dhacker wrote:
I hesitated to post this, but of course LatinPass already knows what was in its own FAQ and the terms of the promotion.

So, we still have this "right" to transfer miles, just now there's a bit of a control in place. One could argue that LP is being more than generous by letting us transfer any bonus miles at all to Marriott.

"One could argue that LP is being more than generous by letting us transfer any bonus miles at all to Marriott."

LP is not being "more than generous." Their bonus offered one million miles, not one million pseudomiles. If they didn't want to deliver on their promise, they shouldn't have offered the bonus to begin with.

PLEASE see the thread at:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum30/HTML/000087.html

When you look at the current situation that LatinPass is creating they are actually going to lose more business or "restricting" the miles. I have so many Amex miles that I could transfer to LP and I often fly TWA and US air. Would I give my LatinPass number to these entities in the future knowing that I have only one flight a day on Taca to get out of San Francisco? I think not!! What should be a great relationship in steering business to LP is forcing me to only "useup" my million and not replenish with revenue generating business for LP. They were not honest with their promotion. I specifically asked questions about booking KLM, TWA, and US Air and was told that it was no problem and the flights were relatively easy to get. Right now I've been working on one flight in January with KLM or TWA and have been calling and faxing since July and still don't have flights. Their program is a disaster and probably one of the WORST airline mileage programs around today. Or are they just treating their "millionaire" flyers that way?

I can see two sides here.... I really don't fault LP for closing major loopholes - they are a business and have to survive. But they should NOT leave people stranded - like the folks who have already transferred their miles to other programs but had their use severely limited (like Mile Tex). There should be some understanding shown here - these folks should be allowed to transfer their miles back.

FTers are not just the recipents of a generous mileage bonus, but the guinea pigs who are fleshing the bugs out of LP's system. It's a two-way street and it's unquestionable that LP has benefited from our participation. As the kinks are worked out of their program LP should be gracious with us - as I'm sure they would like us to be with them.

I have no problem with an off-line discussion, although I hope its kept to a minimum - I really enjoy Flyeralk and its format and would hate to see its value diluted.

Hiker Guy

I can't help but think that the limits on transfering miles may come from pressure from Hilton itself, seeing that a barrage of LatinPass transfers may dilute their program, and create ripple affects as people move large sums of miles from HHonors into other airline programs. The next thing you know, SkyMiles will wonder why people are suddenly transfering hundreds of thousands of miles via HHonors from LatinPass-- and it may jeopardize Hilton's relationship with its other partners. So, from a business perspective, I can understand why the partners want to impose some limitations-- just as LatinPass wants to preserve its own partnerships. Unfortunately, since LatinPass is the only entity that can directly affect the rules, they come across as the "bad guys" as they modify rules based on its partners' pressures.

Frankly, given my return for money invested in the program, I'm content with the travel options offered through the LatinPass carriers, plus TWA, US Air, and KLM. With the exception of US to Asia, these carriers pretty much cover the bulk of destinations with OK- not great, but OK- connections, but again, how can we really complain? If I can fly to Chile for pennies on the dollar, I don't mind spending $60 for a night in Miami or 2 hours between flights. And as far as LatinPass's credibility, I have confidence they will live up to their word. Considering they represent a dozen carriers, any bad press they may receive will directly affect the member and partner airlines, so I feel the other carriers, especially the member airlines, will back LatinPass up.

[This message has been edited by Viajero Joven (edited 09-23-2000).]

Viajero Joven -- The transfer restrictions originated from LatinPass, not Hilton. No other Hilton partner has transfer restrictions. Even miles from the oneworld promotions were allowed to be transferred from AA to HHonors without limits. And this is just speculation, but the limit may very well violate LP's agreement with HHonors.

I spoke to the Premium Pass rep. at Aces Airlines where I had transferred 200K to their program from Latin Pass. They have agreed to transfer back to Latin Pass all 200K.

Really thought I had thrown away all those miles. They are a really great airline and this is another example of Aces great customer service. If they only flew other places

The Premium Pass representative whom you spoke with should run for political office.

It takes a very special kind of person to lie to a customer, violate written program rules, and then make him feel as though he has been blessed with "another example of Aces great customer service."

You're lucky ACES transfered back. I haven't had the same luck with Distancia (TACA.) I've written four separate letters to different people and haven't gotten any replies. They denied my request to fly AA because I never flew on them before and my mileage transfer was bonus miles. I pointed out that I flew throughout Central and South America in Business Class (majority on Grupo Taca) and they couldn't answer. They are forgetting that in addition to our MILLION we did get some actual miles for air, hotel and car. I did get one ticket from Distancia which was ticketed in economy instead of business. When I went to pick it up the ticket office called Salvador to admit their error and head office insisted on a $25. change fee even though I didn't have a "ticket" but it was "authorized" for ticketing. The TACA employee said to them on the phone that it was her error--which it was--their reply was SOMEONE HAS TO PAY!! Such Bull. Boy do my UA miles look good right now!

Update transfers to Hilton and Marriott...
FYI... I put in a request to transfer
30000 to Hilton and to Marriott a couple of weeks ago and was told the request looked fine and the the transfer would be made last Monday. I found out today that I need to resubmit the request again. The original was not processed since the rule now is 1 transfer up to 30000 a month to a hotel program. I didn't ask if you could do 15000
to 2 programs. The key was 30000 max transfer. I didn't see this in the rules before just the 30000 max to Hilton and 30000
max to Marriott.