Subtle Cutbacks in MVP Gold Benefits
AS has always advertised its upgrade advantages for elite flyers and, in the past, those were excellent. They no longer are. Two examples: (a) There are no longer any so-called "immediate" upgrades (e.g., you pay an "upgrade" price which is more than coach, but less than first-class and can be upgraded immediately after purchasing your ticket) available on certain routes. For people who mainly fly those routes, that benefit has now gone the way of all flesh. (b) Their website advertises "unlimited" upgrades for certain (higher) fares and "unlimited" upgrades 72 hours ahead (MVP Gold) or 48 hours ahead (MVP). These are "subject to availability." But availability does not mean "available seats" in first class -- it simply means "available upgrades" in the decision of the airline no matter how close to departure time. The word "unlimited" is thus rendered meaningless. If AS were being honest, its website would state: "unlimited opportunities to attempt to obtain an upgrade." The wording vis a vis the 72 and 48 hour upgrades is false advertising because its most obvious interpretation (upgrades are available if first-class seats are available) is not valid.
Bit by bit the opportunity to upgrade is being cut back.
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