RED ALERT!!!! MAJOR CHANGES TO SOME PROGRAMS
 

According to the Wall Street Journal today
We are in for some big time changes to our certain airline loyalty programs with air carriers. Starting June 30th American will raise the number of miles needed in premium cabins (the paper called it upper tier tickets) to Europe and Hawaii by 25% in
effect devalueing our accounts in a significant way.Check the article out for your favorite program and cross your fingers.
Continental has some mighty angry customers.
Mostly due to award availability rather then changes>but some are steamed at the new 5000 premium
on coach tickets up from the old 20,000 mile reward most the year round
Lots of luck to us all if this continues!
Happy travels?


------------------
AA & Starwood,Marriott Platinum
Diamond Hyatt, Hilton Diamond
U/A 1 k

[This message has been edited by 777 global mile hound (edited 02-01-2002).]

LUFTHANSA:

One-way upgrades between Europe and Asia starting at 50.000 miles
As of 1 January 2002 new mileage levels apply for upgrades on routes from Europe to Asia and v.v. For 50.000 miles, Miles & More participants can obtain a one-way upgrade for a paid Economy ticket to Business Class. If you are already holding a paid Business Class ticket you can upgrade to First Class for 60.000 award miles.

As of April 1, 2002 when taking a flight to Australia on Lauda Air you can redeem for a one-way upgrade to their exclusive Amadeus Class (Business Class) for 60.000 award miles.

That's kind of hard to believe. American already charges more than most airlines for premium class tickets to Europe.

No word at AA Plat desk on this nightmare story but the Wall ST Journal published it today.So I've been
thinking my hundreds of thousands of miles may be worth less .Hope its screwed up info.
fingers crossed
Cheers

Please also see:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006165.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006279.html

The article makes some gross generalizations it seems. It states for US Airways that "Travelers used to be able to book free upgrades months in advance; now they have to wait until a few days before departure."

It makes it sound like the entire upgrade program was changed, but in fact only one type of certificate was changed so that you couldn't upgrade anytime on discount tickets (the change does not affect full fare tickets or any upgrades besides the SWU02's).

As for American, it's not very specific, but I believe they are discussing the elimination of the 2 ticket awards ...