Has Your Employer Curtailed Travel to the Point that Your Elite Status is in Jeopardy
Dec 25, 2008, 1:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Programs: UA 1K, US LT Silver, AA Plat, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Starwood Gold
Posts: 790
Has Your Employer Curtailed Travel to the Point that Your Elite Status is in Jeopardy
It takes an act of Congress to get approval to go anyplace these days at my shop. Anybody else going through withdrawal and fear of being relegated to coach after next year?
Dec 25, 2008, 1:27 pm
#2
Formerly known as I_Hate_US_Airways
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Just South Of North
Programs: My Loyalty Programs? I now VOTE with my wallet!!!
Posts: 2,568
Fly More & Get A Better Seat
Dec 25, 2008, 3:32 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,005
I may be back on a project that's a 3.5 hr drive starting 1/1, potentially for 2 years. I'll keep all the hotel status, but will likely lose airline status unless I can get very creative. Of course, if I'm driving, it won't bother me for 2 yrs (except for family vacations)
Dec 25, 2008, 5:01 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Paris, France
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1PMM; JetSmarter; HHonors Gold
Posts: 9,723
Dec 25, 2008, 5:01 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott L-T Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,521
Dec 27, 2008, 10:43 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: DAB
Programs: DL PM UA PSilver Marriott Lifetime Plat, AMEX Platinum, Avis PC, UA MPPPlus
Posts: 961
Yes. Almost all of the face to face training at work has been replaced with virtual or recorded training online. Where I used to see a 80/20 split between work and pleasure travel, I expect to have to take more personal trips, maybe even 50% of my total travel, to keep status in 2009.
Dec 27, 2008, 11:08 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,719
It happened in 2007 - most of our out-of-market client work dried up and was replaced by work within two hours' drive of home. Consequently not enough business flying to retain elite. There is not much worse than flying UA as a non-elite, unless it is flying US under any circumstance.
If I'd paid for all my leisure / personal tickets I would have kept status, at least with Skyteam, but I burned off a lot of miles this year -- use 'em or lose 'em.
If I'd paid for all my leisure / personal tickets I would have kept status, at least with Skyteam, but I burned off a lot of miles this year -- use 'em or lose 'em.
Dec 28, 2008, 7:49 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New York Area
Programs: Starwood Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Plat,
Posts: 5
Absolutely. I work in the financial sector in NYC (need I say more) and my firm has appointed a travel czar who reports directly into the CEO whose job is to keep travel costs in check. Any transatlantic flight requests have to be approved by him (prior to which they need to be approved by all the suits in my department). So far this year I've been rejected twice and approved twice. All indications point to it being even tighter next year.
Dec 28, 2008, 7:53 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: DC metro
Programs: PC Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Gold Elite, UA 2P, Starwood Gold, Avis First, Bolt Bus $1 Rider
Posts: 1,175
i had my travel budget zeroed out on Oct 1
i live in the dc metro area but work for a company based in Los Angeles
i have a flight on 12/31 which will put me over 25k bis mils and save my 2p status - but i will be joining the line of beggars for 2p status next year!!
i live in the dc metro area but work for a company based in Los Angeles
i have a flight on 12/31 which will put me over 25k bis mils and save my 2p status - but i will be joining the line of beggars for 2p status next year!!
Dec 28, 2008, 9:11 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Programs: Lifetime AA Gold-1MM
Posts: 4,909
Yes, virtually all of my face-to-face meetings have been replaced by conference calls or webinars. I'm grateful that I hit 1 million miles on AA last year and made lifetime Gold, at least I'll be able to select exit row seats!
Dec 28, 2008, 9:14 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: Alas, the Gravy Train Hath Ended...just happy to be an OW Sapphire and a ST Ivory...whatever
Posts: 4,389
I fly more every year, it seems. Although I have been lucky enough to get better jobs, but I do not see my travel being curtailed anytime soon....thank goodness! 
Dec 28, 2008, 7:07 pm
#15
formerly leemaj
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: California
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium and LTP, Hyatt Globalist, UA Gold, SW Companion Pass
Posts: 217
Definitely...Was plat this year on Delta with over 100k miles...doubt I will even make Silver next year. Starting to read up on the mileage run threads...