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Tbh, I don't even think the lounge crowding situation is as bad as the baggage handling.
While the lounges do get tad crowded, I wouldn't say its always 'full of people' and for the time I hop over to the J Noodle bar or any of the J lounges, I don't feel that I'm really 'impacted' by the crowding to see it as a huge issue. I actually love spending time at the Bridge at evenings and I've not really seen more than 3-4 people at a time at the long bar, which is where I'd usually sit. I think crowding actually more of a problem for the Wing F (which is irrelevant for SLs) more than the J lounges. On the other hand, in the occasion I have to check my bag with CX, I see so many F/J priority tags and it is almost a total lottery as to when my bags will come out. Sometimes its one of the first ones out whereas at other times, its towards the end of the priority batch, which can be easily triple the number of passengers flying in F/J for the flight. This is one thing I'm fairly unhappy about as I know CX not only puts J tags for SL, but also for other OWS as well. Hardly a 'priority' system when there's half the plane to handle as priority. |
Originally Posted by CrazyJ82
(Post 23747905)
I'm willing to bet the behavior changes resulting from any reduction in SL lounge access are not going to be nearly as great as this thread would have you believe.
If you're a SL routinely flying in Y, where else are you going to go? No other program is going to give you lounge access at that level, either. If you're a hub captive to CX, no other oneworld program is going to earn you miles on most discounted fares. And pace those saying they'd switch to AA nonstops to China, CX is banking on you preferring frequency and better customer service all around when push comes to shove, and they're not wrong about that for many pax. If you're a hub-captive SL who always flies PEY, CX still isn't worried about you. Maybe you book on BA or QF if those options suit, but otherwise you'll continue flying CX but will bank the miles elsewhere, leaving some other carrier to deal with the cost of reimbursing carriers for your reward travel. Seriously, AA is giving away bonus miles, upgrade vouchers, 500-miles upgrades, less miles to redeem across the board OW tickets, etc. etc. All the goodies that CX doesn't offer, and CX thinks it has a "Great FFP" program? By far they are not when you compare pound by pound. Yes CX lounge access is probably the only stand-out benefit it has an edge over against other OW carriers, take that away and all of a sudden if you are not DM then CX program looks very weak. |
But if you fly US/EU routes to qualify SL, you only need 4~5 flights. If CX is to give out 6 vouchers, it would completely off-set the impact.
To someone mainly fly EU/US via HK to Asia, it is really just a choice of where to use your voucher, you can no longer use lounges on both starting point and transferring in HK. (EU/US + HK & HK + Asia), the voucher system might divert some SL members to use out-post lounges instead of HK lounges. The voucher system is more like a punishment to people transfers in HK, especially ASIA - HK - ASIA, and only 5 return tickets will qualify SL. |
Originally Posted by nshizuka25
(Post 23752551)
But if you fly US/EU routes to qualify SL, you only need 4~5 flights. If CX is to give out 6 vouchers, it would completely off-set the impact.
CX should also consider this - if a US/EU passenger doesn't think he/she can get to Gold, he/she will open up options to fly other airlines when getting close to 30K miles. |
the over-crowding myth is not true. I've been Silver for 13 years and never felt over-crowded (except during bad weather etc). F section do not know.
Anyways if SL lounge is lost, I will likely move all my flights to ANA/JL for North American route, Europe there is abandant options, Asia just fly local airlines (SQ/Thai/etc)... only hit I face is OZ route that is monopolized by CX. But again if SL benefit is gone, I will stop spending US300 more for a "V" or "L" subclass and just switch to cheapest "O" or "S" class... if i wanted lounge I will simply fly to TPE for "I" class for real comfort... so i won't loose out... |
Originally Posted by spiffingchap
(Post 23748306)
I also understand that so many people have lounge access due to american express free cards as well. I am referring to HKG lounges now not the out stations.
I do not think Amex gives access to CX lounges. |
Originally Posted by Cathay Boy
(Post 23748715)
I was told CX had a huge population of MPO elite members with North America based addresses, and I bet changing the SL benefits CX will take a hit there. I already know numerous CX SL that said the ONLY reason they kept paying for CX, at a higher fare vs. other airlines, is the lounge benefits as SL. If not, they are very quick to jump to another airline.
North Americans are more cost conscious then you think, they won't throw away extra $200-$300 USD just to enjoy "better service" (which is a hit or miss nowadays, so that's not even guaranteed). As for preferring frequency, CEOs and Bankers yes, typical business traveler can work around a schedule that's a few hours ahead or behind. CX will be dead wrong if they think their hit-and-miss services or frequency will keep fliers regularly paying $200 USD or more to keep flying with them instead of their competitions. My argument will be this: this change won't affect CX mainland routes, but I predict it will hamper hard at CX Norther American routes. Look for a mass exodus of SL fliers bailing and going to AA. Seriously, AA is giving away bonus miles, upgrade vouchers, 500-miles upgrades, less miles to redeem across the board OW tickets, etc. etc. All the goodies that CX doesn't offer, and CX thinks it has a "Great FFP" program? By far they are not when you compare pound by pound. Yes CX lounge access is probably the only stand-out benefit it has an edge over against other OW carriers, take that away and all of a sudden if you are not DM then CX program looks very weak. For pax who are sensitive to FFP benefits (ie, willing to pay a bit more to bank to their preferred program rather than book solely on price), what other nonstop alternatives are there from the US anyway? UA or DL? Their revenue-based programs will be unattractive to this kind of pax. |
Originally Posted by Cathay Boy
(Post 23748715)
North Americans are more cost conscious then you think, they won't throw away extra $200-$300 USD just to enjoy "better service" (which is a hit or miss nowadays, so that's not even guaranteed).
CX will be dead wrong if they think their hit-and-miss services or frequency will keep fliers regularly paying $200 USD or more to keep flying with them instead of their competitions. Seriously, AA is giving away bonus miles, upgrade vouchers, 500-miles upgrades, less miles to redeem across the board OW tickets, etc. etc. All the goodies that CX doesn't offer, and CX thinks it has a "Great FFP" program? By far they are not when you compare pound by pound. |
Originally Posted by CrazyJ82
(Post 23754655)
None of this is really disproving my point. First off, when you say those North American flyers are "going to AA," what does that mean? Banking to AA's program, via codeshares? I'd be surprised if CX is unhappy about that, since it puts the burden of dealing with those redemptions on someone else. Flying on AA? How? AA's frequencies to Asia are much, much lower than CX's, so how will all these fleeing flyers fit on the planes?
For pax who are sensitive to FFP benefits (ie, willing to pay a bit more to bank to their preferred program rather than book solely on price), what other nonstop alternatives are there from the US anyway? UA or DL? Their revenue-based programs will be unattractive to this kind of pax. Of course, my points are not directly related to the lounge access. But they speak to a bigger point that CX commands a premium, and they need to have a variety of elements to attract people. I personally don't care much about the lounge, but it's obvious that many do. Why would they want to take that away, and give people a reason to look around? It's not so much that there will be a mass exodus, but it will allow others to chip away at CX. |
do it and get a TR for us :P
Originally Posted by Gongzuokuang
(Post 23754711)
Of course, you are right that CX, in a sense, has a captive market. But "meh" service and premium cost has me looking at AA DFW-HKG. Their J product looks more appealing. Same seats, snack bar, and maybe a better FFP. AND WIFI! :-) Seats and the FFP are the two factors that most influence me. (But the WIFI is a BIG BIG deal. I would trade that over any amount of warmed nuts and the sincere, smiling apologies when they run out of things!).
Of course, my points are not directly related to the lounge access. But they speak to a bigger point that CX commands a premium, and they need to have a variety of elements to attract people. I personally don't care much about the lounge, but it's obvious that many do. Why would they want to take that away, and give people a reason to look around? It's not so much that there will be a mass exodus, but it will allow others to chip away at CX. |
Originally Posted by Gongzuokuang
(Post 23754711)
I personally don't care much about the lounge, but it's obvious that many do. Why would they want to take that away, and give people a reason to look around?
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Originally Posted by kaka
(Post 23755977)
do it and get a TR for us :P
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...las-hong-kong/ http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...las-hong-kong/ http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...ong-to-dallas/ The menus to me look on par with CX, except for maybe some haughty beverage selections. On the other hand, I have not read any trip reports where AA ran out of anything! ;-) Includes PJ's in J... although that is not a big deal to me. I don't use'em anyway. "American’s wifi prices are exceedingly reasonable on international flights — you can’t beat $19 for wifi with unlimited data." OMG... the productivity for me would be great. |
Originally Posted by Gongzuokuang
(Post 23754711)
Of course, you are right that CX, in a sense, has a captive market. But "meh" service and premium cost has me looking at AA DFW-HKG. Their J product looks more appealing. Same seats, snack bar, and maybe a better FFP. AND WIFI! :-) Seats and the FFP are the two factors that most influence me. (But the WIFI is a BIG BIG deal. I would trade that over any amount of warmed nuts and the sincere, smiling apologies when they run out of things!).
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Originally Posted by nshizuka25
(Post 23752551)
The voucher system is more like a punishment to people transfers in HK, especially ASIA - HK - ASIA, and only 5 return tickets will qualify SL.
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Originally Posted by cxfan1960
(Post 23753283)
CX should also consider this - if a US/EU passenger doesn't think he/she can get to Gold, he/she will open up options to fly other airlines when getting close to 30K miles.
Or you have people like my parents, they can be either both Silver or Gold + Non-Status. I guess Gold + Non-Status would be the way of the future.
Originally Posted by Gongzuokuang
(Post 23754711)
Of course, you are right that CX, in a sense, has a captive market. But "meh" service and premium cost has me looking at AA DFW-HKG. Their J product looks more appealing. Same seats, snack bar, and maybe a better FFP. AND WIFI! :-) Seats and the FFP are the two factors that most influence me. (But the WIFI is a BIG BIG deal. I would trade that over any amount of warmed nuts and the sincere, smiling apologies when they run out of things!).
Save it. Pay up for J, or expect to suck it up in Y unless you booked 9 months out. 9 Month as a EXP on a through is what it takes to upgrade DFW-HKG. I was 21/42, as a EXP/Through 2 weeks out so good luck with that. I won't book that flight anytime soon if J seat at cheap price is what you want. I agree in some aspect AA 77W is a great product. The bar is nice, but snacks. I do miss that Wonton Noodle Soup which I can't get on CX for instance. But at the end of the day, frequency and cities served is king! If you want what you want, maybe try United?
Originally Posted by kaka
(Post 23755977)
do it and get a TR for us :P
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