TrueBlue changes?
Sep 28, 2004 | 9:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: DL SM, Marriot PLT, Tall guy in need of legroom
Posts: 1,478
TrueBlue changes?
Just wanteds to see what everyone thought about some ideas I had for B6's FF program "TrueBlue".
I honestly think that if some changes were made and the program "beefed up" a bit it could win a great deal of elite travelers from soon to be defunct airlines (US Air esp)...
1) Get rid of the 1 yr points expiration
2) Better promotions w/ TrueBlue....i.e partners or double credit for new routings
3) Elite program where most loyal flyers get prefferred boarding/seating and perhaps a 10% kickback of their fare? This could bring B6 more revenue while not hurting them in their wallets too much.
4) Partner w/ low fare or Int'l carrier fot travel redemption etc
Curious what others think
I honestly think that if some changes were made and the program "beefed up" a bit it could win a great deal of elite travelers from soon to be defunct airlines (US Air esp)...
1) Get rid of the 1 yr points expiration
2) Better promotions w/ TrueBlue....i.e partners or double credit for new routings
3) Elite program where most loyal flyers get prefferred boarding/seating and perhaps a 10% kickback of their fare? This could bring B6 more revenue while not hurting them in their wallets too much.
4) Partner w/ low fare or Int'l carrier fot travel redemption etc
Curious what others think
Just like Rapid Regrets.
Sep 30, 2004 | 7:42 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
A couple of threads on this were floating around earlier this year...
IIRC, the overall consensus seemed to be that as much as changes like those suggested by the OP would be welcome by FT'ers, they were not likely to be coming anytime soon.
IIRC, the overall consensus seemed to be that as much as changes like those suggested by the OP would be welcome by FT'ers, they were not likely to be coming anytime soon.
Sep 30, 2004 | 9:41 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: DL SM, Marriot PLT, Tall guy in need of legroom
Posts: 1,478
Originally Posted by WindFlyer
A couple of threads on this were floating around earlier this year...
IIRC, the overall consensus seemed to be that as much as changes like those suggested by the OP would be welcome by FT'ers, they were not likely to be coming anytime soon.
IIRC, the overall consensus seemed to be that as much as changes like those suggested by the OP would be welcome by FT'ers, they were not likely to be coming anytime soon.
I guess my point was given the recent business travelers orefrence, does B6 realize that they are also ctaering to large business travleler segment and that a buffed up FFP might really add some signifcant dough? FWIW, if they canned the 1-yr expiration, the program ais solid. Double my pts for online booking and 4 RT fligyht to CA or the West Coast from NYC and I can fly free to the Bahamas, P.R. or the Dominican....works for me...
Oct 1, 2004 | 12:22 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: F9 Gold, peon and loving it everywhere else
Posts: 4,020
Although I've flown JetBlue a couple of times and enjoy the onboard experience, their FF program is pretty much worthless, as others have mentioned.
Keep in mind that most passengers...even some potentially high-revenue business travelers...either don't care about or don't have the time to think about miles and status (crazy, isn't it?
) so the flaws of TrueBlue probably aren't hurting the airline's bottom line at all.
I must say, however, that if JetBlue adopted a frequent-flyer program similar to AirTran's, with elite status and the ability to redeem awards on other airlines to destinations worldwide, I'd seriously think about booking some of my transcon travel with B6. Unlikely to happen, though.
Keep in mind that most passengers...even some potentially high-revenue business travelers...either don't care about or don't have the time to think about miles and status (crazy, isn't it?
) so the flaws of TrueBlue probably aren't hurting the airline's bottom line at all.I must say, however, that if JetBlue adopted a frequent-flyer program similar to AirTran's, with elite status and the ability to redeem awards on other airlines to destinations worldwide, I'd seriously think about booking some of my transcon travel with B6. Unlikely to happen, though.
Oct 10, 2004 | 9:25 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: MKE
Programs: AA Exec Platinum, SPG Platinum / Ambassador / Lifetime Gold, Avis FIRST
Posts: 3,293
two points
Yes, trueBlue sucks. Here are two points though:
1) Right now you get the same number of trueBlue points if you fly OAK-JFK as if you fly OAK-JFK-Dominican Republic. I think this is the most ridiculous thing of it all. You should get more points for connecting internationally.
2) I fly very often, and I've flown jetBlue on several occasions, but despite the legroom and DirecTV, unless the fare is much lower I'll still fly US/UA. I like status. I like having miles that can take me to Kuala Lumpur AND Syracuse. Not just Syracuse.
(granted B6 has a much greater chance of being around for me to use my points than US/UA but that's another story .... )
1) Right now you get the same number of trueBlue points if you fly OAK-JFK as if you fly OAK-JFK-Dominican Republic. I think this is the most ridiculous thing of it all. You should get more points for connecting internationally.
2) I fly very often, and I've flown jetBlue on several occasions, but despite the legroom and DirecTV, unless the fare is much lower I'll still fly US/UA. I like status. I like having miles that can take me to Kuala Lumpur AND Syracuse. Not just Syracuse.
(granted B6 has a much greater chance of being around for me to use my points than US/UA but that's another story .... )
Oct 16, 2004 | 6:08 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southeast USA
Posts: 1,253
Scrap the 1 year expiration!
... yes, but AirTran and Southwest have it too... WRONG!
With WN you have multiple airline partners... rent a car... stay at a hotel... and most importantly, a connected credit card.
FL may have fewer partners but it still has a credit card AND you can redeem 8 'points' for a one-way, instead of waiting for 16 for a round-trip.
So, JetBlue, let's not use the 'we're low cost that's why' excuse. Fix your frequent flyer program and then I might actually fly on one of your flights.
For now, you can keep your DirecTVs and quirky flight attendants... I am willing to fly with the Song witches as long as I get miles
With WN you have multiple airline partners... rent a car... stay at a hotel... and most importantly, a connected credit card.
FL may have fewer partners but it still has a credit card AND you can redeem 8 'points' for a one-way, instead of waiting for 16 for a round-trip.
So, JetBlue, let's not use the 'we're low cost that's why' excuse. Fix your frequent flyer program and then I might actually fly on one of your flights.
For now, you can keep your DirecTVs and quirky flight attendants... I am willing to fly with the Song witches as long as I get miles
Oct 17, 2004 | 5:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
Southwaste
With WN you have multiple airline partners
WN = NO airline partners.
http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewar..._partners.html
Oct 18, 2004 | 10:12 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 874
Originally Posted by Jumpgate
1) Right now you get the same number of trueBlue points if you fly OAK-JFK as if you fly OAK-JFK-Dominican Republic. I think this is the most ridiculous thing of it all. You should get more points for connecting internationally.
Giving bonuses for connection may make sense when there is a high-demand for nonstop service. (i.e. BOS-SFO vs. BOS-ORD-SFO) However, a connection costs the airline more than nonstop service, so it should not be encouraged.
However, in the case of xx-JFK-int you do have a point that there should be some point differentiation, especially given the longer distance flown and higher prices paid. However, tying this to prices paid may be more useful from a revenue perspective.
Oct 19, 2004 | 7:25 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,297
Originally Posted by ByrdluvsAWACO
Huh? Man did you get that one wrong.
WN = NO airline partners.
http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewar..._partners.html
WN = NO airline partners.
http://www.southwest.com/rapid_rewar..._partners.html
rent a car... stay at a hotel... and most importantly, a connected credit card.
Oct 28, 2004 | 2:42 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southeast USA
Posts: 1,253
Thanks for the correction! 
I meant that the airline (WN) has a lot of of partners, not that it partners with other airlines.
Speaking of partners though, AirTran and ATA will likely hitch up their frequent flyer programs. Partnerships between low-cost carriers could make things very interesting...
I meant that the airline (WN) has a lot of of partners, not that it partners with other airlines.Speaking of partners though, AirTran and ATA will likely hitch up their frequent flyer programs. Partnerships between low-cost carriers could make things very interesting...
Oct 28, 2004 | 5:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles Gold, Hilton HHonors Diamond, and Royal Caribbean Pinnacle Club
Posts: 1,009
Originally Posted by BackOfTheBus
Thanks for the correction! I meant that the airline (WN) has a lot of of partners, not that it partners with other airlines.
Speaking of partners though, AirTran and ATA will likely hitch up their frequent flyer programs. Partnerships between low-cost carriers could make things very interesting...
I meant that the airline (WN) has a lot of of partners, not that it partners with other airlines.Speaking of partners though, AirTran and ATA will likely hitch up their frequent flyer programs. Partnerships between low-cost carriers could make things very interesting...
Nov 2, 2004 | 2:12 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: PHX/SFO/LAX
Programs: AA-EXP (1.7MM), BA-Slvr, HH-Diamond
Posts: 7,784
crap + crap = crap
If jetBlue create a partnership with another airline's FF program, I think it should be with Frontier
Nov 3, 2004 | 2:38 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SAN
Programs: DL SM, Marriot PLT, Tall guy in need of legroom
Posts: 1,478
..People must love crap then judging by the company's performance.
having flown AWA and B6, theres no comparision to the product, be it price, service or destinations.
I have a feeling the marketing whizzes at Jetblue will soon start to realize what a hidden gem they have in a loyal customer base and start to put some cerative juice and $$ into the TrueBlue program. The AMEX partnership is a nice start...somethingw / Hilton or Starwood would be a nother nice step...baby steps....
having flown AWA and B6, theres no comparision to the product, be it price, service or destinations.
I have a feeling the marketing whizzes at Jetblue will soon start to realize what a hidden gem they have in a loyal customer base and start to put some cerative juice and $$ into the TrueBlue program. The AMEX partnership is a nice start...somethingw / Hilton or Starwood would be a nother nice step...baby steps....
Nov 6, 2004 | 12:32 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA Exp- 4MM; UA 1K; BA Gold; 9W Plat; SPG Plat; Hilton Diamond; LH FT; DL Gold
Posts: 458
Mgmt is not FF program enthusiastic
I am an investor in JBLU and think highly of the mgmt. However, I must report that in the past mgmt has expressed a dim view of "irrational" FF programs. They are forced to play the game because of competition but would prefer to handle loyalty some other way. They could not believe what AA did in the NYC-CA markets (fly 3 get free anywhere in the world, etc.).
I do not see the 1 yr expiration limit going away soon.
I think AirTran may give some reason to pause for B6 because it too has a low cost structure but offers business class seating that can be a real incentive to FFers.
I do not see the 1 yr expiration limit going away soon.
I think AirTran may give some reason to pause for B6 because it too has a low cost structure but offers business class seating that can be a real incentive to FFers.