Mrs. CPD got an offer in the mail today:

"...since you came close to earning the next level of OnePass Elite status..."

Basically, they are offering her Silver (through 2/02) for $250. No miles to redeem, just the cash.

She had 19,632 status miles for 2000 - I know, with a little more planning, we could have obtained silver for her... but we didn't...

It looks like this is a targeted mailing, and they know everything there is to know about her flying patterns...

Now, since i've been gold for years, the companion upgrades have been almost like clockwork for us... and when she flies with me, she gets the upgrades and everything that comes with (my PClub pass, etc...).

Now, since the 2001 program changed things slightly - and it's my guess that a gold companion upgrade will not be quite as available as before -- let me explain...

In the "old" days (last year), pecking order for F seats that were held by yield management, only released on the day of flight (seats held for airport check-in only) was:

1. plat
2. plat companion
3. gold
4. gold companion
5. silver

Now, with silvers being able to lock in via EUA 1 day before, and if yield management doesn't hold out on the silvers (and only releases the seats morning of flight/for airport allocation only), it's my reasoning that it's more valuable to be a silver now than last year -- as compared to being a gold companion -- however, if yield management continues to hold out on the silvers, then she will still be my companion, for a slightly higher chance for the seat at the airport. Anyone agree?

So with that logic, the $250 is a kind of an insurance policy in a way -- she'll either get the F seat a day before with EUA - or she'll still be ahead of other silvers at the gate if she's my companion.

And she also gets the 50% bonus miles - so it's not such a terrible deal... hmmm....

Anyone agree/disagree with this logic?

Thanks,

cpd