Originally Posted by
Knobbgb
I find it interesting that A3 have finally introduced a segment-only requalification path, which I don't think has been discussed yet, but 32 segments seems a bit much. Unless you take almost exclusively GoLight P,U or T class domestic trips, you will hit the 18,000 mile requirement before you ever hit 32 segments. I think 24 might have been a better number. What do people think?
We all knew this was coming but at least I'm lucky, with a renewal date of late September, to have nearly a year to think it through. I'll already be requalified for the Sep26-Sep27 year with already-booked flights by January.
With all the talk of struggling to get 12 sectors, I find myself in the opposite situation. Living in Greece I already take more than that (usually at least 20) but I currently don't get the 18,000 required tier miles. I usually end up with around 14,000 each year but that's because I often "play away" for convenience once I know I'm qualified. For example, last year I took 2 LOT sectors which earned almost nothing (around 200 each) and 3 Swiss which did earn nothing. I definitely would have taken those trips with A3 if I'd needed them for requalification, so I guess this new change is having the desired effect on me, at least.
Yeah but it'll be another year before the "marginal" Golds start dropping off and two years before they're all gone. Hopefully I WON'T be one of them!
Interesting points!
I have been thinking about the effects of the new segment only requirement and thought people going back and forth eg SKG-ATH would easily reach the 32, but I didn't calculate the points earned and you might be right that a lot of flyers that eventually does 32 segments will reach the 18k before they qualify on segments. Then a 24 limit would make sense - but on the other hand seqment qualifiers are difficult for the airline, because they use the perks much more than a flyer qualifying by flying only a few, but longer and more expensive, trips. A 32'er will use the lounge 32 times and so on. So they can't set the bar too low. But it seems ridiculous if most of the 32'ers will also qualify by 12 segs+18k, so this is very interesting how it goes IRL.
I also thought that the locals would pretty easily reach both 12 segs and 18k, so interesting to hear it is the 18k that is harder.