US Further devalues Elite Status

[US1YFARE]

http://www.usairways.com/awa/profiles/dmpr...?promocode=gs08

Gotta give them credit, they are always coming up with new and clever ways of giving away elite status.

 

[jcw]

Glad to see you found something else to complain about - I was getting worried since you said you were not going to be able to spend alot of time on this board.

 

[giantfan]

No worries jcw....us1 has no cred on this board...zilch, nada, zippo....hit ignore and move on...

 

[KCFlyer]

I'm sorry, but I thought that all the partnerships that made FF programs the "cash cows" that they are was to keep passengers on their flights and reward them...with Elite status. How is gaining elite status by using a credit card any different than flying on a loss leader fare to gain that status?

 

[aredeeyou22]

I'm sorry, but I thought that all the partnerships that made FF programs the "cash cows" that they are was to keep passengers on their flights and reward them...with Elite status. How is gaining elite status by using a credit card any different than flying on a loss leader fare to gain that status?

Or better yet, all the bonus miles Preferreds received when they actually flew shorter segments? It's a new reality, people are just having trouble with change. Human nature.

 

[US1YFARE]

It's a new reality, people are just having trouble with change.

For US customers it is a new reality. Not at the other airlines who offer a real premium product. I'd like to give a shout out to my girlfriends at CO....HO!

 

[aredeeyou22]

For US customers it is a new reality. Not at the other airlines who offer a real premium product. I'd like to give a shout out to my girlfriends at CO....HO!

Get 'em, girl!

Just don't forget about the "Ho's!" at US.....

 

[aredeeyou22]

Unreal... like, oh my god, everyone is totally trying to match LCC...... I at least thought that, unlike LCC, DL would not charge their highest tier fliers..... nope..... Yawn... the article quotes a DL exec babbling about fuel "causing considerable stress to Delta's business...." That old line again?


http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/delt...mp;siteid=yhoof

And like, how totally upset am I with CO?

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/07...dominant_c.html

 

[US1YFARE]

Unreal... like, oh my god, everyone is totally trying to match LCC......

hmmm, i keep reading that article you cite to, but I can't find where DL is giving away elite status.

 

[aredeeyou22]

hmmm, i keep reading that article you cite to, but I can't find where DL is giving away elite status.

Right, but it's ok to lower themselves to the depths of LCC and charge their top tier fliers for free tix they earn, right? We overlook that!

Giving away elite status? I highly doubt they are "giving it away".... There is most assuredly revenue involved for US....

 

[US1YFARE]

And like, how totally upset am I with CO?

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/07...dominant_c.html

Don't be jealous. It only makes you more unattractive than you already are.

 

[aredeeyou22]

Don't be jealous. It only makes you more unattractive than you already are.

Jealous? I'll always be thinner... and work for an airline in the top 3...... :groovy:

 

[US1YFARE]

Right, but it's ok to lower themselves to the depths of LCC and charge their top tier fliers for free tix they earn, right? We overlook that!

Giving away elite status? I highly doubt they are "giving it away".... There is most assuredly revenue involved for US....

Ok, FWIW, DL describes the fee as a "temporary fuel surcharge". US describes it as an award processing fee. Minor difference maybe, but if Tempe would figure out how to communicate with customers, then maybe their customer service numbers wouldn't be so horrible.

Next, yes "giving it away". You seem to forget that elites were told repeatedly that the only way you can earn elite status to have your butt in the seat. Remember the whole rollover issue? Elite status is certainly not given away according to the sandfleas after the merger. They were very indignant about anyone thinking that elite status could be obtained without sitting in the seat. Well, now that their numbers have dropped, they are doing everything they can to "give it away". So, now, someone who "earns" 40,000 miles in this program can get gold status and the number of miles needed is less than the miles needed to get gold status if you sat your butt on the plane. It was like when they gave away CP status for buying $1,000 worth of flowers. PLANE REDICULUS.

 

[aredeeyou22]

Ok, FWIW, DL describes the fee as a "temporary fuel surcharge". US describes it as an award processing fee. Minor difference maybe, but if Tempe would figure out how to communicate with customers, then maybe their customer service numbers wouldn't be so horrible.

Next, yes "giving it away". You seem to forget that elites were told repeatedly that the only way you can earn elite status to have your butt in the seat. Remember the whole rollover issue? Elite status is certainly not given away according to the sandfleas after the merger. They were very indignant about anyone thinking that elite status could be obtained without sitting in the seat. Well, now that their numbers have dropped, they are doing everything they can to "give it away". So, now, someone who "earns" 40,000 miles in this program can get gold status and the number of miles needed is less than the miles needed to get gold status if you sat your butt on the plane. It was like when they gave away CP status for buying $1,000 worth of flowers. PLANE REDICULUS.

Right.. I am still shocked that DL is lowering itself to LCC standards, aren't you? I mean, charging their top tier fliers for "free" earned travel? Bet the DL elites never got like, flowers, and stuff....

Annnnnnd, how about this? Elite fees, matching LCC, *and* complaints? Who knew? I hope FFOCUS is, like, totally all over this:

http://www.ajc.com/services/content/busine...c=7&cxcat=6

Can you take it?

Oh, and this one bears repeating: I thought PHL was the armpit, delay prone airport of the world! Could it.... be..... no... wait.... like, EWR? Guuuuurl......

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2008/07...dominant_c.html

 

[aredeeyou22]

It's a manufactured reality from the price of oil to the FF'er miles.

Right. US is manufacturing the "reality" of oil. Gotcha.

US is upping the miles they "Give" away to partners who buy miles to distribute. So US most certainly does make money there.

As it should be.

Additionally US has cut the miles awarded that they don't directly sell, i.e CP bonuses & Segment bonuses.

I hate to see this, but times, they are a changin'.. just like DL matched LCC's free tix fees ( why are the DL elites not raising he!! on the DL board here?)and UA nabbed that 500 minimum thing..... more to come, I'm sure...Let's hope that elites will regain some of their bennies when the airlines are able to charge fares comparable to the cost of operation when industry wide capacity comes out of the domestic system this fall....

All they are doing is going to the Nth degree to maximize profits from their loyalty program.

Not because they hate you, because they *have* to.. I seriously doubt that LCC (and OA's) are adding these measures to deliberately drive away business, all while laughing hysterically at you in the Sandcastle....

Part of the reason they're taking bold moves are the current load factors and the further tightening of capacity by all airlines.

And they should.. get that capacity down and charge the fares that cover the cost of the operation. Period.

Additionally in US Airways specific case is their dominance of the Eastern half of the USA. Couple this with their "in Close" airports, like BOS, LGA, DCA, PHL and US Airways has what is essentially beach front property if you travel for business.

Agreed. Hopefully we are able to hold onto that "property"....

US Airways is gambling that the average business traveler views miles and perks with less enthusiasm then those who post on aviation web boards. They are hoping that their monopoly stronghold in the east holds long enough for fuel and the industry to stabilize before they go broke. Being that US's options are limited it's not a bad strategy for the short term.

Agreed. With current gas prices, I think everything is on the table. As disgusted as I am with having to beg for $2 for your coke, I do not believe that Tempe would be implementing such measures if things were not serious. Was it well thought out? We shall see....

With that example, I believe that they are banking on using less sodas, rather than generating significant $$ from the actual sales of the sodas..... It works, great, if it does not, so be it.