NYT: Big Ticket Fliers Poised to Gain Still More Miles
Oct 15, 2014, 2:55 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2001
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NYT: Big Ticket Fliers Poised to Gain Still More Miles
Interesting article on the changes DL and UA have made to their frequent flyer programs, and what it might mean.
"With 1,275 aircraft and flights to 369 destinations, Delta Air Lines is considerably larger than Swiss International Air Lines, which operates 90 aircraft and flies to 84 destinations. But it is neither Delta’s size nor its route map that is challenging the Swiss flagship carrier on flights between America and Europe.
Luring premium flyers from Swiss and other international airlines could be one of the consequences of a big change in how the Atlanta-based Delta and Chicago-based United treat their loyalty club members, according to several industry executives."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/tr...ore-miles.html
"With 1,275 aircraft and flights to 369 destinations, Delta Air Lines is considerably larger than Swiss International Air Lines, which operates 90 aircraft and flies to 84 destinations. But it is neither Delta’s size nor its route map that is challenging the Swiss flagship carrier on flights between America and Europe.
Luring premium flyers from Swiss and other international airlines could be one of the consequences of a big change in how the Atlanta-based Delta and Chicago-based United treat their loyalty club members, according to several industry executives."
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/tr...ore-miles.html
Oct 16, 2014, 3:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IAD
Posts: 319
UA isn't trying to get pax away from LX, they profit-share with LX (and LH) on their ATI routes. DL is trying to get pax away from LX. UA is trying to get pax away from BA, AF, KLM, etc.
Oct 16, 2014, 4:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2014
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Posts: 2,239
I know. But this only disadvantages OneWorld. Because if I wanted to earn more miles, I would just keep flying LX and ticket it on 016 stock, not switch to DL.
Oct 16, 2014, 7:28 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA1K; AA EXP
Posts: 164
How Funny Would It Be If DL and UA Both Lose Customers and Revenue Next Year....
Since DL and UA is re-shifting its focus to appease premium customers who rarely pay out of their own pocket, relegating customers who pay for coach...
Well, business customers might enjoy the no-one-sitting-in-the-middle-seat, and corporate policy reverts to all business travel regardless of distance or duration will be in coach... just saying...
Wishful thinking: UA and DL found out 20% of its coach load are mileage runners.... MRers quit...
Since DL and UA is re-shifting its focus to appease premium customers who rarely pay out of their own pocket, relegating customers who pay for coach...
Well, business customers might enjoy the no-one-sitting-in-the-middle-seat, and corporate policy reverts to all business travel regardless of distance or duration will be in coach... just saying...
Wishful thinking: UA and DL found out 20% of its coach load are mileage runners.... MRers quit...
Oct 17, 2014, 8:02 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: Paid F
Posts: 238
The only way around it is now going to be massive credit card spend to accrue points/miles. My neighbor, for example, spends $1M a year through his SPG business card and flies to Asia once per year with the entire family (5 ppl) for free.
Unfortunately, for the rank-and-file leisure travelers, you're screwed. Get used to your new position -- at the bottom!
Oct 17, 2014, 11:09 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Posts: 6,284
A lot of HVCs are business travelers who fly frequently and whose tickets are paid for by their employers/clients. I was in that category myself for several years, flying ~150k BIS miles and earning at least twice that in RDMs. Though I was making good money-- as most traveling professionals do-- those stacks of miles added up to significant value. They provided a very real increase in travel budget over what I was willing to spend out of discretionary income. I enjoyed using points on overseas vacations and last-minute trips that we wouldn't have paid cash for, thinking of it as a dividend paid for all those nights away from home and family.