Originally Posted by
sorefoot
The status is nice to have and comes in handy sometimes. I fly long haul in J so 3 return flight are all I need per year to meet the 300XP, but I take short/medium hauls in economy. That is when I’m willing to forgo a slightly cheaper and direct flight for AFKL because of the benefits of status.
But once the XP requirements are met, am I willing to fork out £2700 in J for a FRA-CDG-SIN return with AF to enjoy my status benefits, or do I take a nonstop FRA-SIN for £2100 with Singapore Airlines?
Do I take a £2900, one stop (AMS or CDG) flight in J with AFKL from DUB to SFO, or £1600 direct flight with Aer Lingus?
i would say that previously I would have succumbed to the ‘irrational’ behaviour as it was putting something in the bank for future years when I might not fly as much. But now, it becomes purely economics for me.
I am really wondering if buying extra perks you need separately (lounge access, fast track, extra lugagge when needed) is not much better than sticking to an alliance with more limited time slots, overpaying, and choosing longer routes. If you keep flying in J, the elite status has very limited value. And as you get older (when you potentially can enjoy a lifetime status), you are less encline to endure the Y class if you have the money.
You may be a winner if you start flying intensively in Y after 10 years of flying in J. But this is a case which may be very rare actually. And Flying Blue knows it obviously.