2000 Elite Program
 

CO just posted the 2000 elite program on their web site:
http://www.onepass.com/elitewelcome2000.htm

There are minor changes from the 1999 program. Noticed changes include:

3 Day upgrade on NW flight for Platium.
Upgrade on AW only 2 hours prior at gate.

[This message has been edited by CokeBear (edited 02-02-2000).]

Also:

Service Recovery Assistance- In the case of a flight delay or cancellation, Elite members may call their Elite Priority Line to confirm and verify alternative travel arrangements.

I think the real changes will come when the KLM mkting agmt is finalized.

BSL

I must say I am a bit disappointed with CO's 2000 Elite Program. As a continuing Platinum member I've noticed no changes to their program. With all the complaints about their treatment of International upgrades I thought they might take the hint this year. What it comes down to for (domestic only) upgrades is between their mid level and highest level is 24 hours. I should just go for Gold next year, and work on another airline with a more generous international upgrade policy! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by mauld (edited 02-03-2000).]

Underwhelmed.
I, also, was hoping for some modest improvements. In fact, it appears as though the upgrade possibilities with HP have been downgraded to only 2 hours before flight time. In the past, I beleive they were on a par with NW. This is a real issue with me since I fly HP out of PHL where they have good fares. I had realy hoped that they would have done something with their International upgrade policy. I agree that going for Platinum is now much less necessary. I look on this years program as a missed opportunity to make the best program better.

Well, I already like the new icons. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I agree with the above. I was thinking about writing a letter to Gordon expressing my dissatisfaction over the HP upgrade issues. I could see adding something about international upgrades to it.

Gets me to thinking, I wonder if a letter might carry more weight coming from a bunch of Gold and Platinum Elites instead of just my one lonenly voice. Anyone here interested in going in with me on it?

I wonder if America West is going to eliminate advance upgrades for Flight Fund members?, if so it will be like it was before the "enhanced" program. I don't think that the advance upgrade policy has changed my upgrade success rate, which is in the end determined by the number of elites and the number of F/C seats.

I noticed that they have eliminated the certificates for companion upgrades on Northworst, this is a step backwards, since with the certificates you could upgrade your companion after midnight, now it's two hours before departure.

I think that this is a change, but I am not 100% positive.

According to the 2000 Elite information that was posted, Alaska/Horizon flights now earn your respective elite bonuses (125% Platinum, 100% Gold, and 50% Silver), plus the base miles counts towards elite status.

(p.s. - I also concur on the AmericaWest thing - the reduction in upgrade capabilities on AW is really bad.... I used to fly AW a lot, now, not so sure)

[This message has been edited by steve100 (edited 02-03-2000).]

David:
I was going to wait a few days to let this thread grow and then send an e-mail to Steve Sickle, Director of Marketing Programs with copies to his boss, Mark Bergsrud, with my comments and include a copy of this thread. I met them at the Freddies Ceremony. I was planning on sending a copy to Gordon as well.
I think you should just go ahead and write Gordon. Good Luck. Ed
Note: The upgrade changes will definitely push me more towards NW and away from using HP. I'm not sure if this was their intent, but its the result.

[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 02-03-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 02-05-2000).]

I think we should bombard Gordon with email... if the address can be confirmed. OnePass just lost their 2000 Freddie; hope they are happy! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

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The only difference between ordinary service and extraordinary service is a little EXTRA.

-- Bob

dgold & vulcan, I'd be in with you if you want to write to CO. As a long time elite member (and a strong supporter of their name), I was hoping that at some point we would be rewarded for our loyalty. As is the case with many other programs, does CO have someone who monitors this site? And more importantly, do they care?

It'll be interesting to see what FlightFund does. If they give the 2/3-day confirmed upgrade with CO, I'll switch.

While upset over the announcement, I don't think it's wise for ust to "bombard" anyone with e-mails.

We (Flyertalk) as a group have just begun to gain some stature as the voice of the frequent flyer. If we don't take the high road, we'll surely never reach that potential.

Write to Gordon? - sure, as an individual.

Send a single group E-mail with all of our names and refer to this thread? - absolutely.

But let's not even joke about spamming anyone.

I agree, NJDavid. Everyone should write an individual letter, with a positive tone. If I was OnePass, I would wellcome all comments, as long as they were tendered in a constructive manner and not just sour grapes. I'm sure they want to know our thoughts on the new Program. Hopefully, when they see where we see shortfalls, they can make constructive changes.
I also agree that these changes will probably cause them to lose several Freddies next year, probably to SouthWest that was so close to them this year.

I was just on the phone to both Flight Fund and the OnePass Service Center, they don't know any more about it then we do! OnePass said that I should call Platinum reservations for the latest info.

I called reservations, the agent I talked to put me on hold and checked, when he came back he told me that the two hour only Platinum upgrade window applied to both NW and HP flights on other then Y or -26/-27 fares!

Maybe they will get figured out in time for the 2001 program.

Another change: I was told that as of 2/1/00 purchased upgrades would no longer be available for reward tickets.

[This message has been edited by Old Gold (edited 02-03-2000).]

I view the changes re HP as a positive ENHANCEMENT to the 2000 Onepass program (and probably the CO general management does the same), considering the poor state of HP maintaince as reported by the FAA in the 2-3-00 press.

I think they want we CO elites around to fly the CO skies more and more. My worst flight in 1999 was on HP. Crummy service and a very dirty aircraft.

HP:

Am curious about why the HP change? This is a significant drawback for West Coast flyers.

I wonder if CO or HP initiated the change? Maybe there were too many CO elites flying on HP? Certainly CO's lack of a West Coast route system might entail this. A conjecture.

I would infer that HP cannot have any upgrade privileges on CO, other than 2 hrs before departure? Is this a change as well?

This certainly will encroach on my flying HP, other than short hops.


International Upgrades: Elite or miles.

I was hoping for an improvment as well. Would love to have at least one or two system wide upgrades for the Platinums, like those 1ks over at UAL.

Top tier at CO is losing its luster for me. Seems like Gold may be the better value--as was pointed out above.

Even if CO can get all of its employees to vote for OnePass in the Freddie, it won't garner my support to the top spot. Also, see my recent post, why CO isn't the best program.

[This message has been edited by JeffLewis2 (edited 02-03-2000).]

It is interesting that you all commented on the negative aspects of the 2000 program, and nobody commented regarding the Alaska/Horizon change I mentioned above....

All --

My suggestion to "bombard" was actually taken other than as suggested. (Though I would have taken it the same way, and did so when re-reading the post!) I agree; a "canned" note is not the best way to handle this, nor is spamming anyone. I was simply suggesting that we should all be emailing, and not just one or two of us.

steve100: You're right. Isn't it amazing how we pick out the negative, and ignore the positive.

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The only difference between ordinary service and extraordinary service is a little EXTRA.

-- Bob



[This message has been edited by AZ_MISMAN (edited 02-03-2000).]

As an eternal Silver (meaning it looks like I'll end up flying 25K-40K miles per year), I like the enhancement to upgrade policy.

It's good to be able to be put on the standby list at the airport, even if I'm low on the totum pole.

The Service Recovery Assistance doesn't sound like much right now, but it will come in handy when I need it. Yeah, this is similar to what they quietly do today for Elite's, but now it's in writing.

Steve100: The elite bonuses and status miles on Alaska are not a rule change for 2000. They've been in effect since CO announced AS's participation in OnePass.

Enhancements? I certainly can't find any. According to HP's website, FlightFund members can still confirm upgrades on CO. Except in extermely rare instances, I see no benefit to the service hotline. If hotel vouchers, FIMs, etc. need to be filled out and validated, what can the telephone operator do? Besides, the hubs have service counters with a seperate elite/first class line.

I have to say, as someone who flies BOS-PHX quite regularly, I usually spend about 1/2 my time on HP aircraft, and the other 1/2 on CO. Those are the ONLY airlines that I fly. I liked the ability to have double the number of flight options in this market (between the CO flights & HP flights). However, with the upgrade changes, my options have effectively been cut in half. I know I may be in the minority, but I valued the reciprocal upgrade privileges between the airlines. This was a major selling point for me. So, I have to say, the new Elite program is losing points already. But as has been said previously, we do need to make our opinions known to OnePass. Remember UA when they rolled back the Saturday night stay requirements on rewards when their membership spoke up. If there is a significant number of complaints about any aspect of this new elite program, OnePass will take a second look.

Just my two cents,
RChavez

A few observations: It is true that the 2000 program rules somewhat devalue the advantage of Platinum and Gold over Silver. As a Silver member, I'm not unhappy, and the ability to stand by on the day of flight will give CO more of my business for certain.

It seems likely to me that the change regarding upgrades on HP is coming from HP rather than CO. Since CO is a much bigger operation, it stands to reason that there are far more CO elites than HP elites, and HP may have been under pressure from their own very frequent flyers to save more upgrade seats for them. The change announced essentially equalizes all three CO elite levels as regards upgrades on HP, so the opportunities for CO Silver members are actually enhanced, since only the higher HP elite levels will have any meaningful priority.

On Monday, i returned from vegas, connecting thru PHX. When I called the platinum elite desk TWO days out and requested an upgrade. This was no problem, despite the Superbowl.
At the end of my call, the nice lady at the CO Plat elite desk reminded me that I could now upgrade THREE days out.

What gives.

I flew somwhere around twenty to twenty five of my Onepass segments on HP for a more convenient schedule and often better fares. Maybe I'm the exception, but I experienced a one hundred percent upgrade rate.

Along with these upgrades came many delays, nasty food, lost bags and the occasional surly FA.

If this two hour rule sticks, good bye HP.

I will definitely be corresponding with the aformentioned individuals at CO.

I was going to plan some HP trips this year, but I might hold off for a while from the way things sound. I have only flown them one time and the experience was quite nice. After reading this thread I am now thinking I was lucky.

I have to concur with the disappointment in the HP change. For the west coast flyers, our options are very limited with Continental, especially for short hauls.

Part of the plus of flying CO was that I could count on upgrading an HP flight if necessary. Will also write a letter. I sure hope their restricting HP members from upgrading a CO flight, otherwise, why not join Flight Fund instead???

--Ryan

A few thoughts on the changes for 2000.

First, none of know whether the AW upgrade changes were done by Continental or by AW.

It will be interesting to see the changes in the flightfund program. I'd imagine that flightfund elites will lose their confirmed upgrades on CO(If they don't I'm sure will see JAWS, OldGold and NJDavid explode)

The only "improvements" I noticed is the 3 day advanced upgrades for platinums on NW(which is minor) and the addition of the PC10 reward(platinum capacity free to middle east and india) which is about as useless a program feature as onepass has.

Losing the AW confirmed upgrades will probably mean I won't be flying AW this year.
That might be reason CO did it, or it could be AW doesn't want my business.

I'm going to wait to see how things work out on HP before making a judgement, I've always been treated pretty well on America West, even before the advance upgrades started last year.

I noticed that preferred coach seating is available on HP but not NW for OnePass elites....."Most flights operated by Continental or America West"

One thing about the advance upgrades----they don't increase the number of F/C seats available, or reduce the number of frequent flyers in competition for them!

Another interesting observation, when I called OnePass to inquire the agent read me a (new?) rule that gives Infinite elites priority over Platinums for standby upgrades. I hadn't given the agent my OP number or elite status, so they must be using caller ID to identify their members.

[This message has been edited by Old Gold (edited 02-05-2000).]

To me the extra 24 hours Platinum elites can book NW in advance is a wash. Obvioulsy, NW Platinum's will have the same booking frame on CO. I agree with Boomer that we don't know who initiated the downgrade in HP advance upgrades. I wouldn't be surprised if it was HP. As others have said, they may have received a lot of complaints from their elites or they simply may have wanted to hold onto their F inventory a little longer. The downside is that there will be a lot more people clamoring for upgrades at the check-in counters causing backups and possibly more "air-rage". These will not be friendly locations in 2000.
Likewise, I won't be flying HP either this year. I am unwilling to gamble on a last minute upgrade for long distance flying. Apparently, CO, or HP, or both has calculated that, while they may lose OUR frequent flyer business with this change, the financial impact overall won't be that great since the vast majority of non-frequent flyers will still use HP to get standard mileage.
We all still need to let the people that count at CO know our views:
Gordon Bethune- Chairman and CEO
Mark Bergsrud- Vice President, Marketing
Steve Sickel- Director, Marketing Programs

Please try to keep all comments constructive and as unemotional as possible. These are the people who have the power to make changes.

Old Gold said: "they must be using caller ID to identify their members."

Actually, amigo, they must be using ANI, which is used on 800/900/911 calls. "Caller ID" is a different technology. Ever get a credit card with an activation sticker that says "Call from your home phone"?

How you "rate" a program is dependance on what you "need" from that program.

I rate OnePass as TOPS because what it offers ME the BEST value.

I travel only in Canada and the US (sometimes to the caribean islands). My rating of OnePass will be much better than others because I "do not care about" Oversea or Asia upgrade. Nor did I use NW so upgrades on that airlines does not matter to me either.

What does matter to me is the 20,000 miles gets me a free ticket instead of 25,000 needed with others.

I am not an elite (but working on it) so currently the rules for 3,2 or 1 days upgrade do not matter to me.

The RewardOne (for small business) is another "GREAT" advantage connected to OnePass. This helps me with additional benifits.

Just a view from a non-elite flyer.

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"Free" without charge or cost, having no obligation.

I think allowing Silvers to Standby for Upgrade on DOD makes sense. Since they clear by Priority anyway, it shouldnt make a difference and makes Silvers more Content. As far as HP, I used to like to fly them to PHX, especially on some discount fares. I will miss the advance upgrades, but I have found they did have inventory open anyway for DOD upgrades on some of my flights.

RichG:

I called the OnePass Service Center at 713-952-1630, not a toll free number.

Old Gold: Serves me right. Now I don't sure. Any telephone network geeks around?

If you call InfoPass, which is a toll-free number and press 0, you will be connected to the OPSC.

Tute84:

Thanks for the input, but some of us old timers actually like to pick up the dime on calls to OnePass, sometimes it's nice to have the documentation that a long distance telephone bill provides when they don't do what they said they would.

[This message has been edited by Old Gold (edited 02-06-2000).]

Old Gold: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

I sent an e-mail to Flight Fund to inquire what their elites could expect as an upgrade policy on America West for the next year.

The reply:

"Thank you for your recent email. We have received your request for a
nomination to Elite status.
Unfortunately, at this time, nominations for the 2000 program year are not
being processed. However, we will keep your request on file until February
2000, when a decision will be made and you will be notified by letter. The
Elite program year starts on March 1, 2000, and ends February 28, 2001."
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

What is so baffling about this change is that America West should be doing everything in its power to encourage people to fly its airline - especially elite members of OnePass who probably tend to fly far more often on full-fare tickets than the average HP customer. Then again, the only time I fly HP is on my own nickel, both because they often have the lowest fare and because if cost is no object, they'd be last on my list. While my upgrade rate with them is almost 100% (as a CO silver, no less, usually flying on cheap tickets), the rate of those flights delayed is at least 50%. Twice is a couple months last year I had to take redeyes cross-country instead of late afternoon flights b/c my flight out of LA were so late I blew my connections in PHX. A big seat and free drinks are nice, but getting to sleep in a bed is better. And now with the safety questions about HP, I'll probably never fly them again.

For what It's worth.

I spoke with a onepass rep this afternoon, upgrading a flight. He gave me an explanation on the partner upgrade changes.

Keep in mind this is far from offical, just what this one Continental Onepass rep said he was told.

As for the America West changes, they came at the request of America West.
The Northwest changes(platinums will be able to upgrade 3 days in advance) were a hold over from gold elites being grandfathered last year. He said NW didn't want to give the 3 day upgrade to non-earned platinums, and now that all the platinums are "earned" NW dropped their objection.