Originally Posted by
ohstewardess
Perhaps CO will create a 4th level like US. As a former US CP, I hated that they added the Plat level. It just made upgrading to First or buying an F ticket more difficult when you were 4 days out since previously CP's upgraded at 7-day window and Golds upgraded at 3 day window. My first thought was that if CO does not create a 4th level and just changes the requirements for Plat, there would be a lot of people who would revolt. Where would those people go, however? AA? They don't have a 75K level. US? They are just awful in my opinion and are giving away status, including CP status, just to get people to fly them again. DL is really the only option and I don't know if I'd jump ship to DL just to retain the highest tier status.
I'm not averse to a 100k level - but I'd want to see some SWUs (usable on affordable fares) and other goodies handed out. If I had 8 one-way SWUs (comparable to AA), I'd gladly scoot over to Asia, Paris, Rome or the South Pacific a couple times during the year on a mileage run to make up any shortfall on my EQMs.
If they took today's program and just upped it to 100k, then you would definitely see people leave. UA offers SWUs at 100k, and AA not only offers SWUs, but free unlimited domestic upgrades as well. CO would have a 75k program which costs 100k - and little to no value proposition outside IAH/EWR/CLE.
What I AM somewhat concerned about is the introduction of either no free upgrades on WESTL fares, or the collection of a copay when upgrading on lower fares. I have a funny feeling that's what some folks within CO worked very hard to stop when other management folks tried to swap the carrot for a stick.