HON "enhancements" getting closer [HON bonus reduced from 50% to 25%] [merged]
#16
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
Who knows, maybe the 750,000 threshold is only for customers living in Germany. Similar to SEN, where the threshold is higher for German customers than for those living in other countries. Then I'd mind less (I am Swiss-based)
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
600k in 2 years was achievable: 1 return C class intra Europe per week (FRA-LHR-FRA) will net over 250k per year alone plus a couple of C longhauls and you're there .... 750k will be more of a challenge.
#18
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: CH / D
Programs: Amex, Avis, BA, BD, CX, FS, Hertz, HH, IC, LH, NH, RC, RCCL, Sixt, SPG, SQ, UA
Posts: 7,050
This is not a surprise...however, what will the additional benefits be for the 750,000 mile Ueberflieger?
Just raising the bar to manage capacity constraints and maintain service levels is a typical LH enhancement.
Just raising the bar to manage capacity constraints and maintain service levels is a typical LH enhancement.
#19
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Hopefully they don't do what SQ did earlier in the year - raise the bar and reduce benefits at the same time
#21
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Italy + Switzerland
Programs: BAEC GGL, M&M LT SEN, AZ Plat, WoH LT Glob, HH Diam
Posts: 195
Will make 627 k by mid-december. If in the future 750 k are needed to requalify will move to BA and/or AF. I'm flying mostly intercontinental (N. America, S. America, Asia) and therefore making it with LH become a hardship, due to the fact that BA or AF prices from Germany always beats LH/LX/OS by miles... e.g. you can fly F with BA to SIN from Germany for less than LH/LX/OS would charges you for C... Add to this BA and AF more than decent F class lounge and service for their higher tier FF, they are good options vs LH.
Why try to go the extra-mile and fly LH/LX/OS when they do not care anymore for your small business (only 1,234,000 miles since 1.1.04 with LX/LH/OS).
M&M could only retain those HON who fall between 600 k and 750 k by creating an intermediary status between SEN and HON. Why would you stay with M&M if you make an average of 300 k to 350 k per year and are treated same way than those who make 100 k every 2nd year... Now creating an additional layer of FF means increasing the perks for the reduced # of HON... which is against LH philosopy...
Why try to go the extra-mile and fly LH/LX/OS when they do not care anymore for your small business (only 1,234,000 miles since 1.1.04 with LX/LH/OS).
M&M could only retain those HON who fall between 600 k and 750 k by creating an intermediary status between SEN and HON. Why would you stay with M&M if you make an average of 300 k to 350 k per year and are treated same way than those who make 100 k every 2nd year... Now creating an additional layer of FF means increasing the perks for the reduced # of HON... which is against LH philosopy...
#24
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ZG
Programs: LH HON, Qantas Platinum, Amex Centurion
Posts: 212
Will make 627 k by mid-december. If in the future 750 k are needed to requalify will move to BA and/or AF. I'm flying mostly intercontinental (N. America, S. America, Asia) ....
M&M could only retain those HON who fall between 600 k and 750 k by creating an intermediary status between SEN and HON. Why would you stay with M&M if you make an average of 300 k to 350 k per year and are treated same way than those who make 100 k every 2nd year... Now creating an additional layer of FF means increasing the perks for the reduced # of HON... which is against LH philosopy...
M&M could only retain those HON who fall between 600 k and 750 k by creating an intermediary status between SEN and HON. Why would you stay with M&M if you make an average of 300 k to 350 k per year and are treated same way than those who make 100 k every 2nd year... Now creating an additional layer of FF means increasing the perks for the reduced # of HON... which is against LH philosopy...
With 750k and given the deterioation of HON service levels already in place, I would consider to play the other game again making 130k every two years - and ending up with a bit less comfort, but a significantly lower bill with Emirates, BA, Thai and SQ.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
I guess LH should just consider publishing that they will award HON level to their top 2.500 M&M status miles members (and no more) and just periodically publish the threshold required for this. Then at least everyone knows how the game works and can decide if they want to chase the black dragon !?
#26
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,375
I suggested to lower qualification levels for people in places where LH doesn't even fly to as those would only use the FCT etc. less often but he didn't think this was a good idea.
For us down here who are 7-10 hours away from the next HON airline airport this is bad news. There is no incentive for me to fly LH after reaching SEN. And indeed this is what is happening. I shift my flying to other airlines and LH misses out.
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: MUC/LAX/SMV
Programs: LH, UA, BD, AA, NW, FB, NH, AC, Sixt, Hertz, Avis, *W, HH, Marriott, PC, Leaders Club, AMEX
Posts: 12,406
#29
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,375
This would indeed be the big danger. Everyone who can get their hand on a foreign address would do so. But I don't think he was thinking that far.
Then again, there will be thousands of FTLs with 110k miles in two years who don't make SEN using their German address.
Then again, there will be thousands of FTLs with 110k miles in two years who don't make SEN using their German address.
#30
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Darth Vader of AMEX, A ladys best friend of Hilton, Pt78 of SPG, *G ,*S, ANA VIP
Posts: 3,933