Recent survey and troubling implications
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 154
Recent survey and troubling implications
I recently got an email from Cathay for a survey and participated in the process. The questions I answered in the survey were very troubling as it seems to be hinting at a drastic devaluation of the miles. Of all the questions I answered, they are all circling on two themes:
- Will I be willing to use 1.4 million miles to redeem for a US->HKG RT biz class? If not, would ~700k work?
- Would I be willing to pay ~USD 7800 for a RT J ticket?
These questions seem to be pointing to a possible destruction of the Asia Mile program if executed. I can understand some devaluation and price hike given the COVID-19 impact but to completely destroy the value of the program seems to be excessive. Wonder how will the credit card issuers who has been paying for the points react if this indeed is coming to fruition.
Does anyone else receive a similar survey?
- Will I be willing to use 1.4 million miles to redeem for a US->HKG RT biz class? If not, would ~700k work?
- Would I be willing to pay ~USD 7800 for a RT J ticket?
These questions seem to be pointing to a possible destruction of the Asia Mile program if executed. I can understand some devaluation and price hike given the COVID-19 impact but to completely destroy the value of the program seems to be excessive. Wonder how will the credit card issuers who has been paying for the points react if this indeed is coming to fruition.
Does anyone else receive a similar survey?
#2
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: HKG
Programs: AA 3MM EXP, SQ Solitaire, LH SEN, CX DM, Hyatt CC, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,179
I got a survey last week which was focused on buying tickets using cash + points... The number of miles kept on changing to see how many miles I was willing to accept for a slight discount of the ticket... Don't remember the exact price and miles they asked, but they all sounded excessive in terms of the number of miles required...
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 154
I got a survey last week which was focused on buying tickets using cash + points... The number of miles kept on changing to see how many miles I was willing to accept for a slight discount of the ticket... Don't remember the exact price and miles they asked, but they all sounded excessive in terms of the number of miles required...
#5
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,498
Relax. This will be exploration of an "Any Seat" award structure where you can purchase any seat available for sale on the flight with miles instead of cash. Some of the US carriers and Qantas have had this for years. Any Seat type purchases are independent of the current redemption awards, which are inventory controlled.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
While I have no insight about this survey, what I can say is in the recent years, airlines have been switching to dynamic pricing instead of fixed price.
So to me, it is more possible that AM will go dynamic. But for ridiculous miles like DL? No.
So to me, it is more possible that AM will go dynamic. But for ridiculous miles like DL? No.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
There is no question that flying will be much more expensive in the future, both in terms of cash and miles. I wouldn’t be surprised to see huge changes at many FFPs. I think everything is on the table.
#8
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,555
Miles are a liability on CX balance sheet.
Increasing the number of miles for awards means that the dollar liability will go down and the balance sheet will improve.
With CX on the edge of precipice, it is a small step to prolong survival.
It is also quite clear that the trend is dynamic award pricing. SUch surveys might attempt to find breakeven points for award availability at difference price.
Increasing the number of miles for awards means that the dollar liability will go down and the balance sheet will improve.
With CX on the edge of precipice, it is a small step to prolong survival.
It is also quite clear that the trend is dynamic award pricing. SUch surveys might attempt to find breakeven points for award availability at difference price.
#10
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Hong Kong, France
Programs: FB , BA Gold
Posts: 15,555
But CX is hanging by the thread. Without domestic flights and no reprieve on regional/longhaul traffic in sight, any little artifice that will lead to smaller reported losses might be of interest.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AAdvantage Asia Miles Air China
Posts: 870
Just call me Cassandra, only difference is I was judging the most ugly hag competition.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,575
Relax. This will be exploration of an "Any Seat" award structure where you can purchase any seat available for sale on the flight with miles instead of cash. Some of the US carriers and Qantas have had this for years. Any Seat type purchases are independent of the current redemption awards, which are inventory controlled.