number of million milers
#151
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC 50k 1MM, Marriott LT Titanium Elite
Posts: 3,406
I am surprised nobody has brought up SPG. They (and a few hotel chains) offer a lifetime benefit program. Just like AC's, it only costs them something (and then it is usually nothing anyway) when you use it. So it ensures loyalty after a horrendous lifetime spend. In my case, I would bet that spend is around $300k. Seems pretty analogous to me.
#152
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
I am surprised nobody has brought up SPG. They (and a few hotel chains) offer a lifetime benefit program. Just like AC's, it only costs them something (and then it is usually nothing anyway) when you use it. So it ensures loyalty after a horrendous lifetime spend. In my case, I would bet that spend is around $300k. Seems pretty analogous to me.
#153
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,153
I am surprised nobody has brought up SPG. They (and a few hotel chains) offer a lifetime benefit program. Just like AC's, it only costs them something (and then it is usually nothing anyway) when you use it. So it ensures loyalty after a horrendous lifetime spend. In my case, I would bet that spend is around $300k. Seems pretty analogous to me.
I am 3x Platinum lifetime and unfortunately they have nothing else to look forward to...
As for AC MM isn't much of a cost to them unless one flies.
#154
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Marriott makes lifetime platinum too easy. They obviously do that to keep people in their chain once they drop their regular status.
I am 3x Platinum lifetime and unfortunately they have nothing else to look forward to...
As for AC MM isn't much of a cost to them unless one flies.
I am 3x Platinum lifetime and unfortunately they have nothing else to look forward to...
As for AC MM isn't much of a cost to them unless one flies.
But, I dunno about you Allvest, but my experiences with Marriott Plat are significantly worse than SPG Plat with upgrades...although I concede that for my travels, SPG hotels are usually worse. Their LOYALTY program makes me stay there instead...note how I capitalized loyalty? (that's a hit on you AC...) Grr.
#155
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ottawa
Programs: AC SE*MM/S100K; HHonors Diamond; a bunch of others at various levels!
Posts: 1,580
... ahhh, my misguided youth. All those years spent on Canadian Airlines - now there is an example of loyalty that led to nothing. However, in amidst all this talk of entitlement, I expected nothing from CA, and got what I expected when they were swallowed up by AC.
I anticipate hitting 1 MM later this year, and am one of the grey beards that is over 50. I can honestly say that when AC announced its MM program, it piqued my interest. Further, as they have continued to reduce benefits, the one thing that has focused my choice of carrier is the MM status. So while there may be a cost to AC for the MM program, there would also be a cost in not having it.
What will being a 1 MM mean in terms of my travel habits? Likely that I will continue to buy tickets and fly on AC long after I stop earning status. Whether that is profitable or costly for AC in the distant future (15+ years from now) would require a crystal ball to predict. I can say that it won't cost them anything for the next 15 years, while I continue to earn Elite status.
I anticipate hitting 1 MM later this year, and am one of the grey beards that is over 50. I can honestly say that when AC announced its MM program, it piqued my interest. Further, as they have continued to reduce benefits, the one thing that has focused my choice of carrier is the MM status. So while there may be a cost to AC for the MM program, there would also be a cost in not having it.
What will being a 1 MM mean in terms of my travel habits? Likely that I will continue to buy tickets and fly on AC long after I stop earning status. Whether that is profitable or costly for AC in the distant future (15+ years from now) would require a crystal ball to predict. I can say that it won't cost them anything for the next 15 years, while I continue to earn Elite status.
#156
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
#157
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YVR/HKG/SIN
Programs: ACSE*2MM,CX Diamond, BA Gold, OW Emerald,Fairmont Platinum, SPG Platnium Lifetime,
Posts: 208
#158
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,275
All my RTW tickets are now issued by LH, and they definitely count.
#159
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
#161
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: FRA
Programs: AC SE 1MM, UA 1K, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Gold Elite, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,943
#162
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: YVR/HKG/SIN
Programs: ACSE*2MM,CX Diamond, BA Gold, OW Emerald,Fairmont Platinum, SPG Platnium Lifetime,
Posts: 208
#163
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Why? Why? Zed! / Why? You? Elle! / Gee! Are You!
Programs: Irrelevant
Posts: 3,543
I've resigned myself to the fact that I just don't fall within the demographic criteria that AC is looking to reward. *sigh*
#164
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Why? Why? Zed! / Why? You? Elle! / Gee! Are You!
Programs: Irrelevant
Posts: 3,543
#165
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,561
That's pretty much what my point is, everything offered as gifts for the various MM levels as well as the Altitiude threshold levels are things I already have - most of which are far superior in quality compared to what's offered by AC. So, all I'm left with are more useless AP miles.
I've resigned myself to the fact that I just don't fall within the demographic criteria that AC is looking to reward. *sigh*
I've resigned myself to the fact that I just don't fall within the demographic criteria that AC is looking to reward. *sigh*