Again, since this is only a match for one year...even if this Chicken Little prediction does happen to some degree, it will be for one year. These folks will have to requalify the real way next time. I'd say that a somewhat lower upgrade percentage for one year (although I don't anticipate it) is worth demonstrating that devaluing a FF program has consequences.
Cheers.
The "having to requalify the real way next time" will at least be attempted to be softened up. That has sort of been my point all along...when you make it too easy to reach top status and you comp it and its benefits left and right, even the greatest beneficiaries will attempt to seek more concessions with lame excuses. It is a never ending slippery slope.
Originally Posted by
elitetraveler
I would think AA would want to grace these new UA EXPs who show 'significant' loyalty - not sure if that is 80,000 miles/points + in 8 months, but it would be silly to let a new EXP who racks up 80,000 miles/points to fall to Plat and possibly move back to UA.
Keep in mind there is a good chance by Dec/Jan UA will have fixed some of its problems, there will be the decision to renew club memberships and credit cards. AA 'should' want to make sure these folks stick even if they can't do 100,000 miles/points in 8 months.
...And here's but one example of the rationalizations that can be made to justify an exception to everything.
Originally Posted by
elitetraveler
I guess I should say I don't really have an opinion on this - just thinking out the pros and cons for AA it would seem like a pretty significant pro to comp them for 2012 if they hit a certain level below 100,000. After all if you look at this as a customer acquisition gain, there must be some formula that tells them the value of keeping that person. Obviously in 2013 the UA EXP would have to qualify by the same rules, etc. Again, just guessing at it.
Or do they? Once you've made tons of exceptions, what's to say that more excuses aren't going to come up?
Why can't folks simply be happy about the olive branch extended to them and qualify the same way that the rest of us do?