MilesBuzz! - Who will be the "BIG" winners at this years Freddie Awards?

Despite the lack of another round of "stay for earning 'frebbies'" late in the year, probably Starwood & SPG once again!

Any thoughts? Anyone? Thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'd be surprised if Starwood didn't pick-up a nice collection of awards this year "as usual"...

I doubt that DC will pick up any votes this time.

But who will WIN, Al? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I hope AMEX Starwood.
And AAdvantage.

and SK of course http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

For hotels, Starwood hands down and for airline I'd guess Aadvantage

The past two year winners have not been very different. While there were some changes, 80% of the choices were the same.

So this year I predict - more of the same. Unless Inside Flyer tinkers with the formula used to compute the winner.

I would think the Starwood AMEX might not win this year since they decided to implement a yearly fee... will be interesting to see.

William

Tinker? Pretty difficult to do since the partners (MCI/USA Today, etc. have real-time access to the balloting to see what is going on, etc). But to answer your question, the way the Freddies work is the same, programs qualify with a percentage of the total votes in a category and then the winner is chosen by having the highest ValueVote. We only conpile the data and have always put the data out for partners to see. Also, our accounting firm probably wouldn't like any tinkering going on (and we aren't even using Anderson) and they are the ones who certify the data.

As for winners. I only have one vote and am still fairly comfortable with my choices from last year though i have a feeling there may be some different names as winners this year. I've been surprised the last few years and know that my personal choices last year only won one Freddie among all the various awards. Guess I must be in the wrong programs or just lucky that I feel they are doing a good job with me.

I'm surprised that no one has set any odds on this years winners. While not a gambler, surely one of you could figure all this out (HA!)

My voting was based on what the airlines and hotels did LAST year. This year, my votes were similiar to my votes for last years' and I had a lot of winners!

But I am thinking, that I might be changing my best airline votes next time. Still waiting to see, what unacceptable changes are implemented for this year. Am hoping for the BEST! But who knows? Any successful business canbe turned around for the worst overnite.

Nothing more specific, eh Randy? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I guess it would not really look good to predict too many winners anyway! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm admittedly very much looking forward to voting and certainly to also see the latest results this year! And the great Freddie Awards ceremony perhaps most of all!

I'm willing to predict that CO may well suffer a rather serious setback this year!

They will perhaps have to alter their advertising a bit! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

CO will not get my vote this year. Now that Midwest Express has come to MSP, I think I'll be making more than a few connections in Milwaukee.

Starwood will pick up a bunch of awards, but I was REALLY SAD to not see Free Fridays this winter.

BO
Does that mean your votes will be determined by this year's anticipated flying, or by last years flights?

Curious. Just asking!

So maybe tinker was a wrong choice of word. But I said tinker with the formula, and did not say tinker with the data - there is a difference.

I never could understand what "ValueVote" is. And when people say that they will vote 1 for their favorite program (opposed to voting 10), there has to be something wrong with the "ValueVote" formula.

Incidentally - my previous prediction was made before I knew about the latest changes at CO. I think that the CO changes have the potential of knocking them out some first places.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 01-17-2002).]

Yes, the "ValueVote" concept is a puzzle to many, especially the scientific types perhaps including me, but it is supposedly to help identify trends among those who are in a program and clearly like it IF they really, really, REALLY like it so as to better discriminate among the top selections, as I understand it!

Perhaps others can better explain it however! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by R&R:
BO
Does that mean your votes will be determined by this year's anticipated flying, or by last years flights?

Curious. Just asking!</font>


Hmmmmm. good question.

I would have to saty that my vote depends on where the program is at the time my vote is cast. As winners use (see OnePass and SPG) this in their advertising for an entire year, I feel it would be misrepresentative to award a Freddie to a program which guts itself after a strong year. This isn't like the Oscars. People see a Freddie award, and they think it means NOW.

I'd like to see Hilton win. I think their service has become alot more consistent. Their promotions and elite service can't be beat (arguable, I'm sure).

As to airlines, there is a big airline that I'd like to vote against, my problem is that it is really my only option to fly out of Denver. I have flown Alaska a couple of times and was impressed at their attitude and service.

As to CCs, I'm pretty fed up with both Diners and Amex (Membership Rewards). From what I've heard, the Delta AMEX sounds like the best deal out there. I have a Starwood AMEX, but I don't think it is anything special.

I guess we'll see.

Starwood or Marriott. - Marriott may pull it off with their double points, double nights deal. I was torn between these. Starwood wins hands down in so many other areas however.

AA on the airside. My guess is CO suffered significant damage over their recent changes.

How does SK win all the time?

Their program doesn't seem that great - but the card looks nice :-)

Cheers,

Justin

As far as CC's go, the Starwood Amex is a pretty good bet to win, IMHO! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sdix:
Starwood or Marriott. - Marriott may pull it off with their double points, double nights deal.</font>

Hmmmm.... my vote is for Hilton. They have "double-dipping". You get points with Hilton AND your airline of choice. Plus, if you pay with your AMEX (which I always do!), you get double points - however, I think that was a promotion. I believe they run that promotion frequently, though.

RG

And now NWA and also AA have announced changes/enhancements! Will they too suffer at the ballot box?

Does HP possibly have the best FF program now?

Hands down it’s CO !

Absolutely the best airline in the earth’s atmosphere !

With the MANY ENHANCEMENTS, CO can’t help butt win.


Way to go CO !

NOT !

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


(Greg was the true genius behind the fabled CO turn around.)


[This message has been edited by GiveMeATicket4AnAirplane (edited 01-23-2002).]

how about Radisson and Goldpoints???

hahahahahahahahahahaha

Didn't Marriott win last year with their #713 package reward??? Wonder what part of the new program they think will win? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

On that topic I got an email from Marriott last year to vote...not this year yet. Does anyone know when the votes are taken and where?

[This message has been edited by pwrshift (edited 01-23-2002).]

Voting for the 14th Annual Freddie Awards began January 15th, 2002.

Stay close to this site for updates on the event.

http://www.freddieawards.com/


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum97/HTML/000601.html

I vote for US Airways. Where else can low & mid tier elites get SWU's as part of their kits!

More bad press for the entire industry!

...A distressing, but absolutely predictable, story about airline duplicity appeared in last Friday’s USA Today. As reporter Jayne O’Donnell wrote, “nearly all the endorsements” of the proposed American Airlines-British Airways code-share pact “were solicited from people who were working for the airlines.”
In stomach-turning detail, O’Donnell explained how the talking-head “experts” American has put forward to support its BA deal were on the payroll of American, its lobbyist, its public-relations agency or one of its consulting firms. O’Donnell also showed how some “independent” opponents of the AA-BA code-share pact are actually on the payroll of American and BA’s competitors.

http://www.zyworld.com/brancatelli/branc.htm

Last year Marriott won a Freddie for their now dead #713 Rewards Package (World trip for two). My guess is they'll get hammered this year in the voting.

I thought NWA had a chance at making a strong showing... but not anymore since they revised their program for 2002.

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

I thought NWA had a chance at making a strong showing... but not anymore since they revised their program for 2002.</font>

---


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

Starwood wins for immediacy & lack of capacity controls.
HHonors is downgraded for rigmarole of paper certs. & need to order the right one in anticipation.
CO, NW, & US lose for requiring a Sat. nite stay on awards. However they win for 20K awards (soon to disappear.)
AA wins for '1 stopover AND 1 open-jaw' on domestic awards, the overly generous definition of stopover, and the possibility of buying one's way with money into J/F on a Y award. I sure do miss the old AA/US partnership & pooling of miles. I also penalize AA for rush fees on e-tickets &lt;21 days advance! NO EXCUSE FOR RUSH FEES WHEN NO PAPER NOR FEDEX IS INVOLVED! </font>

---

Interesting and valid points! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

So SPG will not likely suffer then from their failure to offer an end of the year stay free program since there other offerings are so relatively strong?

Doc,
Speaking of those expecting Amex Starpoints Optima card to win.I doubt it.
Nothing to do with the fee either.Amex does not heavily promote this card.Most only know about Membership Rewards. This is where Amex Makes their money. They charge a fee for the card 75 to 300 and up. Then 40 more a year for a card that has a poor limited choice of airlines and a 1000 mile to 333 starpoint transfer ratio as one example.
Amex cards linked to Membership Rewards are the ones they promote the most wouldn't you!!!Thats where the push is and what most people carry especially non program savy folks.With less market share & card holders / of the Starpoint Amex card it also makes it easier for Membership Rewards to win.Even though the Starpoints Amex card wins hands down
As for Diners the past choice of the year.The executives at Diners created an aberration of their program with a charge to reedem club reward points for miles.
Its hard to vote for anything this year in a credit card.Even First Usa is starting to look generous with 5000 ba miles and no first year fee.
As for Starwood they win by default this year because while they made no considerable improvements(exception a formal platinum ammenity program promised 3 years ago but introduced this fall) they still have a winning program for reward redemption.Their customer service has declined somewhat since the closing of Salt Lake City.The new desk outside of Austin (West Coast) can be friendly but incompetent.Starwood of course still has great stregnths and continued promise as a company.Unless it indeed sells out and then its anybodys guess as to what happens.Hilton has done way better on its Diamond Desk acting like a true Concierge.And while Hilton Honors far from exceptional shows continued solid improvement.I admire their gold elite level as the best program in the industry.Combined with free breakfast good earning opportunities,and and upgrade at properties including club floors this makes it very hard to beat.Easy to earn or get comped.To me this is the program.Oh and free 1-800 calls how can you go wrong.

------------------
AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Diamond Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
U/A 1 K



[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 01-29-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ender83:
how about Radisson and Goldpoints???

hahahahahahahahahahaha</font>

And I say, why not Radisson and Goldpoints??? Their actions in the past few days have convinced me that they will indeed soon come thru with ALL the points promised with their holiday promotions. In my case I spent $2900 on gift certificates and $300 on magazines and in return I'm getting $2900 in purchases at Target and Home Depot (I would have spent that much anyway), some magazines for the coffee table and oh, by the way, about 130,000 FF miles. Total out of pocket cost to me: about $300 and a few hours of my time - not bad for 130K miles. And to think of all the hours and hours that I put in and all of the hoops that I jumped thru to get a measley 20K AA miles with their 20/20 promo...

Hard to say who will win, but based on the postings I have read lately, the following seems true of the various programs and companies:

RISING UP
American AAdvantage
AMEX Starwood Card
Starwood Preferred Guest
British Airways

FALLING DOWN
Continental OnePass
Diners Club Rewards
United Airlines (overall)
Lufthansa

Other thoughts............



[This message has been edited by mktozd (edited 01-29-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yanxfann:
And I say, why not Radisson and Goldpoints??? Their actions in the past few days have convinced me that they will indeed soon come thru with ALL the points promised with their holiday promotions. In my case I spent $2900 on gift certificates and $300 on magazines and in return I'm getting $2900 in purchases at Target and Home Depot (I would have spent that much anyway), some magazines for the coffee table and oh, by the way, about 130,000 FF miles. Total out of pocket cost to me: about $300 and a few hours of my time - not bad for 130K miles. And to think of all the hours and hours that I put in and all of the hoops that I jumped thru to get a measley 20K AA miles with their 20/20 promo...</font>

I agree. I have been very happy with mileage earning opportunities at their web site (though I got no magazines). I'd rate Starwood #1 as they have no capacity controls on their awards and also allow online booking. But Radisson gets strong kudos for their mileage earning opportunities.

Yup. Radisson gets my vote. Now they can join in the long tradition of companies like Marriott that win the Freddie by having generous awards, then immediately cut out the promotions that won them the Freddie. I hope we can look forward to some 300 point per dollar promotions in 2002. Maybe a Freddie will provide the motivation necessary to make it happen.

(duplicate deleted)

[This message has been edited by nsx (edited 01-29-2002).]

Delta Air Lines Improves Its Web Site

http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020129S0007

---

Is it finally DL's year? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Seems they may well have the best website, no?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum21/HTML/004921.html

UA or AA for Airlines

CO's Saturday night requirement just lost me for good!!

Please also see:

Airlines Raise Bar on Upgrades,
Freebies for Frequent Fliers

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006279.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum20/HTML/004335.html



[This message has been edited by doc (edited 01-31-2002).]

Well..., FWIW, I'm still undecided regarding the carriers. Maybe AA? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Please do not forget to cast YOUR ballot in any case:

http://www.freddieawards.com/

I saw a response above that said they would want to vote against an airline but that this the only choice they have in their home airport.

This is to suggest that if you want to continue to fly that airline and you don't like what the airline is doing, vote for somebody else anyway. The best thing you can do is to send your airline a message. This specially applies to an airline that seems to have gotten its head stuck in the clouds lately because of previous awards.

I have to say it, I voted CO and MR

Yes CO has enhanced us once again, yet they (for me) continue to be head and shoulders above the rest.. I wasn't affected by any of the enhancements (phewwww!!!) and the domestic upgrades are still in a league of their own.. enough IMHO to vote them #1 again

Marriott wins hands down with that year end/first quarter promo of 2X points and stay credits, what a deal..

Well, FWIW, like SPG, Marriott has now brought more FREE nights back, with an added offer of FREE Silver elite status for just three paid nights!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum63/HTML/001455.html

who cares about the freddies? i mean, i was never trying to decide about a property or an airline and the deciding factor was the freddies. i could care less because it has no impact on my personal decision making.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:

who cares about the freddies? i mean, i was never trying to decide about a property or an airline and the deciding factor was the freddies. i could care less because it has no impact on my personal decision making.</font>

---

At the risk of seeming a bit too positive, I truly feel that many folks do, in fact, care! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but I tend to not only vote for 'em, but also to patronize the winners and runner ups! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
who cares about the freddies? i mean, i was never trying to decide about a property or an airline and the deciding factor was the freddies. i could care less because it has no impact on my personal decision making.</font>

Yanks, would you care to share witht he group here just WHAT you are passionate about? I'm certain that we all could find a way to deride it, and you as well.

Fact is, the Freddie is a big deal to the airlines that have won it. CO (that would be Continental) feels it is very important to win this award annually. So much so, that the last time they tinkered with the OnePass program, they didn't win the award. So much so that the last time they didn't win the award, they apologized to their customers and restored the program!

So while you may yammer on about the lack of importance, you, as a CO (again, that would be COntinental) customer, have directly benefitted from the Freddie!

Don't ya just hate it when the facts sneak up on ya like that?




------------------
Bad Gordon!

No Freddie for you!

duxfan: do you HONESTLY make travel decisions based on who won a freddy? do you pull out the results when plotting a trip? i tend to doubt it since you already seem pretty opinionated.

Yanks, please allow me to once again refer you to your original post:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
who cares about the freddies? </font>

And my reply was that the airlines themselves care about it, and I provided the facts to support it.

As for your OTHER question, do I base MY choice of carriers solely upon the freddie award? No, I don't. The only reason I started flying CO (Continental) was because I moved to one of their hubs. While I still use OnePass as my primary FF (Frequent Flyer), I no longer fly CO (Continental). The smug attitude and love of RJ's (regional jet) here in CLE (Cleveland, Ohio, USA) and the inability to use the miles to upgrade international has chased me to NW (Northwest)for domestic and Asia, AA (American) for trips to Europe.

I would also hazard to guess that the ability to use the Freddie works for the marketing departments of the winning airline. Trust me, the marketing people wouldn't promote the win year after year if it had no effect. It obviously has more value to the winning airline than it does for you or I. However, it does have some value.

Anything else? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Don't know who will win but I wouldn't think my airline (Delta) or my Hotel (Marriott) would be in contention. Unfortunately, both have declined in meeting my expectations in the past year.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by fly co to see the yanks:
who cares about the freddies? i mean, i was never trying to decide about a property or an airline and the deciding factor was the freddies. i could care less because it has no impact on my personal decision making.</font>


Mr. FCOTSY : Please remember to consider the topic "Who will be the 'BIG' winners at this years Freddie Awards" before posting. Should you wish to start an alternative topic entitled "Who gives a flyin' flip about the freddies" you are more than welcome to do so, however your post is not appropriate considering the topic. Thank you for your time. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I do not feel as compelled to vote the Freddies like I did last year. seriously considering sitting it out and waiting if anything more positive developes.

I voted...honked for AAdvantage and Hilton. Grudgingly propped Diners again. Wished I could have dropped a -10 on United.

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

I do not feel as compelled to vote the Freddies like I did last year. seriously considering sitting it out and waiting if anything more positive developes.</font>

---
Understood! Yet, in the end, it may well prove to be a good idea to select your own best choices and vote, IMHO! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Today is the last day to vote if you are going to.

Does anyone know if you have to be a certain age in order to express an opinion?

I'm just wondering since Im just a kid you know.

Thanks for the reminder. I gave CO a BIG 1. And Starwood gets a 10.

I got an email to confirm my vote. How cool.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 03-15-2002).]

Yes, thanks for the reminder kid. Say, to answer your question about the age requirements for voting on the Freddies and a little more, I sent you a personal email addressing all that. I hope you find the information to be of help.

Here's something you may all find funny - I had actually not voted yet either. Running around with some other priorities and helping members here on FlyerTalk took me away from that. Now I have voted, just under the wire.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Randy Petersen:
Yes, thanks for the reminder kid. Say, to answer your question about the age requirements for voting on the Freddies and a little more, I sent you a personal email addressing all that. I hope you find the information to be of help.
</font>

Randy, we are all kids at heart! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Yes.

And some of us are whole familes at heart. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

posted 01-29-2002 03:06 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by ender83:
how about Radisson and Goldpoints???
hahahahahahahahahahaha


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by yanxfann:
[B] And I say, why not Radisson and Goldpoints???... B]</font>

Uhhh... in light of the events of the past few days is it too late to retract my vote?