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...