DEQM: It's baaaack... 2x EQM 3/18-6/15 2009! (consolidated)
Mar 17, 2009, 9:20 pm
#151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NYC, USA
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Mar 17, 2009, 9:26 pm
#152
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
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Mar 17, 2009, 9:35 pm
#153
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 122
crap, booked after 3/18?????? shame on them.
Last edited by qqqgnss; Mar 17, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Mar 17, 2009, 9:52 pm
#154
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
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Location: Louisville, KY
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Mar 17, 2009, 10:09 pm
#155
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Priority Gold, National Executive
Posts: 138
Back on FT after a couple of really busy days and the news is great! A couple of observations after reading through the entire thread:
A rough estimate of my travels this year would probably have my qualify for EXP at the end of the year so, as someone else who has a BIS 2-4 times per week, the promo is great, since it will probably get me to EXP sooner.
I go through spurts of booking and had not really booked any of my Q2 flights except one, which is after June 15. I planned on booking everything next week as my schedule developed so this came at a terrific time for me.
I am now trying to plan a MR during this time period to help move things along. I just got back from a weekend in Dublin and had a great time so a weekend in FRA is not out of the question.
As far as grumblings about more EXP's, I will reiterate an earlier post that claims that there are less fliers out there these days and many will not be able to re-qualify for EXP with or without this promo and drop down to PLT
In the meantime, unless I feel like burning a sticker, you can find me in 7D (when I can get it).
A rough estimate of my travels this year would probably have my qualify for EXP at the end of the year so, as someone else who has a BIS 2-4 times per week, the promo is great, since it will probably get me to EXP sooner.
I go through spurts of booking and had not really booked any of my Q2 flights except one, which is after June 15. I planned on booking everything next week as my schedule developed so this came at a terrific time for me.
I am now trying to plan a MR during this time period to help move things along. I just got back from a weekend in Dublin and had a great time so a weekend in FRA is not out of the question.
As far as grumblings about more EXP's, I will reiterate an earlier post that claims that there are less fliers out there these days and many will not be able to re-qualify for EXP with or without this promo and drop down to PLT
In the meantime, unless I feel like burning a sticker, you can find me in 7D (when I can get it).
Mar 17, 2009, 10:23 pm
#156
Join Date: May 2001
Programs: AA PLT 2MM, LH SEN *, HH Gold
Posts: 3,075
Sure, giving out EQMs doesn't cost an airline anything, until someone has got enough of them to qualify for a higher member level with associated benefits that do cost the airline something. Just like writing a check doesn't cost you anything, until someone cashes it; or using a credit card doesn't cost you anything, until the bill arrives...
Mar 17, 2009, 10:44 pm
#157
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No it is like a VERY minor opportunity cost to get a new client.
Why do yo imagine you get 25,000 miles for signing up for a new visa card?
And have done for a decade. As it WORKS.
Do you think AA or UA care if such promos attract flyers from other airlines who now spend money with THEM?
This is THE worst year in aviation loads and revenue for decades. And WILL get worse.
If they had any brains they'd contact EVERY elite from last year who did not make status this year saying:
"we realise this has been a tough year economically for all frequent flyers globally, and your flying patterns may have been impacted because of it - along with many others.
As a one time goodwill gesture to recognise this reality we enclose an Elite card of the same level you held last year.
To RETAIN this card for 2010 you do need to fly the requisite number of miles/segments which are outlined here ............"
Actual COST to do it is peanuts and the flip-side is a TON of goodwill and a LOT of extra booked flights = revenue from these folks.
For EXPs and 1Ks who ordinary gets VIPs and SWUs, well they get none on this offer. But all other perks apply.
Glen
.
Mar 17, 2009, 10:52 pm
#158
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NYC/SFO
Programs: UA 1K*MM, AA PP
Posts: 1,097
If they had any brains they'd contact EVERY elite from last year who did not make status this year saying:
"we realise this has been a tough year economically for all frequent flyers globally, and your flying patterns may have been impacted because of it - along with many others.
As a one time goodwill gesture to recognise this reality we enclose an Elite card of the same level you held last year.
To RETAIN this card for 2010 you do need to fly the requisite number of miles/segments which are outlined here ............"
Actual COST to do it is peanuts and the flip-side is a TON of goodwill and a LOT of extra booked flights = revenue from these folks.
.
"we realise this has been a tough year economically for all frequent flyers globally, and your flying patterns may have been impacted because of it - along with many others.
As a one time goodwill gesture to recognise this reality we enclose an Elite card of the same level you held last year.
To RETAIN this card for 2010 you do need to fly the requisite number of miles/segments which are outlined here ............"
Actual COST to do it is peanuts and the flip-side is a TON of goodwill and a LOT of extra booked flights = revenue from these folks.
.
Since at least some people take up that offer, giving it away for free instead would cost them however much money they got by NOT giving it away.
Mar 17, 2009, 11:16 pm
#159
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
Good to hear. This will prevent EXP from being devalued. Again.
Mar 17, 2009, 11:34 pm
#160
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SFO / SJC
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 391
Kind of reminds me of the old SNL skit that envisions Nixon as jokingly saying criminal things into his lamp shade as an office prank arising out of boredom.
"Sure we could do a double EQM promo, i know where we could get the web page, but that would be wrong." - AA
Mar 17, 2009, 11:49 pm
#161
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
It's meant to get people to fly more and give them more money. Period. Perhaps including previously-booked flights last year didn't work out for them. Because of it, I actually flew less than I would otherwise have to get EXP. Maybe a look at their numbers made them feel they'd have been better off not grandfathering the already booked. I have no idea, of course- but it is reasonable. If I were designing the promo, I would definitely not include already-booked fares. It raises no additional revenue.
Cheers.
Cheers.
As it is, I'm so far off re-qualifying, I won't bother.
Last edited by Blueboys999; Mar 17, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Mar 17, 2009, 11:54 pm
#162
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,973
Well I hope this is true and going to be offered I've spent my left coast night dreaming plotting and conspiring how to max this out as fast as possible.
Mar 18, 2009, 4:42 am
#163
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And for some there's also the 10%, 20%, 30% discount on future flight for flying 1,2 or 3 RTs before May 15.
So 3 RT between BOS-California could be more or less 60,000 RDM, 30,000 EQM, and $300 discount on a $1,000 ticket. Assuming all the applicable bonuses could be used on each flight.
So 3 RT between BOS-California could be more or less 60,000 RDM, 30,000 EQM, and $300 discount on a $1,000 ticket. Assuming all the applicable bonuses could be used on each flight.
I spent about $490 for 2 RT, so if they cheap seats are available, that would be about $1000 for 4 RTs, or over 80K RDM, 40K EQM
Mar 18, 2009, 5:45 am
#164
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA: Former CK (LT PLT), MB: PE (LT Gold)
Posts: 503
Whatever the reason behind this ... I can't help but imagine a bit of a cash flow freeze for AA since the small percentage of FFers that represent the most number of rear in seats are waiting to see what happens. My gut tells me that this will go live after the office hours in CDT starts where some one has to hit 'apply' to the new page.
Around the thoughts to why would they not retro past purchases ... I get if from a P&L standpoint (why provide benefits to those who aren;t necesarily going to pay any more?). Sounds very short sighted to me to upset your most loyal customers by excluding them for doing something you want them to do (book and book early). The earlier the book flights, the better cashflow position they are in and a better forecasting ability. If they go with what was previewed, AA would be training their best and most frequent customers to hold off any bookings in the late winter/early spring time frame to wait for an AADER equivalent offer. Sure, it might represent higher fares last minute ... but ask any CFO in this economic climate. They would be happy to book revenue early and be in a better cashflow position, now.
Just my $0.02 here. Interested to see what AA does.
Around the thoughts to why would they not retro past purchases ... I get if from a P&L standpoint (why provide benefits to those who aren;t necesarily going to pay any more?). Sounds very short sighted to me to upset your most loyal customers by excluding them for doing something you want them to do (book and book early). The earlier the book flights, the better cashflow position they are in and a better forecasting ability. If they go with what was previewed, AA would be training their best and most frequent customers to hold off any bookings in the late winter/early spring time frame to wait for an AADER equivalent offer. Sure, it might represent higher fares last minute ... but ask any CFO in this economic climate. They would be happy to book revenue early and be in a better cashflow position, now.
Just my $0.02 here. Interested to see what AA does.
Mar 18, 2009, 7:30 am
#165
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA ExP, Hyatt Diamond, MR Platinum, PC Platinum, SPG Platinum, HH Gold
Posts: 498
Show me the 2x EQM!
For me it's simple. As a single guy I have disposable income that I often use on travel. If AA does bring back this incentive then I will travel a lot more thru 06/15 than I normally would. If not, then I won't! AA, it is your choice!