ctownflyer

New elite requal rules:

"Once a member earns Elite status, the member will be required to fly at least 12 one-way, A+ credit-earning flights during the subsequent 365 days to renew the Elite status for another year. Current Elite members will have until 1/31/2009 or 1 year from the date of attainment of Elite status, whichever is greater, to renew their Elite status."


This goes into effect on the same day that FL will end the creation of new voucher redemptions.

DCATravel

I really don't see this as a huge issue if you travel on FL. What other airline would you need only 6 round trip flights to gain elite status? When you consider the requirements by other airlines, these kinda make me laugh.

spec

6 RT trips isn't that tough. The only thing that is kinda puzzling is that the Elite benefits are extremely skimpy so I'm not sure why the change of heart.

ctownflyer

It's got nothing to do with being tough or not, its just that they've taken a program that never had a requal requirement since its inception and have now added it in.

DCATravel

As every airline has learned, programs must change and evolve. If you had a large amount of Elite's that didn't have to travel to keep their status, what type of retention program is that?

CAL PHL FLYER

I have to agree with Airtran on this one..why would they want to keep giving you Elite benefits if you are not giving them business..Its a question of "What have you done for me lately"..Airtran is just purging its elite ranks and will probably make it much better for the elites who really do give them business..@:-)

gleff

Alas, my November 2003 status match will finally come to an end

mcblowfish

True, although the 'benefits' really aren't that generous, so the only true advantage I see FL gaining is that they are able to expire my credits sooner now. They were able to poach some of my last-minute travel from DL on Y/B with the immediate upgrades, but now I'll be exclusively DL since I'll have a higher upgrade % on Y/B with DL and I won't have to worry about my credits/miles expiring in 12 months. Time to burn all those credits with a last-minute trip to vegas up front...

travelingfool23

I see it more as being fair to their best customers. Is it fair for people who gained Elite status 4 years ago and never fly with them now to have the same upgrade privileges as people who flew on them 50 times in the last 12 months? If I am a frequent flier on AirTran I see this as a huge plus - less competition for free upgrades from undeserving infrequent travelers.

CAL PHL FLYER

It may not be that huge of a benefit since they sell (pawn) upgrades at the gate to anyone stupid enough to pay the fee..

HPN-HRL

The expiration of elite status has been listed on the website (12 paid trips in 12 months to remain elite) since early this summer, if not earlier. They just chose this time to announce thier policy widely.

As far as the buy-up policy, that has been a "temporary" policy for at least the past two years; I think they have become addicted to the revenue stream. As someone who is "stupid enough" to pay for an upgrade on many of my single-segment flights, I'm glad this is now standard policy. I don't mind paying $139 vs. $89 for the extra comfort on a one-way to MCO, for example. Now that I have made elite ststus, I may not get as many comp upgrades, but I will probably buy-up (or credit-up on multi-segment tickets) as I am happy to support FL, and think the "entitlement mentality" that some people develop (not just elite members of airline programs!) is very unhealthy to both the individual and to the company (not to mention society in general).

tsc

I had wondered when 'Lifetime' Elite status would expire.

I received a status match in January and have done 16 round-trip/multi-city itineraries since then, so I'm not terribly worried about my status not renewing next year. Although, I did fire off an email to FL for clarification -- the person on the Elite line was not quite sure.

I do agree on FL's decision -- keep their loyalty program to those who are continuing to be loyal to FL. They'd have more of my business right now, but since their cutbacks in September, they've axed some flights I normally take. For example, try setting up a roundtrip from DAY to SAN or SFO. You either can't get there, or can't get back because of the schedule changes (unless you take a ridiculous 12 hour layover or something). So, I'm flying DL instead right now to SAN and SJC.

EDIT: It appears some DAY-ATL-SAN-ATL-DAY schedules that are favorable have been added, so perhaps I will be flying FL in October after all.

rbernheim

I don't see where lifetime has a end except death or bankrupty? I guess I can add this to the 3 lies.

beofotch

Haha yes, mine too!

travelingfool23

Was 'lifetime' Elite status ever advertised or written as policy or was it a term that flyertalkers coined when AirTran didn't enforce their expiration policy? I don't remember AirTran ever promising Elite status would last a lifetime, it was just the result of a customer-friendly lapse in enforcement of policy.