any nes (changements) in ff-programs in 2000?
 

last year, long before december, we knew a lot, and discussed even more, upcoming changes in Frequent Flyer programs.

Any BIG news for next year (2000)?
- qualification levels for elite categories 2001?
- new/cancelled awards?
- major changement of award-levels (LH and SK did so per nov-1-99: mileage-decrease for free tickets, but LH also increase for upgrades)
- introduction of new perks, cancellation of old ones?

Already well documented on FT in the NWA threads, the inability to upgrade on "el cheapo" transatlantic fares and particularly the effect "instant" (within days) application of the new rule is the biggest change and a huge negative for me personally.

American AAdvantage is adding another option to achieving elite status - points, very similar to what British Airways Executive Club offers. To qualify for Platinum status a member can earn 50,000 miles, 50,000 points or 60 qualifying segments. Members earn 1.5 points flying first, 1.25 for flying business, 1 for flying full-fare economy and .5 for discount economy. If you met the 1999 calendar year point-level criteria for Gold or Platinum you will qualify Jan. 1. I wonder if other American programs will insitute something similar?

American AAdvantage is adding another option to achieving elite status - points, very similar to what British Airways Executive Club offers. To qualify for Platinum status a member can earn 50,000 miles, 50,000 points or 60 qualifying segments. Members earn 1.5 points flying first, 1.25 for flying business, 1 for flying full-fare economy and .5 for discount economy. If you met the 1999 calendar year point-level criteria for Gold or Platinum you will qualify Jan. 1. I wonder if other American programs will insitute something similar?

that's interesting. most ff programs are wanting to reduce top level elites, but this should bump up a bunch of people that might have just been gold. but obviously, they are alot more valuable than average cheapo platinums (like me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif). all i know is that they better be expanding their admirals clubs EVERYWHERE!!!

Midwest Express has a few changes in the works as well. As of Jan. 1, elite members will earn a 50 percent bonus on all Midwest Express, Skyway and codeshare flights. This is up from 25 percent. Frequent Flyer is also making a few changes to its award chart... the 10,000-mile award for a ticket on Skyway Airlines is going away, as are the Midwest Express Vacations awards.

Since they are changing the way you can achieve Platinum, we can only hope that AA will allow us to achieve Exec Plat for miles (100,000) or segments (120). I doubt it --but add it to my wish list.

I guess that means it may also be a bit harder to get upgrades.

Anne -- any word if they are going to change award milage levels -- esp. for upgrades?

--Jim

Jim, members will also be able to qualify for Executive Platinum membership by earning 100,000 points or traveling 100,000 miles. Likewise if you met the 100,000-mileage level in 1999, you will qualify for 2000 Executive Platinum status. No word on increasing mileage requirements for upgrades but did AA not raise at least first and business award levels this time last year?
P.S. I won't post this twice

Thank you Anne for the information! That's actually very good news. I was under the (now wrong) impression that you could only qualify for Executive Platinum using the points system. This means that it is easier for high-paying travellers to qualify than others. As a frequent flyer who mainly travels for pleasure, this is great news. Thanks!

Leo.

Easier to prevent mileage expiration at AA, UA and DL.

I'll be able to qualify for Exec Platinum with 100,000 miles? Hurray! In that case, I might actually be able to qualify next year! It looks as though I'll be flying very close to 100,000 miles next year on business, but my company insists on discount fairs whenever available. But with a miles qualification, I should have no problem making Exec Platinum with some leisure excursions -- and maybe a couple of out-and-out mileage runs -- thrown in.

if this is true, i neeed to find the post for the benfits of exec plat vs. plain old plat.

I just checked www.aa.com this evening, and the newsletter section contains an official announcement of the new qualification methods discussed above. (See the article "Qualify for Elite Status With Points or Miles".)

Yay! Time to start planning my travel for next year!