Hello, I am a student in the UK. Right now I am doing a thesis which concerns about airline frequent flyer programme.

I wonder if anyone can share their experiences and opinion with me (by answering the following questions). I am very grateful if anyone can help.

Q) Does everyone have more than one frequent flyer memberships?
Q) Does frequent flyer membership inflence your purchase decision making process? i.e. when you're going to buy a flight ticket, will you only choose the one you have membership with OR you will consider other elements first (services, flight schedule, etc...)?

I am looking forward to hear from somebody!!
Thanks very much!!!
p.s. If you saw this message already, don't leave please, there are a little bit more questions (at the end of this topic) need your paticipation!!! Thank you!!!

[This message has been edited by ds_snoopy (edited 09-16-2000).]

I am a memeber of 5 different FF programs, 2 different Hotel programs and 2 different car rental programs.

I try to fly only my preferred airline and stay at my preferred hotel chain. I maintain membership in the others as backup.

I'm a member of literally nearly all the FF programs and the FS hotel programs!

Does it influence me? Nah! Are you kiddin'! Of course it does!

Hi Baze,

ummmm...so what is your preferred airline? I means how did you choose your preferred Airlines? Could you explain to me a little bit more? Thanks!!

Hello Doc,

So it does influence you, right? Can I ask further? When you have several frequent flyer memberships, which airline will be chosen when your next air travel occured? What are your criteria?

Thanks both of you again!!

I figure I have 12-15 FF memberships.

It MOST CERTAINLY has a huge impact on who I fly with as I have attained status on some. For example with AC I can most always fly J class for a discounted Y fare (at time of booking).

Dorian

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Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html

My preferred airline is United. I use them because of their routes. They go everywhere I need to go. I also like the fact that they are a member of the Star Alliance, so that gives me even more options. Even with all the problems this summer they are still the best choice for me based on where I live and where I go.

By sticking to one airline I am also able to have a higher status level on that airline so I can enjoy the perks associated with that status. I am a mid-level elite (Premier Executive) on United. If I spread my flights out over a couple or several airlines I would not have any status.

[This message has been edited by Baze (edited 09-15-2000).]

Dorian,
So...Do you mind if I ask you more? How would you choose from these airline (you have membership with) to fly with then?
Thanks for reply!!!
Snoopy

Many things such as elite status, route, time of arrivals/departures, stops (or not), hubs involved, cost and the most important- quality of service!

ds_snoopy,

Almost everyone on this board has more than one FF program membership and several elite memberships

I personally try to get a critical mass of elite programs that gives sufficient flexibility for last minute business travel to multiple destinations but avoid having too many where your privacy gets completely compromised and you reach a point of diminishing returns.

Loyalty rewards programs obviously go beyond dollars and sense and pull on emotional and psychological strings. I cannot rationally explain the addiction in changing a travel plan to achieve a FF goal that sometimes may cost direct revenue. Many of us here struggle to be savvy about balancing our normal travel with FF constraints!

I would choose the one I have the highest status on to where I was going....providing the fare wasn't insane compared to others on the same route.

Dorian



------------------
Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html

For me the level of service is what drives me towards a FFP. I do not use an airline because of Elite status, but if I have Elite status it is normally because I am happy with the airline (comps excluded).

This applies to Business Travel, where Elite status makes little difference to service received. For leisure, I try to use carriers I am Elite with in order that I get some benefits.

As for the number of programs I am enrolled in (or rather actively use) - this is reducing every year as a result of alliances.

Nick

Back in 1989, I enrolled in AA, UA, & Delta's FF programs. Since then, I have never flown Delta and only flown UA a handful of times, the most recent when I was scheduled from SNA-ORD on AA and the flight cancelled.

From 1995-1997, I had occasion to fly Southwest and enrolled in their program. I do not like anything about the airline and the program worked as a disincentive; I would earn the right to earn more torture for free. No thanks.

I am Platinum with AA. They go everywhere I need to go. Obviously, I do not travel to Asia much (actually, I do, but that is for military travel; I am an Air Force Reservist) and if I did AA would limit me.

I believe in putting all (or most) of one's FF eggs in one basket.

Also am enrolled in Marriott, Hilton, and Radisson hotel programs. Marriott gets the lion's share of my business.

On the airline side, my decision does not revolve around price or schedule. The question is, "can I get where I am going and earn miles on American?" If I can, off I go.

The oneworld alliance fills in most of the gaps for me.

Welcome to the boards. I hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by FlyAAway (edited 09-15-2000).]

Yes
Yes, for pleasure travel, if an airline other than my primary airline is substanially cheaper, I'll use it. Then I'll tranfser extraneous miles into a hotel program, if I can.

Quote:

Q) Does everyone have more than one frequent flyer memberships?
Q) Does frequent flyer membership inflence your purchase decision making process? i.e. when you're going to buy a flight ticket, will you only choose the one you have membership with OR you will consider other elements first (services, flight schedule, etc...)?

I have more than one FF memberships.
FF memberships have a great influence in my travel plans. First I will choose an airline with whom I can earn the most miles as well as the schedule, fare, upgrade availability, service, etc.

[This message has been edited by jazzhou (edited 09-15-2000).]

Thanks the kindness reply from everyone!

However, my curiosity was increased which derived from the information of some responses. Hope someone can clear that for me.....

1. since most of people have more than one memberships, so... Does that mean the core services provided by airlines are less important that the membership status?
(i.e. core service and incentive benefit, which one is more important when choosing the airline?)

2. Is it true that different travel purpose would have different attitude toward the choice of airlines(FF programme)?

3. Do you think the INTERNET do any good for the FF membership development?

I knew that I've asked too many questions.
Maybe you are fed up with answering these questions. Anyway, I will cross my fingures, wish someone can help me out!
Thanks again for reading this and participation.

[This message has been edited by ds_snoopy (edited 09-18-2000).]

[This message has been edited by ds_snoopy (edited 09-20-2000).]