And if people decide they no longer wish to earn AS miles on a credit card?
At this point, that's Bank of America's problem.
If there's a noticeable decrease in activity the next time miles need to be purchased, who knows what could happen.
I think, overall, people overestimate the impact of a reduction in activity, or straight out departure, of a large number of occasional travelers. I think AS is very well positioned to retain higher yield travelers in its core market not just because of MP, but because of its product and schedule.
This is almost certainly why they did not eliminate mileage earning on the BofA companion cert.
I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one canceling those two Signature cards the second the companion tickets don't earn miles/EQMs.
While that's a big benefit (far, far more valuable than the AS50), I think restrictions or limitations on the companion ticket would be a far bigger deal than eliminating earning miles.
Logically, it seems like they actually should have eliminated earning miles from the companion ticket but left it for the AS50. But, as you said, the money from BofA goes a long way.
SuperSaver Awards will likely be unavailable except for the flight which is half empty.
Their Choice Awards should be 20k or 25k max. The SuperSaver Awards should be 15k to 20k max. To increase the award level to 25k and decrease the availability even more is wicked.
I sure agree on this one since the BA companion ticket is just about (but not quite) a semi-freebie. It would have made more sense to restrict this one vs. the AS50 but, hey, I'm not a bean-counter who often forgets customer goodwill and relations vs. the bottom line on a ledger sheet. Sad that business schools often forget this vital component of keeping your customers happy and supportive of your company. Quite simple, the AS50 decision is silly.
It so reminds me of a fee my wife had to pay a few years ago for a flu-shot she got a few years ago at a local medical clinic. One fee for the vaccine, another for an "injection fee" (i.e. pushing the needle with the thumb). Needless to say, we don't go back to that clinic anymore and just may do the same in selecting future travel out of Alaska. I truly hope they rethink this one since we've been loyal to AS through "thick and thin" since 1972.
The more I think about this, the more I think there are two parts AS might want to rethink before implementation:
1) The mileage earning ability of the AS50. I wonder if there's a way to implement that it earns half the miles, for example (a logical way to reflect it counts for half the fare, up to $250, since I suspect tying the actual dollars spent to miles might be a nightmare).
2) The three-tier redemption structure. I also agree that without knowing the real difference between Super Saver and the other two tiers, it all becomes a bit muddy. I'd rather see frequent award sales to certain markets at the Super Saver level than a Super Saver level which rarely has available seats, if that turns out to be the case.
On the whole though, I'd repeat my thinking this is a fair revaluation of the awards program in light of costs, prices, and the industry changes as a whole. But the above two items perhaps could be tweaked.
emailed my ideas and concerns to AS and I got the most generic reply of all time. The subject says "Alaska Airlines Reply 6" So in other words I got the template reply #6!
Quote:
Dear Mr SXXXXXXX,
I am sorry that you are unhappy with us over the recent changes. Fuel prices and the economy are generating these changes.
Programs: DL/NW Plat, BD *G, Hyatt Diam, Hertz 5*. Other programs: AA, CO, UA, Choice, HH, SPG, Club Cholula
Posts: 11,821
Quote:
Originally Posted by ANC
emailed my ideas and concerns to AS and I got the most generic reply of all time. The subject says "Alaska Airlines Reply 6" So in other words I got the template reply #6!
That was a really crappy response (and for a canned template, that's saying a lot) . . .
Exactly. We all know the pressure that airlines are under and we do root for the continued success of Alaska Airlines. However, there's never a problem with making a few adjustments before a program is implemented if you are truly listening to and concerned about customer concerns.
The no miles for a $250 discount for some reason just really irks me! The 25k rewards...ok thats acceptable. But just because you get a measily $250 discount you dont earn any flight miles is ridiculous! Recently I used an AS50 to Seattle and back in F and paid $980! Do I no longer deserve miles for paying close to $1000! Might as well start using CO to go to Seattle and pay $920 and get miles for it!!!!!
Sound familiar 
