What are the real Platinums doing now?
Oct 14, 2003, 8:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
Programs: UA Global Services, HH Diamond
Posts: 5,176
What are the real Platinums doing now?
Out of curiosity, those with >75,000 base miles accrued for the '04 program year, what are you doing now with your flying?
Are you enjoying the perks of "eliteAccess" ...or are you off earning elite status with another carrier?
CO and the others don't seem to do much to maintain loyalty among the Platinums once they hit Platinum... especially those that hit 75k early in the year. With other carriers anxious for high-flying loyals, you'd think they'd be doing more or adding more perks to the elite of the elites. (Just look at all the complimentary Diamond-level promotions going on in the Hyatt/Hilton boards...)
With it being nearly impossible to redeem accrued mileage, I would think the airlines -CO included- would be throwing us other bones to stick with their carrier. A blue carpet and a velvet rope in the gate area just don't cut it.
Are you enjoying the perks of "eliteAccess" ...or are you off earning elite status with another carrier?
CO and the others don't seem to do much to maintain loyalty among the Platinums once they hit Platinum... especially those that hit 75k early in the year. With other carriers anxious for high-flying loyals, you'd think they'd be doing more or adding more perks to the elite of the elites. (Just look at all the complimentary Diamond-level promotions going on in the Hyatt/Hilton boards...)
With it being nearly impossible to redeem accrued mileage, I would think the airlines -CO included- would be throwing us other bones to stick with their carrier. A blue carpet and a velvet rope in the gate area just don't cut it.
Oct 14, 2003, 9:32 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Hoboken, NJ; Pembroke Pines, FL
Programs: CO Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,939
1. If you now hate CO, you have been comp'ed and are flying another carrier.
2. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying domestically, you are probably flying CO for the upgrades.
3. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying internationally - hmm. don't know.
4. If you are top tier on more than one airline and you haven't qualified for the other carrier yet, you are flying that carrier to requalify.
5. If you are top tier on more than one airline and you have qualified for the other already and you are flying domestically, you are probably flying CO for the upgrades.
6. If you are top tier on more than one airline and you have qualified for the other already and you are flying internationally, you are probably flying the other carrier because it has a better international upgrade policy.
For #3 and #6 if you are travelling in paid business, I guess you'd be flying CO.
2. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying domestically, you are probably flying CO for the upgrades.
3. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying internationally - hmm. don't know.
4. If you are top tier on more than one airline and you haven't qualified for the other carrier yet, you are flying that carrier to requalify.
5. If you are top tier on more than one airline and you have qualified for the other already and you are flying domestically, you are probably flying CO for the upgrades.
6. If you are top tier on more than one airline and you have qualified for the other already and you are flying internationally, you are probably flying the other carrier because it has a better international upgrade policy.
For #3 and #6 if you are travelling in paid business, I guess you'd be flying CO.
Oct 14, 2003, 10:58 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 337
Waiting to see if the other shoe drops for NW to align with CO and DL. Even without that, trying to determine the effects of CO.com not being able to book anything but the most routine routings on CO codeshares only, with no assistance in finding alternate routings, interlines or cheaper dates (a la HP's excellent booking engine).
[This message has been edited by sobay_terp (edited 10-14-2003).]
[This message has been edited by sobay_terp (edited 10-14-2003).]
Oct 15, 2003, 12:13 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: AUS
Programs: DL Diamond, DL MM
Posts: 578
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Weatherboy:
Out of curiosity, those with >75,000 base miles accrued for the '04 program year, what are you doing now with your flying?
Are you enjoying the perks of "eliteAccess" ...or are you off earning elite status with another carrier?
</font>
Out of curiosity, those with >75,000 base miles accrued for the '04 program year, what are you doing now with your flying?
Are you enjoying the perks of "eliteAccess" ...or are you off earning elite status with another carrier?
</font>
K
Oct 15, 2003, 3:37 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
I am working my way up to Gold from Silver with some weekend runs to places I usually want to R&R at.
Am enjoying some unannouced enhancements and getting upgrades, where I pick the seat, while using a few miles. Even watched passengers in coach upgraded as the door was closed.
Enjoyed improved meals and even some champagne. The Lobster tails was a nice start to dinner flights.
All of this on CO. But this is my experience, and others may have a different experience.
[This message has been edited by R&R (edited 10-15-2003).]
Am enjoying some unannouced enhancements and getting upgrades, where I pick the seat, while using a few miles. Even watched passengers in coach upgraded as the door was closed.
Enjoyed improved meals and even some champagne. The Lobster tails was a nice start to dinner flights.
All of this on CO. But this is my experience, and others may have a different experience.
[This message has been edited by R&R (edited 10-15-2003).]
Oct 15, 2003, 5:46 am
#6
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
Now that I've requalified for Plat 04, I'm using UA for 2 trips from EWR to SFO and HNL. Fortunately, since they are long business trips my company allows me to travel up front--with those 2 plus a couple of others earlier this year, I'll make PE on UA. I still do have a couple more CO trips to LGW, ORD, LAX this year, so I'm looking at 100,000+ on CO. I'm also expecting to see those 'bargain' Biz fares offered to Europe/Asia at the end of the year, and I'll most likely take those on CO or NW.
Oct 15, 2003, 6:12 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Southwest Desert, under a rock, watch out! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<" You can get there, but it's gonna cost you!
Programs: Previously NonePass®, now UA 1K (*Enhanced*)
Posts: 4,248
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by R&R:
Enjoyed improved meals and even some champagne. The Lobster tails was a nice start to dinner flights.
All of this on CO. But this is my experience, and others may have a different experience.
</font>
Enjoyed improved meals and even some champagne. The Lobster tails was a nice start to dinner flights.
All of this on CO. But this is my experience, and others may have a different experience.
</font>
Your imagination may vary.
Oct 15, 2003, 7:24 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Just who do you think you're kidding?
Programs: I do this for a living.
Posts: 7,486
Why was the serving of caviar on my last IAH-EWR room only Beluga? And why just Krug champagne? Haven't they heard of Cristal? 
Oct 15, 2003, 7:41 am
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tucson, Southern Arizona, North America, Western Hemisphere, The Earth, a small planet in the solar system. Previously OnePass Infinite Platinum Elite, now over entitled 1K
Posts: 2,288
On a recent CO flight the FA addressed me by name and even thanked me for flying Continental Airlines!
I wonder if she mistook me for a CO star or Elite Access?
I wonder if she mistook me for a CO star or Elite Access?
Oct 15, 2003, 7:46 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,748
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
3. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying internationally - hmm. don't know.
</font>
3. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying internationally - hmm. don't know.
</font>
Oct 15, 2003, 8:36 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 834
This Platinum just started a transcon on to the Bay Area... on paid F on United!
ScumPass, your new policies are working wonders to drive revenue... to your competitors which your precious Gordo loves to badmouth!
Message to Gordo: You can say they suck, but that don't keep me from not only flying them, but in so doing, not flying Continental!
[This message has been edited by Jim Phillips (edited 10-15-2003).]
ScumPass, your new policies are working wonders to drive revenue... to your competitors which your precious Gordo loves to badmouth!
Message to Gordo: You can say they suck, but that don't keep me from not only flying them, but in so doing, not flying Continental!
[This message has been edited by Jim Phillips (edited 10-15-2003).]
Oct 15, 2003, 9:23 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,518
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by lensman:
[B]
3. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying internationally - hmm. don't know.
</font>
[B]
3. If you only qualify for one top tier Elite and you are flying internationally - hmm. don't know.
</font>
Oct 15, 2003, 10:25 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: New York
Programs: Bonvoy LifetimeTitanium, UA Plat 2MM, LHW LeadersClub, IHGPlat, HiltonDiamnd, ASMVPG100K, WyndDiamnd
Posts: 1,226
Flying to Germany on BA this weekend. First Class. Love that 180 degree recline.
Oct 15, 2003, 11:50 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: new york
Posts: 53
Still waiting to hear: where are you going to go? Jet Blue? Go right ahead. Southwest? You want to be a nihilist- that's your privilege. Check out CAL stock, it soared 40% since it announced its new mileage scheme (in just one month). Check out the high fares they are going to charge this winter. I predict those of you leisure people (biz people are different) who depart will BEG TO GET BACK. CAL will survive as a premier airline, which is bad news for those of us who are Q and T types. Get your head out of your --------.At least make a credible threat, not: " "I'm taking the $260 I spend to go coast to coast- with an upgrade and 12,000 miles and going elsewhere." Gordo will hold the door open for u. Please save the perosnal attacks- i've been with CAL when it was at the bottom, and now, as sorry as you are to hear this its at or near the top.
Oct 16, 2003, 12:35 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 3,686
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by odnyc:
Check out CAL stock, it soared 40% since it announced its new mileage scheme (in just one month).</font>
Check out CAL stock, it soared 40% since it announced its new mileage scheme (in just one month).</font>
2) Just because a given "system" is successful doesn't mean it's the only way to be successful. Although its far from over, it would appear based on expectations that AA is indeed going to "turn the corner" with an entirely different perspective on how they reward the customer.
As far as I, an NW Plat, goes, if NW adopts the CO policies I will take all my flying to AA/partners/codeshares. And I can be pretty doggone effective at moving my business; I've managed to keep 100% of my business this year on NW/CO having moved over from AA, and I can be just as effective at taking my business back.
Steve
