Originally Posted by
Adelphos
1) If the globetrotting executive won't be able to get back to 2019 levels for "several years," maybe she isn't all that globetrotting anymore
2) This ignores the issue of how to reward customers who are earning status in 2020 and 2021 - I guess in the AA system, ruling EQD should be a factor, but that may not be enough
1. Likely globetrotting in 2022, but not in 2021. And in 2022, all travelers will need to achieve the required thresholds, which I anticipate will be lower than the 2019 levels.
2. 2020 and 2021 achieving elites are earning 500m certs and/or eVIPs, as well as the opportunity to jump levels, while freebie elites aren’t. One can argue that eVIPs are more valuable to a globetrotting executive than are unlimited domestic upgrades.
Given the expected 20% decline in business travel $ permanently, look to all airline thresholds to decease for the foreseeable future.