<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
FlyerTalk is a self-selected focus group which has a high percentage of high frequency customers.</font>
Right on. That is the main reason I joined FT.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Not all of us fly on cheap tickets, and not all of us fly on expensive tickets. </font>
Again right. But I would like to add on to it to say that
most of us fly on cheap tickets. When was the last time any
one of us paid $1700+ for a transpacific 'Y'.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Still, there are enough of us, scattered in enough geographical locations as well as age brackets, to make a
good statistical sampling. </font>
Absolutely Correct.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">We know the details and react earlier, but I think our reactions will be indicative of the feedback the airlines will
receive.</font>
Yes, we know the details and react earlier. To say that our reactions will be indicative of the feedback the airlines will receive would be incorrect.
Let me explain.
We are a good statistical sampling of elite frequent flyers buying el cheapo fares. ( atleast 70-80% fares bought are in that category ). On level 1, we are not a good statistical sample of the "regular traveller"(read non-elite). This is because we fly more and know the system better. On Level 2, we are also not a good statistical sample of the "elite traveller". This is because we
know how to beat the system.
Like I said before, it creates a situation where a lot of high paying customers are feeling left out (upgrades, standbys, priority seating etc).
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">In the coming weeks, other frequent fliers and corporate travel arrangers will know everything we do. I think their reaction will be similar to ours.</font>
Yes they would know. Would their reaction be the same as ours. Yes and No.
Yes, in the sense that they would go with the airline that gives them the max flexibility on tickets as a reasonable price.
No, because they would not care about fares not earning base miles or any other sops. All they would care about is the fare.
Long live the bean counters. Thats the businees motto
For example sake, lets take my company. It books around 1000+ tickets from ORD-SFO/LAX every month. The two preferred carriers are AA and UA. If UA does not give elite base miles on discounted fares but beats AA fares by 10-15% consistently, do you think they would still go with AA.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">That's why airlines would be wise to gauge the reaction on Flyertalk.</font>
Just about every airline and hotel keeps an eye on Flyertalk. Though it gives them an idea of what the reaction would be, decisions cannot be based on it. Remember, we are not a preferred statistical sampling. Not the kinds airlines/hotels want.
What they do get out of Flyertalk is positive criticism. We as a group push the envelope. A tiny link broken on the website. We find it. If there is a hole in the system, we manipulate it. Post a wrong fare and we would make you pay for it.
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Mileage programs are marketing tools. If the airlines do not get the targeted result out of it, they are bound to make changes. And that's happening right now. Even if you have 1 million miles or top tier elite ststus, you don't
own anything. Some of us think we do. IMHO, that group is the spoiled group. And they are the ones who would walk out of the game when the going gets tough. Stick around and you would always reap the benefits.
[This message has been edited by Bourne (edited 09-03-2002).]