Originally Posted by
wanaflyforless
For many it would be the value of upgrading/redeeming premium cabins internationally....I really am not trying to tell people to avoid WN.
I know you're not really bashing WN. However, flying F and going international is an often used canard to minimize the value of Rapid Rewards. There are quite a few of us who see no need to fly F and would rather fly, ahem, CX or HA when crossing an ocean instead of slumming it in UA or AA.
Originally Posted by
wanaflyforless
I do not think WN is the best choice as the primary carrier for most business traveler very frequent flyers unless they regularly must change their travel dates or fly mostly short flights or truly have no use for FF miles or need the airports/routes where WN is dominant, etc. top tier on a legacy FF program like AA or UA (where the real benefits are).
There you go...you enumerated the value of WN. Where we have a disconnect is in your underestimating the number of people who do enjoy those WN aadvantages.
Originally Posted by
wanaflyforless
Also, when I say frequent flyer in this context, I mean very frequent flyer: those who fly enough that they would be top tier on a legacy FF program like AA or UA (where the real benefits are).
Another common misconception is that nearly all WN passengers are leisure/1x-2x a year flyers, like Allegiant or Spirit.....
I don't consider myself a VFF like you (although on segments, I'd easily be 1P or about 60-70% towards 1K). However, hang around at any of the CA airports on Friday evenings or Monday mornings and you'll see many who fly at least 100 times per year between the A1 and A30 poles.