The airlines well know who their best top tier fliers are, and they are rewarded accordingly. In all likelihood, had any of these been on your flight, they have been moved into the F cabin.

This past year saw such a drop off in flying during the final quarter that the airlines could not have made their "quotas" of fliers in each tier, thus most found various ways of keeping members at their 2001 status for 2002. Of all top tier elites, I suspect three-quarters would likely be within 10%-20% of the threshold, another another 15% likely at the 150K level, and at most 10% over 200K.

So it does not make sense, particularly now, to create a fourth tier. I think every program has had its share of thse rumours on FT. We had one going at the end of 2000 on the Air Canada forum, but it withered on the vine. This year, AC had to drop their qualification levels, and that was to maintain 70% of their 2001 levels of elites.

Just a quick interesting note here. If an airline, in my case UA, were to offer a 150k or 200k level (with published benefits), I could guarantee you that I would fly them more. Plain and simple. Now I see myself teetering around the 200k mark for '02 and am anxiously weighing the possibility of going for top tier on another carrier (AA). With the looming inevitibility of the Machinists strike at UA, this is seeming to be more likely.

Virgin offer a service for thier top 50 clients. It is done using thier tier points structure, and is geared to the people that commute in J from LHR-US each week. Only the top 50 are part of this program and while it is hinted at in the FF literature, no benifits are listed.

Being a V50 (as they are known) is a wonderful experience. When was the last time teh CEO invited you to dinner ?? Gave you a jump seat on a 747, or if you flying in the back the IFS invites you forward after meal service so you can get some sleep one the flat beds. Would I fly with any other airline - not if I can help it.

JonGar (ex V50)

JonGar, thanks for sharing this - very interesting.

I wonder if BA does something similar for those who "Commute" on the Concorde?

BA does have that "secret" Premier level, beyond the published top-tier BA Gold level, from what I've gathered on the BA board.

Here's what I gather from personal experience as one of those that tarvels more than 200K, mostly premium international.

When checking in, or on board nobody notices. When you call and need something and ask, they know who you are and become extra helpful. Although you may have to sometimes point it out. This DOES include a few special perks that keep you feeling appreciated.

Also, there is a model, at least being worked on (got this from the horses mouth) that will distinguish those of us that spend more money. Before anyone cries foul, think about this: Some qualify for a 100k level easily for $10,000. (20 x -$500 on transcons). I've had tickets that cost more than that for a single round trip and I fly overseas over twenty times a year.

And have we forgotten it's only been a few years that Executive Platinum at AA has been public. It used to be the secret Top Platinum.

In 97, 97 & 98 DL treated me like a star! Once in a while upgrades as a thank you and dinner at least 3 times a year plus a show (all via the local sales office.)

This was great, but not enough to offset SGB gone mad in 99 and 2000.