Originally Posted by
A37845
So, I was about to compose that email to coair.com to "status-beg", but then I thought: what really prevents all others from matching it?
There was a HUGE outcry when AA started "first bag for $15" policy and many predicted that nobody sane will match it - and now everybody is.
So, again, why will others NOT match the "bonus mileage
kill" that USAir did?
I am a Chairman-level on US and I get upgraded pretty much every time, US miles are also easier to redeem than CO miles. Status-begging is fine, but if this is the new standard, then why bother?
In fact, USAir might not die as a result, but survive due to thinking about it first.... sad thought indeed.
Welcome to FT!
While you're correct that the second- and first-bag fee policies have been more widely adopted, the elimination of the 500-mi minimum is one thing that has not been (at least yet).
I suspect that a few other airlines may follow suit - those in the most trouble and whose business models do not focus on retaining high-revenue elite frequent flyers. For reasons I stated in another thread, the baggage fees actually provide an opportunity for increased elite retention, since elites are exempt. Cuts that affect elites and only elites, such as the elimination of bonus RDM,
decrease elite retention. Apparently, a spreadsheet somewhere indicates that this will be a net positive for US profitability. We'll see...from the sidelines in my case.