Felixishim

We all are very aware with the new Comfort+ changes a lot of our benefit is changing next year. While it is very reasonable that an airlines changes it programs and product, it is also reasonable to change benefits of FF programs with new economic trends or improvement.

BUT

we know that every calendar year, frequent flyers like us are earning for status for next year 2015 earn status for 2016 year etc. it the airline really practicing in good faith if it changes what general public Expect they will get base on delta announcement?

we know that when MQD applies, we have the whole year to plan for it unlike this changes which is still not going to happen till 6 months later BUT what is the differences to this then changing the price of a ticket?


What is the differences between this and telling GM in 6 months you will lose Priority security/screening, sorry, BYE.

These benefits may vary person to person hugely in term of price but it is almost like the same as changing a ticket price after they issue you a ticket which is not allow by the DOT.

While a PM and 8 companion (which i am sure they reduce to 1 as 8 was just a gimmick when it first stared, that prob low percentage of FF really flies with more then 1 all the time when they do have companions), they essentially raised the ticket price for those who expected to get this complimentary access.

let's just say for one companion on SEA-HKG, C+ access is $149.

this essentially increase the price of at least the companion ticket for $149 if not $298~~ if they are on the same reservation and both want to have advance C+!!

Just trying to get some thoughts on this.... not exactly complaining but rather more of an ethical issue or is it something that FF should raise to DOT or FTC?

MSPeconomist

Once upon a time, airlines mailed a printed brochure every year with elite cards. It contained details about all of the program's rules, benefits, and features for the year. Implicitly, before the internet, it was difficult to change things in the middle of a program year and therefore this generally just was not done.

Often1

DL, just like all carriers, makes it very clear that the program may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. Everybody who signs up for a FFP acknowledges this, understands this and should understand that changes will happen.

It is naïve to believe that any carrier will announce in 2015 changes to become effective in 2017, so that there is always a program year between changes.

An FFP is "something for nothing." As such, use it for what you can, but don't expect anything long-term or material.

bubbashow

THIS!

Smartest post of the week.

Felixishim

It is NOT "something for nothing"

although it may be what the airlines always claim in court but obvious it is not something for Nothing as if it is the case FFP will NOT even exist in the first place in any businesses.


FFP obviously influence people, a lot of people for travel frequently to choose one airline to another airline. It may not affect occasional leisure travelers at all but it sure do for Frequent Flyer who chooses which airline to fly or favor which airline to fly with benefit. Like lots of us, we know that if we fly this airline we can get better seats, upgrades, bags, IROP treatment and therefor chooses it.

Any Season passes or Goupon deal after whatever value you pay

i.e $20-->$100

the $80 value is also something for nothing does that mean any business can just take that away before the listed expiration or at least what you expect to get when you pay up to a reasonable amount of time?

bubbashow

Not according to the terms of service to which you agreed when you signed up for the program. Sorry.

bubbashow

Once upon a time airlines had excess inventory and a big issue with it. Rather than let those seats fly empty, American developed a scheme to reward "miles" which were redeemable for extra inventory.

Through lack of competition and much-better inventory control, plus wholesale changes in the industry, there is not much extra inventory at all. Frequent flyer programs are changing. When you sign up for a program, you agree to this (you even agree that DL could end it tomorrow).

There is simply not the need for the FFP of yesteryear. The economic cycle will at some point change. At that time, airlines can re-initiate, embolden, or develop new loyalty schemes. Until that time, we are stuck with what we have - a changing product.

For years airlines had to provide service for less than cost to remain competitive. They have been able to change this and are finally making profits. The yin to the yang.

Felixishim

When I agree to this, do you think that one airline will not get in any trouble to cancel it FFP program once and all if it is "something for nothing"?

can DL/UA/AS/AA just cancel the whole medallion program without having any legal consequences? (as we know for sure it will affect revenue if it is only one program cancelling)

Felixishim

AND this:

Good Faith:

In contract law, the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is a general presumption that the parties to a contract will deal with each other honestly, fairly, and in good faith, so as to not destroy the right of the other party or parties to receive the benefits of the contract. It is implied in every contract in order to reinforce the express covenants or promises of the contract. A lawsuit (or a cause of action) based upon the breach of the covenant may arise when one party to the contract attempts to claim the benefit of a technical excuse for breaching the contract, or when he or she uses specific contractual terms in isolation in order to refuse to perform his or her contractual obligations, despite the general circumstances and understandings between the parties.

bubbashow

Then the answer for you is simple...file a suit. Let us know how it goes for you. Maybe get a class action going...lawyers will make millions, you might get a $50 voucher in the end.

It's an airline...not a lover. If it doesn't work for you, find one that does.

Felixishim

this defect the purpose of my post, i am raising up a point for us all to consider as a new perspective that perhaps this shouldn't not be allow by consumer protection, there should be some sort of law for the Future by DOT or FTC.

I am NOT one of those trying to say omg we should sue the airline or anyone for this or that AND

I am not trying to get a lawsuit for a revolutional change on this either but rather a social change in terms of form by us raising this problem to gov. agencies and authorities as this should not be right.

by the way Romance Scams: Requests for money under the guise of a romantic relationship is also NOT legal

3Cforme

The question of whether airlines can change FF plans has made its way thru U.S. courts. Yes, they can. It's not a matter for the DOT or FTC.

It's not a matter for the Delta forum, either, if the question is industry-wide. There's an OMNI forum.

Felixishim

thanks for the reply, and i suppose it is not a matter for either of those.

and I also acknowledge and agree that airline should be able to change FFP etc.
just what kind of time frame should be appropriate I suppose

while there is an OMNI forum, it is obvious this is also regard to the new DL C+ changes for the DL FFP

Dieuwer

+1

A FF program is in effect an incentive to tip the "opportunity cost" calculation in favor of the airline.
Air transportation is a commodity. Therefore, in case there would not be ANY FF programs around, the only competition would be on price/schedule. The result would be shrinking margins and a race to the bottom as there would not be anything else to compete with.
Thanks to FF programs however, many people decide to pay more than what would be otherwise required to fly from A to B.

Kill the FF program, kill your margins.

AvidFlyer1990

Very true. And with the 'ENHANCEMENTS' coming out every year, I think DL is actually trying to test the theory 'Kill the FF program, kill your margins'. Although, I am sure their RM department has something planned for when they DO kill the FF/medallion program!