The end of frequent-flier programs?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: MSP - NW Gold - PC Plat - Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 2,478
The end of frequent-flier programs?
From USATODAY and Joe Brancatelli
Although Northwest Airlines and US Airways have already attacked the basic concept that you can always get any seat you want with your miles as long as you're willing to pay enough for it, Delta SkyMiles is the first trend-setting, market-moving program that has told its frequent fliers that miles are, essentially, worthless whenever the airline decides not to honor them
Here's the whole thing....
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/colum...programs_N.htm
Although Northwest Airlines and US Airways have already attacked the basic concept that you can always get any seat you want with your miles as long as you're willing to pay enough for it, Delta SkyMiles is the first trend-setting, market-moving program that has told its frequent fliers that miles are, essentially, worthless whenever the airline decides not to honor them
Here's the whole thing....
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/colum...programs_N.htm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Astoria, NY: LGA, JFK
Programs: Delta PM; Sheraton's Vistana BOD; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,035
As I interpret this, what Delta will be doing December 1st brings it into line with NW's present policy.
The "end of world" scenario envisioned by the author will certainly be mitigated by the airline's necessity not to anger or chase away its best customers.
The "end of world" scenario envisioned by the author will certainly be mitigated by the airline's necessity not to anger or chase away its best customers.
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Posts: 3,395
Although DL's decision is pretty disheartening and will likely lead to similar moves by all the other majors, that fact alone does overcome the fact that the author's basic premise is completely illogical. Taking away a fully unrestricted option does not "make miles worthless," it simply reduces their value.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Mid-Atlantic
Programs: AA Plat, UA Silver, DL Silver, Marriott Titanium, etc.
Posts: 4,210
Although DL's decision is pretty disheartening and will likely lead to similar moves by all the other majors, that fact alone does overcome the fact that the author's basic premise is completely illogical. Taking away a fully unrestricted option does not "make miles worthless," it simply reduces their value.
There is a point for everyone at which miles devaluation makes status hunting more trouble than it is worth.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Posts: 3,395
Does anyone have any idea what mileage devaluation at NW the author is referring to?
#6
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: Non-Affiliated
Posts: 7,429
No idea. The policy at NWA is that if there is a seat available, you can get it at PerkPass levels.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: MSP - NW Gold - PC Plat - Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 2,478
"Also, effective December 1, 2007, SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will no longer be available on every Delta flight in which a seat is available for sale. SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will continue to be available on most Delta flights, but seats will be limited and possibly unavailable on some flights. Our SkySaver Award Ticket Reservations will remain unchanged"
I believe the author believes that the FF miles will be devalued because less flights will be available, so therefore less seats will be available, therefore more miles will be required to eventually book an award seat.
He also thinks that if it works it will be inevitable that NW will follow suit.
I almost always book an award to Europe on a Monday/Tuesday because a weekend is almost never available at 50K.
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: DCA
Posts: 3,395
From Delta website
"Also, effective December 1, 2007, SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will no longer be available on every Delta flight in which a seat is available for sale. SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will continue to be available on most Delta flights, but seats will be limited and possibly unavailable on some flights. Our SkySaver Award Ticket Reservations will remain unchanged"
I believe the author believes that the FF miles will be devalued because less flights will be available, so therefore less seats will be available, therefore more miles will be required to eventually book an award seat.
He also thinks that if it works it will be inevitable that NW will follow suit.
I almost always book an award to Europe on a Monday/Tuesday because a weekend is almost never available at 50K.
"Also, effective December 1, 2007, SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will no longer be available on every Delta flight in which a seat is available for sale. SkyChoice Award Ticket Reservations will continue to be available on most Delta flights, but seats will be limited and possibly unavailable on some flights. Our SkySaver Award Ticket Reservations will remain unchanged"
I believe the author believes that the FF miles will be devalued because less flights will be available, so therefore less seats will be available, therefore more miles will be required to eventually book an award seat.
He also thinks that if it works it will be inevitable that NW will follow suit.
I almost always book an award to Europe on a Monday/Tuesday because a weekend is almost never available at 50K.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 740
Doesn't this mean we need to plan our travel?
Don't we need to simply plan ahead for travel and not try and use our miles during prime travel periods? Instead of just hooping on board whenever we can - granted that's not what we expected, but we also didn't think all the big guys would go bankrupt and have to dig themselves out of holes (by whatever means necessary)
I get what the dude is saying - but if you're trying to get to Europe at Christmas on miles, of course it makes sense to double the miles needed. Do I agree with it? Nope, because I do remember the old days, but if he's saying that on December 1 the almost 200K miles I have are going to be void and useless, well that's a different story.
I feel he a little too the sky is falling for me to want to listen.
I get what the dude is saying - but if you're trying to get to Europe at Christmas on miles, of course it makes sense to double the miles needed. Do I agree with it? Nope, because I do remember the old days, but if he's saying that on December 1 the almost 200K miles I have are going to be void and useless, well that's a different story.
I feel he a little too the sky is falling for me to want to listen.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
That is the Brancatelli way. The guy is a hack. He latches onto something, blows it out of proportion, and somehow gets paid for it. I would have to hand it to him - he makes money with the same incoherent ramblings I make here for free - if he didn't drive me up the wall. The worst part is his "I'm a road warrior just like you, and am reporting on things that matter to business travelers schtick." I mean, exactly why does he have to travel to write stories about news you can get from Flyertalk?