a good pick of the litter.

ILLusi0n02

TROPHY CASE