The future SE
Apr 16, 2012, 5:39 pm
#61
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, AZ Exec, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,848
I know, I've probably lost it but I think it might work for me.
Apr 17, 2012, 12:34 pm
#62
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,225
They already have a class above SE. It is called VIP, and it is similar to GS on UA.
I doubt well see such drastic changes. Main reason being ACs financial situation and competitive environment is much more similar to that of UA and AA who both offer a competitive 100k status miles program to SE.
AC already is more restrictive when it comes to upgrades as T+ fares can only be confirmed within the 7days window.
ACs major goals should be to:
1) encourage pax to choose AC vs. a competitor airline
2) encourage pax to pay a higher fare than neccessary (i.e. buy up from T to T+ or T+ to Lat or even T+/Lat to Z/J)
IMO AC isnt doing a particularly good job at either right now.
Unless they want to get rid off half their SE members, I think the following changes would make much more sense:
1) 100% miles for T+ fares, 125% miles for Lat fares, 150% for Z fares, 200% for J fares ONLY on AC metal while keeping the current rates for *A partners
2) possibly requiring 50% of status miles to be earnt on AC metal to earn SE status
3) possibly creating a tier above SE (while not alienating the current SE base) similar to UA GS; not a huge amount of added hard benefits, but a higher service standard (e.g. an e-mail address which responds within 24h AND is empowered to deal with pretty much anything; open-doors lounge access policy)
4) rewards for flying AC metal, e.g. one gift for every 100k AC lifetime miles: wouldnt have to be much, maybe choice of 30 upgrade credits, 25k award miles, 1 free hotel night at any of ACs partners - basically something that reinforces the idea that AC cares about the pax
5) more special events for SEs: the feedback re: the recent 787 event was very positive and many SEs even took a day off from work. Why not have more events and make sure each SE (or if you prefer: each SE with x status miles flown on AC metal) is invited to an event once a year
AC already is more restrictive when it comes to upgrades as T+ fares can only be confirmed within the 7days window.
ACs major goals should be to:
1) encourage pax to choose AC vs. a competitor airline
2) encourage pax to pay a higher fare than neccessary (i.e. buy up from T to T+ or T+ to Lat or even T+/Lat to Z/J)
IMO AC isnt doing a particularly good job at either right now.
Unless they want to get rid off half their SE members, I think the following changes would make much more sense:
1) 100% miles for T+ fares, 125% miles for Lat fares, 150% for Z fares, 200% for J fares ONLY on AC metal while keeping the current rates for *A partners
2) possibly requiring 50% of status miles to be earnt on AC metal to earn SE status
3) possibly creating a tier above SE (while not alienating the current SE base) similar to UA GS; not a huge amount of added hard benefits, but a higher service standard (e.g. an e-mail address which responds within 24h AND is empowered to deal with pretty much anything; open-doors lounge access policy)
4) rewards for flying AC metal, e.g. one gift for every 100k AC lifetime miles: wouldnt have to be much, maybe choice of 30 upgrade credits, 25k award miles, 1 free hotel night at any of ACs partners - basically something that reinforces the idea that AC cares about the pax
5) more special events for SEs: the feedback re: the recent 787 event was very positive and many SEs even took a day off from work. Why not have more events and make sure each SE (or if you prefer: each SE with x status miles flown on AC metal) is invited to an event once a year
Apr 17, 2012, 2:17 pm
#63
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: FRA
Programs: AC SE 1MM, UA PP, Hilton LT Diamond, Marriott Gold Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 2,951
Just food for thought: To reward those flying AC in paid J/C/D/Z they could consider a similar approach to LAN: There you get Comodoro status (their highest status) with either 130k km on LAN and/or Oneworld carriers or 80k on LAN only in paid J fares with a minumum requirement of 6 medium or long haul flights.