Who here is happy?
 

It seems that there are some many changes and newfound gripes here on FlyerTalk that I wonder if anyone here is happy? There are actually two similar threads in Delta and United discussing this, but this is more central and general.

In the past it seems that things would flare up (complains about an airline) and eventually die down. Just a simple issue. But now there are many issues wish are greatly affecting people's opinions on an airline.

Take Continental. With just a few minor gripes such as their international upgrade policy, CO'ers loved their airline. Now with the new upgrade system, there are MANY upset people (though not all CO'ers).

Take Delta. Sure, they had there gripes. No upgrading on lowest fare domestically and internationally. But now with the loss of int'l upgrades for all but Platinums, who suffer a cut of such upgrades, people are upset. Again, not all.

Take United. Generally a happy camp, with complains all their own. For example, employee class. Etc. But now many complaints. Changes in systemwides? Who wil get them this year? What will the differences between "real" and "reduced" elites be? Loss of towels and clothes in dom first Class.

I don't venture into Northwest, so don't know if they are happy or not?? I'd think that flying Northwest alone would make them unhappy. But maybe that's what I'd been conditioned to think by reading over 10,000 posts here on FlyerTalk. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

US Airways is generally very happy. But now the unsettling thing is what will happen when or if they get merged into United. Other than that, this airline seems always happy.

American is another airline that seems generally happy. With the exception of certain issues (can VIP2s be used on lowest fares, "first" class to Hawaii, MD80s, etc.), a very happy group.

What do you think?

good points, good perceptions, excellent summation!

I think people are spending way too mcuh time .....ing about things that don't matter. I am more then willing ot give up a hot towel and bring an eighty nine cents box of individually wrapped wet ones with me if the airfare to Europe stays below $300.

I'm flying to get from point a to point b and to earn miles to go lots further down the road. I don't care about most of the things people complain here about, I care about price, and getting a comfortable seat. At least I still have price.

Take Airtran, please..... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Biz,

In general, I'm happy that you're happy. It looks as if you're spending a little too much time reading the posts here. Alas, you have some company. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I'm unhappy that trading certs at United will soon be a thing of the past. Too bad I got here in September. My trading days are just about over before they ever really began. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif

Dan

I'm happy as a pig in sh*t. But that's mostly because AA's been treating me so incredibly well that I feel comfortable leaving DL after having earned PM status.

I am very happy with Northwest. They have treated me very, very well! Believe it or not - some of us are actually happy flying Northwest.

I am a Continental Platinum and not especially happy with Continental. From a domestic upgrade perspective, even with EUA, I have no complaints. My upgrade still is 100% on CO/NW, with only a couple HP PHX-LAS segments in coach. Of course, I have only flown CO once since EUA started, so I still don't have much experience with the system. For international upgrades, Continental is terrible.

As for inflight service, I think Continental sucks (even in First). I have noticed that Cleveland-based crews seem to be superior to the others. Northwest has been on par with Continental. America West has been the bright spot. I have really had some good HP flights in First.

Am I happy? No. However, I think Continental OnePass is the best program for me. United 1k is tempting, as I would enjoy systemwides. However, based on last year's flying that would require squeezing another 10,000 miles in.

It really amazes me how nonexistant or even bad inflight service can be. In 2000, I flew only two roundtrips on airlines other than OnePass partners CO/NW/HP. The first was a roundtrip on USAirways (PHX-BOS) that was fairly decent in coach. The second was a roundtrip on Delta (PHX-RNO). I was really impressed by my two regional jet flights on Delta Connection/SkyWest. Both flights had really great service. It makes you wonder why the mainline can't match the service provided by its commuter partner...

Happy? United is treating me like Royalty since making 1K. The finest flyer program I've ever been in, by several light years. (Have been top tier with CO and then NW/KLM for quite some time in the past.)

Interesting post by Bizjet, and I do not read some of the other Forums so can't comment but clearly some like DL seem very hard hit and CO other than Platinums.

Being UA specific - of the obscure eligible SWU fare classes removed, none basically had ever been sold before anyway to those on the boards, and we know the number for 2001 distribution is identical to past years, (6 to all) and that Hawaii IS now eligible this year. To ME six SWU are worth $10,000 alone as I always use them tri-continental. ONE per journey usually of 15,000+ miles each way. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

There is no difference whatever between "lite" and "full strength" Elite qualifiers, and the linen in First tablecloths just got re-instated. (After a week or so absence!)

If losing hot towels on flights of under 2.5 hours is the remaining main UA beef, well UA flyers are doing pretty darn well it seems compared to many other airlines. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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~ Glen ~



[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 01-14-2001).]

I am very happy about my two major frequent-flier programs (UA Mileage Plus and LH miles&more), regarding: [*] miles and status-miles earning abilities: the inclusion of the Austrian Airlines Group (for me, swiss, in the first place, plus British Midland and Mexicana) in spring 2000 helps earning those status miles much easier/faster; plus the 25&/50%/75% eco/bus/first status bonus miles for flight with all Star-carriers that LH introduced per sep-2000 help too.[*] upgrades: the introduction of (6) confirmable systemwides for 1K, good on practically all fares internationally (even'D' upgrades to first), was THE major improvement of UA's ff-program I ever experienced since I am a member.[*] lounge-access-offers: so many lounges now accessible for free for european StarGold-members = better than ever.[*] the elimination of 'W' fares not eligible for upgrades and mileage credit was abandoned by LH in late 98 = a major improvement too.

Happy? As long as American keeps flying to Brasil I'm happy. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I am happy being Air Canada Super Elite...as I believe most other AC SE's are. The upgrade situation (time of booking from almost any fare) for SE's is excellent...but will have to see what 2001 brings.

Dorian


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flyers'places - restaurant, bar & hotel recommendations: http://www.flyersplaces.com
Dorian's Star Alliance RTW Price Chart: http://www.informationlab.com/rtw.htm
Blondebomber's Star Alliance Comparison Chart: http://members.home.net/deercroft/starall00.html

Bizjet wrote:
Can you let me know which flights this applies to ... I've missed this completely. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I'm very happy with US - 1k benefits are superb - unlimited upgrades w/ a window that virtually assures 100% - for companions as well, which is terrific when a colleague accompanies me on a biz trip - so much is so good. EXCEPT PRICES OUT OF CLT !!

Like most, I'm holding my breath re the merger - don't see how we won't lose. Yea, we'll get miles in the routes US doesn't serve. But the benefits for those miles will undoubtedly be less than we enjoy now. Since I'm fairly able to work within the available US routes, I'm sticking in till the bitter end.

There is such a difference in US and others that I can't settle on my "second" airline - the trips where I simply cannot take US. All the other FF programs are such a step down, I can't get excited enough about any of them to settle on one. I'll pbly spread enough miles on the non-US carriers to gain at least low level elite if not mid level should I direct those miles to one carrier - but on all other carriers, low or mid level just doesn't mean much. So I'm making those decisions strictly on the basis of fares or schedules.

Enjoying it tremendously while it lasts: US rules!

I just officially joined FlyerTalk, although I have been a regular reader for over a year now. Just thought I'd toss out to the group that overall, I am fairly happy with CO as a Silver and am looking forward to making CO Gold this year. Even with the new auto upgrade policy, I'm batting about .500 getting upgraded. The only real gripe I have about OnePass Elite is that blackout dates are not waived until you are Plat.

I'll argue that most FlyerTalk posts are legitimate technical questions, helpful answers, informed comments and sharing of information. Do I gripe occasionally? Sure. But I'm very happy as one of American Airlines' newest Executive Platinum members.

I was _happy_ as AA Platinum. As Executive Platinum now, I'm ecstatic. (With 10,408 Q-miles so far this year, another 1,000 tomorrow and 5,000 more next weekend, that's a good thing.)

I am not at all happy in the Land of Delta. See the Delta forum if you want to know the copious reasons. Not all DL fliers are upset? Of the non-ignorant, I would say 99% are upset and 1% are happy. See also www.saveskymiles.com

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"Sire, it is not a revolt. It is a Revolution!"

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 01-14-2001).]

Did you have to ask? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
www.denycontinentalthefreddie.com

And besides, if I lost my clothes, wouldn't I at least want a towel? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif


[This message has been edited by LarryU (edited 01-14-2001).]

Letiole: I think I'll leave that typo uncorrected. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

It's also interesting to see how people's happiness effect just changes from what is old, and not necessarily what airlines are doing. This works both ways. Delta FF's are bad that they are losing systemwide upgrades, but, on the other hand, Delta is just being brought into line in this matter with other airlines (I am NOT defending Delta and realize that there are other factors that make Delta a bad program).

I'm happy. Just got my first free ff ticket from AA. Boston to San Francisco. It just feels better knowing its free. I don't care where my seat is. Tomorrow I'll call in a low sodium meal(they always have more fruit than the others)and I'm thrilled its a direct flight,too.

So many seem to assume that those of us who fly Northwest must be "unhappy". We have our moments of frustration, like passengers on any other airline. But I have flown NW all over the world and I am satisfied to be a Northwest Flyer. My experience overall has been good, and many times excellent. I firmly believe Worldperks is the best frequent flyer program in the business. The alliance with KLM and CO have been good for me, and particularly the NW/KLM alliance has delivered what it promised: seamless worldwide travel.

BizJet -- I hate to say that, but DL's changes do not bring it into line with other airlines. Their new SWU policy is well below both AA and UA for three reasons. (1) On DL we get fewer, (2) They're valid from fewer fare basis codes, and (3) they have less upgrade inventory.

DL's changes move it from being marginally better for internatonal travelers than the other programs to be sub-standard accross the board. That's why I'm sticking with AA this year. The VIP2's are better than the DL SWU's in every possible way.

[This message has been edited by 2 Many Miles (edited 01-14-2001).]

I echo Efrem's comments - as an AA Platinum I was very happy. Then thanks to FT I went for Executive Platinum and made it. Even though I only have two segments so far this year, the customer service in the first two weeks has been astoundingly good. And all the systemwide upgrades don't hurt either.

AA's acquisition of anything of value at TWA is just icing on the cake.

Delta is not on par with any of the other programs. There were trade-offs:

Can't upgrade cheapest fares.
Can't upgrade all but the most expensive fares internationally.
Can't upgrade companions without using miles, and then it's only possible on the most expensive fares.
Except for Platinum members, elites cannot upgrade at the time of purchase without using miles or a SWU (see vanishing perqs, below) or a NAMU (see "play perqs", below). If a non-Platinum purchases an upgradable fare, there is no guarantee of an upgrade and the difference between the upgradable fare and a non-upgradable fare (often hundreds of $$$) is not refunded. So, you pay to play the upgrade lottery on Delta.
Extremely stupid and irritating "Simply Good Business" policy - No waivers and no favors for elite members. All Delta employees are required to follow the rules like mindless automatons, no matter how bad the customer has been affected by circumstances beyond his/her control.

These were offset by elites being given System Wide Upgrades (SWUs). Now those are gone - Platinum members get 6 similar upgrades that are transferrable to a traveling companion on the same itinerary (they would have received 10). Gold and Silvers get screwed. They receive upgrade certificates (NAMU) good only in North America (yippee) and receive fewer, if any per year, depending upon how many miles they fly. The only benefit is that if one is so fortunate to obtain such a certificate, they may upgrade one (1) companion who is traveling with them, subject to capacity controls and provided they are flying on an expensive enough ticket (see detriments, above). Additionally the clock for earning both these NAMUs resets each calendar year, as opposed to the mileage for SWU accumulation rolling over every year, guaranteeing that Delta will have to dole out even fewer of these watered-down upgrades. All the other annoyances are still in place, except now there are 2 non-upgradable-under-any-circumstances-it's-simply-good-business-get-to-the-back-scum fares. Wow, thanks Delta.

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"Sire, it is not a revolt. It is a Revolution!"

[This message has been edited by Spiff (edited 01-14-2001).]

A year ago, I was VERY happy with CO. But it seems the last several months, their customer service, and ease of bookings, etc have not been so good. I am wondering if it is just the crush of travelers, or they are going for the maximum in revenue against customer satisfaction, or if they are getting ready to sell?

Anyway, things appear to have changed for the worse. But I won't get so negative as to support NJ. Negativity only breed negativity.

AS YOU CONDEMN, SO YOU BECOME!



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It is never too late to have a HAPPY CHILDHOOD!

BEEP! BEEP!

In the year 2000, I was silver elite NWA. My upgrade success was probably about 80%, and I'm very happy with Northwest. With the bonus mileage opportunities, good customer service, fare sales, and flight routes available, I think NW fills my travel needs. Their partnerships with CO/AS are great.

Late 1999 I could've made UA Premier if I took my last flight booked PDX-MSY, but I decided it wasn't a big deal. Upgrades, buying certificates, terrible on time performance, and ticket prices effected my decision. And I briefly thought about going for status on Delta, but after all the changes this year...forget it.

I hope this year as a Gold Elite will bring even more smiles. I can't wait to upgrade a companion, and the 100% mileage bonus for status will be nice.

Linda

I'm happy, at least 90% of the time http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm happy with the service I receive from my airline of choice (CO), happy with the Elite Benefits, and for the most part happy with FT as a place to exchange ideas and meet folks.

BizJet, another excellent thought-provoking post. A few months ago I would have placed DL and CO fliers on the 'generally happy' list. But it seems recent changes on both airlines have really ticked some people off, leaving US and AA as the 'happy' airlines (in general again).

Of course this is very subjective, but I think most US frequent fliers are very happy, because if they weren't they could easily be flying someone else. Even those of us in captive hubs like PIT and CLT are happy except for the prices.

Way to go USAirways! I'll miss ya when you're gone.

I wonder if a greater awareness and concentration on FF programs and how to "play the game" will eventually lead to devaluations in all programs (a la Delta), changing the rules (Continental) or closing loopholes (United).

In the last 13 months, we have had the Pudding Guy media blitz, the explosive growth of this site, more information on the internet, and Randy being cited or quoted in the majority of flying-related articles in the U.S. press.

As the flying public becomes more educated and concentrates their flying strategically, there will be more and more people chasing a constant amount of rewards. The pressure to protect the upper elites or to devalue mileage or status will increase. And the big mergers and alliances aren't going to help.

With the exception of the three hubs (CLT, PIT, PHL), US Airways doesn't really have many cities where they are the main and only choice, unlike all the other majors. Most of the cities (xcept hubs) where US is big also has lots of other choices (WAS, BOS, Florida, etc.)

So US'ers have a choice, and I think the knowledge that they aren't captive (xcept the hubs) makes em happy. And even the captive pax are happy, as you say, since US offers a lot to be happy about.

A succinct original post to thisthread. In reading it I can more easily see the possibility of further customer-unfriendly policies if these mergers go through and competition is reduced.

I am very happy with what is probably the most maligned airline in the U.S. (America West Airlines).

Reasons being that you get platinum at 75k miles, a 125% mileage bonus and on the spot upgrades to first class at time of purchase when purchasing a Y class ticket. Since 3/4ths of my tickets are Y class, I am a styling pup.

-Don't know if I could say that I would be pleased flying steerage all of the time on Am West, but to answer the question of if I am happy or not....

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif!

BizJet: If you listened to the people in upstate NY whine you'd think USAirways had a gun to their head http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif But that being said, yes, normally USAirways is the carrier of 'preference' for those who fly it.

Maybe happy is not the right word -- because you can't be completely happy with an inanimate thing (like an hotel or airline) but I am very satisified with United and Mileage Plus. They treat me very special, somewhat more so as a 1K (still in shock over that one.)

I am mostly satisfied with Hilton and Starwood and Marriott.

I am somewhat satisifed wtih Continental but that EUA system always leaves me on the edge of my computer seat waiting if I will be in First or stuck with crabby people in coach.

What makes me happy are the times I can spend with you all, the laughs, the beers and the sharing and caring. That's true happiness: a few (or many) good friends! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif