Well.....I just had a very interesting discussion with a CO customer service supervisor. I was trying to get my husband upgraded to gold (he missed by very few miles) using my platinum status as leverage. It appears that they will be having a promotion in February for fliers that "missed" a level. That means if you fly a certain number of miles or segments you will be upgraded to the next elite level. As well, since I am a true platinum member I inquired about my special status. The reply was that marketing felt it would be too difficult to "secretly" monitor this class of fliers, so we get NOTHING. But rest assured.... if we fly another 75,000 miles in 1999, "there will be very few platinum members in the year 2000".

gabby, Thanks for confirming what we all thought. And, you're correct about Platinums in Y2K.

There will be very few Platinum members in 2000 only if Continental breaks the long standing tradition of offering comp status, as well as buy ups and other special deals to targeted classes of passengers.
Example: I was told by Continental some time ago that 1994 was the only year in the past decade that only those who met the published requirements became Gold.

I'm not sure I understand the implication from the CO supervisor. Are they saying there are too many Platinum members and therefore things will get tougher next year?

What he meant was that very few CO FF actually fly over 75,000 miles a year...therefore very few will make platinum in 2000

[This message has been edited by gabbysz (edited 02-09-99).]

Well, currently the reason that very few CO frequent fliers fly more than 50k miles per year was because there was no real reason to do so. I know many people who fly over 150k miles per year, but once they hit the 50k mark, they switch to another airline so they can increase their status in that airlines FF program. That was the primary reason that CO increased their qualification levels. They needed to give their fliers a reason to stick around once they hit Gold. Hence the Platinum track. I think that the amount of Platinums will definitely be more exclusive, but it is not as high a rank as say a DL Platinum Medallion or a UA 1K flier.

Regards,
RChavez

RChavez and all, I posted this type of thing many moons ago. CO had absolutely NO reason for anyone to go beyond gold. then theycreated Platinum and made all Golds into Platinums. What a disservice to those that keep on going after the max Gold level is reached. Also, what a disservice to the most loyal FF's they have. It seems that CO did not care what happened to the very loyal customers. They'll probably pay in the future, as their most loyal FF's disappear into the "great bit bucket in the sky".

I hate being the voice of reason but the decisions for 1999 have been made on how the elite status is going to be handled. This is like any new introductory program. Everyone is treated a little more lenient and special the first year but the years that follow, the noose tightens. I do understand the plight of the true Platniums but maybe a few flights back in coach can put them/us in touch with some hot sexy new Corporate Attorney, Engineer, CPA, etc. that doesn�t fly that often or is fresh from college (or maybe just some college coed heading home for the weekend). That is of coarse if most of the Platiums are not married (as if that matters) or are still young enough to remember how to have some fun.

Also, now is the time to start focusing on how you want to change the program for the year 2000. Focus on something you can change and start letting Continental know what you want for Millennium (although researchers are now stating that due to a math error, the Millennium actually started 4 years ago and this is the year 2004).

Please no hate mail. I am just being cynical.

crju

This is my take on this subject.

By removing the Bronze level and introducing a Platinum level CO have just re-named the 3 elite levels whilst increasing the qualification criteria.

I think the benefits will fall roughly into line with what they used to be and Platinum's will be no better off than Gold's were, except they have to fly more miles to qualify.

Let's face it, if they had just announced an increase in the number of miles required to reach Gold, we would all have moaned. As it is we all said "goody, a new Elite level and as it is called Platinum and not Gold it must be better".

I think CO have very cleverly stitched us all up.

As for comping, each year I get comped upto Gold. This year they origionally comped me to Gold as well, but one 'phone call to the OnePass Service Centre and they have changed that to being comped to Platinum from now on. Somethings don't change!

They also confirmed that they have also comped my wife Simone, who only ever fly's for leisure, to Gold. It look like their liberal policy of comping will continue.
MF



[This message has been edited by Merry (edited 02-11-99).]

I think Merry is right, the names have changed, the product is the same (or inferior) and the price has gone up! (unless you are comped)

Merry,

I'm not sure if this was covered in another topic or not, but how exactly are you comped every year? Are you a Gold Infinite? I just got a call from the OnePass Service Center telling me that there was going to be a buy up this year to eligible members, but she would not comp me, nor will I be able to buy up to Platinum, only to Gold.

Regards,
RChavez

T&E (Travel & Expence) policy has always fallen within my HR remit. So I decide what airlines we use and what class people travel.

It is as simple as that!
MF

I think Merry's post says what is need to be said about "comping". While we all would like to be comped, I can't blame CO for "kissing the hand that feeds".

crju: Thats what companion upgrades are for