Well, I've been thinking about this and Vulcan brought up a good point in another thread. So I'll quote him and add my two cents:

Vulcan wrote:

"I've emailed Continetal about just his type of situation, someone who does a lot of mileage and trips and is way over 75,000 for Platinum status. As the OnePass program stands now, there is little incentive for someone to keep on travelling CO after reaching Platinum status for next year. Many travellers simply go and get top tier status with another carrier as
well. I would hope that CO wants this member to keep flying them after 75,000 miles, since they really are their most valuable customer. There should be something like free systemwide upgrades for, say, every 20,000 miles beyond 75,000. This could well be another "unpublished" program. Maybe I'm wrong, but CO seems to dropping the ball..."

I, too, have wondered in general if CO couldn't change here.

Would like:
systemwide upgrades (c'mon I'm dreaming given the current 30day int. "maybe" upgrades)
waive of $75 change fee on reservations by the elite line (usually for UA 1ks)
international upgrades outside of 30 days
award ticket upgrades (domestic) as NW does
more elite telephone service, e.g., platinum "desk" (such as with UA)
some sort of million miles status/incentive such as AA/UA


What I do like:
Domestic upgrades (of course)
125 percent mileage bonus (beats AA/UA, others)
75k qualification rather than 100k

What do you think? What would you like to see? Moreover, should the mileage level be changed for additional perks?

[This message has been edited by JeffLewis2 (edited 08-16-2000).]

I think CO will raise the 75K threshold some year as their international network grows. Anyone know what UA FFs greatly over 100K get as unpublished benefits?

I totally agree! I've already made Platinum for next year and given the current plateau, I'm considering using another airline to gain status. If it were worth while to stick with CO for some sort of 'carrot' at the 100,000 mark I wouldn't even consider it. What would work for me would be some sort of certificates for confirmed international upgrades. I don't really care about domestic, since I'm running at a 99% success rate in the US--but it would be wonderful to be assured a BF seat overseas.
But this could really be a moot point, since I don't believe anyone from CO monitors this board. I know this topic has been brought up in the past--with absolutely no response from CO. As for 2001, I would imagine it is too late to make any changes for the upcoming year on their program.

I was CO gold last year, and earned Platinum for 2000.

What I Like:
*The domestic upgrade being available with no certs/points;
*Idea of new facilities like in EWR, free drinks at Pclub, etc.;
*New 777, though I have not flown it yet;
*The priority stand-by for upgrades, and possibly general standby;
*Availability of automated e-ticket check in machines.
*Ability to fly NW, HP, and code-shares like VS and earn status miles. And ability to upgrade on NW/VS codeshares, etc.

What I don't like:
*That there are no system wide like certs for intl upgrades, the wait-list, etc.;
*The capacity control procedures on domestic upgrades;
*Just read the thread about the 737 on transcon routes. Also US Airbus equipment seems more modern. E.g. empower ports on even A319 for short 1-hour flight. Why don't 737-800 have these?
*The $75 service charge not waived usually on the phone, don't 1K's get this waived.
*The Cool Travel specials. I think US runs a much better and more organized system. I always have specials I can use out of BOS with US, and BOS is not a hub;
*Numerous targetted promotions I cannot take advantage of;
*No automated upgrade system. US and DL have this.
*The web site does not display a real time reservation on the CO system. DL, on the other hand, let's you see your live itinerary the same one a DL agent would see. No syncranization on CO.
*US has a better beverage service in first with the snack basket on short flights. Cookies, chips, nuts, fruit bars, and sometimes trail mix. Beats CO short flight beverage flight hands down.

I wouldn't count out changes to the onepass program for next year, just because it's late in the year. Remember the last minute changes they made in November of 1998 for the 1999 program?

It's never too late.

As for them upping the threshold, remember that just 2 years ago, CO's top tier was at 50,000 miles.

I agree - I have Royal Wing with KLM and they do some things that CO does not ( and admittedly the reverse is also true)

Free access to Lounges for FF and guest
Business Class- type seta in coach on lng hauls ( particularily Amsterdam- Asia)
Many free International Upgrades ( although it's not policy)

Once you get PLatinum the only real motivation is the extra miles.

I agree CO should step up and create a system wide confirmable upgrade cert ala AA and UA for increments above 75K. That would be the easiest to do and a very visible tangible benefit. Hope some CO marketing reader considers it.

A big thumbs-up to the idea of systemwide (i.e., including international) upgrades.

But a bigger thumbs-down to certificates to do so.

Not having to mess around with certificates is largely what makes OnePass Elite so user-friendly and therefore successful.

[This message has been edited by FQTV (edited 08-23-2000).]