Does anyone want to share their experience with me?
 

Hello, I am a student in the UK. Right now I am doing a thesis which concerns about airline frequent flyer programme.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif
I wonder if anyone can share their experiences and opinion with me (by answering the following questions). I am very grateful if anyone can help.

Q) Does everyone have more than one frequent flyer memberships?
Q) Does frequent flyer membership inflence your purchase decision making process? i.e. when you're going to buy a flight ticket, will you only choose the one you have membership with OR you will consider other elements first (services, flight schedule, etc...)?

I am looking forward to hear from somebody!!
Thanks very much!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
p.s. If you saw this message already, don't leave please, there are a little bit more questions (at the end of this topic) need your paticipation!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Thank you!!!

[This message has been edited by ds_snoopy (edited 09-16-2000).]

I am a memeber of 5 different FF programs, 2 different Hotel programs and 2 different car rental programs.

I try to fly only my preferred airline and stay at my preferred hotel chain. I maintain membership in the others as backup.

I'm a member of literally nearly all the FF programs and the FS hotel programs! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Does it influence me? Nah! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif Are you kiddin'! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Of course it does! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Hi Baze,

ummmm...so what is your preferred airline? I means how did you choose your preferred Airlines? Could you explain to me a little bit more? Thanks!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Hello Doc,

So it does influence you, right? Can I ask further? When you have several frequent flyer memberships, which airline will be chosen when your next air travel occured? What are your criteria? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Thanks both of you again!!

I figure I have 12-15 FF memberships.

It MOST CERTAINLY has a huge impact on who I fly with as I have attained status on some. For example with AC I can most always fly J class for a discounted Y fare (at time of booking).

Dorian

------------------
Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html

My preferred airline is United. I use them because of their routes. They go everywhere I need to go. I also like the fact that they are a member of the Star Alliance, so that gives me even more options. Even with all the problems this summer they are still the best choice for me based on where I live and where I go.

By sticking to one airline I am also able to have a higher status level on that airline so I can enjoy the perks associated with that status. I am a mid-level elite (Premier Executive) on United. If I spread my flights out over a couple or several airlines I would not have any status.

[This message has been edited by Baze (edited 09-15-2000).]

Dorian,
So...Do you mind if I ask you more? How would you choose from these airline (you have membership with) to fly with then?
Thanks for reply!!!
Snoopy

Many things such as elite status, route, time of arrivals/departures, stops (or not), hubs involved, cost and the most important- quality of service! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

ds_snoopy,

Almost everyone on this board has more than one FF program membership and several elite memberships http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I personally try to get a critical mass of elite programs that gives sufficient flexibility for last minute business travel to multiple destinations but avoid having too many where your privacy gets completely compromised and you reach a point of diminishing returns.

Loyalty rewards programs obviously go beyond dollars and sense and pull on emotional and psychological strings. I cannot rationally explain the addiction in changing a travel plan to achieve a FF goal that sometimes may cost direct revenue. Many of us here struggle to be savvy about balancing our normal travel with FF constraints!

I would choose the one I have the highest status on to where I was going....providing the fare wasn't insane compared to others on the same route.

Dorian



------------------
Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html

For me the level of service is what drives me towards a FFP. I do not use an airline because of Elite status, but if I have Elite status it is normally because I am happy with the airline (comps excluded).

This applies to Business Travel, where Elite status makes little difference to service received. For leisure, I try to use carriers I am Elite with in order that I get some benefits.

As for the number of programs I am enrolled in (or rather actively use) - this is reducing every year as a result of alliances.

Nick

Back in 1989, I enrolled in AA, UA, & Delta's FF programs. Since then, I have never flown Delta and only flown UA a handful of times, the most recent when I was scheduled from SNA-ORD on AA and the flight cancelled.

From 1995-1997, I had occasion to fly Southwest and enrolled in their program. I do not like anything about the airline and the program worked as a disincentive; I would earn the right to earn more torture for free. No thanks. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I am Platinum with AA. They go everywhere I need to go. Obviously, I do not travel to Asia much (actually, I do, but that is for military travel; I am an Air Force Reservist) and if I did AA would limit me.

I believe in putting all (or most) of one's FF eggs in one basket.

Also am enrolled in Marriott, Hilton, and Radisson hotel programs. Marriott gets the lion's share of my business.

On the airline side, my decision does not revolve around price or schedule. The question is, "can I get where I am going and earn miles on American?" If I can, off I go.

The oneworld alliance fills in most of the gaps for me.

Welcome to the boards. I hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by FlyAAway (edited 09-15-2000).]

Yes
Yes, for pleasure travel, if an airline other than my primary airline is substanially cheaper, I'll use it. Then I'll tranfser extraneous miles into a hotel program, if I can.

Quote:

---

Q) Does everyone have more than one frequent flyer memberships?
Q) Does frequent flyer membership inflence your purchase decision making process? i.e. when you're going to buy a flight ticket, will you only choose the one you have membership with OR you will consider other elements first (services, flight schedule, etc...)?

---

I have more than one FF memberships.
FF memberships have a great influence in my travel plans. First I will choose an airline with whom I can earn the most miles as well as the schedule, fare, upgrade availability, service, etc.

[This message has been edited by jazzhou (edited 09-15-2000).]

Thanks the kindness reply from everyone! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

However, my curiosity was increased which derived from the information of some responses. Hope someone can clear that for me..... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif

1. since most of people have more than one memberships, so... Does that mean the core services provided by airlines are less important that the membership status?
(i.e. core service and incentive benefit, which one is more important when choosing the airline?)

2. Is it true that different travel purpose would have different attitude toward the choice of airlines(FF programme)?

3. Do you think the INTERNET do any good for the FF membership development?

I knew that I've asked too many questions. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif
Maybe you are fed up with answering these questions. Anyway, I will cross my fingures, wish someone can help me out!
Thanks again for reading this and participation. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by ds_snoopy (edited 09-18-2000).]

[This message has been edited by ds_snoopy (edited 09-20-2000).]

Hi

Just to set another point: I usually only collect miles on my home airline SR (Qualiflyer) but then I found that you start paying ridiculus prices just to "fly" them. So I got LH's Miles&More as well and now the whole Star Alliance is good for me to collect.

As a student price is more important to me than routes, but equal to quality of service.

I only fly 2 airlines and am natuarally a FF member, with both airlines I have gold status (for what it's worth...). I will ALWAYS try to fly with one of these 2 airlines before trying anything else, in the "worst" case I'll fly an affiliate for the miles... I have one hotel card (platinum) and wherever I am I will always try to find a hotel belonging to there chain, so do the cards influence my buying? You bet.... I gues it's the "feeling" you mean something to them that keeps you loyal (that and lounge access of course). Free flights are not that important to me, when I need to fly I usually can't get an award ticket so I just save them up for a year and spend (spent http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif ) them on taking someone on a concorde return for a day's shopping in new york....

[This message has been edited by ScottC (edited 09-17-2000).]

Yes, ScottC,

That's right. I want to know what keep customers loyal to the airline, and how the FF relationship really works.

Thanks for your reply! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

hi ds and welcome to FT. Which university are you studying at?

In answer to your questions, I am actively a member of 3 airline and 2 hotel programs. I shape my travel around them so I virtually never take a flight I don't get points for. I will always look for a flight that is compatible with my ff plans and will only go else where if the price is significantly better, or the flight is much more direct (bear in mind that I will fly 1500 miles out of my way quite cheerfully). I think my initial choices of who to fly with were based on routes, but now I have miles in the bank and status to maintain so it is geared much more to airline.

Can I suggest that in addition to this thread you spend a day or two (seriously) reading the threads in the airline forums like Delta, Continental and especially United. You should really get a feel for peoples attitudes and motivations with regard to frequent flyer programs and airlines. The recent strikes at United and the changes to Delta's program have been big tests of peoples loyalty.


[This message has been edited by james (edited 09-17-2000).]

Hello Snoopy.

1. I am a US resident and am a member of seven different frequent-flyer programs but currently actively gathering miles in only five. I am always Elite with at least one program; that's the program I steer all my business-flight activity toward, both because of the likelihood of upgrades to first class and the mileage bonuses.

My Elite-membership airline changes as my travel patterns change. For example, right now I have little business in the New York area, hence less opportunity to fly Continental's nonstops from Seattle to New York, so my Platinum status will expire after 2000. For the record, I like C0 and BA best.

2. When flying on business, the airline's schedule and route map is the most important factor; then comes the quality of airline service and performance; then frequent-flyer mileage; then ticket price. FF miles are important, but people who endure horrible service to earn them are teaching the airline the wrong lesson. There ARE airlines I avoid, especially in the US, especially after this summer.

3. When flying on tickets I pay for, ticket price is the most important factor; then frequent-flyer mileage; then schedules and routes, and lastly airline service and performance.

4. If you are writing a thesis, I wouldn't take the people you'll meet on Flyertalk as "average flyers"... not daring to include myself, these are some of the best-informed, highest-mileage travelers in the world.


[This message has been edited by BearX220 (edited 09-17-2000).]

Hi Snoopy,

I belong to multiple programs as well. With the alliances I only actively use three of them: UA (Star Alliance), BA (OneWorld), DL (Skyteam). However, I will fly other airlines that below to those alliances and accrue miles in one of the above. Before, I would have had to had 10 different FF programs because of the different airlines I fly, but today 3 will be able to serve what I need.

As to which one I choose, it depends on whether it is domestic or international? What class I am purchasing? Do I want to upgrade? (Typically, easier with UA than BA)...

If you have more questions, please let me know. I think it is fun to do a thesis on this! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Hi James,

I study Marketing in DMU.

Thanks for your advice. Since I am not very familiar with airline's forums which you mentioned, I wonder that if you have those website addresses can offer me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

May I ask one more question? Do you think if the Internet has any influence on the relation which you maintain with airlines?

==========================================
Hi Bearx220,

Yep, I see. They are far more "active" than any other type of air traveller. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

==========================================
Hello Bagold,

I admit that it is interesting topic of thesis. However, I also found the more I learn the more I don't really know. So... I need to learn more... ^___^

Re: the Internet. No airline's website has influenced me to buy more or fewer tickets from that airline.

But Internet travel services, and communities such as FlyerTalk, give me a level of information and options that five or ten years ago were simply unattainable. Back then I had to trust a travel agent to tell me what flights were available on what airlines and how much they cost. I was probably being lied to half the time -- either because the agent was lazy, or the agency was pushing certain airlines -- but there wasn't anything I could do about it.

The Internet transfers the power to me.

ds - I am talking about the airline forums here on flyertalk - linked from the main menu page of the bulletin board (scroll down the screen).

I don't think the internet encourages me to favour one airline over another - however, I can use it to keep track of frequent flyer programs more quickly, and to learn about mileage bonuses and special deals.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by james:
James,

Thanks! I got it, I will check it out.