Originally Posted by
rankourabu
yeah... no... why should they give out free upgrades, if they can monetize them either in money, miles or upgrade instruments.
Because elites become loyal to an airline that gives them those upgrades. Simple, not a new concept. The key is finding the right balance of free vs. offered for cash. If I wasn't upgraded with swu/rpu/cpu like I enjoy now I would look elsewhere. This is the primary benefit I see for being an elite free upgrades. I get them, they get my business.
Originally Posted by
paulyras
I've always been surprised that you could get gold with a couple of east coast US trips to SIN or MEL and perhaps a trip to Grandma's at the holidays...
.
You must have been getting surprised for years as this has always been the case. I don't trivialize "a couple east coast to Sin or Mel" those are LONG haul flights and at least 1500-2500 I would guess in economy. That isn't a small amount of money and a significant year of travel for almost all US based fliers. I would guess less than 5% of UA fliers take 2 of these 20k + RT's a year. Because you fly all over creation don't discount 2 LONG haul flights and some other domestic flying. This is earned and deserved by all who take them.
Originally Posted by
rankourabu
I still believe mileage and status should be earned by who paid for the ticket, not by the passenger - that would be the fairest system of all - but nearly impossible to implement.
Well we have government fares where the traveler doesnt' earn mileage nor does the govt. get any miles. In your system I coudl buy your ticket and i get the miles. This has never been the case in any program I know and don't see where it helps consumers or the airline. Simple rule is whoever flies gets it, period. Why the need to change who gets it?