Originally Posted by
grahampros
Not really. Those that really generate the revenue for the airlines are folks that do this all the time. I have access to industry data as part of my job and it really is that top 10% of flyers that generate more then 40% of revenue for the top carriers in the US market. Miles and spend are not directly correlated and they finally figured that out. There is the type of flyer that may fly 150,000 miles a year and may spend less then $30K ( and you can easily get there for half that dollar amout) Then there are those that fly maybe 100K miles a year yet easily spend more then twice that amount on premium fares.
but you just proved my point. SFTNYC is likely in the top 10%, and that small minority will benefit greatly from the change. the other 90%, will see decreased mileage earnings. this is the entire point of the change for both delta and united. can't i be bummed that my flying great distances 40-some weeks out of the year on cheap fares will now get me very little?
i don't have anything against the top tier. hell, i'd love to be to have someone pay for me to travel up front all of the time, but like most people that ain't happening.
hotels rewards are based on spend, as are car rental rewards. it was logical that the airlines would eventrually fall into line.