Originally Posted by
knope2001
For the sake of discussion, Blue, let's put someone like you in Denver instead of Chicago (or Spain). When that person travels internationally, it's United all the way, of course, and they rack up status easily. When they travel domestically, it seems very highly likely that they are just as loyal to United because of the benefits 1k gets them...everything from white glove treatment to bonus miles. So that suggests that Frontier probably doesn't have much of a chance to win the business of this flyer no matter what they do...including trying to match the highest benefits of 1k FF loyalty. And for Frontier to match the status of a high-tier flyer...with no chance of winning their loyalty... essentially means that when a 1K UA flyer does end up on Frontier for whatever reason, they are treated like the best Frontier customer as a reward for flying United so much.
You raise some interesting and valid points, but I would argue that not all 1ks are created equally.
Take someone like me. The primary reason I've had 1k status with United all of these years is due to long-haul international travel. With this type of flying you can quickly achieve 1k status, especially if you know how to work the system to your advantage. Once you hit the current thresholds for status (100k miles or 60 segments per year) any added flying doesn't really give you much besides more miles and a possible first class seat (United has one higher level of elite status-Global Services-which is by invitation only). This gives me flexibility to throw some business to another airline. In the past, this has normally been Midwest for me. Why? For starters, I really enjoyed flying Midwest. But there were more practical reasons as well. With the state of the airline industry, the on-going viability of many carriers has been in question. Therefore, it made sense to at least establish a base level of flying with another airline in case I had to make a sudden switch (Midwest had relationships with American, Northwest, and Delta so having to move to one of these carriers if United folded would not have been an issue).
As you mentioned, there are always going to be true blue United fliers that wouldn't even consider another airline for travel (unless they were in the Star Alliance). There are others, like me, that are open to trying out other airlines. Making the switch is far easier when the airline courts you.
With Frontier, I do think there are some opportunities for them to poach elite customers from the competition. While they don't have to offer all of the benefits and perks that an airline like United might but there are things they can do. Earlier this year, I asked Frontier for a status match. It took an eternity for them to get back to me. When they finally did, they only offered their lowest elite level. That wasn't appealing at all. What they could have done was allow me to do a status challenge. They could grant me provisional top-tier status as long as I completed, say six round trips, in a three month period. If I didn't compete all of the flying, elite status would be revoked. It's a fairly simple thing to do and a good way to weed out less loyal travelers.
I get that United and Frontier are two completely different airlines and the treatment of their best customers does, and should, vary significantly. Frontier has done a lot for its elites this year (Free checked baggage, TV, alcohol, etc.). Yet, I think they could do some more things for their better customers.