Originally Posted by alex69uk
Unfortunately I do not know the thread you are referring to.
But just by reading this, I am not sure the rationale should be to match the number in the hirarchy of the programme, but rather the benefits that the card brings to the bearer. Among other things, with PLAT one gets access with a guest to the business lounges when flying any OW and 100% bonus miles. Is this matched by BMI Silver? If so it'd be an adequate match, if not the OP is being shortchanged.
At the end of the day it is not in the interests of *A not to match entirely all the benefits else even if status match many will remain loyal to OW and will not even bother trying out a few flights on *A.
This may be, but the points you make are something of a philosophical set of arguments - I was stating the policy of the Status match as confirmed to me by *A and BMI staff I asked about all this when helping a friend with a Status Match : they match
equivalent levels. The other Thread btw is the
BMI Silver/Gold Status Match Till May31 where you will see
House's post confirming that this is indeed the policy.
Anyway, I am not sure I agree with your logic at all - all the airlines offer their Elite such different things that saying that *A have to match status based on
benefits is I'm afraid a bit silly - some programmes offer 100% miles bonus without lounge access (most SkyTeam middle tier for e.g.), others offer 25% miles bonus but free upgrades and lounge access - which is 'better'/'higher' ? BMI for e.g. only give Golds a 25% miles bonus, BUT if you fly in Business you get x2 miles (plus the 25%), in F on other *A airlines x3 (+ the 25%) - QF however give me a 100% miles bonus as a Platinum, but only 25% for flying in Business. So which is better, especially as they have totally different repemption rates, meaning that 50,000 miles in one programme may be worth more than 70,000 in another ? Etc, etc, etc, etc... It is an impossible thing to quantify in any meaningful way.
OW Sapphire and Emerald also means
totally different things depending which OW prog. you are in, Platinum and Platinum Elite totally different depending which SkyTeam programme, etc, etc - what you suggest only has one conclusion : *A/BMI would have to look at the perks of
every single programme in the world (cos its open to anyone of status in any airline programme), decide who offers what, then compare them to *A Silver and Gold and then make a seperate policy
for each airline based on what their schemes offer ! That is just crazy talk mate !
Terms like 'Minefield', 'Pandora's Box' and 'opening a can of worms' are springing to mind !!!
The pragmatic, workable solution is exactly what they have done - match middle tier with middle tier, top tier with top tier. They may get this wrong (like with QF) on occasions, but boy does it save a lot of hassle. Yes they want your business and want you to fly with them, but giving every OW Sapphire a *A Gold really would be pushing it, and could bring far too many people into the highest tier (each of who BMI comped would be giving 4 upgrade vouchers, for e.g.).
Bottom line while the AA Plat. gives very good benefits people who have it are only in the middle of the OW pecking order (and no I am not gloating as a QF Plat/OW Emerald, this is just the way it is), and thus, whether AA FFs like it or not, being given *A Gold would be a promotion in status as Gold is top dog in *A (just as it was for QF Golds lucky enough to be given it).
Whether you think AA Plat. carries better perks that BMI or another *A Gold status is a seperate matter entirely.