FF Program "Comps"
Sep 22, 2002 | 10:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Valdez, AK, USA ASGold
Posts: 22
FF Program "Comps"
I'm a MVP Gold on Alaska Air, which works great for me 90% of the time. Recently I've occasionally been frustrated by lack of "cross-program" benefits. I've seen reference to people being given "comp" upgrades to elite status on other airlines based on an "earned" status. Is this sort of accurate and how would someone go about requesting this?
Sep 23, 2002 | 4:38 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
Programs: AMC MovieWatcher, Giant BonusCard, Petco PALS Card, Silver Diner Blue Plate Club
Posts: 22,314
Decide which program you want to be comped in and go to that airline's forum here in Flyertalk. Comping is a very well discussed issue, and so a simple search for 'comp' should yield all the threads you could ever ask for on the subject.
------------------
More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets
------------------
More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets
Sep 23, 2002 | 4:43 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,350
AND bear in mind most are strict that a comp is a "ONE TIME" deal, so choose carefully. 
------------------
~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com
------------------
~ Glen ~ Calling all United 1K Members - please join .. www.1Kflyers.com
Sep 23, 2002 | 7:40 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,019
Airlines don't comp you as a reward for flying a lot with someone else in the past. They do it in the hope that you'll fly a lot with them in the future. It can help to have a credible story as to why this will happen. It can also help to have a travel agent or corporate travel coordinator request it through his/her airline sales rep.
(edited to clarify wording)
[This message has been edited by Efrem (edited 09-23-2002).]
(edited to clarify wording)
[This message has been edited by Efrem (edited 09-23-2002).]
Sep 23, 2002 | 7:04 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Cary, NC, USA - AA Plt 3mm/DL Dia 2mm, Hil/Dia Life, Bonvoy/Titanium Life, Spire
Posts: 3,261
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
AND bear in mind most are strict that a comp is a "ONE TIME" deal, so choose carefully.
</font>
AND bear in mind most are strict that a comp is a "ONE TIME" deal, so choose carefully.
</font>
Sep 23, 2002 | 10:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Northside in tha house
Posts: 1,286
Note that you get one comp and that's it per airline. One time to cash in on a reciprocity deal.
Though I suppose if you can show you've changed your buying behaviors to a high rev status (F/C/fullY) then I s'pose that you might have some leverage to purse a comp on a different basis, or maybe a second or challenge basis. (versus the typical one time status match.)
I've been 'dinged' by at least one airline that comped me once when I tried again to go back to the well...
[This message has been edited by gregseattle (edited 09-23-2002).]
Though I suppose if you can show you've changed your buying behaviors to a high rev status (F/C/fullY) then I s'pose that you might have some leverage to purse a comp on a different basis, or maybe a second or challenge basis. (versus the typical one time status match.)
I've been 'dinged' by at least one airline that comped me once when I tried again to go back to the well...
[This message has been edited by gregseattle (edited 09-23-2002).]
Sep 23, 2002 | 11:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Northside in tha house
Posts: 1,286
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by channa:
Also helps to have flown the airline you want to switch to.</font>
Also helps to have flown the airline you want to switch to.</font>
But no, it really doesn't matter if you have flown the airline you want a comp on.
As long as you can prove your elite status on a major you will have no problem switching. If you can prove your POTENTIAL on the other carrier that is what matters, not your history.