Airline CEO's - here is a free idea to become "hip" and think outside the box
#1
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Airline CEO's - here is a free idea to become "hip" and think outside the box
I want to give the CEO, marketing and the BOD of any airline an idea to make themselves "hip" and a trendsetter. I am sure WN, Virgin (Atlantic or America) and Jet Blue would be the first to be "hip" with this idea, but I am giving this idea to all airlines.
My home base is LAS most of the time (HNL a few months a year, and formally TPE part-time). I go to many conventions and events all over the USA and the World that are not directly related to my business. I recently attended a gaming convention here in LAS and learned a lot about slot machines and branding.
One lecture was about the Megabucks, Wheel of Fortune, Men in Black, etc slot machines. They gave the numbers and they were great. Great for the casino, the maker of the slot machine, the theme/brand (insert airline here) and the State where the machines are placed. It is a win-win (except for most players, of course). That is the same with EVERY slot machine.
Now it is time to look outside the box and work with a slot machine company and produce a airline branded slot machine (for free and the airline would receive royalties).
MAX BET $3.00 (required to win):
TOP PRIZE: Unlimited Y Flts on such airline (for 2) for life (with a guarantee of the Highest FF status given and Club membership - so upgrades would happen). Plus, $5 Million cash.
PRIZE #2: Round the World flt in F. Plus $1 Million cash. This with the airline working with all the partner carriers.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
This would cost the airline NOTHING. The cash payments come from the casinos (like Megabucks). The airline receives a "cut" and gets the brand onto every casino floor in the USA and everywhere gaming is allowed.
Just a thought. @:-)@:-)@:-)
(This was originally geared toward UA and the CEO). I am throwing the idea to all airlines and any thoughts for members of FT. This seems like a win-win for everyone except the player (unless they win).
Megabucks starts at $10M.
The airline: Zero cost, except free seats in Y with a chance to sit in F. The airline receives a royalty which would be far greater than two Y seats. The airline would also get free advertising.
This seems like a no brainier for an airline to run with this idea. I gave the tip to UA on FT and was told to contact UA directly. I am opening the idea to all carriers. Thoughts? @:-)
(I am not in the gaming business).
My home base is LAS most of the time (HNL a few months a year, and formally TPE part-time). I go to many conventions and events all over the USA and the World that are not directly related to my business. I recently attended a gaming convention here in LAS and learned a lot about slot machines and branding.
One lecture was about the Megabucks, Wheel of Fortune, Men in Black, etc slot machines. They gave the numbers and they were great. Great for the casino, the maker of the slot machine, the theme/brand (insert airline here) and the State where the machines are placed. It is a win-win (except for most players, of course). That is the same with EVERY slot machine.
Now it is time to look outside the box and work with a slot machine company and produce a airline branded slot machine (for free and the airline would receive royalties).
MAX BET $3.00 (required to win):
TOP PRIZE: Unlimited Y Flts on such airline (for 2) for life (with a guarantee of the Highest FF status given and Club membership - so upgrades would happen). Plus, $5 Million cash.
PRIZE #2: Round the World flt in F. Plus $1 Million cash. This with the airline working with all the partner carriers.
Etc. Etc. Etc.
This would cost the airline NOTHING. The cash payments come from the casinos (like Megabucks). The airline receives a "cut" and gets the brand onto every casino floor in the USA and everywhere gaming is allowed.
Just a thought. @:-)@:-)@:-)
(This was originally geared toward UA and the CEO). I am throwing the idea to all airlines and any thoughts for members of FT. This seems like a win-win for everyone except the player (unless they win).
Megabucks starts at $10M.
The airline: Zero cost, except free seats in Y with a chance to sit in F. The airline receives a royalty which would be far greater than two Y seats. The airline would also get free advertising.
This seems like a no brainier for an airline to run with this idea. I gave the tip to UA on FT and was told to contact UA directly. I am opening the idea to all carriers. Thoughts? @:-)
(I am not in the gaming business).
#2
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Airline CEO's - here is a free idea to become "hip" and think outside the box
Interesting idea. There are certainly plenty of branded/themed slots out there. What I've noticed, though, is that many of the brands tend to be old/retro things or brands that already deal with gaming and vice (Deal or No Deal, Playboy, etc.).
With how much the airlines already get slammed in the media at every miniscule opportunity, I wonder what the PR cost of this would be if they launched these machines in LAS. Gambling is still considered a dirty thing across much of the US.
With how much the airlines already get slammed in the media at every miniscule opportunity, I wonder what the PR cost of this would be if they launched these machines in LAS. Gambling is still considered a dirty thing across much of the US.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
Airline CEO's - here is a free idea to become "hip" and think outside the box
I'm no expert but isn't the target demographic of slot machines decidedly silver haired? Not sure that's the way to a hip trendsetter brand (well not that kind of hip).
I have to assume there's a reason casinos generally hand out cash and not prizes. Either customers are too skeptical of prizes that aren't worth as much as they claim or the regulations are simpler to deal with with a cash prize. I suspect a bit of both -- given the choice of $1000 and $1000 worth of airline miles in an airline you may or may not ever fly which would you choose?
I have to assume there's a reason casinos generally hand out cash and not prizes. Either customers are too skeptical of prizes that aren't worth as much as they claim or the regulations are simpler to deal with with a cash prize. I suspect a bit of both -- given the choice of $1000 and $1000 worth of airline miles in an airline you may or may not ever fly which would you choose?
#5
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,154
I think your top prize is probably out of whack with realities. Maybe without the 5 million in cash it might not be unreasonable, especially since they'd probably also drop the second prize you list. Megabucks has a lot of penetration in casinos, but it's taken quite some time to get to that point.
Someone would also have to design a game that was interesting for players. With the negative connotations lots of people have with airlines, that might take some effort. (People aren't going to want to see lots of 'flight canceled', 'flight delayed' and 'lost luggage' coming up on the system ).
Someone would also have to design a game that was interesting for players. With the negative connotations lots of people have with airlines, that might take some effort. (People aren't going to want to see lots of 'flight canceled', 'flight delayed' and 'lost luggage' coming up on the system ).
#6
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Airline CEO's - here is a free idea to become "hip" and think outside the box
not hip. makes me think sleezy, cheap, and desperate. maybe good for spirit or frontier
#9
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Forget the prioritized CPU list. Install a slot machine at every gate and people on the upgrade list pull the lever for a chance at an upgrade.
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#12
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Interesting idea. There are certainly plenty of branded/themed slots out there. What I've noticed, though, is that many of the brands tend to be old/retro things or brands that already deal with gaming and vice (Deal or No Deal, Playboy, etc.).
With how much the airlines already get slammed in the media at every miniscule opportunity, I wonder what the PR cost of this would be if they launched these machines in LAS. Gambling is still considered a dirty thing across much of the US.
With how much the airlines already get slammed in the media at every miniscule opportunity, I wonder what the PR cost of this would be if they launched these machines in LAS. Gambling is still considered a dirty thing across much of the US.
There is a slot game related to the movie AIRPLANE.
There WAS a slot game that had a "frequently flyer" theme.
#13
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What I was really trying to say was something like: You don't see a Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup slot machine or a Hertz slot machine out there. I'm sure there are some current mainstream brands with co-branded slots, but not many, and probably for a reason.
I say all of this as a regular slot player myself. Invaders from Planet Moo-lah is quite fun.
#15
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I said vice or old/retro things.
What I was really trying to say was something like: You don't see a Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup slot machine or a Hertz slot machine out there. I'm sure there are some current mainstream brands with co-branded slots, but not many, and probably for a reason.
I say all of this as a regular slot player myself. Invaders from Planet Moo-lah is quite fun.
What I was really trying to say was something like: You don't see a Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup slot machine or a Hertz slot machine out there. I'm sure there are some current mainstream brands with co-branded slots, but not many, and probably for a reason.
I say all of this as a regular slot player myself. Invaders from Planet Moo-lah is quite fun.
Right now for many airlines getting upgraded using miles is a form of "gambling".