Too early to talk about Freddies?
 

As the end of this year approaches. I was wondering what everyone is thinking regarding freddie frontrunners.

Alaska seems like a strong competitor this year. I can't see CO coming back to win anything. Maybe NW will take it's place?

So what's your opinion?

I can guarantee that Southwest's Double Credit promotion will not win another Freddie. It ends December 31. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

This year NW will win because they held the line when most others were taking back benefits.

Ok... what's a freddie, looks like an award?

Travel industry awards

No way does Alaska deserve the recognition they enjoyed last year. They have cut Mileage Plan program benefits big time for 2004 and have severely devalued the AS50 award that won the Freddie last year.




[This message has been edited by flytoeat (edited Dec 10, 2003).]

I'm with others this year to say that given the way NW stuck with their EQMs, they should at least deserve some recognition by the prestigious Freddies...

Absolutely, I dont fly them but they didnt blink. I think that was immensely important. UA has clearly been trying to address the revenue vs frequency issue themselves and shortly after they adopted a model very close to that of AA rather than moving more towards CO and DL in this. I think NW may deserve some credit for this but UA should get some as well.


[This message has been edited by GadgetFreak (edited Dec 10, 2003).]

Well to be honest I was gauging my opinion on this years program. Overall, AS is still a great program. They added CX as Mileage Plan partner. For a small airline to be partnered with so many great airlnes is pretty amazing. The value of a AS MP mile ranks up there with the larger progams, and presents a greater value than an HP mile.

I do agree that UA, NW, and AA have done well in not destroying their programs. I hope people recognize this and vote accordingly.

Not too early for some CO and DL folks:
Direttissima SOUTH ! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

For making positive changes to their program and listening to FTers: UA, which is sure starting to act like an airline that wants FFers to come back!

For refusing to tighten elite requirements to exclude booking through other websites: Hyatt, in the hotel category, still the only chain where (as far as I know), you can work it out so that a free night inexpensively counts towards the NEXT free night.

NW and UA: remembering that when times are tough, you increase customer service. Also remembering when time are good you increase the level of customer service.

Based on changes over that last 12 months, CO would come in dead last.....

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CO treats me like a king, Rodney King

I think AA just showed that they're not down with the DL camp.

Yep, and I think NW gets some credit for this as well. But really, AA has always shown they plan on leading in attracting customers. They have been very aggressive about moving when they see their competitors make mistakes or have problems. They also arent about to let UA make changes which enhance their program (which they did this year) and not respond in kind. I think we have these companies who have decided they want all customers, not just full fare always ones. And I think that is the smart call because full fare always will never be what it once was and everyone but CO and DL have just shown that they have figured it out.

This is from question #2 of the Freddie Ballot. Since this is gone it shouldn't be a opportunity for a vote. This was a great deal worthy of the exubernt praise, but the deal now of 150,000 or 175,000 is only a fair deal, not a great deal.

I was also surprised to see that listed... and then could not remember if they could be ordered in 2003. If so, then I guess it is appropriate.

William