America West FlightFund (Discontinued Program) - FlightFund converting to Dividend Miles...

I haven't seen anyone post this so far, but the new US Airways frequent flyer program will be Dividend Miles for sure. They are still working on the conversions, but everyone with a flightfund membership will be given a Dividend Miles membership. As of now elite levels are being worked out. There is a huge 30 page document that list all the comparisons and contrasts of the two programs. They are trying to work out a great new program for everyone.

I hope you will give us a sneak-preview of the program when everything has been finalized.

what about those of us with both numbers - will there be an easy way to link the two together?

what about those of us with both numbers - will there be an easy way to link the two together?

Just a guess, but I would assume FFD account would be merged into your DM account.

I haven't seen anyone post this so far, but the new US Airways frequent flyer program will be Dividend Miles for sure. They are still working on the conversions, but everyone with a flightfund membership will be given a Dividend Miles membership. As of now elite levels are being worked out. There is a huge 30 page document that list all the comparisons and contrasts of the two programs. They are trying to work out a great new program for everyone.


I'm guessing that in terms of the number of miles required for awards, there will be little flexibility since they have to match the Star Alliance awards. Still, Star Alliance awards are way generous when compared to oneworld awards. On another note, if they grant HP Platinum Elite members who fly less than 100,000 miles per year Chairman's Preferred status, then upgrades are definitely going to become rare like Continental's NonePass.

On another note, if they grant HP Platinum Elite members who fly less than 100,000 miles per year Chairman's Preferred status, then upgrades are definitely going to become rare like Continental's NonePass.


I would guess that they are going to do just that. How can they not? What sense would it make to upset the Plats that earned their status per the rules on the airline they were flying. I just don't see Doug doing this to the FF from HP.

I can see the totals changing for next year.

Jennifer

I would guess that they are going to do just that. How can they not? What sense would it make to upset the Plats that earned their status per the rules on the airline they were flying. I just don't see Doug doing this to the FF from HP.

I can see the totals changing for next year.

Jennifer
I'm of the notion they will take all those current plats and put them at Chairmans until the end of the program year (02/06). Then those that make the 75K threshold for this year but not 100K will be given a challenge to get back to CP for the next year when they know they need to fly 100K. It's really the only fair solution to merging them without ticking off a group of FFs.

Lance

I'm of the notion they will take all those current plats and put them at Chairmans until the end of the program year (02/06). Then those that make the 75K threshold for this year but not 100K will be given a challenge to get back to CP for the next year when they know they need to fly 100K. It's really the only fair solution to merging them without ticking off a group of FFs.

Lance

Kind of a nasty surprise to spring on those who had/will achieve 75k-99.9k but weren't planning on flying any more for the rest of the year.

If they're going to make top-tier 100k, then they should live with one year of a mix of 75k+ HP Plats and 100k+ US CP as the top tier fliers in the new alliance.

DM = BM :rolleyes:

Why would they use such a lame name of a program? I get the feeling that they are going all US Airways which will switch me out permanently. I hated US Air.

Everything I hear is a negative; will rebook my next flight to DFW with AA as I have a feeling that HP is a goner for me for good.

DM = BM :rolleyes:

Why would they use such a lame name of a program? I get the feeling that they are going all US Airways which will switch me out permanently. I hated US Air.

Everything I hear is a negative; will rebook my next flight to DFW with AA as I have a feeling that HP is a goner for me for good.


Forgive me, but what's wrong with the name Dividend Miles? It's actually pretty good in comparison to less refined names such as Flight Fund, AAdvantage, OnePass, Skymiles, WorldPerks, and Mileage Plus. Most of us like it.

Everything you hear is negative? Have fun flying AA on those distasteful MD-80s and giving up 10,000 extra miles for an international business class ticket or 25,000 extra miles for an international first class ticket to Europe, among many others...

Forgive me, but what's wrong with the name Dividend Miles? It's actually pretty good in comparison to less refined names such as Flight Fund, AAdvantage, OnePass, Skymiles, WorldPerks, and Mileage Plus. Most of us like it.

Dividend miles is a pretty dumb name. It sounds like your receiving miles for owning stock.

The names FlightFund, and Skymiles actually sound like something related aviation.

Kind of a nasty surprise to spring on those who had/will achieve 75k-99.9k but weren't planning on flying any more for the rest of the year.

If they're going to make top-tier 100k, then they should live with one year of a mix of 75k+ HP Plats and 100k+ US CP as the top tier fliers in the new alliance.


This is exactly what I would guess will happen. What is the upside of ticking off all the Plats from HP. I know if I fly the 75k per the program rules this year I had better get the Plat level benefits or above if they make the change.

The other posters idea that it would be good only till 2006 would basically be telling you that it doesn't matter you flew 75k+ miles with us in 2005 and we are not going to give you what we promised. Oh, but those who flew 25-74k do get the benefits they earned. This is not an option in my opinion.

Just to stir the pot a bit more I had another related question. What happens from the time the merger happens (10/1?) until they get all the program rules worked out? US CP's get to upgrade at 7 days and HP Plats at 3 days? That won't go over well either I am guessing.

Jennifer

This is exactly what I would guess will happen. What is the upside of ticking off all the Plats from HP. I know if I fly the 75k per the program rules this year I had better get the Plat level benefits or above if they make the change.

The other posters idea that it would be good only till 2006 would basically be telling you that it doesn't matter you flew 75k+ miles with us in 2005 and we are not going to give you what we promised. Oh, but those who flew 25-74k do get the benefits they earned. This is not an option in my opinion.

Just to stir the pot a bit more I had another related question. What happens from the time the merger happens (10/1?) until they get all the program rules worked out? US CP's get to upgrade at 7 days and HP Plats at 3 days? That won't go over well either I am guessing.

Jennifer
The other poster, me, has thought more about it, and through 2007 would be correct, not 2006. Especially if HP keeps the priority of upgrades based on your rolling 12 months of miles. That way you may have a GLUT of top levels but those top levels will get sorted out by the number of miles they flew in the prior 12 months. So those US airways people who flew 100K would be placed ahead of those HP plats who flew 75K. That would be the fair thing to do. The question then arises for those US Air people who flew 75K-100K do they still just get Gold because they never had a promise of another elite level at 75K? I think that's fair in terms of what they were expecting for the coming year.

Either way I think there will be a GLUT of top levels the first full year of the program with things shaking out after we have a complete program year under the belt. Thanks for setting me straight...

Lance

Dividend miles is a pretty dumb name. It sounds like your receiving miles for owning stock.

The names FlightFund, and Skymiles actually sound like something related aviation.


Yes, the same way that cabin crews like those passengers who know how to eat properly in F more than those who are clearly new money. Get the picture? :)

Dividend miles is a pretty dumb name. It sounds like your receiving miles for owning stock.

The names FlightFund, and Skymiles actually sound like something related aviation.

I like both the names FlightFund and Skymiles. Dividend miles is pretty lame but hey, they're the miles that pay dividends... at least it sorta makes sense, unlike MileagePlus, for example, which could just as easily be coming from BP/Amoco or something.

As for those of who who detest US and would rather fly AA... are you feeling ok? As negative as I usually am about US and as much as I am thoroughly entrenched in AAdvantage, I have enjoyed every US flight I have taken in the last few years and really dislike the AA mad dawgs (MD-80s) and A300s that I have been travelling in. Given the choice I would take US over AA any day.

Another possibility that they might be pondering is setting up yet another elite level. they could call it Chairmans as oppossed to chairmans Preferred. Easily, they could slip in this level between gold and Chairmans Preferred. this level could be 75,000 miles or 90 segments. Obviously that would upset HP plats, me being one of them, but it would be a way for HP to say we are not taking away anything that was promised to you. Just another one of the many things that could be under considering.

I can't see taking away the qualification by segments. That seems to be pretty standard with all of the programs now, doesn't it? I hope so! I will have 120 segments plus by the end of the year, but my travel is 90% short haul.

I wish that we knew already....the waiting is horrible!

:)

Another possibility that they might be pondering is setting up yet another elite level. they could call it Chairmans as oppossed to chairmans Preferred. Easily, they could slip in this level between gold and Chairmans Preferred. this level could be 75,000 miles or 90 segments. Obviously that would upset HP plats, me being one of them, but it would be a way for HP to say we are not taking away anything that was promised to you. Just another one of the many things that could be under considering.

I can't see taking away the qualification by segments. That seems to be pretty standard with all of the programs now, doesn't it? I hope so! I will have 120 segments plus by the end of the year, but my travel is 90% short haul.

I wish that we knew already....the waiting is horrible!

:)

Your idea is not bad but I think it would make it very confusing, i.e. imagine having Silver Preferred, Gold Preferred, Chairmans, and Chairmans Preferred. I think it would be better if it consisted of: Silver Preferred, Gold Preferred, Platinum Preferred, and Chairmans Preferred. I would stay away from calling a fourth level Chairmans if there was another tier level that was called Chairman's Preferred simply because Star Alliance partners, especially United, refer to US Airways Chairmans Preferred as "US Chairman" or US CHMN as it shows on UA boarding passes. Next thing you know, UA agents are messing up our day of departure upgrade priority... rumor has it UA agents have been upgrading US CPs right after 1Ks on the day of departure.

Hi guys. The "FlightFund" program is adding a 4th level called Chairmans. Qualification is 100k miles or 100 segments. This has ALREADY HAPPENED on the database, but the changes to the customer will appear on the day the formal merger announcement is made (somewhere around October 1st.) There are no immediate plans to combine DM accounts with FF accounts - this will happen, but it is not a focus item for the 10/1 date. From what i have heard, no new cards/numbers will be issued to replace FlightFund cards right away. There are a couple thousand account numbers that exist in both the US and HP system, so eventually, i would expect those members to have their numbers reissued, but no new cards will be issued until the new program year. Looking at next year, there will be "at least" 4 elite levels, but the talk right now is to add a 5th level (below Silver). That may or may not happen, based on other priorities.

Hi guys. The "FlightFund" program is adding a 4th level called Chairmans. Qualification is 100k miles or 100 segments. This has ALREADY HAPPENED on the database, but the changes to the customer will appear on the day the formal merger announcement is made (somewhere around October 1st.) There are no immediate plans to combine DM accounts with FF accounts - this will happen, but it is not a focus item for the 10/1 date. From what i have heard, no new cards/numbers will be issued to replace FlightFund cards right away. There are a couple thousand account numbers that exist in both the US and HP system, so eventually, i would expect those members to have their numbers reissued, but no new cards will be issued until the new program year. Looking at next year, there will be "at least" 4 elite levels, but the talk right now is to add a 5th level (below Silver). That may or may not happen, based on other priorities.
IS this what US Chairmans Preferred will become?

Looking at next year, there will be "at least" 4 elite levels, but the talk right now is to add a 5th level (below Silver). That may or may not happen, based on other priorities.

FIVE elite levels? while I can see the logic leading to it, it doesn't seem in keeping with a "simple" LCC business plan.

Hi guys. The "FlightFund" program is adding a 4th level called Chairmans. Qualification is 100k miles or 100 segments. This has ALREADY HAPPENED on the database, but the changes to the customer will appear on the day the formal merger announcement is made (somewhere around October 1st.) There are no immediate plans to combine DM accounts with FF accounts - this will happen, but it is not a focus item for the 10/1 date. From what i have heard, no new cards/numbers will be issued to replace FlightFund cards right away. There are a couple thousand account numbers that exist in both the US and HP system, so eventually, i would expect those members to have their numbers reissued, but no new cards will be issued until the new program year. Looking at next year, there will be "at least" 4 elite levels, but the talk right now is to add a 5th level (below Silver). That may or may not happen, based on other priorities.

Four levels? Based on what you're saying, one can presume that the third level will be where HP plats fall in at 75k miles flown, while US CP's will be in the fourth level.

So this means that HP Plats are being placed below US' top tier. :mad: :rolleyes: Now I not only have to compete with hoardes of US roaches for upgrades, but now I'm below them in the upgrade window. :mad: :mad:

This would also seem to indicate that the Silver/Gold level elite bonuses on the US side will be reduced to 25/50%. I can't see HP giving 100% bonues to Gold, Plat, and CP. Unless HP plans on bringing back the 125% bonus for top tier elites, there are going to be some pissed off Silvers and Golds.

Yet another smooth move by HP.

yes, in my opinion, HP members are getting screwed....

IF you are a HP Platinum and IF you put in 100k or 100 segs this year, you will be "Chairmans" next year. Of course, this isn't public yet, and when it becomes public around 10/1, you'll have a whopping 2 months left to qualify. I haven't heard if they are going to make any exceptions or not, but my guess is they will.

As far as a 5th elite level, it makes more "elite members"...The last i heard, it was going to be for 15k miles or 18 or so segments, but that was several months ago. And yes, teh 5th level plan was in the works long before US came along.

I can't find the thread, but I read that most years, US has done some sort of program where, if you're already an elite, sometime in Feb. they send out a note along the lines of "since you reached silver, gold, etc on such and so date last year, we'll count all the miles you flew after you achieved that status towards your eqm for this year."

This would be cool for a lot of reasons, but obviously it would soften the blow to HP Plats that hit 75K in like September, but ended the year at like 91K. That's a 16K jump start on the new year...

I figured that a 4th elite status would be added. Looking at the two programs and how they matched up in terms on segments and miles required, this seemed like the logical move.

It seems like our real potential disadvantage is that on day 1, there are all these folks that are US Chairmans Preferred that are at the top tier while Plats that may have flown 100+ segments or flew 100,000 miles in 2004 will probably still be recognized at "only" plats for the balance of the program year unless HP's computers could be programed to "upgrade" elite status to the new top level.

Does anybody around here from HP know if anybody intends to do the necessary programming to put HP plats on equal footing with US from day 1?

I can't find the thread, but I read that most years, US has done some sort of program where, if you're already an elite, sometime in Feb. they send out a note along the lines of "since you reached silver, gold, etc on such and so date last year, we'll count all the miles you flew after you achieved that status towards your eqm for this year."


US had done this the past few years; however, only for Chairmans Preferred. All miles over 100K and all segments over 100 would "rollover" to the following year. This is usually announced in October to keep CPs from jumping to another airline over the last 1/4. AFAIK -- they've never offered a "rollover" to Silvers and Golds.

Just for kicks, I called FlightFund to see how fast they would be able to determine how many miles I flew in 2004. I was amazed that they had the info right at their fingertips.

to mean that means that the HP flightfund computers could indeed "reclassify" those with more than 100,000 miles in 2004 to the purported new higher level.

Oh well, guess time will tell what is going to happen.

Why are people getting riled up about this? A US Chairman's is going to be living in the northeast/east coast 99% of the while the HP Platinum is more than likely living on the west coast.

Being that I live in the northeast I highly doubt that I'm going to affect any other HP's Platinum member's ability to upgrade, unless you start a heck of a lot of flying to this side of the country.

I'm confused why people are worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet.

Being that I live in the northeast I highly doubt that I'm going to affect any other HP's Platinum member's ability to upgrade, unless you start a heck of a lot of flying to this side of the country.


if they *don't* capture such flying, the new "synergy" business plan is doomed...

Why is this such a big deal? I mean, the new US Airways is gonna have by far more Elites from the old US Airways than from America West. I think it is only fair that those of us who have been flying 100,000 miles or more a year be granted the highest status. I hope all you HP Plats didn't think that they were gonna give away complimentary transatlantic upgrade certificates to that many Elites.

Just because US has more planes and flies more routes doesn't mean that those of us on the west side of the country don't fly just as much as you do. It's going to be one airline, and yes, I would expect that we would get the same rewards that you get including those transatlantic upgrade opportunities. Just because we are called platinums doesn't mean that we fly the minimum to qualify.

The customers of US should be happy they even get to keep their miles. If it were not for HP, US may not even exist much longer and then they would have no miles all.

It was a sad day for me when US changed my FF number a few years ago. It used to be my PI number with a 7 in the front. All of a sudden it stops working, no new card, no letter. I called up and they told me to change the 7 to a 9, and walah, it started working again. Then a few months later it stopped again. I call and they had issued me a new number, no more old PI numbers.

I really dislike US, although in fareness, I disliked MetroJet. My last two flights with MJ I was lied to about delays and as a result I missed the oppertunity to make reservation changes. But back to the topic, US pax should just kiss HP for keeping the airlines alive. A new FF program should be created, or they should go with the HP program. The more they stick with US stuff, the quicker they will get back t the failing formula US used to run the airlines.

The customers of US should be happy they even get to keep their miles. If it were not for HP, US may not even exist much longer and then they would have no miles all.

It was a sad day for me when US changed my FF number a few years ago. It used to be my PI number with a 7 in the front. All of a sudden it stops working, no new card, no letter. I called up and they told me to change the 7 to a 9, and walah, it started working again. Then a few months later it stopped again. I call and they had issued me a new number, no more old PI numbers.

I really dislike US, although in fareness, I disliked MetroJet. My last two flights with MJ I was lied to about delays and as a result I missed the oppertunity to make reservation changes. But back to the topic, US pax should just kiss HP for keeping the airlines alive. A new FF program should be created, or they should go with the HP program. The more they stick with US stuff, the quicker they will get back t the failing formula US used to run the airlines.


No darling, those of us who have Preferred status on US do not owe HP anything. If US Airways would have liquidated, United would have most likely taken us, in case you missed that memo, United loves, loves US CPs up to a point that they upgrade US CPs right after their 1Ks.

Bottom line, the new US Airways will have by far, a much greater number of former US Preferred members than HP Elites, sorry...

Just because US has more planes and flies more routes doesn't mean that those of us on the west side of the country don't fly just as much as you do. It's going to be one airline, and yes, I would expect that we would get the same rewards that you get including those transatlantic upgrade opportunities. Just because we are called platinums doesn't mean that we fly the minimum to qualify.

If you fly at least 100K a year like us CPs, then you have my full respect, and yes I agree you should get the TA upgrades. Unfortunately, those of you who fly under 100K will not be getting them. I think it's fair. Before the merger, HP Plats never had TA upgrades simply because HP has never had TA flights, so don't expect a free ride if you haven't flown 100K like US CPs.

No darling, those of us who have Preferred status on US do not owe HP anything. If US Airways would have liquidated, United would have most likely taken us, in case you missed that memo, United loves, loves US CPs up to a point that they upgrade US CPs right after their 1Ks.

Bottom line, the new US Airways will have by far, a much greater number of former US Preferred members than HP Elites, sorry...

Great, I hope HP screws your program, and then you will owe them even less...

HP can give you what ever they want, and you have no control. HP should watch out for their own customers first, as US's customers certainly not led them to profitability.

So this means that HP Plats are being placed below US' top tier. :mad: :rolleyes: Now I not only have to compete with hoardes of US roaches for upgrades, but now I'm below them in the upgrade window. :mad: :mad:




You're teetering on the edge of decency here. What makes you LESS of a roach than any other US flier? What makes the hoardes of current HP elites that you already compete with LESS roach-like than other US fliers? Your comments imply that you deserve an upgrade more than a US flier does. If anything, a LOW FARE airline flier is more of a roach than a legacy airline flier. I know that isn't necessarily true, but please think about what you're saying before you post it. There are some people (ehemm) who qualify for their US status by flying $300+ shuttle segments and short (often expensive) hops up and down the east coast that hardly deserve to be criticized.

I understand everyone's concerns here. Like another poster has stated, those HP elites that have flown more than 100k miles or 100 segments certainly deserve the same recognition that US Chairman's currently receive. But I find it odd that there are some HP fliers who fly between 75-100k a year and are expecting to be viewed as equal to US Chairman's. That just doesn't make sense.

If you seriously are that angered by these changes, maybe you should let someone at HP or US know how you feel. If you despise US as much as it seems (Dividend Miles is a "dumb" name, etc, etc) then why not take your business elsewhere?

No darling, those of us who have Preferred status on US do not owe HP anything. If US Airways would have liquidated, United would have most likely taken us, in case you missed that memo, United loves, loves US CPs up to a point that they upgrade US CPs right after their 1Ks.

Bottom line, the new US Airways will have by far, a much greater number of former US Preferred members than HP Elites, sorry...

United would have most likely taken us? Or wait....maybe Delta? An airline thats been bankrupt for two years. Righttttttttt.......I'm glad you didn't hold you breath. You should be thanking HP that you have an airline to fly at all. Oh, one more thing. I don't think anyone here is your darling. :D

You're teetering on the edge of decency here. What makes you LESS of a roach than any other US flier? What makes the hoardes of current HP elites that you already compete with LESS roach-like than other US fliers?
THe president of HP can do what ever he pleases. If he decides there should be no FF transfer for US PAX, then that is what will happen. Now, that would probably never happen becuase too many valuable customers would leave. But US PAX thinking they are owed anything is a total joke. You are lucky that you keep your miles and that DL does not suck you down.

I have no feelings toward US good or bad nor do I have strong feelings for or against the new livery (if it were all white with our name handpainted on by a blind man, it wouldn't make that big of a difference to me) I just want them to be as fair as they can across the board. Now I know they just did a challenge of moving up to CP over on US where alot of people who may or may not have made CP or will make CP again got a chance to up to CP and thus leapfrog ahead of say someone who puts in 90K this year but because HP decides (just going with what the flow thinks here and we all know it's all unknown for now) to move over CPs as Chairmans and HP Plats as this middle tier between gold and chairmans just isn't all that fair. If they have a "bunch" of CPs who don't have 100K this year alone (not to mention those that keep rolling over 25K each year) then what they should do is bump Plats and CPs to the chairman level, then use the # of miles you've actually flown in the last 12 months for the airline (HP history and US history) to sort out who's "better" and thus gets the upgrade. If we are all on the same level then your up to date 12 month history flushes out who's done more for the airline in the last 12 months. So the CP that flew 110K in the last 12 rolling month is eligible first over the HP Plat that may have flow 90k but the HP plat that has say 105K would be picked over a US CP that has only 103K or even a CP that has 120 500 mile segments as that is only 60K of flight miles.

I know there are a few US CPs out there that think US CPs are better than any HP elite for some unknown reason but US fliers has a 100K tier to fly for, HP had only a 75K tier to fly for and no real reason to fly after that as there is no rollover in the HP system so no real incentive to bring that flying up to 100K on the off chance we may merge with some airline that has a 100K tier we need to qualify for.

I know there are some HP fliers out there that think all US fliers should probably start at the bottom of the ladder then climb up through which just isn't fair at all.

When we merge each tier should be put on equal footing to start Silver to Silver Preferred, Gold to Gold Preferred, and Platinum to Chairmans Preferred, then create this new Platinum level (although I think it's totally unneeded and a waste of money) that golds will go through to get to chairmans...

Just my $.02 worth but I think this is a way to make it fair across the board given that we are merging 2 top tiers that are quite different in their requirements and perks.

Lance

Edited to fix mileage typo.

THe president of HP can do what ever he pleases. If he decides there should be no FF transfer for US PAX, then that is what will happen. Now, that would probably never happen becuase too many valuable customers would leave. But US PAX thinking they are owed anything is a total joke. You are lucky that you keep your miles and that DL does not suck you down.


Again, it's already been mentioned that a fourth level will be introduced. Clearly, Parker is not planning on giving away CP status to HP Plats without them flying 100K. Why should he? After all, the new US Airways is gonna have tons and tons of former US Airways Preferred members. It's not just about pleasing former HP Elites anymore. I'm sorry to break it to you, but in the past, when all you HP lovers said that the US Airways would become history, I said that it was the America West name that we would say "buenas noches" to, and now you know who was right. In other words, it's a process of transition, Parker will favor those customers who bring the most money. You guys have never paid 6K-8K for a single HP ticket, hmmmm simply because HP never had a transtlantic premium class.

Great, I hope HP screws your program, and then you will owe them even less...

HP can give you what ever they want, and you have no control. HP should watch out for their own customers first, as US's customers certainly not led them to profitability.


Ahhh... the voice of wisdom has spoken? Are you even HP Plat or US CP?

Clearly, Parker is not planning on giving away CP status to HP Plats without them flying 100K.
I'm sorry, I didn't know you've been sitting in on all the meetings and were privy to what the new US Airways was going to do with it's DM program. Perhaps you can fill us in on exactly everything that will happen since you know exactly what it will be.

No one really knows until it's made official. And contrary to your believe US CPs don't walk on water and aren't God's gift to an airline. If they were, US wouldn't need HP to help it get it's but out of bankrupcy. I hate to burst your bubble (actually no I don't as I think your postings on these matters are mostly useless) but ALL upper tier elites are going to be valuable at least for the first year as they try and re-install confidence in the new airline. Now I may be wrong and you may be right...and the apocolypse may just be around the corner too but you don't need to needle people with every single post you make on this merger topic.

Lance

I'm sorry, I didn't know you've been sitting in on all the meetings and were privy to what the new US Airways was going to do with it's DM program. Perhaps you can fill us in on exactly everything that will happen since you know exactly what it will be.

No one really knows until it's made official. And contrary to your believe US CPs don't walk on water and aren't God's gift to an airline. If they were, US wouldn't need HP to help it get it's but out of bankrupcy. I hate to burst your bubble (actually no I don't as I think your postings on these matters are mostly useless) but ALL upper tier elites are going to be valuable at least for the first year as they try and re-install confidence in the new airline. Now I may be wrong and you may be right...and the apocolypse may just be around the corner too but you don't need to needle people with every single post you make on this merger topic.

Lance

Well said Lance. I'm sure most people agree that fly747first has always been anti-HP and his comments in this post support this. There is no need to be sarcastic with the "darling" or "voice of reason" comments.
Like Lance said, if HP and US would not have merged, your CP status on US would have been worth as much as a single share of US stock--about .27 and sinking fast. ALL Elite members from BOTH US and HP are going to be valuable after the merger.
Personally, I know some things that are coming up but will not share until they have been made public by HP.

Well said Lance. I'm sure most people agree that fly747first has always been anti-HP and his comments in this post support this. There is no need to be sarcastic with the "darling" or "voice of reason" comments.
Like Lance said, if HP and US would not have merged, your CP status on US would have been worth as much as a single share of US stock--about .27 and sinking fast. ALL Elite members from BOTH US and HP are going to be valuable after the merger.
Personally, I know some things that are coming up but will not share until they have been made public by HP.


First of all, I apologize if I do not sympathize with HP as much as you do, then again you are the one who works for them. It's not so much that I'm anti-HP, but the fact that most of you think that we owe HP the world. If US Airways was really that bad and had nothing to offer, why did HP agree to merge with them? We all know that Parker is a smart a guy.

Secondly, just because some of you do not understand a dry sense of humor does not mean that I'm taking personal attacks on certain individuals. Enough is enough, in the past I was right, and time will once again favor me. By the way, as a soon-to-be 'new US Airways' employee, you may want to treat your customers better, after all, many of us-- US CPs have been flying at least 100,000 miles a year (unlike your beloved HP Plats) and thus generating a lot more revenue, especially given the case that yours truly often pays for full-fare Y class as well as F. The numbers don't lie.

Hi guys. The "FlightFund" program is adding a 4th level called Chairmans. Qualification is 100k miles or 100 segments. This has ALREADY HAPPENED on the database, but the changes to the customer will appear on the day the formal merger announcement is made (somewhere around October 1st.) There are no immediate plans to combine DM accounts with FF accounts - this will happen, but it is not a focus item for the 10/1 date. From what i have heard, no new cards/numbers will be issued to replace FlightFund cards right away. There are a couple thousand account numbers that exist in both the US and HP system, so eventually, i would expect those members to have their numbers reissued, but no new cards will be issued until the new program year. Looking at next year, there will be "at least" 4 elite levels, but the talk right now is to add a 5th level (below Silver). That may or may not happen, based on other priorities.

Well since this thread seemed to get off track a little, thought I'd add what I heard recently, from a new million-miler that was recent feted with the skybox treatment, and who talked to an HP exec there...
(and apparently didn't sign a NDA :cool: )

Level/miles/segments/upgrade days window:


silver... 25K 30 1
gold..... 50K 60 2
platinum. 75K 90 3
chairman. 100K 120 :( 7



HP Platinums for 2005 will get Chairman for 2006 only, then the new rules apply to everyone. Now, I'm not saying the quoted poster above is wrong about 100 segments for Chairman, only that I heard differently - and all of the above is second-hand.

imho, this sounds like a pretty fair compromise, designed not to p.o. currentl HP platinums. I'm bummed because as a weekly commuter, chairman's won't be in my reach next year without a lot of extra-curricular flying. Alas.
Won't know until we see the new route map how much I can apply all the good stuff learned from VJ last week (thanks again!).

hth

THe president of HP can do what ever he pleases. If he decides there should be no FF transfer for US PAX, then that is what will happen. Now, that would probably never happen becuase too many valuable customers would leave. But US PAX thinking they are owed anything is a total joke. You are lucky that you keep your miles and that DL does not suck you down.


Thank you for informing me that the president of HP can do whatever he pleases. :rolleyes: And did I ever mention that I was owed anything? I'm not attacking anyone here, I'm simply pointing out the fact if someone detests US so much, then he should take his business elsewhere. And YES! How lucky we are that DL doesn't suck us down!! :rolleyes: DL is going to suck itself down. That airline is in such a horrible position right now that I would seriously be surprised if it survived Ch11 without liquidating. I'm sorry, but DL isn't going to be sucking anyone down anytime soon.

FURTHERMORE. I've flown HP for several years now and have status with the airline. I don't solely identify myself as a "US flyer" that deserves much more than any other HP flyer.

Anyways, all these stupid little arguments we're having here are soon to become moot. We'll all become 1 in a couple of months, so I don't understand why anyone here would ever argue that their airline is better than the other and that some people are owed more than others, etc, etc. Pretty soon there's just going to be one US.

Well said Lance. I'm sure most people agree that fly747first has always been anti-HP and his comments in this post support this. There is no need to be sarcastic with the "darling" or "voice of reason" comments.



OK, I really don't like to take sides on stupid issues like this, but fly747 isn't the only one who's been sarcastic and negative toward others in this thread!!! Snokums, I always value your comments and insight that you provide us all with, but singling 747 out as the sole source of negativity on this board is going a little too far.

Thank you for informing me that the president of HP can do whatever he pleases. :rolleyes: And did I ever mention that I was owed anything? I'm not attacking anyone here, I'm simply pointing out the fact if someone detests US so much, then he should take his business elsewhere. And YES! How lucky we are that DL doesn't suck us down!! :rolleyes: DL is going to suck itself down. That airline is in such a horrible position right now that I would seriously be surprised if it survived Ch11 without liquidating. I'm sorry, but DL isn't going to be sucking anyone down anytime soon.

FURTHERMORE. I've flown HP for several years now and have status with the airline. I don't solely identify myself as a "US flyer" that deserves much more than any other HP flyer.

Anyways, all these stupid little arguments we're having here are soon to become moot. We'll all become 1 in a couple of months, so I don't understand why anyone here would ever argue that their airline is better than the other and that some people are owed more than others, etc, etc. Pretty soon there's just going to be one US.


You make an excellent point.

On a more personal note, I'd say let's give it a year at most, and once HP Plats have to start flying 100K a year to maintain their status, they will no longer love the HP management so much. Then I bet it will be a whole new thread dedicated to how the management is being so unfair and not supporting former HP Elites and blah blah blah.

Why are people getting riled up about this? A US Chairman's is going to be living in the northeast/east coast 99% of the while the HP Platinum is more than likely living on the west coast.

Being that I live in the northeast I highly doubt that I'm going to affect any other HP's Platinum member's ability to upgrade, unless you start a heck of a lot of flying to this side of the country.

I'm confused why people are worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet.

May I please provide you and Doug Parker's low paid Marketing staff with the simple logic that we could have given them for free if they bothered to ask us?

I have Plat status on two airlines any given year, and three airlines some years. I quit flying HP when I hit Plat status unless I've acheived the Plat level for the second airline or HP has a direct flight that better matches my schedule.

I fly AA to the East since HP hasn't had a presence where I normally travel to. Next year I am faced with sitting in coach if I go East with HP because they've chosen to segregate HP customers to a lower level and relegate us to the "back of the bus." Keep in mind that I purchase full fare F tickets for approximately 20% of my flights.

As I said here earlier this week, it appears that the inexperienced, low paid support staff in Tempe haven't a clue. Everything I hear is negative for HP customers. I've already cancelled and refunded (yes, I also purchase refundable tickets quite often) a flight to DFW and rebooked on AA. It appears that I will have to put HP squarely behind me as I did when the Village Idiot Franke was CEO. :rolleyes:

According to all of Parker's public comments on the barbell shaped customer base, he was hoping to maintain current customers on both sides of the country and grow from there. That logic goes out the window when they have a Western customer base that flies other airlines to the East due to HP's lack of density there and they stomp on our toes the first chance they get. Why in hell should I put up with getting sent to the back of the bus next year when flying US to the East when the CEO apparently wants my business? In 2005 I've been upgraded to F approximately 90% of the time when I purchase Y tickets. Do I really want to get stuck in the back for a 3+ hr flight when I am 6'4"? Hell no!

Looks like this new merger will be known out West as the "formerly well run low fare business airline" now known as the "beast from the East." :mad:

According to all of Parker's public comments on the barbell shaped customer base, he was hoping to maintain current customers on both sides of the country and grow from there. That logic goes out the window when they have a Western customer base that flies other airlines to the East due to HP's lack of density there and they stomp on our toes the first chance they get.

it certainly does. suppose you want to go PHX-RIC. currently you take AA or DL, 1-stop via DFW or ATL. for the merger to work, you and a lot of other PHX heavy hitters have to be willing to switch and take US via CLT. there is scant incentive in the merger plan for you to do so-- for all of the reasons pointed out in the previous post.

the "barbell" business map has a stable western side and a bleeding-mercilessly eastern side. simple glue between the two is a ticket for a rocket-ride to the bottom. the first visible step, redeploying high-CASM RJ's to already high-CASM short east-coast stages, is solely a means to limit losses, not generate profits.

I've already cancelled and refunded (yes, I also purchase refundable tickets quite often) a flight to DFW and rebooked on AA. It appears that I will have to put HP squarely behind me as I did when the Village Idiot Franke was CEO.
So why exactly did you cancel your flight? I mean nothing has been formally announced yet as to what the plan is. So if Parker and Co. give us Plats Chairmans for 2006 which gives us an entire year to fly 100K on the new route system, why would you think you would be in the "back" more than you are now? You obviously fly alot of miles so 100K shouldn't be out of the question for you.

My company doesn't let me buy F fare or fully refundable fares if there is something cheaper available. We have to buy the lowest ticket price thankfully we get to pick the airline most of the time but cancelling filghts on the off chance you might be riding in the back of the bus next year or 2007 if they grant us chairmans status for 2006 seems a bit rash. Just my opinion mind you but no one seems to really be giving Parker and Co. a chance to succeed or screw up. They assume they are going to take the screws to everyone without really any real reason.

Now they may come down and royally screw up the airline...there's always that possibility but at least wait to see if it happens....

Lance

Maybe I am just confused, but I don't understand why HP elites that fly comparable miles/segments to US elites are going to get screwed here?

My flying is generally short haul, but also 90% + using fully refundable/changable fares, so I do spent a considerable amount of money with HP.

I just checked and found out that in 2003, I flew 113 segments. OK, I admit, that I won't fly 100,000 miles, but I am sure that there are many many US CP elites that qualified based on segments as well.

Based on my 2004 flying patterns, I will fly something over 120 segments.

Are people saying that us HP elites are going to get the shaft in the short run because our highest level was platinum and that theshold was 90 segments? I determined that not only does HP have our stats for 2003 flying activity, but it is easily accessible. I called Flightfund and in a matter or 30 seconds I was given this information.

Why wouldn't US and HP elites be subject to the same criteria from day one?

So why exactly did you cancel your flight? I mean nothing has been formally announced yet as to what the plan is. So if Parker and Co. give us Plats Chairmans for 2006 which gives us an entire year to fly 100K on the new route system, why would you think you would be in the "back" more than you are now? You obviously fly alot of miles so 100K shouldn't be out of the question for you.

My company doesn't let me buy F fare or fully refundable fares if there is something cheaper available. We have to buy the lowest ticket price thankfully we get to pick the airline most of the time but cancelling filghts on the off chance you might be riding in the back of the bus next year or 2007 if they grant us chairmans status for 2006 seems a bit rash. Just my opinion mind you but no one seems to really be giving Parker and Co. a chance to succeed or screw up. They assume they are going to take the screws to everyone without really any real reason.

Now they may come down and royally screw up the airline...there's always that possibility but at least wait to see if it happens....

Lance

Well, doesn't HP upgrade Plats based on the number of miles they have flown at the time? Even if all HP Plats are given CP status, most former US CPs will have flown more miles, thus it will be harder for former HP Plats to receive upgrades given than most CPs will actually be from the former US Airways.

Maybe I am just confused, but I don't understand why HP elites that fly comparable miles/segments to US elites are going to get screwed here?

My flying is generally short haul, but also 90% + using fully refundable/changable fares, so I do spent a considerable amount of money with HP.

I just checked and found out that in 2003, I flew 113 segments. OK, I admit, that I won't fly 100,000 miles, but I am sure that there are many many US CP elites that qualified based on segments as well.

Based on my 2004 flying patterns, I will fly something over 120 segments.

Are people saying that us HP elites are going to get the shaft in the short run because our highest level was platinum and that theshold was 90 segments? I determined that not only does HP have our stats for 2003 flying activity, but it is easily accessible. I called Flightfund and in a matter or 30 seconds I was given this information.

Why wouldn't US and HP elites be subject to the same criteria from day one?


Right, your 120 segments would fully qualify you for CP status. It's 100K miles OR 100 segments, not both.

Just my opinion mind you but no one seems to really be giving Parker and Co. a chance to succeed or screw up. They assume they are going to take the screws to everyone without really any real reason.



the most important reason for fearing such action is the rising urgency now that US is in a complete financial nosedive-- cash flow from operations at negative 140 million for the month of July---all of this after an entire bankruptcy's worth of cost "restructuring". what screws are there left to tighten post-october?

Well, doesn't HP upgrade Plats based on the number of miles they have flown at the time? Even if all HP Plats are given CP status, most former US CPs will have flown more miles, thus it will be harder for former HP Plats to receive upgrades given than most CPs will actually be from the former US Airways.

Yep as you'll see in my post on sept 3, if we use the current HP model of sorting out who gets upgraded first when they are on the same level, they base it on your rolling 12 months flying. But I'm sure that not every single US CP has flown 100K this year. Some probably rolled over some miles, some probably made it based on segments. And how many just made it based on the challenge that went around?

Lance

I hope the name calling stops going forward on this thread. I mean really, we are talking about a frequent flyer program!

I understand how important status is, I flew 150K last year, and @ 100K for 05. AND I have taken a few UA flights where I have no status, and even the handicap guy in the wheel chair can't even get a bulkhead seat b/c he doesn't have any status.

I'm just worried that fisticuffs will break out Oct 1, between an HP Plat and a US CP when one or the other doesn't get upgraded for various reasons (like say a broken F seat :D ). I hope I'm there to see it too . . . I want to witness that :D

Let's keep the discussion on point: a la that fine gentleman who posted the hear say from the sky box . . . that is at least helpful. Anyone catch Doug Parker in the office lav?

Like my old man used to say (still says), "It is what it is."

Yep as you'll see in my post on sept 3, if we use the current HP model of sorting out who gets upgraded first when they are on the same level, they base it on your rolling 12 months flying. But I'm sure that not every single US CP has flown 100K this year. Some probably rolled over some miles, some probably made it based on segments. And how many just made it based on the challenge that went around?

Lance

In that sense we won't know for sure what will happen. As a US CP and even when I was a US Gold, I never missed a single upgrade. In the past, there just weren't many CPs on most of my flights. I suppose until recently it made sense for US Airways to upgrade Preferred members within the same level based mostly on check-in time.

It's my understanding that HP has quite a significant number of Plats, so perhaps they will revise the upgrade policy within the same level.

Level/miles/segments/upgrade days window:


silver... 25K 30 1
gold..... 50K 60 2
platinum. 75K 90 3
chairman. 100K 120 :( 7




Any ideas on what *A Gold and *A Silver would be? Silver / Gold = * Silver Plat / Chairmans = * Gold?

Yes, this makes a difference with *A club access.

Any ideas on what *A Gold and *A Silver would be? Silver / Gold = * Silver Plat / Chairmans = * Gold?

Yes, this makes a difference with *A club access.


I would imagine that Gold and above would remain *Gold. I only say this because in comparison to all other member airlines, including UA, to achieve *Gold status you need only fly 50k miles/year.

In that sense we won't know for sure what will happen. As a US CP and even when I was a US Gold, I never missed a single upgrade. In the past, there just weren't many CPs on most of my flights. I suppose until recently it made sense for US Airways to upgrade Preferred members within the same level based mostly on check-in time.

It's my understanding that HP has quite a significant number of Plats, so perhaps they will revise the upgrade policy within the same level.
I have no idea on the number of CPs for US or Plats for HP, who has more, who has more in relation to the number of available upgrades etc. but...

I hope that the new US Airways keeps the HP model of upgrades and bases it on your flying and not your check in time. I know other people who fly and have this check in time issue and all they do 24 hours ahead of time is click the check in button to see if they can yet. I think the person who flies more miles for the airline should get it over someone that flew fewer (but are on the same tier).

Lance

So why exactly did you cancel your flight? I mean nothing has been formally announced yet as to what the plan is. So if Parker and Co. give us Plats Chairmans for 2006 which gives us an entire year to fly 100K on the new route system, why would you think you would be in the "back" more than you are now? You obviously fly alot of miles so 100K shouldn't be out of the question for you.

Lance, It appears that the new line will provide CP higher status in 2005 (confirmed elsewhere in that programs will not change until 2006) so why should I waste miles with HP when I can bump my AA up to Exec P? Given that I will have to fly a year of East coast flights at a major disadvantage, why would I want to go through a year of that just to get back to where I was in 2005?

Simple answer is, "I won't." I'll be Exec P AA before the end of the year and will end up being upgraded 90% of the time on AA (or close to it) rather than getting folded into an undersized Y seat on US.

It's quite simple.

Lance, It appears that the new line will provide CP higher status in 2005 (confirmed elsewhere in that programs will not change until 2006) so why should I waste miles with HP when I can bump my AA up to Exec P? Given that I will have to fly a year of East coast flights at a major disadvantage, why would I want to go through a year of that just to get back to where I was in 2005?

Simple answer is, "I won't." I'll be Exec P AA before the end of the year and will end up being upgraded 90% of the time on AA (or close to it) rather than getting folded into an undersized Y seat on US.

It's quite simple.
Can you show me where you read it was confirmed that there would be higher status for US CP's over HP Plats for the rest of 2005 year? I've been reading what I could about it but certainly could have missed it but most posts here have been speculation at best and I haven't read anywhere that HP plats would stay at platinum and not be given top tier status for the remainder of 2005 (the program year).

If it's confirmed that this is going to happen I don't blame you in the least. To give US CPs top tier status over us when we had no 100K tier would certainly tick me off especially since we already have a model that gives those with higher amounts of miles in the last 12 months priority over those with fewer miles when they are in the same tier. Let that sort it out and give us all top tier status...

I'm already mad at the letter that some received that said they will only take EQMs from EITHER DM or FF and not both but encourage us to fly US when we can't take HP. All we'll end up getting is our total miles transferred over but someone that has 50K in both programs is sucking at gold instead of Chairmans in the new program.


I'll start writing letters now if that is the case....

Lance