Platin-flation?
 

How many FTers will attain Platinum status for 2002 thanks purely to the double-status-miles promotion? In other words, would you have otherwise topped out as Gold or Silver?

And does anyone fear the promo, understandable though it is as a short-term flying incentive, will dilute the long-term value of Platinum status? How many more Plats are being minted this fall?

I just completed it - w/o double miles I would have still just squeaked in by December.

Best,
AlecM

(who just saw "Great Pumpkin" on TV and realized he'd never seen it before!!! - growing up in CCS had something to do w/ it)

I would have made it with or without the double mile offer. The offer just makes it happen a little sooner.

------------------
What do you mean I can't charge my heart bypass to my Visa? I need the MILES!!!

I just completed the flight that will qualify me. I would probably have been gold without double miles.

Just completed Platinum again. Would have done so even without double offer.

Just completed the flight that made me Platinum less than two weeks ago, thanks to double miles. But I would have made Plat anyway with a flight to AMS that I'm leaving on tomorrow.

OTOH, my new wife, who wouldn't have made status otherwise, will make Silver because of double miles on the trip to AMS.

I think most serious Platinum flyers have either already qualified for Plat status, or would have anyway by the end of the year. If there is any status inflation, I would think it's among Silvers and Golds.

Just my humble opinion.

Also, keep in mind that air travel is still down substantially. This will mean that a certain number of people that otherwise would have been Platinum will not make it because they've stopped flying. Overall, I don't think there'll be much of a difference at the Platinum level. As SemiElite said, the Silvers and Golds will probably have more to worry about. Although, they too will be balanced somewhat by the overall reduction in travel.

Well I'm one that would be firmly Gold at the end of the year if it weren't for the 2X miles promo (and cheap fares). I snarfed a couple of roundtrippers (SAN-CLE) in early October (will fly in Nov & Dec) that will put me at about 76K miles by the end of the year. So I should be Plat if all goes well...

The problem is not necessarily how many platinums there are, the problem is how many seats are available for upgrade. With fewer flights leaving, there will inevitably be fewer chances to upgrade.

I just requalified but would've made it anyway. As is, the promo probably has limited impact, I'm guessing. Don't forget they announced it around the start of the month for 6 weeks or so immediately after. The best leisure fares typically have 14-day advance purchase requirements, and people had to find out about it. Most would have had only a 3-4 week window or so, and this at one of the very lightest times of the year. Some business travelers with trips anyway were no doubt thrilled, but they probably were on track for status anyway.

Now, if they extend the promo through Dec. 15 with the double miles counting toward status, that'd be another matter.

I would have made Plat the traditional way if I planned on flying CO Nov 15th - Dec 15th....instead I am flying DL for three long haul buisness trips during that time period (LON, EWR, BOS)...now I will become a Delta PM (never planned on that happening), but as both a Gold Elite and Delta GM you need to go for the biggest bang for the buck....

Well, I'll make Plat again on November 7. I will have done it solely through compulsory business trips. This way I won't have to seek out a low-cost mileage run or two after Thanksgiving.

Point very well taken, above, about more plats + fewer flights (+ 737NGs with 14 F seats instead of 757s with 24) = diminished upgrade opportunities.

I wonder if this is partly why CO has hesitated to extend the current promo through 12/15. If I'm not mistaken, not everyone's giving out double STATUS miles the way CO is. In the past CO has protected the integrity of its elite levels pretty well.

ok......then why dont they just say "we are extending the promo....but it's mileage only, not status miles" mmmm but then again I don't the bean counters are smart enough to think of that....

Without the bonus, I would have just made Gold (down more than 50% mileage from 2000). With the bonus, I will still miss Platinum (sigh) by about 9K. And no, I have neither the time nor energy for a mileage run soon. And so it goes ...

It occurs to me that every Asia round trip passenger will make Silver Elite from the single round trip--- so CO could almost show a video of Elite benefits on the aircraft, since everyone will qualify!!

IMHO, Platinum will be diluted some, but only by people who would ahve made Golds otherwise: for an otherwise-Silver to make Plat would take 25,000 flown miles within 45 days-- that's pretty intense flying! And from 0 to platinum, 37,500 flown in 45 days is unthinkable.

I pity the people who work hard all year to make Silver, only to now compete for an upgrade with every Trans-Pacific passenger a day before departure. Frankly, I'm glad I was headed for a higher tier before Sept. 11.