<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
My feeling is that status is valuable only to the extent that the benefits outweigh the costs.</font>
Very true.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
The benefits are greatest where there is still a big price gap between what you get "free" with status, and what you would otherwise pay for. A business class seat on an international flight, with the customer buying a cheap discounted coach seat and using a "free" upgrade, is an example of a big benefit of status, because the purchase price of that seat would be very high.
But even in international travel, the pricing differences seem to be collapsing. A year or so ago, you couldn't buy many highly discounted J seats. Now you can often pay $2000 or $3000 and travel on a discounted J seat, to many places. If you need to travel on the spur of the moment and have tight schedulign requirements, you could pay $7000 of course, but in general fares for international J seem to be falling to more reasonable levels.</font>
True again, but for me, even "cheaper" J is still too much when I can fly off-season Y for 20-25% of $2000.
Another benefit for me is better treatment by many staff at NW, lots of domestic upgrades, and the elite bonuses. All at a cost, like you say.
I do have to confess, unfortunately, that I think I have a slight elitist attitude as well - I enjoy being elite, being "in the know" about air travel and FF programs, and flying domestic F.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
FF miles are worth less and less.</font>
Yes, that's the gamble we all take. In my case, the big question is - I have a goal in mind of MH F to Australia, but what will the award requirement be when my wife & I are finally ready to go?
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by richard:
So, three questions please:
1. is status worthwhile to pursue?
2. Would you make mileage runs for it?
3. How would you benefit if you didn't go for status?</font>
1. Yes. I love being NW Gold, and while I'll still be NW Silver next year, it won't be the same. Especially the 50% vs. 100% bonus. I like status for many reasons, many of them subjective, and so far I've decided to maintain it.
2. Yes. I've evolved my MR's into mini-trips to new locations, preferably EU.
3. I'd have more money to spend on other things or hobbies. I make the choice to spend money on personal travel, and often I question my choice. More than once, I've rued the day I discovered FT and started spending money I otherwise wouldn't have. But so far the benefits outweigh the costs. At least that's what I tell myself!
Excellent thread...believe me, I've wrestled with these and related FF issues for many an hour. Travel is not a cheap hobby, but a few things come to mind -
You only live once, you might as well enjoy it and have as much fun as possible. You're going to live it either way....
Go ahead, son, it's only money - we'll make more tomorrow.
I thoroughly enjoy exploring our world, and I'm lucky and pretty unique among my family & friends in the things I've done and the places I've been.
[This message has been edited by Western Airlines (edited 08-22-2003).]