Different types of airline FF programs
 

There seem to be several different philosophies among the airlines’ frequent flyer programs (some combine a couple of these).

The programs base their benefits ( better seats, upgrades, chance at award travel, bonus miles) on:

Merit/Money – Based more on how much you spend than how much you fly. Money beats status.

Merit/Miles – The higher the status, the more the perks. Miles beat money.

And the programs are structured in one of the following ways:

Rules are Rules – The rules cannot be waived or overridden except in extraordinary circumstances. Benefits are allocated on a strict, known basis. Often, a computer decides who gets what.

Survival of the fittest – There are rules, but those who are in the know and can play the system benefit. (For example, having to call at midnight to get an upgrade). Uninformed flyers, no matter the status or money spent, lose out.

Schmooze is schmooze – Great discretion is given to airline employees to bend or break rules, change priorities, etc. Benefits come easier to those customers who foster relationships, show cat pictures, and give gifts of chocolate. Flyers who do not play these games may lose benefits to those who do.

Which one is your airline program? Which type of program do you prefer?

In my experience all major programs are a combination of the above factors. For example, most program's elite status are based on base miles or segments but then you get adjusted on base miles based on class of travel (F being 1.5). NW gives credit directly for $$ spent. So if I buy 2 F tickets over $20K I get top tier without the miles or segments. AA generally gives status based on miles or segments but then uses points for top tier that allows you to buy your way through (not as much as NW).

On the flexibility and rules end, again, I find most programs bend the rules if you spend a lot with them or have status. They are usually firm about some rule but have another rule to work-around. For example, based on the usual rule you may miss elite status, but based on a comp or challenge they give you status, etc. Some rule are tight (cut-off dates, etc.) but others are flexible (pre-enrolment for certain bonuses, comps, etc.)

I would like to see what others have to comment specifically on the factors that opus17 has outlined.