Originally Posted by
gwilkins
I have an idea... Why don't you all earn it by flying the actual miles. I find it sad and discomforting that i'm sitting up in first class with someone who got their elite status by paying a few hunderd dollars or saying at some hotels w/o actually EARNING it. I hope the airlines will move away from this practice and leave the first class seats to the folks who deserve first class seats, the ones who actually pay for them or fly the level of miles/segments to accrue elite status. In fact, I'm glad to see some airlines removing first class seats -- gives the folks who don't fly much less chance to sit up front.
Welcome to FlyerTalk,
gwilkins!
IMHO, there's a big difference between offering initial (first level) elite status, and offering it recurrently.
Most of the deals I'm familar with only work one time per airline or at most once every few years per airline (status matching, AA's Challenges, NW's purchase of Silver for 6 months mentioned just above your post, etc).
With the exception of UA (where you can buy Economy Plus access independent of elite status), the problem I have with your approach is that, as a tall person, that would mean I'd have to fly 25000 miles cramped in seats in which I don't fit, by which time I'll be so sick of the airline that I'll never stick around to get elite, all because I can't temperarily get elite access to preferred seats (like exit rows) which I could if they offered me temporary elite status (during which I'd rush to requalify). (AA's Challenge is a little different, but it doesn't require anywhere near 25000 miles, so a mileage upgrade or two can resolve that, by just starting to collect AA miles before you go for becoming elite. Or, in my case, I got their during their brief encounter with More Seats Throughout Coach!
)
Furthermore, what's the big difference between sitting up front with someone who paid for elite status versus sitting up front with someone who paid for a discount First Class (or Business Class, whichever "up front' is on your plane) seat? The NW buy-in mentioned above costs more than one "up front" paid for at sale prices! Isn't it the person who paid full-fare First who should be resentful of an elite sitting up there who earned elite by flying but only by flying mileage runs on which the airline lost money???