Originally Posted by
paulomb
if you fly enough (with any airline) you will know that having a VIP service line (like the platinium) is worth A LOT.
during stopovers (IRROPS) instead if queing in a counter with the rest of the nervous/mad/angry passengers, you get a phone line that the moment the flight is cancelled they will sort you out. saves a lot of stress and time, as you get preference on the available seats on the alternative flights, peace of mind for a "cheap" price
To each their own. I can only speak from my own experience. Like I said, based on my own flying experience, for several years, I never had a need to do anything that could not be done online. Of course in rare cases, I needed to change or cancel my booking, but all were done online and were straightforward when paying penalty or change fees. I have encountered only one IRROPS, and was promptly and properly handled by the airlines right on the spot. In any case, I hope nobody has to endure frequent IRROPS with their chosen airlines, because that may just speak to the quality of the airlines.
In addition, AFKL only accounts for less than half of my flying. I'd rather have Gold status (i.e. mid-tier elite) on 2 or 3 airlines (hence 2 or all 3 alliances) than just hogging one Platinum with one airlines.
Your AFKL plat status only gives you Plat service line with AFKL, not every ST airlines VIP service lines. Perhaps the best thing would be to have access to the VIP service line of every airlines you fly with, or just fly exclusively with AFKL.