FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Which FF program to replace DC for you?
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Old Nov 6, 2011 | 7:26 am
  #34  
GBM.flights
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: GVA,OPO
Programs: BD the last decent FFP
Posts: 1,861
Originally Posted by joorinainen
In my opinion star alliance should not have any member who are offering Gold-membership under 40 000miles or even less. This devaluates the whole program and the services/benefits are getting fewer and fewer.
I agree with your concern, but I think the statement of 40'000 is overly simplistic. You ignore the earnings portion.
DC is a great program for C and F earnings. And Y with the American partners.
Terrible for an European Y LH/LX flyer.

Here is a practical demonstration of what i mean above:

Take DC vs M&M, 2 respective Silver members are trying to go for Gold.
They fly mostly Intra Europe LX/LH Mid Y fares (V, G, S, Q, T, W).

DC earns 300 per segment. Gold at 38k. 38'000/300= 127 segments needed for Gold
M&M earns (750+188). Gold at 100K. 100'000/938= 107 segments needed for Gold

So a ~3 times higher threshold for gold requires ~20% less segments than the "easy FFP".

GBM

Last edited by GBM.flights; Nov 6, 2011 at 8:31 am Reason: European Y flyer specified
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