Is top-tier status overrated?
 

I am wondering what other FlyerTalkers feel about this...is top-tier status overrated?

I have no elite status, but my father is a Gold Preferred with US Airways. As such, he has upgraded 100% on non-MetroJet or Express flights. While transcons are upgraded with "Us20" domestic awards and some flights are Y-Fares (and upgraded at time of booking), the majority is on discount fares.

Using antecdotal advice from FlyerTalk:

US: I expressed my father's experiences. From what the US board says, Golds are very near if not at 100%, CPs are almost always 100%, and Silvers have an incredibly good percentage (75%?)

DL: Talking only about upgradeable fares, Platinums seem to be easily 100% or close to it, and Golds are in the mid 90s. Silver is in the 60%s (?)

CO: Lots of variation on this which is surprising for what is considered the best upgrade program: Platinums and Golds range from 75-100%, but most Plats are very near 100%. Some silvers, like Mr. toner, are near 75%+, while others are down in the 20%s.

TW: I don't know much about the airline, but from what I hear, all levels have a very high percentage.

AA: Golds average maybe 50. Explats seem to have 100% or so, and Plts around 75%.

UA: WOW!! 1Ks I would say only an average of 80% or so. PremEx maybe 50% and Premier much lower.

So that's what I pick up from this place. Do you agree with the percentages? They are no where near exact, but you get the idea. 100% is always except maybe just one or two flights. 75% is more often than not, 50% is so-so, and less than 50 is occasionally.

From this, I think UA is the only airline where domestic upgrades make a huge difference. Everything else is pretty close.

As for the other benefits, general treatment seems to make a big difference. But does it?

I'd like to open it to you, who really experience what I'm talking about, rather than just read about it. In your frequented airline, how do the published and unpublished benefits (upgrade percentage, general treatment from staff) compare between the various levels?

-BizJet

I often wondered why the UA people seem to have a much lower chance of an upgrade until I read PremEx's site and learned they receive 2(??) upgrades per quarter if they fly a set number of miles. AA does not offer this benefit and therefore the competition for those certificate/sticker upgraded seats is much less.

As Exec Plat I have only failed 1 time to get an upgrade (a flight to Vegas that showed zero in F almost 3 months prior to flight day). All the other times my upgrade had cleared prior to me getting to the airport.

As a platinum my average was near 80 percent, however, I would have to standby at the airport many times.

What I miss are the days of being ExecPlatinum before they allowed 100K miles to qualify. Ticket agents would jump through hoops to assist me. I have noticed a slow decline in the last year as Exec Plat as become more common.

The question being is top tier worth it? I would say YES. Assuming i continue to fly 120K miles per year, I would much rather have 1 ExecPlat card then a Plat and a PremEx/GoldPreffered/Mid-TierAnyAirline card anyday.

rich

Thanks for the insight, RichLond. I agree that top-tier status is always better than mid-tier. There's little question about that. But what I am getting at is how much more is it worth? Is two mid-tiers better than one top-tier, or the other way around?

I also agree about how when floodgates open, benefits decline. And/or treatment from staff. US Airways Chairmans Pref (top-tier) had to give up some benefits when they started allowing segment qualification (of which US has a lot of, as you can imagine). Loss of US Airways Club access is one off the top of my head.

More comments, please.

BJ

I can only comment on UA, but they're treating me much better as a 1K than they did when I was Premier Executive. It's not just the upgrades - they watch out for me better in other ways, too (got me on an oversold flight, protected me on a misconnect, etc.).

As for the upgrades, just try upgrading out of SFO (or any other UA hub) as a Premier Executive. But I'd say your percentages are too low - the only time I don't get the upgrade is when I have to change planes at the last minute (that is, at the airport); otherwise I'm closer to 100%. I'm also at 100% for the seven times I've stood by waiting for international upgrades with systemwide upgrades.

RichLond, your upgrade information is slightly off. All elites (any level) get a booklet with four 500-mile upgrades for every 10,000 miles they fly. In addition, 1K's get four North American upgrades, confirmable in advance, for January-March, plus two more each remaining quarter they fly at least 10,000 miles. That's 10 North American upgrades plus 6 systemwides, per year, but for 1K's only. Granted that 50-60% of my flight miles are international, but that's so many domestic upgrades I have a surplus, without buying more booklets or cashing in miles.

Bottom line: on United, 1K is far superior to Premier Executive.

Hey Biz,

I did say in my last post that 1 top tier is DEFINITELY better 2 mid tiers. However, I think individuals have different reasons for their preffered carriers and why they want to reach top tier.

I have 2 priorities: 1) cheap fares 2) miles miles miles all over the world. Low on my list: domestic upgrades.

With American I get the 100 percent bonus on all 1-world carriers. I can convert electronic upgrades to miles (triple miles world wide for the last 3 years since i discovered this benefit). What exec platinum gives me on AA is the ability to fly in comfort cheaply. The 4 VIP2s that offer no capacity control upgrades are in my opinion the best benefit of any program. I also have a 7 out of 12 hit on operational upgrades internationally this year. No way that would have happened if i was just platinum.


johna: thanks for the clarification. UA policies are not my strongpoint. I refuse to set foot in a UA plane ever since they expired 13,000 of my miles even after filling out the web form to extend those miles!! I even faxed the confirmation to them and after many many conversations just gave up.

rich



[This message has been edited by RichLond (edited 10-20-2000).]

I don't blame you. The main reason I avoid AA at all costs is that they expired my 26,000 miles without even sending me a letter warning me that they were going to. Had I known...... Oh, I did get some miles out of the "settlement", but not enough to do anything with.

The airlines should realize that some people don't forget.

I can say I see a large difference between UA mid and upper level.

1Ks get free Upgrades on Shuttle flights, wavier of alot of fees.... calls on delays, protection of seats, "operational" and "complimentary" upgrades during certain situations, etc.

I really do like UA's network.. ifyou fly to many locations, there are extensive non-stops. Non-stops are wonderful... as much as we like segments.. I sometimes need to get someone early.. and United works wonders for me from southern california...

I think the highest tier status on UA matters a lot at IAD. I just became a 1K but as a Premier Exec I had to really work hard to make sure I flew in front, and often even then I didn't. IAD-SFO and IAD-SEA are two very competitive markets and there are lots of 1Ks so as a PE you don't stand a chance on the most popular flights.

But I think if I was at a non-hub city I wouldn't have as much trouble.

On US, I don't think there are as many elite members as a percentage of fliers. I am gold preferred (although I'll only be Silver next year) and I have practically always gotten upgrades (100% except for those Friday-before-a-long-weekend-sold-out-flights-at-the-last-minute).

So I would say in some markets (non hubs) you could probably have lower status and get status on several airlines, so as to upgrade discounted flights, get the FF bonuses, etc. But if you are in a hub town, you probably need top status if you travel a lot and want to be upgraded consistently and get the best treatment.

In terms of upgrade %, as a PE out of PDX I suspect I do a helluva lot better than PE's out of SFO and LAX. I'm about 80% for the year. Not bad for a mid-level elite on UA.

"I can convert electronic upgrades to miles (triple miles world wide for the last 3 years since i discovered this benefit)."

RichLond,

Could you explain this benefit for us braindead. Thanks.

For me, a top priority are the unpublished benefits of being elite any any level. For example, will they waive the $75 fee, will they waive other fare rules, will they sometimes upgrade me in advance, will they put me up in a hotel due to weather, will they be more responsive to complaints, will they rebook me on other flights even if it was "my fault" I missed the original flight with no add fare collection/service charge, etc. Besides upgrades, this is what really matters to me, and I'd really be appreciative if others could post experiences re such unpublished benefits.

Last year I was CO Gold, this year Plat. On the telephone about 98% of the time, they will not make any special exceptions. Miss your flight? Ok, buy the Y fare you really owe us. Miss your morning flight? Ok, go to the airport and go standby. At the airport I have better luck. I would say about 50% of the time they will waive change fees and fare rules...though it heavily depends on who you get as opposed to any policy. Some agents do whatever you want, and others stick to the rule book as if there life or job depends on it. I have not noticed a difference, from Gold to Platinum, in terms of being more regularly accommodated in these situations. I've also been surprised that the airline clubs (with my Plat and lifetime card) are not less strict. Better luck right at the gate, or sometimes the tkt counter. You must try to scope out the agents, get a feel for the person, watch people......its a bit like gambling. Yes there is some science you can apply, but it all comes down to luck. Another tip: If you need to change a ticket, buy an airline lounge membership, and ask the agent who sells you the mem in person to change your ticket. I had a really cheap ticket on CO, bought a club mem, and asked the agent to change it. I was rebooked in Y on the flights I wanted, regardless of what cheap booking code I was originally in, and no charge or add collect. Years before I also joined the club, and saw the agent the next day at gates. She said my upgrade was not really valid on my cheap ticket, but "as a courtesy" they would honor it and "didn't you join the club yesterday?"

I'm also Gold on DL, but I mainly fly the DL Shuttle. They have weekend tickets for $100 which have very restricted times. I must have bought about 9 of these tickets in the last three months, and on at least 8 of them I have been able to fly at times which the ticket says you cannot fly. These have been same-day changes, but at earlier/later times not meant for discounted travel. E.g. take the 6PM instead of the 8PM (plus get better snack on earlier flight). Only once, in these trips, did they make a comment like "I'm going to waive this for you, but the ticket says we're not supposed too, and I just want you to know that all the agents might not do this." Another time one agent was saying something about the times being wrong and a colleague just told her to book me on whatever flight I want to take. A friend of mine, with no elite status, tried to do the same thing. They told him he must fly the tkt times, they got a supervisor, and the supervisor agreed and they made him wait in the airport for like 4 hours.

Years ago I was Gold on US, again flying the shuttle. A flight attendant told me that if you fly a lot, they really don't care what time you fly regardless of the fare rules.

Again to me this is the interesting part (the fun stuff) of being elite. It's like a game...you have strategy and luck all together with your status, who you are, and the agent you get. Do you see it as a game? Are you a good player? Do you usually win or lose?

fetchem,

I'm not Richlond, but can hopefully explain what this is about:

If your AA/OW travel patterns don't allow you to use domestic upgrade credits - that is, if you fly all or predominantly international, and I believe also OW partner, commuter and other flights where you can't use them - AA will redeem credits for 2500 miles each. Since you get 4 credits per 10000 miles flown that's a 100% bonus, giving you triple miles if you already get double miles as PLT or EXP.

Reportedly, if you reach a nice agent in a good mood they'll convert even if your usual travel pattern would allow you to use them.

Hi Jetsetter!

I really like your examples and stories. It is interesting to compare notes about exceptions made, accommodations that were made despite being against the rules, etc.

I was Prem Ex on UA with 98,400 miles so I decided to go over the top to become 1K.

Recently on my mileage run from BWI to the west coast back to BWI, I was travelling on a fare that is Tuesday/Wednesday, one day minimum stay, 7 day advance purchase, BWI-LAS via BWI-LAX-LAS-ORD-BWI. I upgraded by telling them I have two North American confirmed upgrades (which I do.)

I made the reservation to go to LAS Tuesday and come back Wednesday. Then I called back in 10 minutes and changed the return to Tuesday, LAS-ORD-BWI. I didn't want to go to ORD but I got an upgrade LAS-ORD-BWI. The phone person changed the ticket with no problem, informing me that there might be a $75 charge.

Travelling on the ticket I got what I consider royal treatment even though it was a $198 fare ($220 with taxes.) They never mentioned the $75, for instance.

When I got out of the plane at LA I got onto an earlier flight to LAS. In LAS, I called and got an upgraded itinerary LAS-DEN-BWI. They offered to fly me to IAD even though this is a much more expensive fare, but my car was at BWI so I needed to get to BWI.

I had the clear impression that I could have gotten off of the connection in LA, called and booked LAX-IAD direct if I had wanted to. I didn't try that but I was tempted. I had time and was enjoying my flights and getting a lot of work and thinking done, or I would have.

I'm sure others have similar experiences. Last July I travelled with my wife BWI-PHL-ROM-PHL using 2 systemwides on US instead of 4, because they had mistakenly informed me on the phone that I could upgrade a companion as well (and if you look at the wording on those certs you can see why there is the ambiguity.) I had to chat on the phone while at the ticket counter with US but they graciously gave in so I didn't have to use miles. I knew they would, too. I wasn't playing a game, I had confirmed this with them on the phone (obviously the person I had spoken to was mistaken) but they honored their word as I would expect. I am a US Gold Preferred as I mentioned, so only middle tier.

The times I don't get accommodated on UA is when they insist on collecting certs. I don't know if they've ever failed to collect them.

BTW, on the flight BWI-LAS routing, I gave them 500 mile certs in the club and they happily accepted them, so I still have my North American confirmed certs.

As top tier in both US and DL programs, and an AA platinum the last three years, my experience has been that I get upgraded over 95% of the time with US and DL. With AA, due to the limited upgrades offered, I was usually upgrading about 25% of the time. I am one of those nonrefundable 100 segmenters that I guess ruin it for those who can pay for Y or A at the last minute but end up in coach.

Walk into the terminal at SJC on a Sunday evening around 5:15. Stand on your tiptoes and locate the AA ticket counter. View the sea of humanity that are not top-tier flyers. Just not having to get in that line makes being Platinum, or Gold for that matter, very worthwhile.

I would say that I am at close to 80% for flying in the front cabin.