Moderator: US Airways Dividend Miles, Starwood Preferred Guest & Virgin America eleVAte
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ USA
Programs: US CP; SPG Plat; Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 5,418
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoeingBoy
. . . So how many folks wanting to redeem miles use such things as the ANA tool to do their homework, instead just taking the "No availability" as the last word (not counting FT members, of course).
The vast majority take that "There's no availability" response, get mad, and move on. I'm sure we all know a number of them. (Which is why I am frequently enrolled by friends to help them plan a trip with their miles. )
That, of course, helps us. A lot. Those of us that know how to work the system get much more value from it than that vast, clueless (when it comes to FF miles) majority.
Programs: US CP, *wood Gold, Marriott gold, Hilton something
Posts: 1,377
I finally got the same canned response that everyone else seems to be getting. Whats funny is that it seemed centered around the short haul flights when 90% of my letter was about poor customer service....nevertheless they are certain they can meet my travel needs. Since I'm not so certain I guess they are in for a surprise
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion; US Airways Silver (down from Gold in 2007)
Posts: 899
The "constraining availability" canard is a load of bunk. They've constrained US inventory for a while -- Star inventory is still open, however. Are they saying they cannot afford their Star redemption liabilities anymore?
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion; US Airways Silver (down from Gold in 2007)
Posts: 899
So then the question becomes. . . why be loyal to US anymore?
"Buy completely on price" will become the modus operandi and the beneficiaries will be the LCCs who have lower costs and newer planes. Loyalty goes two ways -- the message US is sending to me is "we don't value how you sometimes go out of your way to fly us rather than another carrier for the same or lower fare."
Take away the loyalty incentives, and I'll be on a lot more nonstops from other airlines -- and a lot fewer US flights (which often cost more when it comes to connecting itineraries). I doubt I am alone -- lots of US loyalists I know will connect through CLT or PHL or PHX rather than take a nonstop on United or Delta even when the cost is about the same (or a little more).
Such loyalty is driven, in large part, by Dividend Miles. Now that DM is devalued by an order of magnitude, all those seats filled with the butts of loyal DM members will be empty and will either remain empty or be sold at a huge loss relative to what those formerly loyal DM members were paying.
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: 9,244
Quote:
Originally Posted by FrequentHopper
So then the question becomes. . . why be loyal to US anymore?
As I see it, loyalty to a legacy carrier still makes sense for people who can get upgrades to F or who can accumulate >100k miles to use for an otherwise expensive international trip.
I travel intra-California, and Southwest saves me at least 50 hours per year in travel time due to later boarding, higher frequency of flights, better handling of irregular operations, and even faster taxiing. Southwest saves me money because I can cancel and re-use 100% of my ticket value on any future flight. So I'd fly Southwest even if there were no such thing as a loyalty program.
How do I get legacy miles? Credit cards. Lots and lots of them. Some day the banks will wake up and end this bonanza, but until then I'm having fun collecting 20k to 25k a pop. Redeeming is much harder, so at some point I suppose I'll conclude that even a free 25k isn't worth the bother. But not just yet.
"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. These changes will only affect your short-haul flights flown under 500 miles; you will continue to earn the actual mileage, as always for your longer US Airways flights."
They did not even read my letter which clearly stated that 95% of my flights are under 500 miles and on express flights. Its a shame that US has a lockdown on SYR and all my routes, BOS, LGA, DCA.
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and PHL or EWR, Riding the Rail from ZFV, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP, CO Plat, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,812
Just a thought, but couldn't the get the exact same effect by reducing the "life" of miles to 12 months vs. 18 months? AND that lets them take an immediate benefit on the balance sheet.
Personally, I'd trade the return of the 500 mile min for 12 month expiration. That wouldn't hurt the 'best customers' - being those who fly or earn miles that were purchased at a mark-up by partners.
They could also change their accounting accrual methods - no liability until 25k increments are in accounts. This is the absolute worst way they could do this from a customer perspective. But finance guys don't do customers.
Just a thought, but couldn't the get the exact same effect by reducing the "life" of miles to 12 months vs. 18 months? AND that lets them take an immediate benefit on the balance sheet.
I think the average life of miles is typically around 2-3 years so you couldn't shorten it that much. OTOH, your basic premise is/has been considered by others and I know Aeroplan instituted a 7 year maximum life for miles and wouldn't be at all surprised if US starts to tinker with their mile balances. It's pure profit to the airline for each mile they "kill off" so they have motivation to do so.
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and PHL or EWR, Riding the Rail from ZFV, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP, CO Plat, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,812
Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryZ
I think the average life of miles is typically around 2-3 years so you couldn't shorten it that much. OTOH, your basic premise is/has been considered by others and I know Aeroplan instituted a 7 year maximum life for miles and wouldn't be at all surprised if US starts to tinker with their mile balances. It's pure profit to the airline for each mile they "kill off" so they have motivation to do so.
Exactly - my premise is that say 75% of the miles are held by those who fly regularly, and the remaining 25% are held by those who don't. If you kill off even half of that bottom 25% the impact is far greater - and more immediate - than this 500 mile minimum horse puckey.
Remember - "life" is not the same as expiration. For example, AA publishes the life (quoted earlier in this thread), but the expiration is significantly shorter thanks to various "keep alive" programs.
Programs: USAirways Divdend Miles CP, Diamond HHhonors, Presidents Club Hertz, Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 2
Received my response from Tracy McIntyre
I finally received my generic response. It was the same as everyone elses. So I wrote back with this:
Ms. McIntyre,
Thank you for your generic response. I have read this same response from many other people in the USAirways clubs. Even though you have responded to me, you have yet to answer my questions. As a short-haul flyer under the new program, I will not be able to accumulate miles, therefore more destinations will have no impact on me. At my current rate of travel, I will only accumulate around 50,000 miles/year. This amount will only be useful for 2 coach ticket in the US, unless I want to go by myself. I really do not want to leave my significant other at home on vacation. I know you would not. I believe that USAirways should try to retain their best customers, not drive them away. I have 2 pieces of information for you about myself, a previous loyal USAirways customer:
First, I have contacted Delta. They are willing to match my status. Your staff states your program is superior, but I travel over 200 legs a year. On their program. I will still be their highest status and still be earning 500 miles a segment. I think that is a win-win situation.
Second, I have started a petition of preferred travelers to stop flying your airline in protest over this change. I am collecting more and more signatures every day.
What benefit does staying with USAirways serve, besides dirty planes, a devalued frequent flyer program, computer system that does not work, front end employees that truly are unhappy, and rude employees (All America West). I miss the old USAirways, the one that was BASED on the east coast and cared out the passengers, not a nickel and dime operation out West that has no idea what the East Coast looks like on a map.
In other news- Talked to Delta. Faxed my info, should be Platinum for Chairman's in week or so. I live in Raleigh, but will now have to connect through ATL to get to GSP
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA 1K MM, Hilton Diamond, Costco General Member
Posts: 19,349
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott1273
I finally received my generic response. It was the same as everyone elses. So I wrote back with this:
Ms. McIntyre,
Thank you for your generic response. I have read this same response from many other people in the USAirways clubs. Even though you have responded to me, you have yet to answer my questions. As a short-haul flyer under the new program, I will not be able to accumulate miles, therefore more destinations will have no impact on me. At my current rate of travel, I will only accumulate around 50,000 miles/year. This amount will only be useful for 2 coach ticket in the US, unless I want to go by myself. I really do not want to leave my significant other at home on vacation. I know you would not. I believe that USAirways should try to retain their best customers, not drive them away. I have 2 pieces of information for you about myself, a previous loyal USAirways customer:
First, I have contacted Delta. They are willing to match my status. Your staff states your program is superior, but I travel over 200 legs a year. On their program. I will still be their highest status and still be earning 500 miles a segment. I think that is a win-win situation.
Second, I have started a petition of preferred travelers to stop flying your airline in protest over this change. I am collecting more and more signatures every day.
What benefit does staying with USAirways serve, besides dirty planes, a devalued frequent flyer program, computer system that does not work, front end employees that truly are unhappy, and rude employees (All America West). I miss the old USAirways, the one that was BASED on the east coast and cared out the passengers, not a nickel and dime operation out West that has no idea what the East Coast looks like on a map.
In other news- Talked to Delta. Faxed my info, should be Platinum for Chairman's in week or so. I live in Raleigh, but will now have to connect through ATL to get to GSP
Welcome to Flyertalk! And to the Association of Former US1s
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"And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row"
If US Airways really wants to reduce their "mileage liability" I think the solution would be simple: Add more award availability to the cheap destinations. While certainly not true for Flyertalkers, I am sure the majority of dividend miles members would rather use 125,000 miles to take a family of 5 to see Mickey(value: approx $1000) rather than a single Business class ticket to Asia (value: $10,000 or more). How valuable are coach seats on the 757 to MCO that USAirways is not making the entire plane available for award travel? This in my opinion is their largest mistake and would be a great way to reduce that "mileage liability."
I believe that the reason given for US Air's move to an 18 month mileage expiration was to reduce mileage liability and increase award availability. While they may have reduced mileage liability by doing this, it would seem it wasn't enough if they also have to drop the 500 mile minimum. I haven't seen the supposed increase in award availability.....no real surprise there.
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Pay with Miles and three award tiers.....did you realize that your SkyMiles were just devalued...again?
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