Originally Posted by
Dovster
The value of a Premium Membership will differ from person to person. For me, the only thing that it offered that I can use is the upgrade to National Emerald Executive level.
I am HHonors Diamond through March 2015, so the offer of Gold was not worth anything to me this year. That said, if it is offered again next year, by itself it will be worth the cost (just in savings on using the internet alone)
What I did do is to buy the package, then give the benefits that I can't use (like HHonors Gold and the 1,000 United MileagePlus award miles) to two friends to split between themselves.
(To my everlasting disgrace, they are both FT Mods, may God have mercy on my soul.)
When I think of the benefits that the three of us, jointly, will get I think it was an excellent bargain.
It seems to me that this offer is targeted at the FTEF's core audience: newbies. There's not much in there for folks who already have any juice whatsoever. For me, I think Seth's valuation is spot-on.
And of course there are those who will buy it because they are super-dedicated to Randy/MP and will buy whatever they are selling.
Speaking of the super-fans, I have to say, it's interesting that the MP/FTEF folks are taking the Smisek approach to the points and miles business: ancillary revenue, ancillary revenue, ancillary revenue. Squeeze existing customers for FTEF super-plutonium membership, hit them up for gold MP membership, get *MEGADO folks to pay an extra $300 for a guaranteed empty middle seat, etc.
Interesting and SMART. ^