So THATS what I/O looks like
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,060
So THATS what I/O looks like
Travelled out to BKK on Monday, and got my seemingly customary upgrade from Biz to First, and the chap assigned to 1A was made a bit of a fuss over.
He was of course welcomed on board, and told that on arrival someone would be there to welcome him at the door, and assist him with his bags etc.
Only on getting off did I spot the black luggage tag, with ared streak across it, one of the coveted Invitation only tags, as I commented to the purser.
He was of course welcomed on board, and told that on arrival someone would be there to welcome him at the door, and assist him with his bags etc.
Only on getting off did I spot the black luggage tag, with ared streak across it, one of the coveted Invitation only tags, as I commented to the purser.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Warks.England
Programs: Thai Silver,Skywards Silver,Gulf Silver, Interconti Prority Platinum, FR Priority Q!
Posts: 697
Probably VP of Purchasing for an International Company!
BA used to give them out if your company spent zillions per annum.
A Scottish Bank (there were only two, so take your pick) had three-one for the Chairman,one for the MD and one for the Facilities Director.
BA used to give them out if your company spent zillions per annum.
A Scottish Bank (there were only two, so take your pick) had three-one for the Chairman,one for the MD and one for the Facilities Director.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: LON, RUH and DXB
Programs: BA Bronze, GF, EK, WY
Posts: 2,607
BA still have a Premier tier which, as Silverswimmer implies, is targeted at those controlling/influencing travel spend rather than necessarily those who fly a lot.
There are a couple of Prems on the BA board here on FT.
All nominations signed off by the BA board ... the real one, not the FT one
Why are they always black cards ? EK, BA. Amex, ...
There are a couple of Prems on the BA board here on FT.
All nominations signed off by the BA board ... the real one, not the FT one
Why are they always black cards ? EK, BA. Amex, ...
#5
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 1A or GS-550
Programs: SQ SPPS, EK I/O, CX DM, SU Plat, Hyatt DM, IC RA Plat, HH DM, AMX Cent
Posts: 498
I/O
Travelled out to BKK on Monday, and got my seemingly customary upgrade from Biz to First, and the chap assigned to 1A was made a bit of a fuss over.
He was of course welcomed on board, and told that on arrival someone would be there to welcome him at the door, and assist him with his bags etc.
Only on getting off did I spot the black luggage tag, with ared streak across it, one of the coveted Invitation only tags, as I commented to the purser.
He was of course welcomed on board, and told that on arrival someone would be there to welcome him at the door, and assist him with his bags etc.
Only on getting off did I spot the black luggage tag, with ared streak across it, one of the coveted Invitation only tags, as I commented to the purser.
Safe Flying
EGT
Last edited by ELITEGOLDTRAVELLER; Oct 21, 2011 at 4:36 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Skywards
Posts: 6
@ELITEGOLDTRAVELLER
Standing at around 180T Tier Miles current and two additional F Flights scheduled this year, getting another 85.000 Miles.
What you think how are the chances to reach I/O Status? (Joined 2008 Skywards and the last three years always gold with 100.000+ Miles p.a)
Also booked at the inaugural flight of the A380 from MUC-DXB on 25. November in F. So might get the chance to speak to the SVP of North Europe/ Germany Mr. Greiner and other representatives. Unfortunately only spending on my private expenses and not responsible for spending companies money at emirates.
How are the chances with 260.000 Tier Miles this year? Who is responsible for a I/O invitation, Brian Labelle / Skywards? Regional Manager? or Dubai CEO?
Standing at around 180T Tier Miles current and two additional F Flights scheduled this year, getting another 85.000 Miles.
What you think how are the chances to reach I/O Status? (Joined 2008 Skywards and the last three years always gold with 100.000+ Miles p.a)
Also booked at the inaugural flight of the A380 from MUC-DXB on 25. November in F. So might get the chance to speak to the SVP of North Europe/ Germany Mr. Greiner and other representatives. Unfortunately only spending on my private expenses and not responsible for spending companies money at emirates.
How are the chances with 260.000 Tier Miles this year? Who is responsible for a I/O invitation, Brian Labelle / Skywards? Regional Manager? or Dubai CEO?
#7
Moderator, Trip Reports
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA GS-2MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,697
@ELITEGOLDTRAVELLER
Standing at around 180T Tier Miles current and two additional F Flights scheduled this year, getting another 85.000 Miles.
What you think how are the chances to reach I/O Status? (Joined 2008 Skywards and the last three years always gold with 100.000+ Miles p.a)
Also booked at the inaugural flight of the A380 from MUC-DXB on 25. November in F. So might get the chance to speak to the SVP of North Europe/ Germany Mr. Greiner and other representatives. Unfortunately only spending on my private expenses and not responsible for spending companies money at emirates.
How are the chances with 260.000 Tier Miles this year? Who is responsible for a I/O invitation, Brian Labelle / Skywards? Regional Manager? or Dubai CEO?
Standing at around 180T Tier Miles current and two additional F Flights scheduled this year, getting another 85.000 Miles.
What you think how are the chances to reach I/O Status? (Joined 2008 Skywards and the last three years always gold with 100.000+ Miles p.a)
Also booked at the inaugural flight of the A380 from MUC-DXB on 25. November in F. So might get the chance to speak to the SVP of North Europe/ Germany Mr. Greiner and other representatives. Unfortunately only spending on my private expenses and not responsible for spending companies money at emirates.
How are the chances with 260.000 Tier Miles this year? Who is responsible for a I/O invitation, Brian Labelle / Skywards? Regional Manager? or Dubai CEO?
There was rumour running around that entry into I/O required 50 X F sectors and invitation was solely made by Tim Clarke's office. Not sure if that still holds true. You would assume that the first 250 were CEO, CIO, CFO etc level and people in the inner circle of the DXB corporate crowd...
There was also discussion mid-year that Skywards was looking to expand the I/O program, once it saw how the pilot rollout went and how they could ensure consistency of benefits globally.
I'm not sure total tier miles will be enough...
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
Programs: BA Gold | SK Gold | A3 Gold
Posts: 4,551
iO membership is controlled by Skywards, and is based on a variety of factors including class of travel, spend etc but it is clearly very revenue driven. It will expand with time, so it is also a matter of waiting it out, though I think that 200k including F bonuses is probably not enough right now.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,527
@Elitegoldtraveller
I have always wonders how the skywards website looks like when you
Log in as an I/O member?Does the background become black? When you are moved on from gold status to I/O?
I have always wonders how the skywards website looks like when you
Log in as an I/O member?Does the background become black? When you are moved on from gold status to I/O?
#11
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Skywards Plat, Etihad Gold, Aerosvit Gold, Virgin Silver, AA lifetime Gold, Sirius Gold
Posts: 1,229
Just as well I have have my own Black Range Rover and driver then as my 150,000 or so per year will not cut it ... at least I can smoke in my one though, so I would probably never want to use the IO ones even if I could!
Thanks as ever for your insights from the inside.
Thanks as ever for your insights from the inside.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: EK Gold, EY Gold, BA Gold OW Emerald, A3 *G, SV Skyteam Elite
Posts: 972
Let's put it in the right words, I think it is revenue driven both on a corporate level and on an individual level.
If you think about the regional heads of the investment banks or the big loca family conglomerates, there is a possibility that they have very low tier miles because they use your their corporate jets. Yet, they would be iO because they assert a huge influence on the travel policy of their employees
If you think about the regional heads of the investment banks or the big loca family conglomerates, there is a possibility that they have very low tier miles because they use your their corporate jets. Yet, they would be iO because they assert a huge influence on the travel policy of their employees
Last edited by GigoloArt; Oct 29, 2011 at 3:49 pm Reason: Clarified wording
#13
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: Skywards Blue :-(, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, GHA Platinum
Posts: 2,527
Let's put it in the right words, I think it is revenue driven on a corporate level not on an individual level.
If you think about the regional heads of the investment banks or the big loca family conglomerates, there is a possibility that they have very low tier miles because they use your their corporate jets. Yet, they would be iO because they assert a huge influence on the travel policy of their employees
If you think about the regional heads of the investment banks or the big loca family conglomerates, there is a possibility that they have very low tier miles because they use your their corporate jets. Yet, they would be iO because they assert a huge influence on the travel policy of their employees
#15
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue
Posts: 158
Is there actually any real benefit to I/O beyond what a Gold in F would get? Sure, you'll be at the front of the line when things go wrong, but apart from that, the description of the I/O at the top of this thread is a joke.
Do I want to be made a fuss of when I board, talked to etc? No. Do I want to be greeted off the plane and escorted? No, not really because walking through DXB transfers is pretty straightforward.
Do I want to be made a fuss of when I board, talked to etc? No. Do I want to be greeted off the plane and escorted? No, not really because walking through DXB transfers is pretty straightforward.