Is status worth flying for?
 

In another thread, 3544quebec posted an incredible Oneworld Explorer itinerary that earns 852000 points, spread over 7 airlines (and >100000 on each).

I don't know what it costs, but my question is threefold:
first, those points are worth U$17000 at 2 cents each, is it worth the trip to earn those points (and Oneworld Emerald on most or all of them, certainly CP and AA, leading to upgrade stickers as well);
secondly, if you're flying just for points, do you fly fly fly, or do you stop and enjoy the trips (which adds to the time and of course meals and hotel bills)?;
and finally, what's Sapphire or Emerald status worth to you (my unimaginative YVR-YYJ would move me from Elite to SuperElite next year for C$4500 net of points, and a Basic member to Elite for C$1900 net of points)?

I always seem to look on these things as get the flying out of the way, then come back later (e.g. my YVR-YYJ routing for the AC full-fare promo), but in this case a later trip to Europe or Asia will use up almost all the 100000 points earned for the Explorer, so by going slower you could get _two_ visits.

Opinions?

Thanks!
andrew

I never fly unless I a) can do business or b) can have some fun. This may mean taking more segments to earn more status miles (I can always work on the plane or catch up on sleep) or segments but the destination is somewhere where I want to go. My time is valuable to me--I would not spend money just to fly and not take time to stop and smell the roses, sample the sushi, go birdwatching, go on safari, go scuba diving etc etc. you get the picture.

I flew many Calgary-Edmonton trips during that big Star Alliance-AC promo (one return daily) as it turned out to be cheaper than staying overnight in a hotel plus I had to pick up new materials from Calgary every day for use in Edmonton the next.

Spending three days on the plane flying back and forth from dawn to dusk to earn 48 segments for two business class tickets anywhere in the world Star Alliance (worth about $16000CAD) flies for about $1500CAD plus 3X$700/day worth of my time is the only deal that I have ever been tempted to just fly for (I didn't as I had the same deal available on Oneworld through CP and decided against it). It was far more enjoyable to have earned it on flights that I was getting paid to do work for anyway.

[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 09-02-1999).]

Andrew

A couple of points

1) Your interpretation of the AA/CP/AY codeshare question was right.
2) Its not definite at the moment - only if Iberia and Canadian join the bonus
3) The only status you would get is Gold on American because 100000 of the points in each program are bonus points.
4)The 1st class fare ex-Calgary is $C12149 and $US300 for an extra business class segment in Asia.Economy would cost around $CAD4500 if you could stand it. My 1st class ticket bought in South Africa is $US6000 and the cheapest place for an Economy ticket I think is here in Australia where it would cost $US2000. Going economy would mean around 40000 less points.
5)Will I be doing this? I don't think so. I'd prefer to maintain Platinum on American and forgo 100000 Finnair points I think. so I might try for 4 or maybe 5 of the bonuses.

BlondeBomber: HERETIC!!

I fly for the fix. http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Andrew:

While I wouldn't fly somewhere I didn't want to go, I did take 2 flights last year to insure my Executive Platinum status. (YVR-YYZ for a weekend in Niagara Falls, and YVR-BOS for a weekend in, well, Boston.) All I cared about was the big batch of upgrade stickers waiting for me, and better upgrade opportunities.

But after about 9 months at the top of the food chain, I refuse to go back. Everything from booking awards (30 minutes before flight time, for a friend, in an emergency), the concierge service (getting a valuable package to my mother and sister as they connected through YVR, while I was "back east") to the "Yeah, sure, whatever you want" attitude at the Executive Platinum desk has all been much more valuable then I ever imagined it could be. And oh yeah, don't forget about them upgrades, with 100% success so far, except for DH8s of course. (Sound familiar?)

I'm at 75,000 so far this year, and if I didn't have any more scheduled trips this year, I'd still buy a current seat sale ticket tomorrow, to somewhere like LHR and back, just for the status.

So yeah, in my case, I'd definately fly for the status.

Regards,

Ken Hamer

http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

This discussion prompts me to ask the question I was going to post on the Cdn site. How does Cdn Executive Platinum compare with AC's Super Elite? While the latter offers confirmed up- grades at time of reservation (if available, I understand), Platinum members on Cdn must wait until 100 hrs prior to flight. But with more frequent flyers on AC, is Cdn not a better deal, with better chances of getting that J-calss upgrade? (As Gold, I've managed to up- grade transcon 75% of the time when calling 72 hrs in advance, and 100% on international using the "black" stickers which friends have given me when my two have been used up.)

I am unaware of the oneworld 100K promotion. As noted, hopefully Cdn will participate, and maybe counter the AC promotion posted on the chat site for that airline. Will have to search the web sites.

I am Gold, and do a moderate amount of travel, most domestic, a couple of international each year. Have to go to Australia in early November, so would likely fly Cdn/QF. Already got Gold for 2000, and with domestic trips scheduled for the remainder of the project year, I would only need to do another trip across the Pacific to get Platinum (85K). Since HKG is being advertised for C$1049 -- haven't checked out Cdn fare direct to Bangkok, or regional discount fares ex-HKG to Malaysia or Thailand -- and hotels in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are so cheap (plus I can add Internconti, Westin or Hilton/ Conrad points and nights), is it worth planning a week in the Orient? (Those R-t-W itineraries are tempting, but my resources this year don't permit such luxuries...)

Must commit to this insanity by September 6th, when the latest seat sale concludes.

The alternative is to book Australia on TE, and also achieve Elite on AC. As you can tell from my previous postings, it is not my favourite airline, and I've always found Cdn Gold more attractive and beneficial. I suppose with the possible merger, it's best to concentrate on Cdn to get Platinum, and then be assured the highest elite status on the new AC.

Suppose there are worse places to go in November or December than south Asia. And with a new Powerbook, I can complete a few client projects at the same time...

Well, Air Canada has BlondeBomber as a member, otherwise Canadian is better all round. http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Seriously, in part it would depend on where you live. Living in Vancouver, CP is the obvious choice for me, as my home is their major hub. This makes it easier for me to get where I'm going on CP, rather than AC. If you lived in Toronto, AC might be the better choice.

But all else being equal, I think CP is the better program. I'm not real familiar with the top tier of AC, but BlondeBomber will most likely jump in, and explain their program. Here are my reasons:

Executive Platinum easier to attain than Super Elite (85K vs 100K)

Executive Platinum much easier to requalify than Super Elite (75K vs 100K)

oneworld currently seems to have better world coverage, although it seems to be a never ending tit-for-tat game

CP/oneworld awards generally lower points cost than AC/Star (125,000 will get you anywhere in the world, as opposed to 185,000+ for some Star destinations)

CP relationship with Amex Membership rewards -- transfer 5000 MR points to CP, get 3000 to 10000 points off an award price; 1000 points for buying ticket on Amex; and 1.5 MR/CP points/dollar spent (Amex Platinum or Gold, with points accelarator)

Friendlier attitude with western oriented CP, as opposed to all business attitude of eastern oriented AC (not so much so at top tier, though)

Easier to upgrade, although that's a double edged sword -- if CP had more passengers, they would not be in their current financial situation, but upgrades would be harder to come by.

Black SWA (anywhere, any fare) upgrade stickers (AC situation has recently changed in this area -- Cliff?)

Seemless integration with AA (whose service in First class has improved dramatically, since oneworld) including lounge access, ticketing, and especially upgrades. (CP members can upgrade on AA as easily as on CP, and as easily as AAdvantage members can on AA.) Much tighter integration than any Star carriers, at least for now.

Much better food in business class on CP.

Individual air vents on most CP planes.

More award partners with CP, especially StarWood, which for me has been superb so far this year.

Those are the main differences that matter to me. Of course, your mileage may vary.

Regards,

Ken Hamer


[This message has been edited by KenHamer (edited 09-04-1999).]

I think we got off topic here and I transferred my posts to a new thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum83/HTML/000063.html


[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 06-01-2000).]

Back on topic,

I'll make five round trips to qualify for the 100,000 mile bonus on two airlines (AA & BA). One is a domestic round trip (AA) I was already planning. Two (IB & CX) will be round trip "mileage runs" - same day, don't even leave the airport. And two (BA & CP) will mean weekends I wouldn't otherwise have travelled, but I will stop and "smell the roses."

Total cost: $1400 and about 2 days of nonsense flying. Well worth it for 200,000 bonus miles (in addition to about 6,000 actual ones).