Originally Posted by
Clipper801
The qualification level does not have to be raised. The "price" to attain E needs to be raised rather than cutting benefits.
Reducing the no. of Status Mile earning ratio on cheaper fare works just the same but without antagonizing those who buy more expensive fare.
In other words, if you buy cheap Tango Plus fare, you will have to fly more to attain E.
If you buy Latitude or Executive, you are not affected.
Keep the qualification level at 35,000 but Tango Plus earns only 0.65/mile flown.
Therefore, those usually buy Tango Plus will have to fly 35% more to attain E.
Increasing the qualification rate on Lat fares and raising the qualification level would put it more in line with its competition (oh wait, there is no direct competition).