RA referral value
Jun 13, 2005, 5:39 pm
#31
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Citizen of the world
Programs: QF Plat./OW Emerald + Life Gold, IC Plat. Royal Ambassador, etc.
Posts: 2,891
Originally Posted by EdV
When pressed on what's the "normal" manner she said, "Attaining PLT status (I assume via points or nights) and 3 nights in IC properties (not the same one either!). :-: When I asked about the $100 renewal she said that yes it will maintain RA AND PLT status, but still NOT entitle me to a referral cert! 
Make sense to anybody else?
Make sense to anybody else?
Jun 13, 2005, 6:58 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Platinum Royal Ambassador,GC Elite,HH Gold,DC Gold,*A Gold
Posts: 876
It is true that the referred person is not meant to get a referral voucher, but some people have been lucky enough to get them, luck of the draw I guess.
Dino
Dino
Jun 13, 2005, 7:47 pm
#33
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: KLM GD, DL PM, AA LT Plt, Hyatt Diamond, SPG LT Plat, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Interconti Amb/PC Spire, etc.
Posts: 593
Two people I referred both got the referral vouchers in their package. So I guess a lot of people may get lucky.
Jun 14, 2005, 7:20 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Originally Posted by EdV
Isn't it true that the newly referred RA would get all of the above, EXCEPT the additional referral form? 
I have just received an RA referral from a friend here on FT (thanks you know who) but haven't yet activated it. I called the line for a quick question and the agent told me that I would get the entire package as listed above and many times before, but WITHOUT THE REFERRAL CERT!. 
She said that I would need to qualify in the "normal" manner to get that.
When pressed on what's the "normal" manner she said, "Attaining PLT status (I assume via points or nights) and 3 nights in IC properties (not the same one either!). :-: When I asked about the $100 renewal she said that yes it will maintain RA AND PLT status, but still NOT entitle me to a referral cert! Make sense to anybody else?
I have just received an RA referral from a friend here on FT (thanks you know who) but haven't yet activated it. I called the line for a quick question and the agent told me that I would get the entire package as listed above and many times before, but WITHOUT THE REFERRAL CERT!. She said that I would need to qualify in the "normal" manner to get that.When pressed on what's the "normal" manner she said, "Attaining PLT status (I assume via points or nights) and 3 nights in IC properties (not the same one either!). :-: When I asked about the $100 renewal she said that yes it will maintain RA AND PLT status, but still NOT entitle me to a referral cert!
Make sense to anybody else?I wonder if some of us who did get the Referral Certificate with our initiation RA packages got them because we would have otherwise qualified under the new 3 stays at 3 different properties within a 12-month period? I know I had at least that number of stays before I was gifted my referral cert, and had my 60K points for requalifying for Plat the following year?
When I sent that Referral Cert on to another FTer who I felt deserved the upgrade in status, he spoke with the Customer Service people before sending it in and they told him not to bother, he had enough stays and they upgraded him there and then. He kindly returned my cert, which I than passed along to another FTer who had helped me on another matter.
I have just renewed, so expect my kit in a week or two. Shall advise if it contains the RA Referral Cert as well as the 5K one [which I think I shall hold off cashing in until the start of 2006, just to fast-track myself should promos next year not be so generous, or the required points are raised...
Jun 14, 2005, 1:40 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Caerdydd
Posts: 1,987
I 'sold' the referral certificate I had to a fellow FT'er...the price...a decent bottle of Port...the thought of actually selling it on ebay or wherever never entered my head...after all the help I have had on this forum I felt for once I was giving something back. ^
I do agree with those who say one ought to check who it goes to...by that I mean have they been contributing to FT...either on a frequent basis if a more recent member...or for a long time if not too many posts.
That is of course subjective...but are all decisions not so?
I do agree with those who say one ought to check who it goes to...by that I mean have they been contributing to FT...either on a frequent basis if a more recent member...or for a long time if not too many posts.
That is of course subjective...but are all decisions not so?
Jun 14, 2005, 1:50 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: SPG Plat, PC Plat, AA ExPlat, LT Gold
Posts: 1,899
Originally Posted by Shareholder
wonder if some of us who did get the Referral Certificate with our initiation RA packages got them because we would have otherwise qualified under the new 3 stays at 3 different properties within a 12-month period? I know I had at least that number of stays before I was gifted my referral cert, and had my 60K points for requalifying for Plat the following year?
It will be interesting because I do NOT have enough stays to warrant RA status on my own. So I wonder if they will send me a ref cert as well.
Jun 14, 2005, 5:58 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Programs: Priority Club, Royal Ambassador
Posts: 25
I gave my last one to a work colleague who is IC'ing for his ruby wedding anniversary ... the new one I just received is going to another colleague for her honeymoon ... what better way of distributing minibar largesse
Jun 24, 2005, 5:46 pm
#38
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: TK Gold, Etihad Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold.
Posts: 798
I agree that these certificates should not be sold or bartered for large somes. I for one would not look to sell a certificate or ask absured amounts of points for the certificate. I would be content to give back to the community and ask either a B1G1 certificate, 5k certificate, or a nice bottle of wine or something to show that the referral is appreciated.
I personally have given away several NWA certificates that I couldn't use, and a couple I could have used and didn't realize it. When it came time for me to need a certificate, I have a very tough time finding one, and the people I gave my certificates to (one was a very recent member) wouldn't even respond to my e-mails or PM's. They decided after they got what they needed Flyertalk wasn't for them.
I think that the flyertalk community should be about sharing experiences and letting people know the great deals that we find.
Just my 2 cents
Sincerely,
Timo
I personally have given away several NWA certificates that I couldn't use, and a couple I could have used and didn't realize it. When it came time for me to need a certificate, I have a very tough time finding one, and the people I gave my certificates to (one was a very recent member) wouldn't even respond to my e-mails or PM's. They decided after they got what they needed Flyertalk wasn't for them.
I think that the flyertalk community should be about sharing experiences and letting people know the great deals that we find.
Just my 2 cents
Sincerely,
Timo
Jun 25, 2005, 6:51 am
#39
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: NRT/PDX
Programs: Willamette Valley Cropdusters Silver Elite, National Tent Frequent Stay program, Ed's Rent-a-tractor
Posts: 3,357
Your heart is in the right place, timo469 
. Unfortunately, the reality is that there will always be those who only know how to take and not to give, whether on FT or in society at large.
. Unfortunately, the reality is that there will always be those who only know how to take and not to give, whether on FT or in society at large.
Jun 26, 2005, 7:26 am
#41
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Programs: AA PLT, SPG GLD, PC PLT SPIRE
Posts: 4,531
Originally Posted by JimmyTheJock
I 'sold' the referral certificate I had to a fellow FT'er...the price...a decent bottle of Port...the thought of actually selling it on ebay or wherever never entered my head...after all the help I have had on this forum I felt for once I was giving something back. ^
I do agree with those who say one ought to check who it goes to...by that I mean have they been contributing to FT...either on a frequent basis if a more recent member...or for a long time if not too many posts.
That is of course subjective...but are all decisions not so?
I do agree with those who say one ought to check who it goes to...by that I mean have they been contributing to FT...either on a frequent basis if a more recent member...or for a long time if not too many posts.
That is of course subjective...but are all decisions not so?
Jul 10, 2005, 6:33 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, UA Gold/MM, HH Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Diamond/Ambassador, Hyatt Explor
Posts: 2,168
Has the value of RA changed lately? 100K miles or 150K PC points sounds like a good deal, even though it sounds like a bit much in terms of miles or points. How much is the gurranteed upgrade and free mini bar worth to you guys? So what drinks are usually kept in the mini bar anyway? I have never looked since I don't drink. So who is in need of a referral? 
Last edited by Motion122; Jul 10, 2005 at 6:37 pm
Jul 10, 2005, 7:00 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL Skymiles, Priority Club Plat AMB.,HHonors Gold,Amex
Posts: 272
I honestly think that RA value is on the increase although 90-150k points is a lot to drop over time or at once. A referral would surely be nice and the easy route but I think I may have to earn my keeps since I'll feel a double hit losing hundreds in transfer fees plus many thousands of points.
Jul 11, 2005, 2:56 am
#44
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: England
Programs: PC Amb., BA Blue
Posts: 5,418
Now there's been a lot of debate on this about the ethics & everything - personally I think the average opinion is skewed by it being easier to post the abhorrence of trading RA, than your agreement of it.
My opinion is/was, since it had become so easy to get RA, then why not trade it, as the mystique was lost - but hopefully they are toughening up qualification for it now.
But anyways, my point is, & I would hope we can all agree on it - anyone who is demanding points being transferred into their account, rather than someone redeeming in their name - incurring a substantial monetary transaction & loss, well that's deplorable & against all the spirit & ethos of FT, IMHO.
My opinion is/was, since it had become so easy to get RA, then why not trade it, as the mystique was lost - but hopefully they are toughening up qualification for it now.
But anyways, my point is, & I would hope we can all agree on it - anyone who is demanding points being transferred into their account, rather than someone redeeming in their name - incurring a substantial monetary transaction & loss, well that's deplorable & against all the spirit & ethos of FT, IMHO.
Jul 11, 2005, 3:12 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
Originally Posted by tristan727
But anyways, my point is, & I would hope we can all agree on it - anyone who is demanding points being transferred into their account, rather than someone redeeming in their name - incurring a substantial monetary transaction & loss, well that's deplorable & against all the spirit & ethos of FT, IMHO.
What is interesting about RA, compared with, say, an airline upgrade cert, is that its value varies hugely from person to person. Someone planning 10 IC stays this year in 'high cost' countries and with a love of mini-bars will value a referral far more than someone who only wants it for a one-off stay somewhere.
Of course, the irony is that anyone with 90,000 points in their PC account will already be Plat. These people would probably find it easier and cheaper to simply do 3 IC stays and then claim RA for free!