The whole mile/point/elite deal is to get we frequent travelers to give the airlines, hotels etc more business (read $$$$) and consistent business. And for the most part we do if properly treated in a humane way. I (and most of us) have put up with much crap to gain a few FF crumbs. Sometimes we get lobster, sometimes we get hamburger. Lately I have become a little more critical in judgment and do more frequent re-evaluations. I will bore you with an airline example.

The perfect example was a previous flying relationship with Delta Airlines. I was Gold (top level) for mucho years and one of their first PLATs. I generally flew 80000-140000 mi/yr. For years it was great food, great upgrades and excellent service. Then came dirtier aircraft, no "TZ" coupons, then cash for booze, upgrades only on the more expensive fares (M or higher) etc. It appeared they only wanted my "business" business. They forgot I sometimes traveled for vacations, BUT I DIDN'T FORGET. For these trips, they wanted my friends and me to sit in the back. Forget about the PLAT card, if you want to upgrade you gotta pay our UPGRADE TAX (my terminology) sez Delta, ie buy a "M+" class ticket. I told the local station manager they are shooting themselves in the foot. He said it's "orders from headquarters".

I checked around, flew with other airlines for a month or two and finally settled on Continental Airlines. They had fewer flights, fewer destinations, etc, but the service was great, the food excellent, newer aircraft, and I could actually UPGRADE ON ANY FARE (well, at least in the cont48). They also flew within 100 miles of almost most Delta locations. Also, I was not a 2nd class citizen on vacation for I could upgrade on even their lowest fares. So now CO gets about 75% of my annual airline business (approx $30000), and most of my employees' business. Many more $$$$ there by the way.

No demeaning luggage templates or "sizers"......they just had Boeing put in larger luggage bins. They did not fight this customer, they reasonably tried to assist him. No "800 mile" certs, no "stickers", just a simple phone call gets an upgrade. Hey.....it aint that hard. I do analysis's of this type for a reasonable standard of living. It helps to use one's brain and education upon occasion. It also helps to walk from a bad situation....or service.

I just reviewed my flying for 1999 in order to make a decision for 2000. I will continue flying Continental during 2000 for my first choice airline for they still give the "best balance of properties" for my situation. It actually was a simple choice. It took no time at all.