Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction Survey [to 11 June 2012]
May 19, 2012, 1:36 pm
#1
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction Survey [to 11 June 2012]
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with award redemptions at your current frequent flyer program(s)? FlyerTalk and Frequent Business Traveler are conducting the Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction Survey, which will be active through June 11, 2012.
This is the second in a series of joint surveys by FlyerTalk and Frequent Business Traveler magazine. Frequent Business Traveler will provide the survey; FlyerTalk members will provide the opinions. Most FlyerTalk members redeem frequent flier loyalty program miles — but depending on personal preferences, the frequent flier loyalty programs of some airlines are significantly more satisfying and beneficial than others.
Results of this poll will be announced by both Frequent Business Traveler magazine and FlyerTalk.
So — with which airline frequent flier loyalty programs are you very satisfied, and with which airline frequent flier loyalty programs are you least satisfied? Please vote today and let everyone know!
________________________
I will start...
I have been overall quite satisfied with the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier loyalty program in terms of upgrade percentage, bonus miles, award ticket redemption, “rollover” Medallion Qualification Miles and other benefits — but the award calendar can be rather unpredictable and annoying, and the pricing of flights can sometimes be more expensive than I would prefer. However, I do like that they eliminated the fees for procuring an award ticket within two weeks of the flight, resulting in easing the use of my SkyMiles.
Even though I have no elite status in the United Airlines Mileage Plus frequent flier loyalty program, for some reason I seem to get upgraded to the Economy Plus seats for no charge on the day of the flight — a nice surprise perk that can brighten my day with a little extra legroom.
The American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flier loyalty program has been aggressive with offering enticing incentives to fly as a passenger, such as double elite qualification miles on certain routes, which helps its members attain elite status and the benefits associated with it sooner rather than later.
I do not like the idea of paying a fee just to use my US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier loyalty program miles — even as a basic member without elite status. It is an irritating fee at best and devalues the miles, in my opinion. I avoid earning miles in the US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier loyalty program — especially when I can bank them in the United Airlines Mileage Plus frequent flier loyalty program, as both are member airlines of Star Alliance. My 8,000 Dividend Miles are basically worthless to me at the moment.
I have others, but enough about me — what about you?
This is the second in a series of joint surveys by FlyerTalk and Frequent Business Traveler magazine. Frequent Business Traveler will provide the survey; FlyerTalk members will provide the opinions. Most FlyerTalk members redeem frequent flier loyalty program miles — but depending on personal preferences, the frequent flier loyalty programs of some airlines are significantly more satisfying and beneficial than others.
Results of this poll will be announced by both Frequent Business Traveler magazine and FlyerTalk.
So — with which airline frequent flier loyalty programs are you very satisfied, and with which airline frequent flier loyalty programs are you least satisfied? Please vote today and let everyone know!
________________________
I will start...
I have been overall quite satisfied with the Delta Air Lines SkyMiles frequent flier loyalty program in terms of upgrade percentage, bonus miles, award ticket redemption, “rollover” Medallion Qualification Miles and other benefits — but the award calendar can be rather unpredictable and annoying, and the pricing of flights can sometimes be more expensive than I would prefer. However, I do like that they eliminated the fees for procuring an award ticket within two weeks of the flight, resulting in easing the use of my SkyMiles.
Even though I have no elite status in the United Airlines Mileage Plus frequent flier loyalty program, for some reason I seem to get upgraded to the Economy Plus seats for no charge on the day of the flight — a nice surprise perk that can brighten my day with a little extra legroom.
The American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flier loyalty program has been aggressive with offering enticing incentives to fly as a passenger, such as double elite qualification miles on certain routes, which helps its members attain elite status and the benefits associated with it sooner rather than later.
I do not like the idea of paying a fee just to use my US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier loyalty program miles — even as a basic member without elite status. It is an irritating fee at best and devalues the miles, in my opinion. I avoid earning miles in the US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier loyalty program — especially when I can bank them in the United Airlines Mileage Plus frequent flier loyalty program, as both are member airlines of Star Alliance. My 8,000 Dividend Miles are basically worthless to me at the moment.
I have others, but enough about me — what about you?
Last edited by Canarsie; Jun 6, 2012 at 4:33 pm Reason: Changed expiration date of survey, as it has been extended.
May 20, 2012, 4:38 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,572
I do not like the idea of paying a fee just to use my US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier loyalty program miles — even as a basic member without elite status. It is an irritating fee at best and devalues the miles, in my opinion. I avoid earning miles in the US Airways Dividend Miles frequent flier loyalty program — especially when I can bank them in the United Airlines Mileage Plus frequent flier loyalty program, as both are member airlines of Star Alliance. My 8,000 Dividend Miles are basically worthless to me at the moment.
May 20, 2012, 10:25 am
#3
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,396
As this concerns frequent travel loyalty programs, it's apt for the MilesBuzz forum and it's been moved there for more discussion. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
May 20, 2012, 10:52 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 395
Recent cancellation of a trip using miles from three otherwise excellent programs (AAdvantage, United Mileage Plus, and Lufthansa Miles & More) caused me to confront various cancellation/redeposit fees. United's fees are the most obscene, at $150. AA is second, only slight less obscene, at $125. LH is a much more reasonable $60.
These are for seats that were cancelled more than 60 days before departure on routes where the seats will most likely be resold at a premium rather than returned to award inventory. Cancellation takes 5 minutes with an agent (and could be done online if the airlines were a bit more with it). The fees are outrageous and punitive and bear no relation whatsoever to any expense conceivably incurred by the airline/program. As you can see, UA and AA have successfully pissed me off.
These are for seats that were cancelled more than 60 days before departure on routes where the seats will most likely be resold at a premium rather than returned to award inventory. Cancellation takes 5 minutes with an agent (and could be done online if the airlines were a bit more with it). The fees are outrageous and punitive and bear no relation whatsoever to any expense conceivably incurred by the airline/program. As you can see, UA and AA have successfully pissed me off.
May 20, 2012, 8:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CLD
Programs: ua S, marriott P, hilton G, ihg P
Posts: 579
so far AA has been my favorite despite being an lowly elite on AS. As soon as I get over the hurdle of ignoring the Economy Saver completely, the availability seems great, and I even got Business/First saver occasionally which is greater. 
as to AS, too bad it's not flying too many places from where I live.
UA is always more expensive than AA, and hence not accumulating a lot of flying miles on them.
DL redemption rate seems to be expensive in my book. So try to avoid them, unless the points come easy (like a CC).
as to AS, too bad it's not flying too many places from where I live.
UA is always more expensive than AA, and hence not accumulating a lot of flying miles on them.
DL redemption rate seems to be expensive in my book. So try to avoid them, unless the points come easy (like a CC).
May 21, 2012, 4:30 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: Many
Posts: 335
Recent cancellation of a trip using miles from three otherwise excellent programs (AAdvantage, United Mileage Plus, and Lufthansa Miles & More) caused me to confront various cancellation/redeposit fees. United's fees are the most obscene, at $150. AA is second, only slight less obscene, at $125. LH is a much more reasonable $60.
These are for seats that were cancelled more than 60 days before departure on routes where the seats will most likely be resold at a premium rather than returned to award inventory. Cancellation takes 5 minutes with an agent (and could be done online if the airlines were a bit more with it). The fees are outrageous and punitive and bear no relation whatsoever to any expense conceivably incurred by the airline/program. As you can see, UA and AA have successfully pissed me off.
These are for seats that were cancelled more than 60 days before departure on routes where the seats will most likely be resold at a premium rather than returned to award inventory. Cancellation takes 5 minutes with an agent (and could be done online if the airlines were a bit more with it). The fees are outrageous and punitive and bear no relation whatsoever to any expense conceivably incurred by the airline/program. As you can see, UA and AA have successfully pissed me off.
May 21, 2012, 12:57 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,146
Interesting see that BA (British Airways) was flagged for a fairly significant improvement in reward availability. I've never had a problem in getting availability (OK, occasionally had to shift plans by one day) but then LHR-IAD is a fairly easy route.
However, there's a lot of discussion on the BA Forum about how hard things are now getting. Many complaints are clearly from those who expect everything for nothing, including those who picked up a huge pile of bonus Avios for signing up to a CC program ... all of whom seem to be looking at redemptions on the most popular routes at peak times, and usually with oneWorld partner carriers rather than BA. However, even the regular, hard-core, BA-flying community are feeling a bit 'nervous'. Is this a "London Olympic thing"? Is it a shift in BA's Revenue Management algorithms? We don't know!!
I wonder how things will look this time next year?
However, there's a lot of discussion on the BA Forum about how hard things are now getting. Many complaints are clearly from those who expect everything for nothing, including those who picked up a huge pile of bonus Avios for signing up to a CC program ... all of whom seem to be looking at redemptions on the most popular routes at peak times, and usually with oneWorld partner carriers rather than BA. However, even the regular, hard-core, BA-flying community are feeling a bit 'nervous'. Is this a "London Olympic thing"? Is it a shift in BA's Revenue Management algorithms? We don't know!!
I wonder how things will look this time next year?
May 21, 2012, 1:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: AA, UAL
Posts: 545
I agree that redeposit fees should be reasonable. The reason for the fees isn't related so much to their expense in handling a transaction; it is to make money, and also to make sure the limited award inventory gets booked by people really planning to use it. If there were no redeposit fees, I could certainly see lots of us tying up lots of seats speculatively, thus blocking inventory from others wanting it. So within reason redeposit fees are a necessity.
I have tried Delta, UA and AA redemption and did not have much trouble getting dates / seats on Delta UA. I had to make some really convoluted itinerary to get booking on AA though. While trying to get seat on AA, I seriously felt that AA has only a single seat available for mileage redemption on each flight. All my bookings were made at least 2 months in advance.
May 21, 2012, 3:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: BKK, CDG, TLS
Programs: QR G, A3 G, EK G, IHG Amb, GHA Black, WOH LT something
Posts: 1,306
I have to say I am annoyed at LH revenue managament for awards (among so many other things) as of late, and I think I am not the only one.
even with M&M as a SEN it's impossible to book 2 F seats 6 months out, on flights that are fully empty in F: F8A8, i have been on a waiting list for almost 2 months now.
Furthermore, since mid november 2011, they have blocked their F seats to *A partner to 2 weeks out prior to departure. Fine I can somewhat deal with that, but what really gets under my skin, is that recently they have blocked US DM from getting any awards at all. What's the point of *A if you block some of the members from getting the seats....
even with M&M as a SEN it's impossible to book 2 F seats 6 months out, on flights that are fully empty in F: F8A8, i have been on a waiting list for almost 2 months now.
Furthermore, since mid november 2011, they have blocked their F seats to *A partner to 2 weeks out prior to departure. Fine I can somewhat deal with that, but what really gets under my skin, is that recently they have blocked US DM from getting any awards at all. What's the point of *A if you block some of the members from getting the seats....
May 21, 2012, 3:54 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
I'd agree 1000% that redemption fees are annoying- but sounds like you're using your miles just as US wishes you would- you aren't. They love it even more when those miles come from partner promotions and cobrands, because the airline gets paid for the miles even if you never redeem them.
May 21, 2012, 3:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brooklyn, NY, United States
Programs: AA, BA, UA, Spirit, Delta, PC Plat, SPG Gold, HHonors Diamond, Club Carlson Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,735
Never thought of redeposit fee from that point of view! Now, I am not completely against it :-)
I have tried Delta, UA and AA redemption and did not have much trouble getting dates / seats on Delta UA. I had to make some really convoluted itinerary to get booking on AA though. While trying to get seat on AA, I seriously felt that AA has only a single seat available for mileage redemption on each flight. All my bookings were made at least 2 months in advance.
I have tried Delta, UA and AA redemption and did not have much trouble getting dates / seats on Delta UA. I had to make some really convoluted itinerary to get booking on AA though. While trying to get seat on AA, I seriously felt that AA has only a single seat available for mileage redemption on each flight. All my bookings were made at least 2 months in advance.
May 22, 2012, 8:41 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YEG
Programs: AC*E75
Posts: 885
I was going to complete, but could not be bothered to click not applicable for all the programs I do not use. Not a very well designed survey.
Jun 4, 2012, 8:25 pm
#13
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,997
How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with award redemptions at your current frequent flyer program(s)? FlyerTalk and Frequent Business Traveler are conducting the Frequent Flyer Program Award Redemption Satisfaction Survey, which will be active through May 31, 2012.
Jun 6, 2012, 1:26 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1
BA
I'm flying more than I have been recently, and have built up a fare amount of miles.
Whenever I book a flight (Europe mostly) I am looking at ba air miles before anything else.
There is never any availability, even 2-3 months in advance for the dates I want to fly.
This makes the scheme pointless in my eyes, with the only time I have managed to redeem any recently being for an internal Iberia flight!
I'm currently out in Dubai, and again the ba miles options totally failed me here on options - even given a large amount of flexibility.
G
Whenever I book a flight (Europe mostly) I am looking at ba air miles before anything else.
There is never any availability, even 2-3 months in advance for the dates I want to fly.
This makes the scheme pointless in my eyes, with the only time I have managed to redeem any recently being for an internal Iberia flight!
I'm currently out in Dubai, and again the ba miles options totally failed me here on options - even given a large amount of flexibility.
G
Jun 6, 2012, 3:20 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: coastal Croatia
Programs: BAEC Gold, M&M Senator
Posts: 2,181
LH is very good for intra-European flights (and, contrary to all the US programs, if you book close in and stay over a Saturday night, you get the award at 40% off). Less so for transatlantic.
AA & BA were pretty good for transatlantic. When I was looking in January for this summer (not for the Olympics but for mid June and mid-August), there was a lot of availability, especially on JFK-LHR. Some days had multiple flights with 5-7 award seats in biz! Now I know they have amazing capacity on that route (like 10+ flights a day), but I still think that is pretty darn good.
AA & BA were pretty good for transatlantic. When I was looking in January for this summer (not for the Olympics but for mid June and mid-August), there was a lot of availability, especially on JFK-LHR. Some days had multiple flights with 5-7 award seats in biz! Now I know they have amazing capacity on that route (like 10+ flights a day), but I still think that is pretty darn good.