Segment Recognition Idea
Mar 14, 2008 | 9:44 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Shanwick
Posts: 3,117
The minimum MQMs per segment are an appropriate recognition of segment flying. DL will not go back to segment counting and I honestly think that segment counting will die out of US FF programs. DL was just ahead of the curve.
Mar 14, 2008 | 9:47 pm
#17
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Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: MIA
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Mar 14, 2008 | 10:11 pm
#18
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: IND
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Mar 15, 2008 | 7:54 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU
Programs: Delta PM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,448
I'll be the first to speak against segments.
I think it doesn't give enough recognition to those of us that don't connect everywhere (hub flyers) and too many people took advantage of it by taking 10-12 hop round trips!
I think segment qualification should NOT be allowed.
I think it doesn't give enough recognition to those of us that don't connect everywhere (hub flyers) and too many people took advantage of it by taking 10-12 hop round trips!
I think segment qualification should NOT be allowed.
Mar 15, 2008 | 8:18 am
#20
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still PAL Premier Elite & Hilton Diamond
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I'll be the first to speak against segments.
I think it doesn't give enough recognition to those of us that don't connect everywhere (hub flyers) and too many people took advantage of it by taking 10-12 hop round trips!
I think segment qualification should NOT be allowed.
I think it doesn't give enough recognition to those of us that don't connect everywhere (hub flyers) and too many people took advantage of it by taking 10-12 hop round trips!
I think segment qualification should NOT be allowed.
The problem with segment qualifying is that is has to be sustained throughout the year. Most of us could never qualify that way; those who could are probably paying > average to fly.
Mar 15, 2008 | 9:50 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,679
So if instead I do 2 el cheapo MR's to FRA (which probably cost a lot less than 30 segments, I'm a "better" customer?
The problem with segment qualifying is that is has to be sustained throughout the year. Most of us could never qualify that way; those who could are probably paying > average to fly.
The problem with segment qualifying is that is has to be sustained throughout the year. Most of us could never qualify that way; those who could are probably paying > average to fly.
Mar 15, 2008 | 10:46 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,687
Seems like there are lots of ways to measure who is a better customer. I don't know, and I'm willing to bet neither do you, but the margin on a single Y passenger on a 777 or 767 to FRA may well be higher than a segment runner (very possibly in F due to free upgrades) on an MD-88. In the end, incentivizing your higher margin customer to travel more is better for DL.
Mar 15, 2008 | 11:34 am
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: STL
Programs: Skymiles Gold Medallion, AAdvantage, Starwood Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Priority Club, Hhonors
Posts: 218
I'll be the first to speak against segments.
I think it doesn't give enough recognition to those of us that don't connect everywhere (hub flyers) and too many people took advantage of it by taking 10-12 hop round trips!
I think segment qualification should NOT be allowed.
I think it doesn't give enough recognition to those of us that don't connect everywhere (hub flyers) and too many people took advantage of it by taking 10-12 hop round trips!
I think segment qualification should NOT be allowed.
Mar 15, 2008 | 11:55 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
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Posts: 8,052
(Of course now that I said that, they will announce their new enhancement of segment qualifying!)
David
Mar 15, 2008 | 1:12 pm
#25
Original Poster
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Location: STL
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Posts: 218
Mar 15, 2008 | 3:56 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,679
Maybe they should abandon miles/segments all together and simply go with revenue. That would directly link status with how "good" a customer you are. I would say that they should use profitability, but that's impossible to measure and involves a lot of things that have nothing to do with the customer's behavior.
Mar 15, 2008 | 5:02 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,687
To measure it exactly would be difficult, but the airlines have enough data to calculate profitability based upon historical measures. I'm not so sure that to measure by revenue is a bad thing. With all the people out there who travel internationally on J tickets, I'd never be a top tier elite. 3RT international J tickets is probably more than I spend all year.
Mar 15, 2008 | 5:51 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: VPS
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Mar 15, 2008 | 5:57 pm
#29
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It makes sense to me to give the international folks another tier--international upgrades. A mediocre international flyer flies way more miles than the best short haul flyer, and the short haul flyer may be the most profitable. Granting status on miles alone is not equitable, nor is it always consistent with revenue generation goals.
Mar 15, 2008 | 6:31 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SRQ/TPA
Programs: Delta Skymiles, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 916
Alrighty, I'm getting sick of earning MQM 500 miles at a pop and having almost no chance to renew my Gold status. I have flown 9 round trips with DL so far in 2008, but only have 9000 miles because STL to ATL is a short trip. So, I'm hoping the NW or some other deal comes through and segment recognition occurs.
I spoke to customer service about this. They properly pointed out that a person who regularly flies between non-hub cities will get "too many" segments over those of us who have direct trips, yet the gross revenue for each customer may be similar. So they have decided not to recognize segments at all.
How about limiting segment earning abilities to 1 per day?
I sometimes make round trips in one day, so I recognize this would hurt me in some instances, but the benefit is worth the cost. I think giving folks the choice between status qualification by segment or by MQM calculation (akin to AA) makes sense.
And for you international superstars with buku miles who don't want to lose out to us short leggers, I think a 4th tier is reasonable. The exclusive benefit of the 4th tier would be international upgrades when available within so many hours of check in.
There's my trial balloon. Please fire away.
I spoke to customer service about this. They properly pointed out that a person who regularly flies between non-hub cities will get "too many" segments over those of us who have direct trips, yet the gross revenue for each customer may be similar. So they have decided not to recognize segments at all.
How about limiting segment earning abilities to 1 per day?
I sometimes make round trips in one day, so I recognize this would hurt me in some instances, but the benefit is worth the cost. I think giving folks the choice between status qualification by segment or by MQM calculation (akin to AA) makes sense.
And for you international superstars with buku miles who don't want to lose out to us short leggers, I think a 4th tier is reasonable. The exclusive benefit of the 4th tier would be international upgrades when available within so many hours of check in.
There's my trial balloon. Please fire away.
On the other hand, it would create a lot more FO's as 30 segments would only be 15000 MQM....