DC panic (over) - forced migration to M&M for Netherlands, Israel and Ukraine
Apr 15, 2010, 4:10 am
#226
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
Thanks,
GoldCircle
bmi Forum mod team
Apr 15, 2010, 4:14 am
#227
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,641
As a Dutch DC member, the offer makes some sense in that I can hardly fly BMI anymore but in the end it will for me depend on the conversion rate (1:1?) and status (Gold-> SEN until 2013?).
Having already been forced last year to migrate my SN account to M&M (1:1 and Gold -> FTL until Feb 2013) at least it would solve the issue of having two *A accounts with significant miles in them.
Will wait for the official communication now.
Apr 15, 2010, 4:35 am
#228
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Recession, recession continuing, or recession over, I'm not so sure that BD's program would go the way of SN's program if LH's strategy is about keeping its options all open.
Apr 15, 2010, 5:13 am
#229
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Singapore, Warsaw, Surfers Paradise
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold>>>Silver>>>Blue, Finnair Silver, Royal Caribbean Diamond
Posts: 5,174
How recently have those countries (Netherlands, Israel and Ukraine) had their flight routes canceled?
Is the general take that UK addresses will last the longest (though DC has confirmed that they will stick around, at least for the near future)? Or that they will chuck everyone with an address where BMI doesn't fly to over to M&M?
Is the general take that UK addresses will last the longest (though DC has confirmed that they will stick around, at least for the near future)? Or that they will chuck everyone with an address where BMI doesn't fly to over to M&M?
Apr 15, 2010, 5:21 am
#231
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 226
You know, with careful lighting, an ugly frog can be made to look like a prince. You selected a particular configuration (i.e. intra-European flying on segments less than 1000 miles) where earning *G status with LH 'only' requires 20% more flying under M&M (a little under 32 segments with DC compared to 40 segments with M&M). But if you take long-haul, you will need 100% more flying (= twice as much) with M&M than you would do with DC. OTOH, M&M status is valid for two years, so in total quantum of flying it is not a huge difference. However, this assumes that one can delay/anticipate substantial amounts of flying from one year to another, which is not necessarily true for everybody.
It seems to me that you are having a "what have the Romans done for us?" moment: these features (and the >55K bonus on earning and the at least 25% elite bonus on all *A flights rather than just the LH galaxy + United ones) are precisely what makes DC the good programme it is for earning/burning. What you are saying is tantamount to saying "Apart from good food in a nice environment, what does a fine dining establishment have that McDonald's does not have?".
Moreover, there are several destinations where even on base rates M&M is very substantially worse than DC (Europe to all of the Americas, in particular).
Really? Even if you add the connecting flight cost, you still end up with a lower cost in DC compared to M&M (although, admittedly, this ceases to be true with a FlySmart award).
Now, clearly, how suitable a programme is will depend on individual circumstances. However, the suggestion that moving from DC to M&M is no big deal for anyone would require a seriously blinkered view, an inability to consider the situation of others with different circumstances than one's own or a solid amount of bad faith. For some people, it will admittedly be no big deal. For others it would be a big deal, meaning a loss of *A G status (for those who qualify for DC *G on flights other than short intra-European flights without having huge amounts of status miles to spare) or a huge loss of destination miles earning power (that's the >55K lot) and that is even before we consider the burning rates.
It is true that some people tend to exaggerate the negative features of M&M. But the steadfast refusal to acknowledge that for some people M&M IS a very poor proposition compared to DC is truly perplexing.
It seems to me that you are having a "what have the Romans done for us?" moment: these features (and the >55K bonus on earning and the at least 25% elite bonus on all *A flights rather than just the LH galaxy + United ones) are precisely what makes DC the good programme it is for earning/burning. What you are saying is tantamount to saying "Apart from good food in a nice environment, what does a fine dining establishment have that McDonald's does not have?".
Moreover, there are several destinations where even on base rates M&M is very substantially worse than DC (Europe to all of the Americas, in particular).
Really? Even if you add the connecting flight cost, you still end up with a lower cost in DC compared to M&M (although, admittedly, this ceases to be true with a FlySmart award).Now, clearly, how suitable a programme is will depend on individual circumstances. However, the suggestion that moving from DC to M&M is no big deal for anyone would require a seriously blinkered view, an inability to consider the situation of others with different circumstances than one's own or a solid amount of bad faith. For some people, it will admittedly be no big deal. For others it would be a big deal, meaning a loss of *A G status (for those who qualify for DC *G on flights other than short intra-European flights without having huge amounts of status miles to spare) or a huge loss of destination miles earning power (that's the >55K lot) and that is even before we consider the burning rates.
It is true that some people tend to exaggerate the negative features of M&M. But the steadfast refusal to acknowledge that for some people M&M IS a very poor proposition compared to DC is truly perplexing.
the problems by bmi are mostly there non punctual functionality of things, to take a stupid example: adding my bmi to the booking of some *A flights, unless they see the card, they wont see that I'm gold, unless I show them the card, and i wont be credited automatically.
Apr 15, 2010, 9:32 am
#233
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
This thread has been substantially cleaned in the last half-hour. Any discussion about the relative merits/values/costs/benefits of Diamond Club and Miles and More should go in this thread.
The topics at hand here are:
GoldCircle
bmi forum Mod team
The topics at hand here are:
- The pitiful project management on bmi's website
- Migration to M&M in Ukraine, Israel and the Netherlands
- Strategies for becoming a 'Euro-Cheat' and migrating with the above countries, despite being American
GoldCircle
bmi forum Mod team
Last edited by GoldCircle; Apr 15, 2010 at 10:31 am
Apr 15, 2010, 10:29 am
#234
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,742
Apr 15, 2010, 10:31 am
#235
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Australia
Programs: QF LTS, Marriott LTP, ALL GOLD
Posts: 2,440
Apr 15, 2010, 10:53 am
#236
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20
This is what a friend got:
Dear xxx
As bmi no longer operates a flight to your primary country of residence, Netherlands, many of the Diamond Club benefits, such as country specific Diamond Club promotions are no longer available to local members. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to close Diamond Club in this market.
However, for a limited period we are pleased to offer you a ‘Status Match’ into Miles & More, the leading frequent flyer programme in Europe, which is operated by Lufthansa in partnership with Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Luxair and SWISS International Air Lines.
In Miles & More you will receive the equivalent membership status that you currently enjoy within Diamond Club.
Miles & More boasts excellent benefits such as access to a large number of Business Class, Senator or Star Alliance Gold lounges, extra luggage allowance (including specialist sports equipment such as ski and golf) and companion award tickets*.
As well as continuing to offer the full range of Star Alliance frequent flyer benefits, Miles & More is in partnership with many of the World’s major hotel brands and car hire companies, ensuring there are hundreds of opportunities to earn and spend miles both locally and internationally.
Plus, you can take your destinations miles balance with you as we’re also offering a complete mileage balance transfer service too. Destinations miles will become award miles with Miles & More.
If you are not already a member of Miles & More you must enrol into their programme first prior to registering for the status match and miles transfer offer.
You have until midnight 13 May 2010 to register for the offer, after which time your Diamond Club account will be closed and any remaining miles will be deleted.
Step 1
Enrol into Miles & More .
Step 2
Register for the offer here.
You will need your 15 digit Miles & More card number and your 11 digit Diamond Club membership number to register for the offer. This offer is available from 15 April 2010 until midnight, 13 May 2010.
May we take this opportunity to thank you for your continued loyalty to bmi and Diamond Club and wish you a happy future with Miles & More.
Best regards
Keeley Downing
Diamond Club Manager
As bmi no longer operates a flight to your primary country of residence, Netherlands, many of the Diamond Club benefits, such as country specific Diamond Club promotions are no longer available to local members. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to close Diamond Club in this market.
However, for a limited period we are pleased to offer you a ‘Status Match’ into Miles & More, the leading frequent flyer programme in Europe, which is operated by Lufthansa in partnership with Adria Airways, Air Dolomiti, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Luxair and SWISS International Air Lines.
In Miles & More you will receive the equivalent membership status that you currently enjoy within Diamond Club.
Miles & More boasts excellent benefits such as access to a large number of Business Class, Senator or Star Alliance Gold lounges, extra luggage allowance (including specialist sports equipment such as ski and golf) and companion award tickets*.
As well as continuing to offer the full range of Star Alliance frequent flyer benefits, Miles & More is in partnership with many of the World’s major hotel brands and car hire companies, ensuring there are hundreds of opportunities to earn and spend miles both locally and internationally.
Plus, you can take your destinations miles balance with you as we’re also offering a complete mileage balance transfer service too. Destinations miles will become award miles with Miles & More.
If you are not already a member of Miles & More you must enrol into their programme first prior to registering for the status match and miles transfer offer.
You have until midnight 13 May 2010 to register for the offer, after which time your Diamond Club account will be closed and any remaining miles will be deleted.
Step 1
Enrol into Miles & More .
Step 2
Register for the offer here.
You will need your 15 digit Miles & More card number and your 11 digit Diamond Club membership number to register for the offer. This offer is available from 15 April 2010 until midnight, 13 May 2010.
May we take this opportunity to thank you for your continued loyalty to bmi and Diamond Club and wish you a happy future with Miles & More.
Best regards
Keeley Downing
Diamond Club Manager
Apr 15, 2010, 10:58 am
#238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,742
Thanks for posting - I've not received this yet.
But it raises questions:
1) What happens to Status Miles? No mention at all in the email.
2) When status matched, how long is status valid for in M&M?
But it raises questions:
1) What happens to Status Miles? No mention at all in the email.
2) When status matched, how long is status valid for in M&M?
Apr 15, 2010, 11:03 am
#239
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
We won't know for sure until someone tells us - but conventional wisdom is 2 full years after the current year, plus 1 month - this being the standard for M&M.
If this is so, you'll have just 'requalified', so I reckon any status miles will be not be carried over.
If this is so, you'll have just 'requalified', so I reckon any status miles will be not be carried over.
Apr 15, 2010, 11:04 am
#240
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: 1K or FCL
Programs: *A GOLD, EL AL PLATINUM, ONEWORLD*SAPPHIRE, ACCOR CLUB PLATINUM, Human Race Platinum for life
Posts: 582
In the terms and conditions of bmi Diamond Club, it says clearly that in the event of closure of Diamond Club, members will be informed 3 months in advance.