Originally Posted by
hyedmd
I keep asking people who make this claim that if X were refundable, [ALL] 100k would book it.
hyedmd - in response to your question let me humble suggest we do our best to use the most precise language we can.
I do not agree with this statement, nor do I think it is accurate:
if X were refundable, [ALL] 100k would book it.
The two problems, I think, are the word "
ALL" and "
compared to what".
So rather than run with that angle, let's run with this angle instead:
if AS were to allow all 100ks unlimited refundability flexibility on Saver fares, there would be too much revenue leakage (from 100ks booking X who would have otherwise not done so) to offset any extra revenue from 100ks who opted for AS, in part or in whole, due to this ability, which I do belive to be true.
I do not mean to speak for anyone else this is the gist of what I read into Jame's responses - and more to the point - one of the main reasons, if not THE main reason, why AS would NOT want to do this.
AS's issue, I assume, would be the 'compared to what' where whatever extra benefit they derived would be outweighed by the [lost revenue] cost of doing so...AS wants their customers to spend more, not less. And to customers those who AS gives the most benefits too, AS undoubtedly wants them to spend the most. Encouarging X fares for 100ks strikes me as akin to "we loose money on every sale but make it up on volume", but of course I could be wrong.
While hopefully not going too far off topic, if you were an AS exec who's scope of responsibility included determining whether or not 100ks would get waivers on X:1) what would you do, and
2) how would you justify the decision?
Originally Posted by
hyedmd
So, let me ask you - would you personally book X if it were refundable but not upgradeable?
Interesting question...I think it would depend on the flight.
Generally, my preference is to just buy F when it's on sale. For 2022 my anticipated BIS AS Mileage of ~56k, 87% is in I, 13% is in D, and 1% is in G (1 sector, LAX → LAS).
Do I see myself booking X fares if refundable but not upgradable? Certainly see that within the realm of possibility but would need to also understand the "as compared to what" angle. What's the cost delta? What's the pain-point of the flight in Y? etc. etc.
Originally Posted by dayone
My understanding is that elite benefits on X fares was on the long list of possible options for 100K portfolio. It was eliminated very early on.
Not surprised at all, if true.
While I've never directly interacted with AS top brass, I have with other carriers' top brass. Took a few years for me to 'grow up' from my novice FT mindset into something a bit more nuanced where I'd focus creativity on encouraging more interaction/driving greater $$$ to the carrier for customers on the margin, which is arguably the raison d'être behind any loyalty scheme in the first place.
Anyways mention this to strongly suggest people stop pining for making X fares more elite friendly. Strongly suspect AS does not like them but the competitive landscape compels them to offer them.
Far better to offer ideas that encourage customers to spend $$$ (e.g. if a 100k buys a front-cabin ticket, AS will force open a saver F award for one companion assuming the redeeming miles come from the 100ks account and the itiniary of the companion matches the itiniary of the 100k) than trying to figure out how to make X fares more attractive when AS has clearly constructed them to be anything but.
Bottom line: don't buy X and move on.