Ansett Australian Global Rewards - Frequent Flyer News Straight From the Horse's Mouth! (Finally)

Sourced from http://www.ansett.com.au
---ANSETT FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM

Tesna Holdings Pty Ltd ("Tesna") announced today a comprehensive frequent flyer program for the new Ansett effective from the completion of the sale agreement with the Ansett Administrators. The program has been named "Ansett Frequent Flyer" .

"Ansett Frequent Flyer" will be Australia's most generous frequent flyer program during its 12-month introductory period. Important introductory features* include:

Substantial bonus points available to all members
Ability for former Ansett Global Rewards members to rapidly amass points, and in many cases exceed, their former points totals within 12 months
Former Global Rewards Base members who join can purchase and take just one flight at any fare level and earn enough points for a free flight
10,000 points on joining, for new members who were not in Global Rewards (for a three month introductory period)
Worldwide status and privileges for Sapphire, Platinum and Diamond members
Recognition of Global Rewards tier status
No expiry date on points - provided you earn or redeem points from your account at least once every three years
Ability to utilise accrued personal program points for family and friends travel
Significant availability of redemption seats
Flight redemptions available on Ansett domestic, Star Alliance international and Australian regional airline partners affiliated with Ansett
Complimentary membership for all former and new Golden Wing Club members
Complimentary Ansett Frequent Flyer membership for former Sapphire, Platinum and Diamond Global Reward members consistent with Star Alliance standards
The Ansett Frequent Flyer program has been developed following extensive consideration and market research, including focus groups and telephone polling of former Global Rewards members conducted by the independent Newspoll organisation.

Ansett Frequent Flyer is designed to ensure easy redemption of points and a high level of flexibility.

Bonus points can be earned by former Global Rewards members on Ansett flights. Regular frequent flyer points will be earned on all Ansett flights, even when bonus points apply. Regular frequent flyer points will also be earned on affiliated international and regional airline flights. The availability of international redemptions is subject to members taking two purchased return flights with Ansett.

New Ansett Frequent Flyer members, who were not Global Rewards members, will receive 10,000 points for a three month introductory period on joining (for a once-only membership of $75.00 plus GST).

Former Ansett Australia Global Rewards members will be offered substantial bonus points on joining Ansett Frequent Flyer and generous loadings on all flights taken on new Ansett for a 12 months introductory period.

The bonus points will enable former Global Rewards members to rapidly amass, and in many cases substantially exceed, their former points in 12 months by continuing their previous travel pattern on Tesna's new Ansett.

Consistent with Star Alliance member standards complimentary membership will be available for Sapphire, Platinum and Diamond former Global Rewards members. A once off membership and administration fee of $75.00 plus GST (comparable to competitor programs) will apply to former base Global Rewards members who will receive 10,000 introductory points on joining.

Ansett's full service, two-class airline will offer its customers premium in-flight service, including quality food in generous portions, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, competitive fares, fully equipped business lounges and excellent on-time performance.

The new Ansett will commence operations between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth using an all Airbus A320 fleet and will quickly build to a fleet of 30 aircraft during 2002/3.

Further cities will be added to the Ansett network in coming months. Ansett Frequent Flyer will announce additional bonus offers to former Global Rewards members and potential new members on a city and region specific basis as the airline progressively expands its network.

Announcements are anticipated to be made in the near future concerning several major banks and credit or charge card providers linking Ansett Frequent Flyer with their loyalty programs. These arrangements will enable members of various finance sector loyalty programs to convert their rewards into travel on Ansett flights. Further announcements will also be made concerning other program partners.

Tesna also recently confirmed it would restore all former Golden Wing Lounge memberships including one-year, two-year, five-year and life memberships which were valid at 13 September 2001.

In recognition that former Golden Wing members had not been able to enjoy full services at the airport lounges since 13 September last year, Tesna will offer an additional complimentary six month membership extension beyond members' current expiry date.

Golden Wing members will also be offered complimentary membership of Ansett Frequent Flyer.

Ansett Frequent Flyer programme details will be available on www.ansett.com.au (http://www.ansett.com.au) from 20 February. Telephone inquiries can be directed to 13 13 00 from 20 February.

Click here to download this press release with further details of the Ansett Frequent Flyer programme in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

First reaction: In the examples, they state 1,414 points for a main cabin flight. So 1 point/km like the old system, however they have *not* stated this is a full or discount fare ticket. Could that mean they have done away with the 0.7 points/km discount rate??

Curious.

Awaiting people's other reactions.

And I don't think I'll pony up to join the new program, just send my miles to UA.

I still have my old 1993 era Ansett Frequent Flyer card, think it would be accepted? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif After all, that's the official name! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

[This message has been edited by RichardMEL (edited 02-19-2002).]

Don't they just love us base members =)

When I see some more detail, I'll reserve my judgement. (Status, status, status...)

But gee, with all these bonuses, you'd think you're on UA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Pity they make us pay $75 now http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Oh, the days when ANFF was only $30, or the free ANGR.

Does the $75 include GST? If not, then it's the same price as QF at $82.50.

Do we get a real card this time http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Hahah!

Cheers,

Justin

Well its neither brilliant nor is it terrible. As I am in the fortunate position of being offered free membership, but if it wasn't for that I wouldn't be coughing up(again I might add) to (re)join. Inspite of this I will probably only clock up a few flights and then burn the points before crediting all future flights to LH.

I'd be suprised to see many people actually sign up again ... with all the promos and incentives the other * partners have been offering I'm sure many will continue to just stick with that partner. Maybe this is the Tesna plan - let someone else carry the liability - not to mention the cost of administering the program...

Anyway, I'm sure some will be jacked off at the move not to reinstate points - but then if Tesna is going to be making a go of it then that option was unworkable. At least we can still queue up with the rest of the crediotrs and take our handout of a few dollars...

Hmmn,

"The availability of international redemptions is subject to members taking two purchased return flights with Ansett"

Yes it is $82.50 including GST. At this fee, it will have to be an amazing program. Tesna seems to be pinning all its hopes on the fact that the bonuses will be big enough an incentive to jump ship & jump onboard. It seems to be treating base members with little regard, frankly I don't see any huge difference between a new member & returning base member. Don't they realise that most ANFFs already paid their fees years ago.

It seems Tesna just wants its best fliers. I wonder if any credit card companies will offer free or discounted memberships. Will they comp status?

Cheers,

Justin

BTW: 500,000 members had a balance of 0 in their accounts http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif 20% of ANFFs hadn't even earnt a point - I could understand why Tesna would want to attract some & not others, but I think they could've been a bit more generous with base members who actually do fly.

Personally, I'm reasonably happy with the details that have been released, and being able to use points for family etc. I'm waiting to see what the bonus points system will be like - but I think I will join it, because by the end of the year (with the 10000 points for joining, plus whatever bonus points are received), I will just about have as many points (~22000, nothing special really) as I did before September.
I'd certainly rather join this one than Qantas. That said, I will most likely credit my points for overseas flights to either UAMP or LHM&M. However, getting enough points for free flights or upgrades on Ansett points would be great.
Now, for the details on product and service. I can't wait for them! Exciting times ahead indeed http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
PS - You reckon we might have played a role in the new programme? I remember some of the new incentives of Ansett Frequent Flyer as being "wishes for the new Global Rewards" in a different thread on this forum.

[This message has been edited by trentis (edited 02-19-2002).]

hmm. awaiting the full details to be released such as upgrade requirements/awards (if any) and so on. That's all I used my points for anyway (domestic upgrades). Interesting that they tie you to flying 2 AN flights before you can get an award elsewhere - not unexpected (most of the oneworld members do something similar in that you can only earn elite status with them if you fly at least 4 segments on the "home" carrier). UA for example doesn't do this.

The whole thing seems to be rather slack to me. They've changed the name (boring) but not even bothered to change the elite level names (even more boring) so the requirements will likely still be very similar as before (ie: more expensive to obtain than on other * programs). It's almost like they pulled the old GR out of mothballs, put a bit of a shine on it and added some bonuses to lure people back and that's it. Sorry, but that's not good enough. If I was QF I'd be laughing all the way to the gate on that one - their program is still the best in the country, and they know it.

However, we'll have to wait and see the full details released today before full comment can be passed.

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

I've just enrolled in the new ansett (for free- sapphire). I'm excited!

I so hope this program/ airline works

A few stat's I worked out that 1 SYD-MEL segment in Discount Y will earn;

AN

734 points
1/40th Sapphire
1/80th Platinum
1/160th Diamond
0% Lifetime status
1/27th reward SYD-MEL Y RT

QF

1000 miles
1/35th Silver (1/30th Requalify)
1/70th Gold (1/60th Requalify)
1/140th Platinum (1/120th Requalify)
1/700th Lifetime Silver
1/1400th Lifetime Gold
1/20th reward SYD-MEL Y RT

others levels don't look any better.

By Comparison AC (if redemptions stay the same etc) would give;

1/30th Prestige
1/60th Elite
1/150th Super Elite

better for *Silver and *Gold qualification, far worse for redemption but its free. UA would be better IF AN segments count towards qualification - roughly same redemption but easier status qualification and NO cost to join.

I also notice there is now a statement that "On domestic travel you will earn one point for every kilometre in Economy Class <b>(excluding some special Internet fares)</b>" and the terms and conditions exclude L class.

Other interesting details I note are that the regional airlines 'expected' to participate do not include Hazelton (the only airline that services the town I live in).

I suppose I will wait and see what they manage with non-airline partners as well as what rates they now have in other star programs... but what I see so far is definitely not competitive with QF and is certainly no reason for me not to use my UA or AC membership for AN flights.




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First read of the new T&C and some gotchyas found already:

1. No points given for L class bookings (ie: screw you on $77 one way cheapies)

2. (good) all other discount Y fares get 1 point/km for AN domestic services, international is 0.7/km (as before)

3. Upgrades ONLY available from full-fare Y. (ouch!).

4. flights to NZ go from 30,000 to 32,000 for Y. I don't remember the old numbers for C/F rewards.

5. (good) AN offers one way rewards. QF does not.

6. No backtracking allowed on rewards.

7. Tier credits and qualifying levels seem to be unchanged (but someone might need to verify the amounts of tier credits given as I never followed those too closely).


in my opion: don't bother joining ! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I'm disappointed Tesna. I know you have a business to run, but this is like GR with a gloss, and doesn't compete at all with QFFF - sadly!

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

All in all, not a very good package for anyone. The lack of L class points (even Qantas offers points on these), the removal of 9000 point rewards and the (still) poor status cerdits for flying International First Class (same as International Business Class) seem to point me in the direction of the big Q. Also NO bonus points for flying International with *.

Sorry to say but Qantas has a better package all round and after just flying with Cathy in F to HKG, I think One World may have me (gulp).

Just to clarify one of the things above, are the bonus points being awarded on other *a flights?

If not, that iss certainly quite disppointing - especially considering most of the points i lost were on other *a flights

Bonuses are only for AN flights....

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

Losing those hard earnt points - that I can live with. But having to pay to rejoin well thats another story. Sorry Ansett you won't see me back!

So does that mean as a platinum, if I buy a cheapie in L class I won't get my 10,000 bonus points??? for a MELSYD rt.

I'm with QF still,
Mr Earn

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Mr Earn:
So does that mean as a platinum, if I buy a cheapie in L class I won't get my 10,000 bonus points??? for a MELSYD rt.

I'm with QF still,
Mr Earn</font>

I believe that is the case.

It's b/s, isn't it!


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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

It's pathetic.

SQ gave 10k bonus points for Australians joining Krisflyer recently, double points and no joining fee.

UA gave 10k bonus MileagePlus miles for Australians joining recently and no joining fee.

Most AN frequent flyers who actually fly will already be members of QF's frequent flyer scheme, so the cost of joining QF's is irrelevant at this point.

The decision to charge AN frequent flyers who flew a lot but didn't happen to have status last Sep is stupid. The decision to disallow cheap web fares from counting is stupid.

If they credit points to other Star carriers, I'll put them into MileagePlus or Krisflyer rather than pay to join AN's very mediocre scheme. If they don't, I'll fly QF or DJ, unless AN is cheaper than DJ.

AN won't be seeing my money. I had 70,000+ points but no status. One thing I am sorry about is a few years back when I did a stupid thing and credited a 30,500 mile Star Alliance RTW trip to my AN account (they only credited me 0.7 points/km too!)

goodo

I wrote this on another forum, but I think I've got a nice interesting comparison below (flying SQ MEL-SIN-FRA in discount, aka 'normal' economy class).

We've been hearing news about receiving news on the Tesna program for donkey's years. The fact that it really is a carbon copy of the former Ansett Australia Global Rewards really points to a pretty lazy effort (consider the fact that the main elements of the program were out there in the HSun weeks ago).

When Ansett gives:

* 160,000 mile overdraft for its top tiered members
* Guarenteed availability, even outside of Business/Full Economy for top tiered members
* Upgrade availability in near any, or any class
* 200% & 300% credit for Business & First Class
* Status bonuses of 25-50% on either itself or all Star Carriers
* Confirmed upgrades
* Blackout date waivers for high tiered members
* Companion tickets
* Child discounted FF tickets
* Special credit card benefits for tiered members
* Special FF ticket availability for high tiered members
* Valet parking for high tiered members
* Additional upgrades based on meeting thresholds
* Ability to bring up to 5 guests into GW lounges for top tiered members
* A mileage based status system
* Ability to purchase miles to make up any shortfall present when 'purchasing' a redemption ticket
* Minimum miles (so as not to disadvantage domestic fliers with earning status)

...then it will be the best program in the Star Alliance, instead of the tired program it is.

I'll admit there isn't a Star Alliance program that has every single one of these features in it, but most have several of the above features. The thing is, why bother with Ansett Frequent Flyer, when you can join another Star Program and enjoy all of these perks?

At this point in time, the only advantage that I can see with joining Ansett Frequent Flyer as opposed to another Star program is the great bonuses they are offering at the moment. You might call the ability to upgrade on AN another advantage over other Star programs, but just remember, it's only in Full Economy at this point in time (why not be sensible like almost any other program & the previous ANGR & offer more expensive upgrades for non full fare tickets?)

Just remember that UA & SQ were giving 10,000 mile bonuses with their free programs when AN fell and broke its knee (SQ has double points). NZ (which is a better program than AN's - barely) was offering free memberships & double points. Ideally AN really should be offering some heavier discounts with the joining fees (most carriers do that or give it out for free during the promo period), especially in conjunction with credit card providers, etc. What they have to remember is that most FF's will also have QFFF membership - so there have to be some real incentives to jump ship. It's also tight of AN charging base members $82.50 to join again. We're not all people who only earnt points via Diners & Westpac. We're joining twice (& probably paying twice).

The only reason I didn't achieve status on AN, is because of their system. To earn Sapphire (Star Silver) on AN flying normal Economy MEL-SYD, would require me to to take 40 flights & 160 to get Platinum. Under the same scenario flying Lufthansa (let's say FRA-MUC), it would take me 35 flights to get to Silver & 87 flights to get Senator. The thing is, under the Ansett system, SYD-CBR is valued the same as SYD-DPS, even though Bali is 20 times as far away! You'd be flying Ansett either way. Under any other Star Alliance system, the long haul flight would be valued for what it's worth.

Putting that into perspective, look at how many times you'd need to fly MEL-SIN-FRA to get the top tier on a Star Alliance carrier (one ways).

* AN Global Rewards/Frequent Flyer Diamond: 31 flights
* NZ Airpoints Gold Elite: 9 flights
* UA Mileage Plus Premier Executive 1K: 10 flights
* AC Aeroplan Super Elite: 10 flights
* SK Eurobonus Gold: 10 flights (5 under some circumstances)
* LH Miles & More Senator: 9 flights
* TG Royal Orchid Plus Gold: 5 flights
* SQ KrisFlyer Elite Gold: 5 flights
* MX Frecuenta Gold: 5 flights
* BD Diamond Club Gold: 4 flights

To get the 'easiest' Star Alliance Gold on the same route:

* AN Global Rewards/Frequent Flyer Diamond: 16 flights
* NZ Airpoints Gold: 6 flights
* UA Mileage Plus Premier Executive: 5 flights
* AC Aeroplan Elite: 4 flights
* SK Eurobonus Gold: 10 flights (5 under some circumstances)
* LH Miles & More Senator: 9 flights
* TG Royal Orchid Plus Gold: 5 flights
* SQ KrisFlyer Elite Gold: 5 flights
* MX Frecuenta Gold: 5 flights
* BD Diamond Club Gold: 4 flights

Bit unfair, eh?

I hope they keep the Avis discount - the AN discount is one of the best down here (& it still works!). About the only other good point of the old program was Sapphire (Star Silver) checkin - can't think of any other *airline that gives priority checkin to Star Silvers - heck, you could get it on TG for 10k.

Sorry Tesna, I've been tough on you & I'm sounding like a sook, but Ansett Frequent Flyer is already a dissapointment. You may as well just put stickers on all the old AN GR brochures & cover the "Global Rewards" up with Frequent Flyer.

Hey, it's only a Frequent Flyer program http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Cheers,

Justin

I hope Tesna reads these comments, not to mention all of the other people's complaints and do something about this.

I'd rather have them go away for a month and come up with something better than this rubbish.

They had the PERFECT opportunity to take QF on at their own game and make it a worthwhile program, but no, they've made it vastly unattractive to most people. Could this be on purpose to turn AN into the airline where they hope to keep costs low by hoping the "cheap VFR flyer" doesn't bother paying up to join, while the C pax they want to keep will be in there and have a system that rewards them as expected.

If Justin's 500,000 people with 0 points balance was correct you can imagine they were people who signed up for free and never took a flight - thus costing a huge amount to maintain (think of all those letters, brochures etc sent to them, etc). Perhaps Tesna is trying to cut those costs by making it unattrative to most "base" members to really consider it.

Just a (sad) thought...

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

Remember, now that you've joined the Ansett Frequent Flyer program, take a return flight on the new Ansett on or after the Program Start Date and before 28 February 2003, just once and you will automatically earn 25,000 bonus points.

Then keep flying the new Ansett and you will receive 5,000 bonus points for every subsequent return flight until 28 February 2003, on top of the normal points you earn for every kilometre travelled.

_________________

I was originally very sad that the program had little to offer - but based on my travel patterns I could well earn back all of the points I had and many more.

Perhaps I was the only one amongst us silly enough to credit all Star flights to AN and actually attain status - not to mention my utter stupidity with clocking up points over 4.5 years (after paying the $50 joining fee)and never actually using a single point.

Lets just hope that my stupidity isnt exceded by Tesna's in the running of the airline...

Best Regards

Bradley

Richard,

The 500,000 members with Zero points figure is actually out of the first Tesna PDF http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Cheers,

Justin

I agree with lufty - there's nothing to lose. I could use my UAMP or LHMM (still haven't decided which one to use when I go OS) for new Ansett flights, but with such generous bonuses, I'd be stupid not to join. And as I'm not a member of QF, I'd have to pay $82.50 either way, so I'm not fussed. And we must remember here, the new Ansett won't be generating much revenue for the first 1-2 years - FLEW have to use their business sense for the airline to survive in the long term or the millions of invested dollars will go down the dunny. Once revenue is up, Ansett will have the opportunity to give its members more of those perks that are always raised.
PS - For PER based people, AN would have to be the better programme with 1 point per km, right? I mean, the 1000 point minimum with QF isn't much help to them. Just a thought...
oh, and lufty - I too credited all my Star flights to AN! I wasn't FF savvy back then http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by trentis (edited 02-21-2002).]

[This message has been edited by trentis (edited 02-21-2002).]

1. Reading the above I can't see addressed anywhere what happens (if anything!) to those who previoulsy had large Ansett points balances? Wasn't there some deal where part of "old" balance became "new" points?

2. If one takes L class tickets on new airline and adds another STAR partner number in there do miles accrue in other * account as they used to, even though they may not attract any "new" AN points as seems clear.

I would be very suprised to see the partners allowing accural on L class when AN doesn't allow accural. There are only two exceptions to this general rule I can think of and that is Canadians and Australians being eligible to get credit on some discount BA classes, and Midwest Express not blocking out some of the dirt cheap VS booking classes.

Well in Star we have SQ with all its non-FFP booking classes, that invalidate entire itineraries. I too would be surprised if L were not blocked alliance wide.

In other news, you get a 5000pt bonus for your first oneway flight. To get your 10000pt bonus, you must fly a return ticket.

Cheers,

Justin

All of us know that L class does not earn points BUT Ansett better make that very clear on the webpage before you checkout, otherwise A LOT of Ansett Flyers will be VERY VERY UNHAPPY about flying Syd-Mel for $77 each way and not finding out they did not get their first flight bonus because they did not pay enough for the flight.

Also how do you think Mr Joe Average will feel if he goes to book and see that the fare of $77 is avaliable but he need to pay $88 if he wants his points? I'm just assuming but I would say he would hop straight over to www.qantas.com.au (http://www.qantas.com.au) and pay the $77 with FF credit.

Many people have told me that Fox / Lew are smart business people, I'm starting to think otherwise (unless Sydney Airport was correct in assuming that all they wanted was to be become airport real estate agents!)

The webpage has been updated in the terms and conditions of the "cheap" fares it says no FF points can be earned. Is it hilighted? Not really, but it is there (ie: in the fine print, just so you can't argue down the track).

It is a stupid decision by AN. Good in a business sense of course, but stupid because people buying the $77 tickets are buying on _price alone_ - if they can get $77 on QF or DJ they'll take it. This is the price sensitive end of the market. Now, I'm sure AN has justified it this way: These "bottom feeders" don't care about FF points because there's no loyalty at that end of the market to be gained. ie: the next trip they won't come back to AN if they can get a cheaper fare on one of the other two, so why reward them? Now, that makes sense to a certain extent. I guess it is also trying to limit extra losses from an airfare war (remember, AN "pays" for each FF point....).

However, there's a flip side to this. Those cheapie flyers are more than likely *not* going to fork out the $82.50 for ANFF membership, so they'd have nothing to earn points too. Yes, if they credited to a * partner like UA/SQ etc that would be a loss to AN, but I'd imagine the figures of locals deflecting points to a non local FFP to be fairly low in the scheme of things. So, if you *are* a member of AN FF (ie: paid your money) then it is likely that loyalty is of some interest to you. Given that, why screw your loyal flyers in this regard by not awarding points? I personally am a member of QFFF (comp membership granted by CO many moons ago) and sorry, but if it's going to be the same price I'd fly QF on a N fare and grab those points (only 6970 status credits to go to lifetime silver! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif). AN loses that (abeit small) revenue because they want to penny pinch on FF points.

I think this will backfire on them because all QF needs to do is put a big sign up saying "OUR internet fares earn points - we're the only ones in Australia who do" and see what happens.

Not smart, Tesna. Not smart. You're not competing at all, you're setting up almost as if you are in a vacuum. Soon enough, you will be - that of death. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

I agree re: L fares and mileage.

As a further disappointment I tried emailing Ansett with a few questions re: the new program at frequent_flyer@ansett.com.au which is quoted as the contact email on the new program pages and.... it bounced back from airnz's servers.... with all the time they have had you think getting a working email address wouldn't kill anyone...

Has anyone been told if the base membership cards will be real (ie plastic) ones this time?

I am visiting Melbourne for a couple of days and of course following these events, having in the late 80s been a Gold Wing Club member and flew AN [and AN NZ] almost exclusively across this part of the world for a few years with fondness. But I am confused by the details posted here, and in the article I found in yesterday's AUSTRALIAN by a woman who was claiming that the 10K bonus applied on every flight taken, and thus someone flying every week between SYD-MEL would end up with something like 500K+ points, which cannot be true, can it? Not from my reading of the foregoing posts, unless I've missed something?

The way I read it is that Plat members of AN FF will get the 10k joining bonus, plus 80k for the first roundtrip taken, then 10k for the next trip for the next 12 months (ie: till 28/2/03). Yes, this is great if you are a diamond or plat member - the bonuses are out of this world.

However, normal (base) plebs get 10k sign up bonus, 10k after the first roundtrip (non L class!) and then 2k for each roundtrip till 28/2/03.

Now, if you're a top tier with AN, that's great and it might be enough to offset being pissed off at losing lots and lots of points (remember, a former GW diamond or plat member would have oodles of points what with diners cards and other tie ins).

It definately works to court the premium/high yield business pax - no doubt about it. However, most of us aren't that.

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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

Do i have this right: If I joined AN GR a year ago, and I flew often enough to have status I could earn oodles of points from now on. If I had oodles of points collected over the years, but didn't fly enough in the last year to get any status, bye bye oodles of points.

goodo

Most of you would have agree that IF by some miracle TESNA does get off the ground on Thursday (which is becoming increasingly unlikely every time there is yet another delay), they are not going to last long giving away huge ammounts of points for little outlay.

And do you think premium pax are going to let their points build up again, and risk losing them again, not likely, they are going to redeem them pretty **** quick.

So then what happens ???

And all this is dependent on AN getting the premium pax back from QF ???

Good Luck

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ANDREWCX:
Has anyone been told if the base membership cards will be real (ie plastic) ones this time?</font>

For $82.50 they'd better be....

In the past 2 years I think I got my GR card replaced 9 or 10 times, because the print kept rubbing off the front...a few times the agents tried to order me a real card, but it never happened...not that I'm likely to join the new program anyway - like a lot of others here, I'll probably just get my points credited to UA.

Beck