Originally Posted by
vegas005
Got a mail from Dr. Frank Maier from Swiss Miles and More telling me that unfortunately they were not able to renew my Senator (Gold) status as I was slightly short of the required mileage. But for the low low price of 2,000 euros I could extend the status for one year. 2,000 euros..you heard it right!
And you only get one e-voucher! Yes, we heard it. It's not a unique offer for you.
Originally Posted by
vegas005
Firstly, I take a lot of short but very expensive flights within Europe. These are money makers for Swiss. My company pays in excess of 1200 US dollars for a 1 ½ hour flight to the UK in the back of the plane! I had more than 50 segments last year (down year due to the economy and my company backing away form business class tickets). However segments don't count and the mileage accrued is miserable ..in some cases as low as 125 miles each way.
What fare cost excess of 1200 USD and accrues only 125 miles?
Originally Posted by
vegas005
Secondly, when attempting to use FF miles the Senator help line is useless. Round trip business class ZRH to LAS 90,000 miles and 600 US dollars. Even better is after booking the flight they called me and told me the minimum connection time in FRA was not met. Therefore I could fly the night before and pay for my own hotel, or I could fly at my own risk meaning if I missed the connection I would get no rebooking or compensation. Where is the love? J
Did you expect they'll change the schedule just for you?
Any why do you want to fly through FRA? ZRH-LAX-LAS would like a decent alternative.
600 USD seems awful high though - usually the TATL awards cost about 300 Euro with one stop.
Originally Posted by
vegas005
When comparing the frequent flyer status (silver) to the Senator status (gold) -- unless I am missing something I don't see 2,000 euros worth of difference. My primary airport in the UK does not even have a Senator lounge.
Does it have a star gold accessible lounge?
Originally Posted by
vegas005
Finally, FF programs are designed to create loyalty to a particular airline or alliance. With the prohibitive costs associated with purchasing a FF ticket and increasingly difficult requirements to obtain status I think some airlines are missing the point.
What exactly do you mean by increasingly difficult requirements? What requirements did increase last year?
Originally Posted by
vegas005
Anyways, any thoughts on the differences between the programs, the 2,000 euros and if I should just move on to another airline/system?
If you don't see the advantages for yourself, then it's time to move.
Obvioly though, for someone with some time to spare, 2000 Euro isn't a good deal - seven Swiss Business Class special tickets can get you 10000 miles for 300 euro/each and extend the status for full two years and of course, get you the miles for tickets.