Significant changes in 2021 for Status (re-)qualification criteria
Oct 19, 2019, 4:01 pm
#46
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,038
You must be on those Eurowings fares bought through OTAs for about €6 from CGN to TXL. Would take a bit of running and I would rather just get there through necessary travel, which is quite easy for me. However, reaching SEN is not possible for me without a lot of extra outlay, And I really think the incremental increase in benefits is not really worth. Now, AF KL Platinum.. that's a different story!
I really think there is very little difference between the lounges, though. Most of the time, I would prefer to be in the FTL Business lounge. DUS airport is a particular example of that. And as SEN, you appear not to get free checked baggage on Light fares, unlike as Air France Platinum across all SkyTeam airlines. And it seems like you very rarely get op-ups, not that those exist any more these days. Certainly had a few as AF Plat. Just looking at it, it really doesn't look all that great in the end and it is never motivated me to really push the boat out and go for it.
On the other hand I very much prefer FTL over SEN in VIE.
LO free bag is also helpful - often when travelling I don't know if I might end up needing to check in a bag (for reasons of liquid gift or such) and it makes it simpler for me to know that I can always get one as needed.
^
The difference between the LH lounges would not be enough to make me get SEN. But the extra benefits of getting access to all *Gold lounges globally, the companion award, seat blocking, the eVouchers, etc. make SEN worthwhile for me. FTL is certainly helpful for pax who travel predominantly between airports with LH lounges, but of next to no value for pax who frequently go further afield.
The difference between the LH lounges would not be enough to make me get SEN. But the extra benefits of getting access to all *Gold lounges globally, the companion award, seat blocking, the eVouchers, etc. make SEN worthwhile for me. FTL is certainly helpful for pax who travel predominantly between airports with LH lounges, but of next to no value for pax who frequently go further afield.
Then again, if you don't just mean on LH outstations, but actually with other *A carriers, you could perhaps pursue another *G. If one only flies LHG, that can quickly become quite difficult of a task.
Oct 19, 2019, 11:27 pm
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,621
I really do think that the FTL lounge in Dusseldorf, which is the business class lounge, is much better than the SEN one, which I recall as being cramped and airless and without any natural light. The business lounge is an elongated space, quite well designed so it doesn't get annoying with other people milling about, with windows all the way down one side which look out over the airport.
Good point about the Vienna lounges, that's another good example.
Good point about the Vienna lounges, that's another good example.
Oct 20, 2019, 1:11 am
#48
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,724
I really do think that the FTL lounge in Dusseldorf, which is the business class lounge, is much better than the SEN one, which I recall as being cramped and airless and without any natural light. The business lounge is an elongated space, quite well designed so it doesn't get annoying with other people milling about, with windows all the way down one side which look out over the airport.
Good point about the Vienna lounges, that's another good example.
Good point about the Vienna lounges, that's another good example.
Oct 20, 2019, 3:36 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,724
I was amazed how many status and award miles a few flights got me on DL SkyMiles, which is only revenue based for award miles.
Oct 20, 2019, 4:17 am
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
Personally I don‘t fly Skyteam and some of its airlines I wouldn‘t even fly with if I got pay for that. Frequently they offer status matches to Elite Plus, even for Hilton DIAs. But it can be a good choice for many others.
Oct 20, 2019, 6:03 am
#53
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,724
Yes, same here. Some are on my no-fly list. But in some areas of the world, SkyTeam is difficult to avoid. So I was forced to fly with them and was surprised how many miles I got and how well Skypriority (for Elite Plus Status holders) worked.
Oct 20, 2019, 11:26 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,038
I really do think that the FTL lounge in Dusseldorf, which is the business class lounge, is much better than the SEN one, which I recall as being cramped and airless and without any natural light. The business lounge is an elongated space, quite well designed so it doesn't get annoying with other people milling about, with windows all the way down one side which look out over the airport.
Good point about the Vienna lounges, that's another good example.
Good point about the Vienna lounges, that's another good example.
thankfully, I noticed in time and fixed it.DUS indeed is a great FTL lounge.
Well, there are also *A airlines offering a match to *G, so I fail to see the point there... but indeed, depends on the individual what works for one or another. I, for example, have no use for OW, with ST and *A being about at the same level, slight advantage for ST.
Oct 20, 2019, 1:33 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Oct 20, 2019, 8:38 pm
#59
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: FRA, SIN
Programs: LH, WoH, Bonvoy, ALL, SH-L
Posts: 232
Oct 21, 2019, 8:09 am
#60
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: FRA
Programs: LH, Avis, Hyatt, ...
Posts: 4,213
Rumors about "significant" changes for qualification have been out already last year and again earlier this year. Now the next rumours have been started for next year. Oh well...
In my mind if they change anything they may cut down the status period from 2 years to 1 year and require a re-qualification each year.
Getting the revenue per flight seems to be ultra-difficult given the many sales channels they have. PPB, the loyalty program for SMBs has that issue and that's why they are that restrictive with points given in their home countries only. While that may make sense and could be argued for SMBs, how would they ever collect all that data from worldwide sales channels.
Given the still significant issues they have with the revenue based award miles, I don't see it coming. Most people within the real frequent flyer group may not complain about wrong award miles. But when it comes to status miles the feedback for wrong credits could be a Tsunami every other day.
If there is aynthing that surprises me, it is the A fares still give 300%. Well that has been my saver to HON for the last 3 qualification periods at least. But I would not be too surprised if this changes, as it happens to be overseen when they lowered the values for the other discounted cabin classes.
Time will tell.
In my mind if they change anything they may cut down the status period from 2 years to 1 year and require a re-qualification each year.
Getting the revenue per flight seems to be ultra-difficult given the many sales channels they have. PPB, the loyalty program for SMBs has that issue and that's why they are that restrictive with points given in their home countries only. While that may make sense and could be argued for SMBs, how would they ever collect all that data from worldwide sales channels.
Given the still significant issues they have with the revenue based award miles, I don't see it coming. Most people within the real frequent flyer group may not complain about wrong award miles. But when it comes to status miles the feedback for wrong credits could be a Tsunami every other day.
If there is aynthing that surprises me, it is the A fares still give 300%. Well that has been my saver to HON for the last 3 qualification periods at least. But I would not be too surprised if this changes, as it happens to be overseen when they lowered the values for the other discounted cabin classes.
Time will tell.