Randy, am I being off base by making the suggestion that we not allow posting of elite level phone numbers and contact information in the message threads? See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum21/HTML/001061.html . I've worked very hard flying to be able to have a phone number that is answered quickly, and I don't think it is fair for individuals to give away the number to others that are not elite level fliers and have no legitimate right to the number. These are unlisted phone numbers.

hehe, Jeffery, I am afraid you are shooting yourself in the foot!

I never would have found that thread unless you were so kind to point it out. Now I have full access to DL's elite phone numbers! (Of course, I have absolutely no intention to use it, but just making a point).

Perhaps the better solution would have been to e-mail said poster and ask him to remove it?


[This message has been edited by BizJet (edited 07-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by BizJet (edited 07-15-2000).]

BizJet's got a point. jeffreyt and leroy11 seem to have let the cat out of the bag on the other thread. The other poster just listed an 800 number, but didn't mention it was an elite number. D'oh!

IMO, I don't think publishing an elite number is a major breach of protocol that requires censoring. After all, this forum is not affiliated with the airlines. If it causes a problem, then maybe something should be done to prevent it in the future. But I'd hate to see FT make any hasty moves when it comes to restricting people's speech.

This sounds childish to me. How are you going to police it, and how can it be that important to do so. Just my opinion.

I can see why elites don't want their numbers given out. I am not elite in any airline, but when I do reach said status, I don't want to have wait behind people who aren't "deserving" of that line.

But I never would have thought it was an elite line unless it was pointed out. I skimmed that thread a while ago and assumed that it was a customer service number.

Omni: Consumer Reports Travel Letter once did a story on low-level elite status, and, believe it or not, they listed the bottom-tier elite numbers. Under the chart, it said "Unpublished Numbers" and listed the numbers for each airlines...

The airlines should require entry of your FF# and PIN to verify entry. I know I already got (and posted on my wall) American's Platinum number. And Delta's Gold number now (thanks!)

Of course, they probably wlil get with the times and restrict access eventually, but just in case I'm stuck and need to get on Delta ... it's in my wallet


[This message has been edited by dg1 (edited 07-15-2000).]

In my experience using elite type lines the FIRST thing they ask is your #. You do not supply that and they possibly will route you to regular #, so obtaining it when not Elite is not always a big plus.

Qantas have a smart system here where you need to punch it in on your keypad BEFORE they connect U. No number, no conection!

Dupe post sorry .. that darn Maalox pop-up scrambled my brains!

[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 07-15-2000).]

I second the motion for FT'ers maintaining a discipline of not giving out FF hotline numbers, whether by public post or private direct e-mail.

If you shouldn't be calling a elite phone number they will let you know and tell you where to go!

What HURTS is when you had a special elite number like Platinum and then get reduced to a Silver or worse get reduced to NOTHING.

Then have to call the regular reservation line. You really apppreciate what you had and didn't requalify for! The 'GOLD' line is a Welcome benfit for me.

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It is never too late to have a HAPPY CHILDHOOD!

I agree. Do not post the elite numbers. The NW Gold/Platinum number usually asks for your number before being connected - but not always! It is however, the first thing you are asked.

And, exactly, Roadrunner, if the Elite lines get clogged with non-elites calling, then the elite-lines end up just being general lines.

Let's look at this from another perspective.

The reps need to spend the time to field a call, spend a minute or two to pull up the info, recognize the caller isn't elite, re-direct the caller, re-set the reservation system, and start over.

Yes, individually, the time spent is short, but cumulatively, this adds up.

The next person could be *you* who is left waiting in the dial-in queue, while the airline rep is off re-directing Mr./Ms. Non-Elite Caller to the correct number...

... And when upgrade/award/standby/flight re-routed seats are down to the last one or two on a particular flight, who needs to be on hold for a few minutes longer?

Automate a phone system to dial in the digits of your FF account number and ZIP code (or some other identifying protocol) in order to properly route the calls? Sure - as if I wasn't helping to keep "my" airlines flying by paying their fares, I've now got to subsidize a telecom system for them to provide me prompt and dedicated service, a perk intrinsic to FF elitedom? (Those of you who are familiar with implementation and cost of telecom know we are not talking about drilling a hole in the wall for an extra wall jack and buying some extra telephone cord and an answering machine).

Let's just keep the elite hotline phone numbers in our wallets or black books or Palmpilots, whose content we don't usually wantonly share with others anyway, particularly anonymous others.

ozstamps, I am a low-level CO elite, and they never ask me for one OnePass number until I am ready to ticket or have a question specific to my account. I think for a short period you had to type in your code (as a checkpoint), but I have not had to to that for some time.

I also do not like the idea of posting elite line numbers; it is hard enough to get through to an agent with this privilege.

[This message has been edited by dsimon (edited 07-16-2000).]

Speaking of CO, dSimon is right - validation of Elite status is done only on a very sporadic basis - whether with a live associate or "enter the last 6 digits of your OnePass number now... Corresponding ZIP code now..." (who knows if this dial-in feature really works, or if it's just to give callers something to do while the caller would have otherwise immediately been put on hold listening to that Charleston-chew cranky ragtime jazz playing in the background? I've been told by agents it does, but many airline associates tell you lots of things...).

All in all, I think it's a bad idea to be giving out elite hotline phone numbers.

(Have I mentioned in this thread yet that I'm against publishing elite phone numbers in FT?)

If I imagined myself running an airline, I'd be disappointed if my Elites by their own doing diluted their priority telephone service perk. In fact, I might be a little upset at them at having undone a system that was set up just to accomodate them - requiring a re-trenching if the perk is going to be continued at all. (Please pay particular note to this last point - the other way at looking at this is if the hotline is not used as it's intended, then it may just go away).

[This message has been edited by FQTV (edited 07-16-2000).]