The programs are about loyalty. And loyalty equals $$$ over the long haul. I learned to look at my customers in terms of how much they will spend with me over a 10 year period of time. It might not seem like much on an annual basis, but it adds up over 10 years.

Randy is absolutely right on re: the Amex Black card. I'm glad UA did not sell out for this deal.

DG1: with very minor exceptions I agree with your boarding process. My call order:
First class (including upgrades)
Top level elite
All other elites
Coach from back to front.

Shadow, my posting was meant to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but I can't figure out how to put those **** little smiley faces in my posts.

Anyway, it's true that I certainly have no reason to complain, and I wasn't. I'm comfortable and I'm always assured of my seat whereas alot of folk go through gymnastics to get their upgrade. Honestly, I don't begrudge anybody anything, but in a few months now of viewing these boards I notice there is a tendency to stratify flyers into their appropriate elite level. There are the upturned noses at sharing first class with the employees and non-revs, and indignation at not getting an upgrade because of those people.

And to say that I'm being selfish???!!! You've got to be kidding!! I'd say look in the mirror. People who didn't even pay the fare for first-class are talking about "deserving" this or that, or having "earned" this or that. Geez.

I do get my hackles up at the elites who want to get their status and then close the door behind them. My post was merely meant to remind everyone that there is still a minority out there who pay to sit in first class and for everyone else it's still a great reward, not right.

[This message has been edited by tfjim (edited 12-05-1999).]

tfjim:

To put the little smiley faces (or the sad frown http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif ), you use the colon (or semi-colon if you are winking) and the open or close parenthases ")" or "(" depending on your mood.

Now you can join in on the fun http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by onedog (edited 12-05-1999).]

I'm with Vulcan - I'll earn 1K status on United next week, having spent about $5,700 on leisure fares. In fact, I could have cut it below $5,000 if I had gotten rid of some of the "expensive" (per mile) domestic trips and added another Hong Kong (at under $500 for an e-fare).

So I would definitely lose if United went to taking $$ revenue into account, but I would certainly understand if they did so. Then again, somebody referred to an AA thread where AA was loosening up their Exec Plat qualifications, so maybe the trend is away from counting revenue.

tfjim said:
Which pretty well makes my point. Thanks to a generous company policy (good for you!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif...although I suspect I am paying for that perk every time I pick up a six pack of bud http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif), you have no need to be loyal to TWA, or UA, or anybody else for that matter. Therefore, over the long haul, because you will take whichever carrier is most convenient, you cannot be counted on for recurring revenue to any particular airline.

Which is fine, since they can simply gouge you when you DO fly with them. But as JeffS poiunts out, to the enlightened CEO who is concerned with long term profits, I am a more important customer both in terms of loyalty and money since I will make a double connection twice a week to keep the revenue flowing to UA.

Think of it this way: would you rather sell five bottles of bud at a profit of $2 per bottle or sell 100 bottles of Busch at a profit of 25 cents per bottle http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif??? Before you answer, assume that you are pouring the exact same beverage into either bottle (just as the airplane seat will be there whether someone who paid full fare for it or not sits there).
Which is your better customer deserving more attention and perks????

OK, it's a strained analogy, but I thought you might appreciate the free advertisement...based on my assumptions reading your profile http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif...

Everyone is assuming the extremes. Someone who flies only leisure fares and becomes the highest level elite is a small minority, and someone who only flies full fare first class/coach but will choose whatever airline is most convenient at the time.

In reality most people are a mix. For example, I act like the former when I fly out of Cleveland and take USAirways connection rather than the Continental nonstop. I act like the latter when I pay full fare on USAirways to get their non-stop.

Am I more important to the airline than the person who ONLY flies on the cheapest fares (but is always loyal?) Probably ... I exhibit the same loyalty as this person but I generate more revenue.

Am I more important to the airline than the person who pays more but shows no loyalty? Maybe, maybe not. I'm sure the airline does profiling to figure this out.

I think the reality, despite whatever people might think is that airlines do view us as revenue streams. Whether we are gushing periodically or a steady trickle distinguishes us and computers at each airline probably spend some time figuring out our value to the airline. And in the end it's up to them.

I agree... I spend about $14,000 - 15,000 a year on mixed flights...

They have varied from a $1600 cross country flight vs a $168 Shuttle flight from LAX-PDX. What can I say.... It is all part of the game. Sometimes you buck up at the last minute, and when you do.. your loyalty will make you give the $1200-2000 to the airline who is repaying your loyalty.... makes sense to me.. as in all relationshps, give and take http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif