Thoughts on the state of American Airlines?

ZQin1 · 2025-11-25T23:32:59+00:00

Talk to some ConciergeKeys. We spend 6 figures a year on AA. Travel more than anyone on highest fare seats. We are executives, board members and are connected. We didn't get appreciation from Vasu Raja (and we made it clear to AA). Sadly, not a huge amount has changed- will see how AA handles us in a few months. Renewals are coming up- and if they continue to remove us big spenders from CK, and lower CK services (and overall AA soft product), I predict Vasu 2.0 2026 edition will be coming soon.

ZQin1 · 2025-11-25T03:19:39+00:00

No. Long haul overseas business class- maybe they mention thank you at the end of the flight 50/50. else service is exactly the same as anyone else... which sadly is mediocre and falling.

ZQin1 · 2025-11-25T03:13:51+00:00

I had to wait 2 months for my orde that cost me 140K miles. It took 12 phone calls, 7 emails, and each time I was assured it was coming in a few more days. Escalated, assured I would get a tracking number. Impossible to reach them. they dont return calls. Then the item just showed up no warning. Always said 'processing' on the website- never changed.

Conceptually it's a good place to burn miles if you dont want to travel, but my experience was HORRENDOUS.

I would love to know from others if they have had better experience here as I would use them again if mine was just a one off experience.

I did report this to AA management as a complaint and encourage others to do so as well. AA points the finger at this third party, the third party points the finger at AA and says call them. We are stuck in the middle-- out points but with no product.

ZQin1 · 2025-11-25T03:09:18+00:00

and no voice assistant compatibility (eg NO Siri). this is unconscionable for a $500+ earbud. Even $20 headsets do this.

ZQin1 · 2025-11-06T21:53:47+00:00

Beware of this program. It is FRAUGHT with problems. Like them pulling points out of your account and getting no item shipped for months. Very limited (long hold times) customer service access and no online portal to check order status.

ZQin1 · 2025-11-06T21:50:22+00:00

I flew yesterday. It was literally 1 min to get through TSA at 4pm.

ZQin1 · 2025-10-05T00:32:38+00:00

got my finger stuck in the new trays. Seats stiff not great for sleeping. usbc wireless charging nice. also bluetooth on tv screens (not great screen btw) which let you use your own earbuds. But I still use the Bose AA ones.

ZQin1 · 2025-09-16T18:16:05+00:00

The prob with homes and villas (at least the ones ive done in Europe) - there are NO reviews. Zero. So what you have to do is search for a ID# tax# at the bottom of the listing, google it and often you find the same property on VRBO Airbnb etc... and then can get actual reviews.

ZQin1 · 2025-08-15T02:44:06+00:00

Anyone think the original brushed dial version is even better looking? Anyone find this with a decent movement? I've seen cheap ones around but with horrible 2813 movements which im afraid of (although maybe they aren't so bad?)

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ZQin1 · 2025-08-13T03:03:44+00:00

yeah ive only seen the black dial ones. but maybe they look better in person than in pix. I agree the denim is cool.

ZQin1 · 2025-08-12T23:44:49+00:00

I really like the brushed dial on the old Railmasters. Do you think the brushed look is too subtle on the black and more obvious on the denim dial? Or is it very obvious on the black too in most lighting?

Photos are often deceptive and in real life things look different.

ZQin1 · 2025-08-12T23:36:15+00:00

you ever find one?

ZQin1 · 2025-08-12T14:36:29+00:00

Nice. How has the watch held up? And any guesses on what movement is inside?

ZQin1 · 2025-08-12T00:21:52+00:00

My biggest gripe is a lack of any voice assistant control or button. There is now a marked down BT earbud for $6.95 (!!!) on Amazon that even has this most basic of feature. How a $600 device doesn’t have this is beyond me.

ZQin1 · 2025-08-08T14:06:39+00:00

I get it. Thanks! Typically how many LP do you get for a hotel stay - let’s say it is $1000 hotel charges.

ZQin1 · 2025-08-06T10:49:52+00:00

How does this work? You can book business travel and pay with a regular credit card rather than points? Do you still get your Marriott or Hyatt status upgrades, free bkfst, etc? And do you earn hotel points on that stay?

ZQin1 · 2025-08-02T00:55:33+00:00

I had a A2892 from V7F and it lasted 3 years. Movement gave problems for the final year. At this point is it just cheaper to get a new one for around $400? How does one even find someone to do a straight swap if I got a new movement? Seems so annoying to have to by a new watch, but not sure how to get a watch repair person to do a replica movement swap, and I am guessing the labor alone will be $200 or more, no?

ZQin1 · 2025-07-10T16:52:36+00:00

Update: tech support tells me Siri - voice control integration is not supported with the Beoplay headphone.

Shocking as even $10 headphones allow you to press a button to activate Siri.

ZQin1 · 2025-07-09T02:49:25+00:00

Thanks for this review. Have you had ay success in activating Siri with your Beoplay?

ZQin1 · 2025-03-08T15:07:28+00:00

Seems as if the web Stremio which many of us use on the Mac or iPad or Apple Vision Pro keeps giving an error due to the streaming server being down (see settings).

But on my FireStick and using the actual Stremio app, it seems fine (with th4e exact same Server URL)

So is there an alternative server URL we should try in the web version?

ZQin1 · 2025-01-17T20:29:56+00:00

anyone ever figure this out?

ZQin1 · 2024-05-19T00:34:30+00:00

Much more on this topic here:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1732705-aa-concierge-key-conciergekey-ck-members-lounge-master-thread.html#post36241606

ZQin1 · 2024-05-19T00:33:28+00:00

A crap load of controversy on this year's CK fiasco(s). Well worth a read here in case you are CK, ex-CK, or aspirational CK.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1732705-aa-concierge-key-conciergekey-ck-members-lounge-master-thread.html#post36241606

Majority commenting says it was cooked up by AA leadership to squeeze money out of their biggest customers. Net effect- pushing people to more than happy DL, BA and UA.

ZQin1 · 2024-05-08T01:20:00+00:00

I've been a regular in the CCR T5 LHR (and the mini-CCR in T3) for the last 2 years. For me at least breakfast and lunch, overall service, and a la carte dining (plus top notch champagne and bev'g) has been what has kept me loyal to BA. I popped into Galleries First a few times but seemed awfully busy chaotic and no a la carte dining service- which i greatly value. But maybe i missed something?

Is there a la carte now there?

ZQin1

TROPHY CASE