Best/worst Big 6 program for low-yield flyers?
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
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Best/worst Big 6 program for low-yield flyers?
I'm an unabashed low-revenue, low-yield frequent flyer, piling up miles almost exclusively on leisure trips paid from my own limited funds, and at gold or higher status on one airline or another for 11 straight years now.
As others who do this know, many airlines lately are treating us about as well as they treated the travel agents. Suddenly it's time to bash the "seat warmers" (We'll see if they like the revenue from an empty seat better than the revenue they're getting from us!)
And so the question: How would you rank the big 6 U.S. airline programs currently from the view of someone who will almost always be flying on those low-fare categories that airlines now seem to love to hate?
My own attempt would go something like this:
Northwest (least hostile)
Continental
United
American
USAir
Delta (most hostile)
Seems like the biggest battle lines are: Domestic upgrades, ability to requalify for elite status, and mileage-earning ability (both regular and including specials, if they have any that apply) at low fares. If your favorite award is international upgrades it might change the perspective, especially if you have the gall to want to upgrade from a low international fare (I mean, reeeealllllyyyyy.....)
Better times will eventually return for the airlines, but they'll still try to hold onto cuts made now unless competitive pressures and low-rev flyers voting with their feet force changes.
Thoughts?
As others who do this know, many airlines lately are treating us about as well as they treated the travel agents. Suddenly it's time to bash the "seat warmers" (We'll see if they like the revenue from an empty seat better than the revenue they're getting from us!)
And so the question: How would you rank the big 6 U.S. airline programs currently from the view of someone who will almost always be flying on those low-fare categories that airlines now seem to love to hate?
My own attempt would go something like this:
Northwest (least hostile)
Continental
United
American
USAir
Delta (most hostile)
Seems like the biggest battle lines are: Domestic upgrades, ability to requalify for elite status, and mileage-earning ability (both regular and including specials, if they have any that apply) at low fares. If your favorite award is international upgrades it might change the perspective, especially if you have the gall to want to upgrade from a low international fare (I mean, reeeealllllyyyyy.....)
Better times will eventually return for the airlines, but they'll still try to hold onto cuts made now unless competitive pressures and low-rev flyers voting with their feet force changes.
Thoughts?
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Thought #1: US Air changed its name to US Airways!
Looking at your list I might move US above AA and UA. US has a (IMHO) better upgrade program than the other two. No other airlines offer TransAtlantic upgrades to the lower level elites the way US does. Of course if you add the general flying experience into the equation, US probably gets bumped right back where it started because it lacks the Economy Plus cabin that UA offers it elites and the MRTC program for AA's coach product.
Looking at your list I might move US above AA and UA. US has a (IMHO) better upgrade program than the other two. No other airlines offer TransAtlantic upgrades to the lower level elites the way US does. Of course if you add the general flying experience into the equation, US probably gets bumped right back where it started because it lacks the Economy Plus cabin that UA offers it elites and the MRTC program for AA's coach product.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Andover, MA USA
Posts: 1,556
Just curious, what would the order of that list of 6 airlines be for someone who has no status, and flies quite infrequently for business, mostly for pleasure, and always on the cheapest fare? I've been concentrating the overwhelming majority or my travel (little that it is) with AA because I like their MRTC, and that seems to be the best I can hope for with no status. Any thoughts?
#4
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hhonorman:
Just curious, what would the order of that list of 6 airlines be for someone who has no status, and flies quite infrequently for business, mostly for pleasure, and always on the cheapest fare? I've been concentrating the overwhelming majority or my travel (little that it is) with AA because I like their MRTC, and that seems to be the best I can hope for with no status. Any thoughts? </font>
Just curious, what would the order of that list of 6 airlines be for someone who has no status, and flies quite infrequently for business, mostly for pleasure, and always on the cheapest fare? I've been concentrating the overwhelming majority or my travel (little that it is) with AA because I like their MRTC, and that seems to be the best I can hope for with no status. Any thoughts? </font>
#5
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by cAAl:
for low yield, infrequent domestic travelers, it would be an oversight to omit WN's Rapid Rewards program from consideration because only four roundtrips earns you a free ticket with very few restrictions.</font>
for low yield, infrequent domestic travelers, it would be an oversight to omit WN's Rapid Rewards program from consideration because only four roundtrips earns you a free ticket with very few restrictions.</font>
#6
Join Date: Feb 1999
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hhonorman:
I've been concentrating the overwhelming majority or my travel (little that it is) with AA because I like their MRTC, and that seems to be the best I can hope for with no status. Any thoughts?</font>
I've been concentrating the overwhelming majority or my travel (little that it is) with AA because I like their MRTC, and that seems to be the best I can hope for with no status. Any thoughts?</font>
#7
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Am I the only one that notice that MRTC is no longer existent on AA. They have moved several of the rows back in on certain aircrafts according to a report I recently read. That is why they are no longer using that slogan or they are just saying "More Room" not "More Room thoughout Coach."
For the infrequent traveller, I think WN offers the best service and FF benefits. Just fly 4 RT in a year and get a free ticket. The RT can be short segments between destinations in FL, TX or longer segments. Try doing this on one of the big carriers where you get a minimum of 500 miles for such a flight. You will never acquire a free ticket and you might as well forget about status. On WN there will be no status but at least you get a free ticket.
For the infrequent traveller, I think WN offers the best service and FF benefits. Just fly 4 RT in a year and get a free ticket. The RT can be short segments between destinations in FL, TX or longer segments. Try doing this on one of the big carriers where you get a minimum of 500 miles for such a flight. You will never acquire a free ticket and you might as well forget about status. On WN there will be no status but at least you get a free ticket.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 849
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by christianj:
Am I the only one that notice that MRTC is no longer existent on AA. They have moved several of the rows back in on certain aircrafts according to a report I recently read. That is why they are no longer using that slogan or they are just saying "More Room" not "More Room thoughout Coach." </font>
Am I the only one that notice that MRTC is no longer existent on AA. They have moved several of the rows back in on certain aircrafts according to a report I recently read. That is why they are no longer using that slogan or they are just saying "More Room" not "More Room thoughout Coach." </font>
#9
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by christianj:
Am I the only one that notice that MRTC is no longer existent on AA. They have moved several of the rows back in on certain aircrafts according to a report I recently read. That is why they are no longer using that slogan or they are just saying "More Room" not "More Room thoughout Coach." </font>
Am I the only one that notice that MRTC is no longer existent on AA. They have moved several of the rows back in on certain aircrafts according to a report I recently read. That is why they are no longer using that slogan or they are just saying "More Room" not "More Room thoughout Coach." </font>
[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 08-28-2003).]
#10
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Berkeley, CA
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I don't have any experience at all with NW or CO in the past 10 years, probably mostly because this low-revenue frequent flyer (Premier most years, made PremEx last year by the skin of my teeth) has been completely pleased by my experience with United as a leisure traveller. Access to Economy plus seating is a huge perk for making even the lowest-level elite status (which I can do at even the cheapest fares, unlike DL), and since I fly mostly at times when the real road warriors aren't flying, I've had good luck with upgrades as well (I generally use all my upgrade certs). Flying widebodies domestically (with their big premium cabins to increase my upgrade chances) is nice, too...
We flew AA from SFO->DFW->MIA->Quito and back this month, and based on my limited sampling, I would tend to say that on the mainline equipment, UA has better seats, better inflight entertainment, and, of course Channel 9... However, MRTC makes AA my second choice.
Now if it wasn't for that bankruptcy thing...
Dan
We flew AA from SFO->DFW->MIA->Quito and back this month, and based on my limited sampling, I would tend to say that on the mainline equipment, UA has better seats, better inflight entertainment, and, of course Channel 9... However, MRTC makes AA my second choice.
Now if it wasn't for that bankruptcy thing...
Dan
#11
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The only problem with the WN rapid rewards in this scenario is that credits expire after a year. If the flyer is truly traveling infrequently then that might be a problem.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 17
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The only problem with the WN rapid rewards in this scenario is that credits expire after a year. If the flyer is truly traveling infrequently then that might be a problem. </font>
#13
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by xyzzy:
The only problem with the WN rapid rewards in this scenario is that credits expire after a year. If the flyer is truly traveling infrequently then that might be a problem.</font>
The only problem with the WN rapid rewards in this scenario is that credits expire after a year. If the flyer is truly traveling infrequently then that might be a problem.</font>
Specifically, in the past few months we have had an MCI promo (1 credit per month for 8 months) and triple credits on the 18th of the month (still available for September and October). Half a credit per Hampton stay is also a good value, IMHO. And there's always the Visa card (4 credits for signup plus one per $1250 of purchases). Piece of cake.
#14
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Is America West FlightFund a consideration? They do offer a lot of low fares for walk up passengers and have good redemption options within the US. They even have an affordable premier economy (called First class of course).
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RustyC:
I'm an unabashed low-revenue, low-yield frequent flyer, piling up miles almost exclusively on leisure trips paid from my own limited funds, and at gold or higher status on one airline or another for 11 straight years now.
</font>
I'm an unabashed low-revenue, low-yield frequent flyer, piling up miles almost exclusively on leisure trips paid from my own limited funds, and at gold or higher status on one airline or another for 11 straight years now.
</font>