Originally Posted by Globaliser
No, I'm sorry but I'm really not going to get into this. There has not been a single post in this thread addressing the issue of the effect which FF schemes and benefits have on purchasing decisions and behaviour. I may be right or I may be wrong, but this is not a forum in which any sensible debate is going to take place.
Globaliser, I am sorry that you believe a debate here is not possible. Maybe you 're right - after all this website is focused on gaining maximum benefit from miles & points.
But, I would like to point out that the large scale use of FF benefits and programs is primarily in the US. The ONLY place where unlimited free upgrades is available = US domestic premium class travel (and even then - not all airlines).
We have to separate domestic and intl operations - eg CO offers free unlimited upgrades in domestic, but try upgrading on a CO intl flight - I submit that its harder/costlier than upgrading on BA. The US domestic situation is peculiar due to pricing and stage lengths that are very different than say - Europe short-haul.
Intl - I don't believe FF programs have led to the lack of competitiveness of US premium classes. Its got a lot to do with corporate contracts.
US airlines have certainly relied on FF programs to gain loyalty/revenue but we must remember - US airlines primarily compete with each other domestically AND internationally. I really don't think AA/UA try to compete with BA/LH/AF/CX etc for premium class pax "in the general market" but rather fight each other to get corporate contracts.