<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MileKing:
Clearly, the airlines are trying to move to a system where they will provide benefits/perks if I buy a high cost ticket, and no benefits/perks if I buy a cheapo fare, i.e., the mutually exclusive purchase decision model. That model might work fine if I'm buying a new big-screen TV every 8-10 years, but airline travel purchased weekly or monthly is not that way for FFs. I, and I imagine most other FFs, view value in travel across a spectrum of transactions. We will evaluate each transaction in the larger scheme of things (FF benefits such as elite status, upgrades, and overall mileage accumulation) and decide where to drop our dollar based on that, not necessarily based solely on what benefits/perks we can drive out of tomorrow's purchase. And isn't that what FF programs were created for anyway? Seems simple enough to me.</font>
Well said! Here is a supporting example: I go to DTW semi regularly. My "home" airport is ACY. DL, US and Spirit fly from there. So here is the math for 14 day advanced purchase. Let's assume i am Cockroach Preferred on US & Plat Medallion on DL, Spirit of course has no program.
Fares are as follows
Spirit = $191.00 w/no FF program
Delta = $310.00 1/2 mileage credit
US Air = $325.00 full CP benefits
If the buying criteria is price alone Spirit wins going away. Spirit is also Non-stop, DL & US are connecting flights.
By maintaining their current DM program US Airways ensures that I will remain a loyal traveler. Why would I use Delta? less miles, no upgrade opportunity because it is all RJ's. US is ACY-PHL-DTW and an upgrade to FC is almost guaranteed. If the airlines eliminate the segment qualifier as DL has, plus the credit for low fare tickets shown above. This situation is akin to the "Domino theory" of the cold war on the advance of communism. Once I start moving away from the big six what is left to keep me from total defecton? What compelling business reason do I have to fly with anyone BUT Spiritin this case?? Perhaps one of the airline lurkers can tell me as I have yet to figure it out. Besides Spirit serves Mountain Dew on their flights which is my favorite.