Originally Posted by
DownUnderFlyer
Thats the LH way. And QF and LH work very similar. LH offers lifetime SEN status to people who had SEN for 10 consecutive years and more than 1MM lifetime miles when turning 60. This way they make sure that "lifetime" is more controllable.
But of course I wouldn't like something like that.
that seems not unreasonable. LTG at 14K when hit, and LTP to look forward to on hitting a threshold of points and age...
Originally Posted by
DownUnderFlyer
The problem with all of this is that you are quoting some of the worst airlines with the worst profitability as a positive example. So what DL, AA, UA etc are doing will not be considered as a good example by most other airline executives. Two of the three airlines with an investment grade credit rating are very stingy with upgrades because they want people to actually pay $8000 for a ticket if they want to fly business (and the third doesn't have anything to upgrade to).
BTW, the Star Alliance upgrade program allows upgrades from lower booking classes on some frequent flyer programs (M&M for example). And I think when people here talk about a top tear, they are not talking about 125k miles. More like 200k, 300k or something along those lines.
point taken, but who will QF be competing against in its USA-Australia markets (and in due time, other markets)? it's the likes of DL and UA, for better or for worse. Those "most other airline executives" are faced with finding an evolved profitability model that will continue working in the market as it changes. Even QF is down to charging base fare ca US$3900 in Business now LAX-SYD return (currently on 50 days' notice, but how long will that long a window last?), and the 21-day notice MEL-LAX return fare is down to US$6195. Even a fairly unrestricted roundtrip MEL-LAX is down to $12,997 (C fare). Wanting to charge $17,000+ for J all too quickly gets reduced to just that, wanting.