Originally Posted by
hyedmd
The point of getting the top elite status is to be offered something that the airline does not offer to others. It's the airline that needs to sacrifice, not the top customers. If AS is so concerned about X fares being cancelable by the tiny fraction of its customers, then something is wrong with the airline. I'm scared to think if AS would ever remotely approach something like the unlimited companion pass that Southwest offers to its top elites. I guess they'll need to file for bankruptcy then.
If Saver fares were changeable, then every 100K would book them by default. You talk about a tiny fraction but you aren't seeing the bigger picture and how impactful that is. You have the numbers apparently, how much revenue is lost if every 100K is booking Saver and saving $30-$50 or more per itinerary? What are you willing to lose in benefits to offset it?
How many first class upgrades do you get on SW? What partner international award redemptions can you make with the pennies you earned from flying? How many lounges does SW have?
An apple seed doesn't grow an orange tree.
At 2 cpm, AS is already rebating me $50 in redemption value for every 1000 miles I fly. Sometimes that is more than the fare paid. That is pretty generous. I just don't understand the sentiment that AS "
owes" a 100K Elite
significantly more in a Mileage based loyalty program.
A program tied to revenue is a totally different dynamic and easier to predict. Is that where you want to go?
James