Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - MPC reform: here are some ideas from the SWISS

The subject keeps popping up every couple of months here probably BECAUSE many think the MPC is in need of reform. I just browsed the swiss website after they renamed Qualifier to "SWISS Travelclub". Just an example of what I think are some neat ideas:

SWISS Travelclub GOLD

We reward your loyalty with 3,000 bonus miles credited automatically to your account for every 10,000 Club miles you earn.

You collect 80,000 Club miles within 12 months (residents of Switzerland) or 70,000 Club miles (residents of other countries). To extend your membership for another year, you need 60,000 Club miles (residents of Switzerland) or 50,000 Club miles (residents of other countries) within one calendar year.

The idea of lower maintenance for the retention of membership is a good idea, methinks. So is the differentiation of locals and non-locals to internationalize the club (something CX/Asiamiles has repeated failed at, it's all still very Hongkongocentric).

and there is the SWISS Circle, very reminiscent of PPS Club, but something Cathay hasn't done yet - and shouldn't do I think:

SWISS Circle

Within 12 months you collect at least 200.000 Club miles, two thirds of which are in Business or First Class. To extend your membership you need to earn 150.000 Club miles or more within one calendar year.

The other perks are all very similar, and so are the general mileage requirements and benefits -- which leads me to the assumption that Swiss is gearing up for oneworld compliance. But then again, *A/oneworld club structures aren't really that different in the first place.

Last but not least I LOVE the idea of bonus miles. Silver gets 20%, Gold and Circle 30% bonus miles.

Here's the link for the curious:
http://www.swiss.com/travelclub


[This message has been edited by mhtaipei (edited 09-13-2002).]

that is good.

i tried to book ahead to beat the rush at the chinese new year time and my family are all waitlisted. why isit the case when i am booking so far in advance?

cx is not releasing seats for this period when you spend miles. very annoying

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Stars&Stripes:

cx is not releasing seats for this period when you spend miles. very annoying</font>

Come on my friend, it's CHINESE NEW YEAR. It's the biggest celebration of all for Chinese. It's hard enough to pay and buy a ticket, I would say your chances of getting award seats are pretty slim, especially if you are after several seats for your family.

If you are after biz/F seats, I guess your situation is even worse. I would assume CX will reserve them for those who are willing to pay for them.

I just checked and there are still seats if you pay money. In fact there are seats available for several days leading up to the holiday period so there are seats but not if you pay miles. Yes they need to limit the seats but I was informed that there is waitlist only so I checked for 5 days leading up to the holiday and nothing.

I am close to becoming a diamond member and in a short period of time. It is strange how cathay pacific chooses to reward customers by expecting me to travel using my miles during non holiday times and low season.

I have been asking around and my colleagues say they have problems getting flights using miles.

Krisflyer is quite generous but don't know I don't try yet.

stars and stripes do you encounter problem like this all the time or just some of time?