End of Threshold Bonus Miles
 

In Continental's attempt to market all the positives of their new Elite program, they very briefly mentioned the end to the threshold bonus miles, which for Gold members was 22,500 miles per year. In the old program, 50,000 miles flown really equaled 112,500 miles (125% bonus) plus the 22,500, giving the gold member 135,000 miles (a 170% total bonus). The new program, a 50k flyer gets only 100,000 (100% bonus). I'm not happy with a 35,000 mile decrease when flying 50k miles, and I hope others will express their displeasure to Continental about their new program. Continental should continue giving threshold bonus miles to their best customers.

Dude,

I strongly agree with your comments but you have got to remember, Continental and Northwest are going to be reviewing all of the competitive programs offered by majors. With all of the majors filling flights to capacity, no one is going to be offering anything greatly beyond the others. We are just going to have to wait until the next down turn in the airline industry.

This is a bad analogy but it is similar to when you tip a waiter. Do you always tip him 20%? Do you even tip? It is your prerogative to tip whatever you think he is worth. Right now, Continental and Northwest don’t have to beg us for the business. Their flights are going to stay fairly full. In essence, Continental has chosen to stop tipping just like every other major carrier.

If you did not have to give anything away to keep a certain level of business, would you? Honestly think about it. Continental is treating everyone in the manner of what the market will bare. If they see significant loss in revenue and customers, and they can tie it to the FF program, you will see changes but until then, hang on for the bumpy ride.

crju

Your comments make total sense. I am based in Los Angeles, it is just as convenient for me to fly America West (sometimes more convenient) than flying Continental. I seem to have gone out of my way to fly Continental instead of America West just because I like their 1st class seats, meals, etc, a bit better. However, my personal boycott will be to fly America West as much as possible instead of Continental, as I still earn Continental miles and elite status on their flights. Perhaps others will also not go out of their way to support an airline that is reducing perks for its best customers. But, as you say, we'll see what the next downturn brings!!!

The_hef: There is one problem. If you have elite status with CO and flys AW. The AW people would always put you behind AW people. I have several situations where my upgrade status as a Gold (equivalent to their Masters) was bumpted by AW's Chairman's Club member (equivalent to CO's Bronze). And you are really at the mercy of the gate agents on such issues most of the time.

Theoretically that should *never* happen, and more realistically, the gate agent could lose his or her job by violating the upgrade protocol. Granted, on HP, Masters are placed above Golds, but they should never be placed below Chairmans Club members. However, CC members are usually placed ahead of Silver & Bronze members on the wait list.

Rchaves: I know "theoretically" it should not have happened. But they do that often "in practice." And you don't always know until after the fact, if at all--that means you don't have gate agents name to trace and report.

working strictly to the rules = strike.

Actually, with the exception of PHX -IAH routes, I have always been upgraded to 1st. I wonder if the new 72 hour rule for Platinum upgrades will also be valid on America West? Does anyone have the answer?

Since CO still advertizes "unlimited standby upgrade" within two hours of departure as a main feature for Gold/Platinum, I suspect strongly that the 72 hour upgrade will not be free. Further, there is no mention about the ELTC coupons ever going to be available this year. So here is my conclusion: you can upgrade 72 hours ahead of time, but it's going to cost you 10,000 miles per pop. Given that AW and CO's elite records are not hooked on line, trying to upgrade in advance with CO elite status is going to be a real hassel.

10000 miles to upgrade?
Where did you hear this one?
It makes no sense, upgrades for miles
have always been available in unlimited
quantities, regardless of elite status,
of course you need the miles :)

The 72 hr confirmed upgrades are a replacement for the ELTC. Think of it as paperless ELTC. There may be trouble getting these with the additional NW folks, but they are free.

As for upgrading America West flights as a onepass elite. The folks at the Onepass service center have always taken care of this for me. One time an AW agent at JFK wouldnt let me use a space available upgrade, I was flying JFK-LAS-SAN. First class on JFK-LAS was sold out, but there were several seats on the LAS-SAN flight. The AW agent said I could only upgrade that segment in Vegas(Not true). So I called the OnePass Elite line, and they got me the upgrade.

I just upgraded Indy-Vegas on AW by calling CO One pass, as always they were very helpful and willing to give 110%. I did use miles vs. ELTC (for fear of it being sold out). The process did take at least 15 min due to CO putting me on hold then they called AW to confirm the upgrade. It did take longer because it was an E-ticket?? Other than that all went very well.

What ever you do don't try to purchase an upgrade on AW thinking you will pay the reduced upgrade fare like CO has always been, they will advise you to purchase one of their upgrade booklets containing 4 coupons good for 500 miles each at the sum of $140. What was supposed to cost $75 at the counter almost double due to the fact that the One Pass agent that did call AW to authorize the upgrade didn't make sure they noted in the computer the $$ amount.