From TTR Weekly…
BANGKOK, 30 July 2010 ― Thai Airways International’s royalty programme, Royal Orchid Plus, is being revamped with a new Platinum tier added on top of the current Gold category.
All the status cards in ROP will be renamed and the new look and features will be unveiled 3 September at Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel. The changes were announced during the 17th Anniversary celebrations for Royal Orchid Plus held, 29 July.
THAI director loyalty marketing department, Aran Apichari, said said member cards will be renamed Basic Plus, Gold Plus and Platinum Plus.
As for the new top tier, ROP members entitled to gain that status are Gold members who have flown at least 100,000 miles a year and 80% of their travel must be in first or business class.
“From the current gold members, we have 3,500 members who can switch to platinum status. We will review the members list every six months to see if there are others who qualifiy for the platinum card,” said Mr Aran.
TG executives claim Platinum member privileges will be a strict secret between members and ROP , but that situation is not likely to stay that way once the cards are activated.
The new version of ROP cards will have microchip and THAI is currently discussing with Central department stores on ways to allow ROP members to convert their mileage points into cash for shopping.
Mr Aran said that there would be other benefits added to the revamped ROP cards, but they will not be announced until 3 September.