Getting instant elite status?
 

As I was observing in a couple of threads I'd heard that some airlines will award elite status on their airline if you can show proof of elite status on another? I can see the competitive advantage of frequent flyer loyalty but how would you go about asking for it?

The first thing you need to do is ask what value you would be to the airline.

As a general rule of thumb, you won't get anywhere unless you:
a) Consistently buy full-fare tickets.
b) Consistently fly in first(US) business(Europe) class.
c) Make at least 8/12 flights a month (on one airline).

If you meet all of these, then send your last 12 months statements (for only one airline) to the Marketing Director of your chosen airline along with a letter saying why you would fly with the new airline instead of the old one and confirming that your 'flight-patterns' have not and will not changed.

Think carefully about when you do this, it is a one-off chance. The airline will expect you to attain the elite level they have comped you to the next year.

Many airlines 'flag' passengers who are comped to Elite status and (although they would deny it) don't offer the same level of service. If you are comped and use the "I use your airline alot" argument to get something it won't work.

The airlines will also want to know the deatils of your travel agent/travel arranger, who they will contact to confirm your flight patterns.

Make sure the routes you have listed on the statement you send the new airline are ones they serve. They won't comp you if they don't serve the routes you use.

If you are an Executive also send a Business Card, most airlines take into account your position in the pecking order when comping. The argument being it would be inappropriate to comp to Elite a junior officer and not a VP. The airlines will also check this with your travel agent/arranger, who may well say "this person is inappropraite for Elite".

If your employers have any kind of corporate travel function or agreement with the airline, they will almost always have an agreement whereby only the most senior execs get comped, you are therefore stuffed.

My advice is don't bother unless you are really hacked off with your current supplier and your business is clearly attractive to another airline. If you are flying First/Business anyway what are the benefits, why not earn the status?

If one of the attractions is 'upgrade certificates', bonus miles etc. don't bother, you will only get what you earn as a comped Elite.
MF

MerryFlyer ~ I heard some Delta agents talking about the different status levels, and apparently Delta has two levels of Platinum Medallion that are differentiated in the computer, one is a level that is comped to corporate customers and the other is the level that people actually earn, so your suspicion that they are "flagged" is certainly correct.

Thanks for the information, Merry Flyer! While I've yet to be dissatisfied with any one airline in particular, it's good to know there is a (very narrow) escape, to be used only when absolutely necessary to bail out.

Merry Flyer: I am very impressed with your knowledge on this matter!!!!!!

[I'm sorry to mention this again] but as HR Director, I had responsibility for the Travel Department amongst other things.

I spent hours each year listening to people who thought they should have Comp Elite status with one airline or another.

I have heard every argument you can imagine, and every kind of response from the airlines.

Most European airlines just don't comp. But the US airlines do it all the time. CO & UA even have pre-printed forms for "instant Elite status" which they issue to Travel Agents and people who dictate corporate travel patterns.

What I never told my colleagues is that Comped Elite is nowhere near as "beneficial" as 'phoning your Account Manager at the Airline or Travel Agent and telling them you are travelling - that way the really try to look after you and 'flag' you as a VIP. Much better that Elite status.

But this is a subject I hold dear to my heart!

Oh no! He has his soapbox...

(Who said you weren't self-important, Merry?)

Ahhh bahhh-humbug!

Listen Bab's, if some poor sole is unfortuate enough to acknowledge one of my posts, I can't be held responsible for the fact that I reply.

If you want to cause a fight again, just go ahead. I am in exactly the right mood.

I know what your game is. Just because you and KatW are mates again, you think I have no-one to run to for comfort don't you? Well your wrong!
MF

PS: If you think listening to people winging about the fact that they can't fly on their prefered airline is "self important" you should get out of your cave more often.

And another thing... If I did have a soap-box it would be the 'Moulton-Brown' one which that airline whose name I shall not speak sent me!
MF


PS: It was a nice present actually! But I think I will take the line that they should be spending their money improving their service and not sending out boxes of toiletries. Huh. I think that is enough of a rant for now.

---OMNI WARNING ENDS---

it's 'WHINGING' Merry. If people could 'wing' they wouldn't need an airline.

TheAuditor - go ahead, stroke his ego. He turns to putty at the sound of admiring words.

Besides, Merry, I'm just trying to liven things up & give you something to feel wronged about...

maybe they were politely trying to get you to smell better?

We all know that RB takes regular baths - in the Pacific!!

Ummm ... actually, it's whining, not whinging or winging ...

Beckles: You are a brave sole indeed!

By getting involved in one of Bab's and my spats, you run the risk of having us both turn on you.

I will consult Bab's off-line to decide on your fete/fate/fait/fayte!! <g>
Nick

whinge: v & n - whine; grumble peevishly
n a whining complaint; a peevish grumbling (concise OED)

It may be a particularly English/colloquial word, but it is somehow more descriptive than whine...

Aha! We pounced at the same time, Merry.

You are a brave soul, Beckles...

I'm am sorry about my err, I was distracted at the time as I was brushing up on my Kremlinolgy for use in another thread.

However, I detest participants being picayunish. Bab's may feel you have kicked her in the pudendum, she is feeling puckerhood as it is. If I was in her shoes I may well be tempted to inveigh.

As an aside, why do you use the epithet you do Beckles?
MF

Merry -- thanks for the explaination about those of us (like myself) who were considering trying to ASK for elite on antoher airline. I have a feeling like Beckles noted that some airlines "flag" those elite flyers who earned it and those who comped their way in.

And on An OMNI related suggestion: PLEASE DON"T FIGHT ANYMORE. I KNOW THAT SUGGESTION SOUNDS CHILDISH BUT LETS ALL TRY TO BE FRIENDS, OK? THANKS! CATMAN

So I've decided to stay elite with one airline, UA. It's easier that way. And UA's
been basically good to me.

NOW if I were flying to Europe a Lot I would want elite on British, which I'm so happy to learn does fly out of EWR! HURRAY! CATMAN

Beckles - though you may think me a catamaran, my cater-cousin Merry and I prefer to fight like Kilkenny cats, and to borrow one of his Latin phrases, you have provided us with a casus belli...

Don't be a juggins, though we may bicker and Merry is often at the budging Ken, he is certainly not a seven-sided animal... we may kangaroo you and say 'Snooks, what a kam dobby he is!'

Huh?

I am beginning to see why Great Britain lost the war of independence...

belligerent, causus belli--my we are getting literate!!!

Heck... and I thought my (rudimentary) knowledge of Latin was only so I can remember the motto of my college fraternity! (and that was many moons ago!) :)

If you really want to know: "Causa Latet Vis Est Notissima." (The cause is hidden, the results are well known.)

glad to be providing an education/enlightenment, jamiel!

Anyone who really wants to know what I said can e-mail me asking for a translation...

As for you, hnechets... I shall let Merry Flyer deal with you. They say that life is so much sweeter when you know it will end soon...

"Death is a very dull, dreary affair, and my advice to you is to have nothing whatsoever to do with it."

Hopefully, baobab, he isn't too offended by a remark made in jest.

Incognito for Catcopper, I am truly amazed that this has "anything" to do with instant elite status. Beckles can be "picayune" if he wants, because he, more than anyone here, lives in Picayune Parish. AlphaSigOU, the only Latin I see in your moniker is OU, and that was probably taught by Barry Switzer.

So, as the CatBobbie would say, get your mind out of the "loo" and come on down to the sewer "instantly" with us Elites.

He was spoiling for a fight yesterday, hnechets, but he may be in a better mood today... the only blood spilt is likely to be metaphorical.

My word - I didn't know that sharks could MEOW!!

Good job JawsII! I guess that secret training with the Texas Rangers paid off!

I plan to post a story RELATED TO THIS TOPIC
UNDER THE HILTON BOARDS. Now please get back on track!

OMNI: As I said the only Latin I know is "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati!" (When all else fails, play dead!" (The Pledge from "The Red Green show" POSSUM LODGE MEMBER #61385

hnechets: I am not offended. Yet.

How do you work out that Great Britain "lost" the American War of Independence? There we definite benefits to us letting you let set-up shop on your own.

The mouse that roared my friend. The mouse that roared!

Merry: Which other thread? I'm a Kremlinoligist, and I'd like to have a chance to put you down.

Phil: I can say too much... Shhhhhhh... all I can tell you is Boris!

If in doubt e-mail Bab's
MF

MF, I know you like instant elite status, but could you tell us why none of HM QE's offspring want to be KING?(an instant elite status)

Tutt, tutt, tutt, Jaws! A very naughty comment to make if ever there was one.

Now as you well know there isn't any choice about this. HRM The Prince of Wales will be King and that is that.

Succession and stability are wonderful things.

How's the impeachment trial going? Any more reports of Hillary giving Bill a black-eye again?

Now, now....

Let's all leave Princes and Presidents out of the discussion. We'd all be swallowed alive by the tangent - and think of the clothing stains that would cause.

NJD: I give my word, I will only speak if provoked!
MF

Thank you NJDavid for getting THAT topic off the boards. You have the makings of a great CATCOP. There are plenty of Chat rooms on AOL talking about that.

This forum is about travel, and I have to deal with that stuff at work five days a week. I come here to escape the "real world!"

Thank you and have a MEOWY DAY! COMMANDER
CAT-COP!

My company has an agreement with our carrier where all the managing directors get upgraded to F or C class no matter what the fare booked.

Phil

If you make a CO res through a TA, then you have to ask for the upgrade from a Y-fare. If you go directly to CO, they will do it when you make your res. Don't know if CO upgrades non-FF's on Y-fares. Does anyone?

Catcops are multiplying. I guess Catman promoted himself to COMMANDER. The last I saw his self-proclaimed title was Lieutenant.

And, MF, we all know about WJC & HRC, they're teflon, and she wants to be King, but I was just wondering why "The Man Who Would Be King" doesn't want to be King? Or, for that matter, "Any of the Men".

I have heard that Northwest and Alaska honor each other's gold members. Anybody had any experience?

Merry AND Bao, I'm surprised you allowed the term "War of American Independence" to pass. Isn't it called the "Colonial Insurrection of 1776, Effective Only Becasue of Dasterdly French Intervention" or something like that in GB???