Originally Posted by
Pixie-Stix
Maybe my business travel is different, but since I seem to book all my travel 3-10 days prior to the trip (10 is really really pushing it), I pay a higher cost than the average budget consumer. I'm assuming that I pay a higher cost since I doubt the average family of four is paying $1500 for a ticket to Memphis or Chattanooga. Of course my cost for bigger cities is less, but I'm still sure that given the times I travel (peak business times) and the lack of preparation (i.e. 21 days in advance or something like someone planning a vacation), I'm sure I pay the higher than average fare. Given that most of the business travelers in my industry sit in the same boat, I feel that we should be rewarded with FF systems- we are paying the premium. In fact, I read somewhere that as the seat price/mile increases, it's the business traveler who picks up the greater majority of the cost. CO and all the other airlines depend on us 100K+ flyers, and they should reward us for our loyalty.
Like I said before, since I live in central Texas and I have a choice as to the hub I fly to, I will continue to fly AA. At least they provide me with 1000 miles Aus-DFW- even if the mofos won't open up my Toronto seat for an eVIP!
While I'm with UA now, I do think that (other than the nasty old md80s they fly) that at this point AA has the best loyalty program. They give the most, and this may have something to do with hubs that (other than DFW) all are quite competative. even DFW used to have (DL) lots of competition and still does if you count WN.
I wonder what CO thinks its doing, I expect a migration of SAT and AUS fliers to AA. If I were in TX I would move on
Originally Posted by
aa4ever
I agree that people like you are picking up a disproportionate share of the cost. And, as such, it would be logical to make the FF program more rewarding to people like you (i.e. make it like hotel programs where you get points/dollar). .
hotels are far different. I can stay in a four points, a westin or a W or St. Regis, and if I get a suite its more. What I pay in many cites is my choice. With airlines the fares are set and (other than buying ahead) out of my control. I qualify for elite on stays, but my rewards are based upon my spend. This model could be applied yes, but only if status was untied from the goodies, as it is to some extent with those who fly the most getting the most miles.
There are also trade offs. What CO has been good at is getting revenue out of every seat by e.g. pricing Y a few bucks higher than the available H, or pricing F discounted at a few bucks more than Y. The result is higher fares get paid for the few Seats. However, then someone like me catches on, and moves over to UA which protects its F cabin (much greater price difference) and spreads the benifits arround more... Eventually these type of policies catch up to you. Folks eventually notice...