Will UA match?

I get the feeling that it doesn't really matter what the impetus is; no matter what happens there's going to be a question about whether UA will (or should) match something that another carrier did.

I'll start it off with DEQMs for all passengers/routes from AA through 31 Jan 2012. Applies to all fares and includes previously purchased tickets.

I wouldn't match if I was UA, but clearly I'm not.

I fear your assumption may be right (or at least a not exact match, adding some more conditions). Though hopefully they do. That would make me add more flying on top of what I already have planned.

That's actually not what I'm hoping.

They better not...I doubt they will because I know we will be very vocal complainers!!!

Having said that, if they offered DEQMs up to Premier Silver, it wouldn't affect me (or most of us) much if at all.

Don't think one month of DEQM should make that large of a difference in the elite pool on the high end. (If someone was planning to make 1K already, not offering this won't stop them.) Inflation of lower levels really wouldn't impact me much (E+ availability if anything, but this is already going to improve due to Premier changes).
So if anything matching would help make sure elites don't decide to try out AA and potentially switch easier.

my vote is no they will not

UA needs to trim its huge elite base already for when it becomes one to better evaluate each level's costs and benefits. It certainly will be a good way to fill seats and generate revenue by AA, as bankruptcy proceeds

I think I would consider flying more next month if UA did offer a DEQM (currently planning a stay at home month after near weekly flights for the last couple of months.)

The thing of it is that AA doesn't actually need to make a cash grab at this point to drive revenues during the bankruptcy. They have plenty of cash and little things like this - very short term and not necessarily on high yields - don't help so much with the revenue side of things. If this is what they think it takes to stave of Chapter 7 then they might as well start packing up their offices now and prepare to shut down.

And inflation of elites, even only at the low end, does have an impact on the top elites.

I was digging around United.com and came across this http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53892,00.html.

It seems United has had a targeted DEQM out for certain customers since last week, albeit for higher fares. My guess is they targeted people they knew split their loyalty with AA. My guess is AA had to match what UA started though didn't have the luxury of knowing who actually got the UA offer or what other offers were out there.

Edit: It was pointed out below that I found a RDM bonus not an EQM bonus.

No, UA is not desperate for customers.

That's an idea I actually like. I see pros and cons of offering DEQM, but even as someone who earned 1K on the cheap this year, it still annoys me to see people fly half as much and earn all the perks. Just as FEQM can no longer be used to get 1K, only Plat, it would be nice to see a cap on DEQM, such as 25K per year or per promo. You could still use it to help earn 1K or whatever, but you would need to fly at least 75K miles.

I tried to register and this Southern California flyer got ...... a rock. Not eligible.

That's an RDM offer, no?

Bonus award miles do not count toward elite status or apply to class-of-service, elite bonus miles or promotional EQM.

My bad, you are are right. That was a boneheaded mistake on my part.

Well heres to hoping UA matches for real in the end.

UA will match, for sure. I mean, they matched the DEQM on ORD-SFO/LAX; they're definitely going to match systemwide DEQM. It's not even a question.

They added fare requirements to ORD-SFO/LAX match.

I'm sure I have made the same mistake a couple of times when excitement clouded my vision

Meh, UA's still going to do a systemwide DEQM between now-ish and January, even if there are fare requirements.

I don't think they will mAAtch because UA is determined to keep costs down with this merger...

Revenue is revenue... UA doesn't want to lose any business to AA

AA has lots revenue. What they lack is profit.

More like common sense and good business acumen. Severely lacking. Same goes for their products.

That said, any promo is a good promo.

Next year, my travel budget has been cut. There is an increasing pressure to use "GoToMeeting" and other similar tools that don't involve an airport and more importantly, the expense. J flying is still allowed, but the standards of when it can be used are also higher.

Yet I remain EXP going on the 11th year. Very happy at AA at that level. I have award tickets to the Olympics already for next summer, same as I've had for Athens and Beijing. Which particular product don't you like? Systemwides that are good on all fares and don't require buy-up to a higher fare? Unlimited domestic upgrades for EXPs? Wi-fi on about half the fleet? Samsung tablets being deployed this month on some routes (very happy with the one I own)? Power ports in coach? I find it hard to complain about any of those.