Soooooo glad I go to the Marine Terminal these days..
Yes this is another kick in the teeth to the regular shuttle pax. Initial DM changes were basically a #*CK !#FF to the regular shuttle passengers and this is basically much worse.
I buy an unrestricted ticket each week.
I can only feel sorry for the people these creeps are raping on BOS-PHL
Fed up with US but still ambivalent I had booked some flights on UA but put in our US DM #s. That will definitley be changed. I'm sorry I just booked a TA flight on US to SAN this weekend but glad I waited with some other ones. I am not willing to wait whether they back track on this one; that is unlikely.
A quick calculation shows that my wife and I are now spending at least about $15k on other carriers thru mid June alone, and we are only a relatively small fish in the US revenue pond. What will the loss in $$ be if all other people who stated today that they will move their business elsewhere follow through with their promise.
I used to do relatively cheap MR's between PHX, LAS, and various California cities, or always route through LAS in general for the extra segment / 500 mile bump. Now what would be my best option as a traveler based in Phoenix who doesn't fly for business, or extremely infrequently at least. I fly 15K to 30K miles in any given year for personal trips. I like to use my miles plus any bonus miles I can get from CC's and such for premium awards.
I just don't know if I should go with UA or AC, or perhaps an EU or Asian *A carrier?
My flying profile out of PHX is much like yours... many <500 mile trips to LAX and SAN with stops in LAS. However, US has made these stop-overs in LAS more expensive than the non-stops. So it's not as much of an option any more.
I'm thinking of going back to WN. It's certainly the best option out of PHX for travel to CA.
Comparing to B6, where I believe points expire on a rolling 12 months regardless of account earning or usage.
Of course if you have the b6 amex card points never expire and I would think any FF worth their salt that flys B6 regularly (I don't) would have that card.
I'm curious about all the talk about how much these short haul flights bring in in profit. If all the carriers are focusing on long haul international flights would it not stand to reason that these short haul flights which usually connect to another flight are not really that profitable?
I don't really have any idea I just find it hard to believe that if these flights are really as profitable as some think that they would make this change.
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"There is a snake in the shower!" my wife in our new house; me on the wrong side of the country
Programs: CO GE & UA 1P - Marriott Platinum & Hilton Gold
Posts: 9
Letters and emails
Same here. I'm another East Coasting short-haul customer (CLT -> DCA). I also sent a snail mail to Tempe carefully choosing from my Disney stamps the one of Dumbo, the flying elephant.
Unlike UA's $25 for a second bag fee, from which elite customers are excepted, US is deliberately picking on their best and most important elite flyers.
Let's keep on making noise and see this stupid revenue enhancement reversed. Other carriers may eventually adopt this on their own if US has success. It's only when customers don't tolerate the change and it hurts the US pocketbook they consider the consequences.
I've been tied up in meetings all day and just got this news. I have to say, I didn't believe the rumor yesterday when it was posted here, because I really didn't believe US could be this foolish. Clearly, I was wrong.
In fact, I've been debating whether or not to requal this year as most of my travel is consolidated on AA, but it's nice to have a few perks when US is my only option and when I fly the excellent Shuttle product. I flew an extra transcon last year to requal for 2008 (and, as a result, had to do a MR to make it to AA PLT). This makes my final decision easy. I'll still be forced to fly US a couple times a year, but there's no point in trying to requal now.
TalkBoard Member/Moderator: Southwest and JetBlue forums
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN CP & A-list, Interstate BBQ at MEM B17, CO Lifetime Presidents Club
Posts: 9,241
Southwest Airlines has long known that short-haul flights are a more profitable use of its aircraft than long-haul flights. Now US wants to discourage people from flying its short hauls. Genius... not.
Does US think it has exhausted all nickle and diming opportunities, and now it has to continue down to pennies?
Same here. I'm another East Coasting short-haul customer (CLT -> DCA). I also sent a snail mail to Tempe carefully choosing from my Disney stamps the one of Dumbo, the flying elephant.
Here's the response I received to an email I submitted via the DM page: Note the odd contention that the program changes are intended "to continue to deliver the best benefits to our DM members." Problem is they won't have many left after this shortsighted stunt. Equally odd is the contention that this will "simplify" the "accrual policy" - awarding 500 min miles, period, was quite simple if you ask me
Thank you for contacting US Airways.
We can understand your concerns about the changes in our mileage accrual
for short haul flights. Beginning May 1, 2008, you will begin earning
the actual number of miles flown rather than a 500 mile segment minimum.
We periodically review our program and make changes to offset rising
airline expenses and to continue to deliver the best benefits to our
Dividend Miles members. By awarding the actual number of miles flown,
US Airways will reduce costs and simplify its accrual policy to help
ensure the long-term viability of the Dividend Miles program.
Although fuel prices continue to increase, our award travel requirements
have remained largely unchanged. Looking forward, we will be adding
more award destinations on US Airways and our Star Alliance partners.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about our program
changes. Your business is important to us and we feel confident that US
Airways can meet your future travel needs.
Here's the response I received to an email I submitted via the DM page: Note the odd contention that the program changes are intended "to continue to deliver the best benefits to our DM members." Problem is they won't have many left after this shortsighted stunt. Equally odd is the contention that this will "simplify" the "accrual policy" - awarding 500 min miles, period, was quite simple if you ask me
Thank you for contacting US Airways.
We can understand your concerns about the changes in our mileage accrual
for short haul flights. Beginning May 1, 2008, you will begin earning
the actual number of miles flown rather than a 500 mile segment minimum.
We periodically review our program and make changes to offset rising
airline expenses and to continue to deliver the best benefits to our
Dividend Miles members. By awarding the actual number of miles flown,
US Airways will reduce costs and simplify its accrual policy to help
ensure the long-term viability of the Dividend Miles program.
Although fuel prices continue to increase, our award travel requirements
have remained largely unchanged. Looking forward, we will be adding
more award destinations on US Airways and our Star Alliance partners.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts about our program
changes. Your business is important to us and we feel confident that US
Airways can meet your future travel needs.
Like others have said, I don't think sending emails will accomplish anything. The only thing Tempe mgmt can understand is dwindling revenue.
-Travel on other carriers - Especially on routes with heavy WN travel
-Convince friends/family not to travel on US.
-Cancel your US credit cards.
-Cancel any refundable tickets
-Inform your corporate travel dept and convince to book elsewhere.
-Redeem miles on partner airlines
Also....
-Close your DM accounts
-Close any partner accounts related to DM (dining, etc)
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I suffer from stAAgnation in the Age of Arpey
That's it. It's over. A DCA based CP for years on years, and I'm done. This was the last straw. Hello AA and DL Shuttle, here I come!
How can I make redeeming nearly 1,000,000 DM miles as expensive as possible for Tempe?
Congrats. I think the most expensive for the clowns in Tempe AND the most enjoyable for you is to book premium class international tickets on *A. Lots of nice carriers and product to choose from. Think Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines First or Business. Or why not Business on Air New Zealand? NZ is a wonderful destination. Stick it to the man!!
Soooooo glad I go to the Marine Terminal these days..
