I was Elite in 97 and 96 and . . . but don't recall any premailing about SE benefits (in fact even through 98 I did not know what many of the benefits were until I got my package). They weren't on the website (many benefits still aren't). That is one of the reasons I published them here. Several elites commented the same as me, that, had they known, they would have tried harder to get SE that first year and also the second year.

Maybe I missed or more correctly dismissed the SE advertisement that you received as there didn't seem to be any real benefits other than guaranteed Y seat availability (that's the only one I recall and it alone wouldn't have made me go the SE route.)

I do agree that a fourth tier seems unnecessary the more I think of it. I think they just need to give more to Prestige members and do some tinkering with qualifying for Elite (perhaps with upping miles earned on domestic flights?)

That doesn't mean AC won't implement a 4th tier though. It may even give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace. I have always been impressed by what they come up with so maybe we haven't thought it through as clearly as they have.

[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 08-04-2000).]