Of course anyone can get entry to a Blue Room for the $5 casual entry rate. They seem to have defeatured this on the website in the last few days so I wouldn't be suprised if they drop the casual program completely in favor of the annual passports.

But you can't get into a QP for a sensible one time fee. ;)

Hence its attractiveness in that offer.

I talked our way into the QP in Darwin this morning, but it took some doing. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=eamus]Agreed that capacity control seems to be the key to making the FF program - any FF program - not just work but be profitable. In that regard, note that Southwest has just moved the goalposts on its Rapid Rewards program:QUOTE]

It may be one of the key drivers leading to profitability but it also the cheif motivator to deter all possible future seat revenue and partnership activity from this traveler.
Continental was the first airline I defected from back in the late 90s with a unusually stingy amount of seats being made available for award redemption.
It was the best thing that could happened as I sought out other opportunities and found the grass much greener elsewhere
It's a fine line they walk.Today I am clearly parked in programs that play fairly and have a track record for doing so.

NZ Airpoints now does this, but with a twist. Only valid on NZ metal and the cost in airpoints is whatever the fare is for that seat (there are also other discounted award seats that are capacity controlled). So consumer gets more award availability, but may be at a higher cost.