Originally Posted by
sbm12
I think that way more people would actually use the benefit were it given to the UK members, making it potentially less appealing for VS to sell it at a discount to AmEx. Right now it may drive a bit of incremental revenue to VS but not so much as to dilute the benefits of those who earned the status. Adding the benefit to the local crowd might do so. Or VS may be charging more for the status for the UK members, making it cost-prohibitive for AmEx. Lots of reasons the benefits are not 100% consistent across the countries.
Not sure actually. UK Centurion has been closed for a couple of years so probably whatever small no of cardholders there were have reduced. And these are precisely the sort of PAX that an airline like Virgin would love to entice into their lounges. I mean, how many Cent's book economy tickets anyway?? What is the true cost to the airline of granting this small group of afluants Gold status in their program??
If I were a CEO of an airline I would be banging on Amex's door asking to partner up!