Originally Posted by
Circumknowitall
Absolutely, from LHs viewpoint the purpose of its loyalty scheme is not about 'rewarding' past behavior its about influencing future behavior
Of course. They want me to fly on their planes. Repeatedly. Otherwise, what's the point of a FFP? I could take a variety different airlines between FRA/DUS/CGN and NYC. Since I became SEN 4 years ago, I've flown exactly two flights out of more than 100 between those pairs on an airline other than LH, even when LH is not always the cheapest choice. Why?
a) I had a good chance of being upgraded (even on S, W, and L fares)
b) the SEN lounge at JFK and, since it opened, the Welcome Lounge at FRA
c) I can reliably get an exit row seat.
I rarely book a flight (only out of necessity) in a class higher than V. So now it sounds like one of my three primary reasons for staying with LH will no longer be there.
Like I said above, I'm probably in a small minority of people who is adversely affected by this change in any significant way. But it is a *significant* change in the incentives for me to fly LH.