Originally Posted by
Action Man
It doesn't make any sense to further reduce Gold benefits. IMO if a lounge is too full to accommodate everyone, then they should:
1 - Build a bigger Executive Lounge if it cannot accommodate their Executive Floor guests; or
2 - Accept eligible guests on a first come first serve basis and give remaining guests a generous amount of coupons for drinks & snacks in the hotel bar or similarly for breakfast in the restaurant; or
3 - Perhaps open an overflow lounge if they are routinely overrun with guests.
But to keep this in context, Gold card holders will only be found in an Executive Lounge if they are staying (upgraded or otherwise) on the Executive Floor. Similarly non-status must pay for an Exec room. So really, maybe it's us Diamonds who are the problem?
Disagree completely w/#2. Golds should ONLY be upgraded AFTER ALL Diamonds have been accomodated. A Gold should NEVER be upgraded BEFORE nor have a better upgrade than a Diamond. Status is supposed to have its priveleges. If Gold has as much a chance of upgrade than Diamond, why bother w/Diamond?
And why should Gold be given essentially the same benefits as Diamond? If Gold doesn't get EL, too bad! They still get breakfast, they didn't EARN the right to get EL-equivalent treatment. If they want if, get Diamond status EARN it!
Disagree w/poster who says Gold bring in more revenue. How many Gold are "fool's-gold", those fast-track/comps who barely spend time in the hotels? Many are getting quick Gold so they can get free benefits, often with cheap or free stays. Those people can requalify over and over again via unlimited fast-tracks.
Until recently, the ONLY way to get to Diamond was via hotel time. Many of we Diamonds easily spend thousands of $ at the hotels each year. Many Golds are spent only a few hundred. I wonder how many of the Golds are via the fast track. Those based in the US (majority of Golds) prb bring in less than $400/yr.
If you want to decrease the numbers using the EL and competing for upgrades, get rid of those repeat fast-trackers! I really don't understand why a loyalty program woud allow multiple fast-tracks! Yes the Gold is prb the best mid-tier program but make people EARN that status. Why give away something so good and negatively impact the rest of your program for what are essentially free-loaders?!