MilesBuzz! - WSJ Middle Seat - Elite-Flier Status Is Getting Less Elite

Scott McCartney column in 12/13/05 WSJ

http://online.wsj.com/article/the_middle_seat.html

Edit - Sorry thought access was available on first article (don't want to run into copyright issues). This should be considered fair use:

"Being an elite-level frequent flier won't be quite as special next year.

Eager to raise cash and satisfy their credit-card company partners -- who have propped up struggling airlines financially -- several carriers have made it easier to qualify for premium-level status as an enticement to spend more on credit cards. Some recent offers have also made it a banner year for "mileage runs," trips made solely to push mileage totals over qualifying thresholds.

As a result, the ranks of premium travelers who get perks like upgrades, exit-row seating and preboarding privileges are swelling -- eroding the exclusivity long associated with elite status.

By one count, the number of elites could grow by more than 300,000 travelers in 2006 -- an 8% increase. This comes at a time when many frequent travelers are already nursing a raft of complaints: That first-class upgrades are harder to score. That crowds of premium customers elbow each other when boarding some flights. And that special elite-only lines for security screening sometimes move slower than regular queues."

Interesting article but I could only access it with an online WSJ subscription.

Scott McCartney column in 12/13/05 WSJ

http://online.wsj.com/article/the_middle_seat.html

I am sure that it is a fascinating article, but can you provide us (those without a subscription) some of it? Such as a paragraph or two? That usually allows for better discussion.

First few paragraphs follow...

Being an elite-level frequent flier won't be quite as special next year.

Eager to raise cash and satisfy their credit-card company partners -- who have propped up struggling airlines financially -- several carriers have made it easier to qualify for premium-level status as an enticement to spend more on credit cards. Some recent offers have also made it a banner year for "mileage runs," trips made solely to push mileage totals over qualifying thresholds.

As a result, the ranks of premium travelers who get perks like upgrades, exit-row seating and preboarding privileges are swelling -- eroding the exclusivity long associated with elite status.

By one count, the number of elites could grow by more than 300,000 travelers in 2006 -- an 8% increase. This comes at a time when many frequent travelers are already nursing a raft of complaints: That first-class upgrades are harder to score. That crowds of premium customers elbow each other when boarding some flights. And that special elite-only lines for security screening sometimes move slower than regular queues.

Sat in 6B SAN-ORD this morning on an A319 NO FUN at all.

I am not a WSJ subscriber and I read the entire article here:

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB113443355247120712-JdpzNYub0XYAQczp_vAYRBZLxxg_20061213,00.html?mod=r ss_free

Uuugh... makes me think harder about an otw next year to try to make exec. plat..

Same article posted here, free for all, no login required

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05349/621643.stm

Remember thought that statistically you're not going to run into these "light elites" at the airport that often. If they somehow qualified but only fly a few flights a year, chances are you won't see them.

Somebody posted a statistical analysis of this on the US Airways board a couple of years ago, but I can't find it.

I'm part of the problem, I guess. :p I'm going to make Silver on Delta with just two round trips this year. Admittedly, one was PHX-SVO in business which got me 20,902 MQMs. On the other hand, it was a discounted I fare for about $3000. I'm picking up another 4,781 this weekend on a PHX-PVD run for $150.

There's something to be said for the fact that if I'm only on Delta twice a year, you're unlikely to run into me. However, I'll probably throw them more of my business since I'll have status.

The cheapo PHX-PVD flight means I could "buy" Platinum status for $2400 by taking 16 flights.

For me, the big difference came five years ago with major alliances letting you earn status-qualifying miles on partners. There's no way I could have flown 100K miles a year on AA alone, especially since there were fewer code-shares then than now as well. I don't know how this factor compares to the others, but it's not "new news" - nor is the ability to earn status miles on Delta through their AmEx Optima card. AA's offer to renew status for a few hundred dollars, just re-announced for this year, is also about three years old, and its Challenges go back further than that.

In the other direction, not mentioned in the article, comps have become harder to get across the board. No way would AA give me Platinum based on Delta status today, but they did in 1998 - along with some free upgrade stickers (real paper stickers then, no databases) to "get me started."

Bottom line is that I don't think 2006 will be different enough from 2005 to notice, since most of the items in the article aren't new this year.

People over at the DL forum are .....ing about the lack of upgrades through ATL every day.

DL cut its PM qualification to 75k MQM's and the ranks of have swelled.

Your only chance to score upgrades is to travel on a "B" or better fare.