Hey hey Randy, this is about

SLEAZY PASS!!!

Perhaps you will remember me from the Latin Pass Run. I was the guy sitting in 29D while you and miles were soakin up the suds in 2D and E, IIRC. No Latin Y for Randy on that one!

Well, I was just wondering if you were aware of the new KLM award levels that Guy Booth at SLEAZY PASS has suddenly dropped on us?

FWIW, after all these years of tryin', I still can't get a RT BC seat on KLM to to Asia, South Africa, or even AMS via Sleazy Pass!

I was also wondering if INSIDE FLYER could review and FINALLY take a really, really hard stand on this program. I personally don't think that IF has given these people their due. I mean, after all, what would it hurt now? Just objectively look at what all Guy Booth has done to us! And these new award levels....!!!

I mean really, like anything you said re. this program would hurt you or IF at this point. And, according to Mileage Addict, they're are about to implode anyway...

Time to sock it to em, Randy!

So tvl4free apart from a few minor grievances, you are happy with Global Pass?


Glen

FlyerTalk 'Oz Fest #2' in Sydney May 27/29, 2005. Click for details

Well ozzie, wadda ya think?

I'm trying to tell Randy that Sleazy Pass has increased it's award levels up to five fold according to their website!

For example, BKK-SEL in Y was 20K miles. It's now 100K in Y! That's a five fold increase in my book! And prices USA-across the pond have doubled. From 50K for Y to 100K. 80 to 160 for J.

In typical SP style, no advance warning or notification of awards level increases was announced.

FWIW I just verified these new award levels w a SP CSR. Unless there's some mistake being reported, we've just been had, again.

Well, checking with my traveling buddies from the LP run, we remember far more flights in Coach than the upfront scenario you paint to to fly. In the few up front flights we did fly, we paid for them and it was because we found that biz was cheaper than coach. We all remember sleeping on the floor in the Lima Airport so life isn't all luxury. As for LatinPass, well since you seem to believe that according to others they are imploding now, why waste any effort?

No seriously this program has been very difficult to "Manage." For those that have done a good job of that, there are little or no complaints other than it's has always been a constant battle. I am aware of these and other changes and while out-of-line for comparing to programs that actually have programs directing serving those routes, there's always a premium for "out-of-area" service, whether you-re using your cell phone or similar.

Perhaps you don't remember but IF has taken a very critical look at LatinPass, though it's been several years. We don't mind doing an update and thanks for the tip.

In fairness to that program just for those that may still have miles left from the Run - despite any rate increase, including those noted, can you name me any program in the world where you could have earned the number of miles required for 10 free trips across the pond in Y by only spending $1,245? Yes, it would have been better at the 50K rate, but even with inflation that's a pretty good deal compared with all other frequent flyer programs. And yes even 160K for Biz sounds crazy, but that's still six free trips at $5,000 ($30,000) for only an investment of $1,245. Again, let's put aside the snideness for a second and not focus on the changes but perhaps as well be thankful that it - at any price - was worth the experience. I know it was for me. One million miles!

But I agree , time for an update and honest evaluation.

P.S. And you really need to apologize to the OnePass members who for years have referred to that program as "Sleazy Pass", not the Latin/GlobalPass program. I know, it's easy to confuse some of the program these days...

Thanks for the suggestion.

Actually, SleazyPass� is only one redemption level of the NonePass� program.

But the point is well-taken, as I was among those confused until well down this thread. Would you mind making a very minor original post edit to clarify, tvl4free, that you are not referring to CO?

Per your request, I have no problem making a title adjustment so that it's perfectly clear who is sleazy here!

Regarding those 10 RT across the pond in Y Randy, ya ever got one on KLM? Perhaps you know someone that has gotten 10 in Y?

During my LP run I meet several Japanese FTer folks that were running to be able to do NRT-EUROPE on KL. I seriously question whether they were ever able to use any Latin Pass/Sleazy Pass miles for the awards that SP advertised were available via KLM.

Singularly, this has been the most frustrating program 'out there' I do believe.

RANDY!! RU AWARE THAT GLOBAL PASS AS WE KNOW IT ENDS ON 6/30?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=441462

We won't even be able to use the miles on TACA anymore after that date!

LP is shutting down the old program w what appears to be 3 weeks advance notice. They say that trips ticketed can be booked up to one year in advance. However, TACA doesnt appear to offer inventory to book a freebie after 2 or 3/06.

How many miles do you stand to lose?

Millions and millions of FTer miles are gonna be lost unless somebody stands up and does something!

Point(s) well taken and no pun intended! 3 weeks notice..geeez. I have been to LP office near MIA..I have to say ..not a well run office by any standerds.

Randy, could you have a closer look at the new scheme? It seems to me that this is a very serious matter, perhaps even fraud:
- under the new 'miles for money' scheme, you can use your miles to purchase tickets on any airline. A 300 dollar ticket will cost you 42K GP miles. Very poor return, but if bonus miles could be used for this, then I would not mind so much.
- in order to be able to use one mile from the LP bonus, you need to generate one 'ordinary' GP mile. Using the GP travel agency will generate 4 GP miles per dollar spent on air fare. Thus, in order to have 42K miles, you need to spend 5250 dollars on air fares (5250 dollars generate 21 GP miles which allows you to free 21K miles from your bonus, for a total of 42K miles). This is bad enough, but it gets worse:
- fares purchased through the online agency seem to be between 20 and 75 dollars more expensive than purchased directly from the airline, based on identical fares (i.e. same fare basis). Assuming your average ticket fare is 500 dollars, you will have to pay GP between 200 and 750 dollars in hidden fees in order to be able to use your miles to buy a 300 dollar ticket. If you have no LP bonus and simply use the travel agency, in the overwhelming majority of cases, you will pay GP more in hidden fees than you will get back from them in tickets using GP miles. Even if you have an LP bonus, you would still probably end up paying GP at least as much in hidden fees that you get back in tickets.
Now, in my book, this is a scam, not in the emphatic sense sometimes used but in the pure sense of the word, i.e. implying fraud. Unless they change their attitude towards the bonus and allow it to be used without the requirement to generate the same amount of 'new' GP miles, it seems to me that these guys should be shut down as soon as possible.

I find it interesting that Randy is letting comment on the GP issue sliiiiide right on into oblivion.

tvl4, I dont think Randy used up all of his Million Miles+ that he earned either. So Im sure it will/does bother him as well. Now he just might have something that is/are more pressing, to take care of. Or from previous times speaking to LT/GP maybe its a fruitless endeavor and he knows will be a total waste of his time. Whatever I dont feel that he has to answer to us about it under any condition.

and i find it interesting that you think the world revolves around you.

We have done an in-depth interview with Guy about the changes and why and that is in the next issue of InsideFlyer magazine. We have also done a review of the changes and a list of advice which will be posted online next week. Guy was extremely candid with us and we asked no easy questions. Learn who did what and what GlobalPass is today and why.

We've done everything asked of us and it still is not good enough. Oh, well.

Well, thank you for the warm comment. But I dont think you know me well enuf personally to make that kind of generalization. This thread was not just about me, but about us... and l mean all of us who earned the 500K or million mile bonus. But anyway...


And thanks for just now letting us know that The House of Miles will comment with advise next week. This is the first that most of us have heard that something from the HOM is forth comming. Unless I missed it, nothing has been mentioned on the GPF either. BTW, is this advise comming post devastation...???

And on second thought and FWIW, perhaps you're right, the world does center around me at the moment. You see I have 539K more miles to dump by Wednesday. Miles that I can't possibly use FOR ME given the restraints of GP. Miles that if we had organized might have been put to better use. I am sure that there are others in the same position. At least I've tried, albeit virtually alone.

So if you have any advise for charities that could use what I've got, please dont hessitate to contact me by Monday, 12 noon. Coz then, these miles are gonna truly fly right on off Guys books, one way or the other! KLM or no KLM.

I think you know my e-mail address.

T4F

And now we are totally screwed. 539K in award claims was just denied! I think this is partially a TACA issue now.


Dear GlobalPass Customer:

Due to the high volume of GlobalAwards requested during the month of June 2005, we regret to inform you we are unable to complete your recent award reservation request(s).

The award reservations were accepted by TACA Airlines Reservations Department, however, TACA Airlines has not provided and assigned the necessary ticket numbers to complete the awards.

Please accept our sincere apologies for not being able to satisfy your request.

Sincerely,

GlobalPass Customer Care Center

P.S. Your miles can continue to be used with other services and products as long as you maintain activity with GlobalPass.

Wow. You claim the award in time but they don't process it, leaving you with miles to redeem under the new rules.