So here we go again
Originally Posted by Kerstin Ruf
No, this will not work as you believe.
LX launched STC 2003 and outsourced the loyalty programme to Loyalty Gate Ltd., a significant subsidiary of LX (57,9%) which was formerly known as Qualiflyer Loyalty Ltd. Two months ago
LX finally decided to introduce M&M as LX’s FFP. Consequently STC will go out of business from Q2/2006 onwards.
No, that does not happen, M&M is not involved!
Next week
STC will inform their members (email or letter) that STC will be terminated in 2Q. Further more, they will ask for permission to transfer theirs profile to M&M (as QG did as they split up into three programs). STC members options are:
- To spend their STC miles (STC TOS) until 03/06.
- To transfer the balance of their STC account into their (new) M&M account (M&M TOS).
- Do nothing: STC miles will expire on March 31st 2006
Thanks a lot, but it works exactly as I think. The only difference is just the usual marketing talk, nothing else. Why do people on your end of the world always think John Doe is dumb enough to fall for that? Of course, after you gave us this great insight, we are all convinced now that LH did not take over SWISS and M&M is just some Caribbean company that has nothing to do with LH.
Originally Posted by Kerstin Ruf
Traveller I know call payments for transportation
expenses. If someone travels for the main purpose to accumulate some kind of assets in hopes of getting a future return from it (=
investment), chances are very high, that his especations will not be fullfilled. To make money basiclly in selling long haul rewards in primium classes is a business for
mileage brokers.
Web-Flyer Travel Information: Coupon Brokers
In generall, privileges of a FFP are recognition (eg elite benefits) and rewards [eg (upgrade-) awards). That’s it.
If you ask a travel professional “what are your clients’ needs when it comes to air travel”? there is a good chance you get an answer like this:
“If they fly long-haul, they ask for non-stop flights, travel time, schedules (time & frequencies), aircrafts, and last not least price. My clients know the FFPs they are enrolled much better than myself; if the price difference and inconvinience is doable for them, they choose the carrier linked to their preferred FFP, otherwise they choose major Asean or European based carriers. If the price difference between non-stop and transfer price is significant, sometimes they go by price (and are complaining afterwards that they were not satisfied).
Ok, you know travellers. Your dentist who goes on vacation three times a year?
Sorry, I am on vacation right now, so I just couldn't resist....... But I am not a dentist!!!
But really, this is pure nonsense. Your response has nothing to do with my statement you quoted. You are talking to the wrong person. Do you really believe I easily requalify for HON and make AMC Platinum and SIA PPS and DELTA GM and fly a lot of LCCs lately based on your assumptions? Please think again. I have more miles and upgrades in my accounts than I can possibly burn in the next 5 years. As you seem to suggest, I could start selling them, but that is not my trade. I do give quite a bit away as presents, however.
The investment I was talking about is, however, the time and hassle it takes to live with an airline long enough to finally get the recognition that makes your life a little easier. An airline is just one supplier of travel services I need, besides hotels, rental car companies and others. (I don't think you can even begin to imagine what a live looks like, where you spend on average 300 nights away from home per year) Travel services is by far the biggest cost factor in my business. Of course you buy where you get the best value for your money and today loyalty programs are a major part of the equation.
Therefore, managing my expenses as good as possible also means to try and keep my options open by "investing" in more than one programs. I sometimes even have to pay a higher price, to reach all my goals, instead of just burning a few miles. Making a rough estimate, I could probably cover one full year of regular travel only using miles, but then I would lose all my investment in "recognition". I am always very eager to keep my expenses down, as I am paying for them out of my own pocket. But I also need to set aside some of my expenses (investment) to buy status = recognition, otherwise I couldn't handle the requirements of my business anymore.
I hope, you are a little more enlightend now what "investment in FFPs" stands for.
