In a thread today having a somewhat heated discussion about BOB programs, many posters were of the mind that one should simply qualify for the top elite levels and be able to UPG more and have the food and drink provided gratis.

Now this took me back a couple of weeks ago. I was at a party chatting with a friend of mine who is a President of a division for a large sporting goods label. He flies every quarter from NYC to Germany (in J) for corporate meetings and at least once every two months from NYC to LAX and NYC to MIA (in Y) and numerous other trips between. He was totally unaware that if he flew with one airline the perks that could be stowed upon him if he reaches top level elite (which he probably could). UPGs, lounge access, and priority treatment seemed to be unknown to him. Moreover, he did not seem to care about these things. To him flying was getting from Point A to Point B and nothing else. He would not know a 747 from a 737.

Now in this upg/benefits/perk obsessive forum, have other FTs met such FFs that are totally clueless to the system and don't really seem to care.

I think this fits the description of most people.

If all other flyers were as clued-in as FTers, FF Programs would have been phased out long ago, and we'd all be hosed.

Unless the horse is thirsty, don't lead it to water

as horrible as this is, Im starting to agree with this line of thinking. With the rapid depriciation of all points/miles, I no longer go out of my way to clue in strangers.

I hafta say I was generally unaware at first. Was savvy enough to sign up and get the miles credited, but getting to 20 or 25K for that first free ticket seemed some distance away when I would get maybe 4-5K base miles a year. It was enough to get me to pick airline A over airline B if fares were the same, but I would pick vacation destinations first and then figure out which airline to take.

I actually earned status without really knowing it on CO back in 1992 by taking them several times during the great fare sale of that summer and fall. What finally got my attention was getting upgraded to first class on a trip in early 1993 totally by surprise. It was the first time I had ever flown up front. That prompted me to read through everything and start trying to figure out the elite programs. Double miles and threshold bonuses seemed like a real "best kept secret." I guess it still is.

I know plenty of people who don't care and they could easily get top status with their prefered airline. I get, "the back of the plane lands and takes off at the same time as the front".

Yes, ignorance is bliss and let's keep it that way.

My cousin in London flew business trips all over the world in BA Club for years without ever signing up for an FF program. He said it was too much trouble. He changed his tune when I started turning up in London to visit him, flying on BA J or F awards. He was genuinely angry with me -- as if I had somehow stolen those seats. I showed him the ropes but don't know if he ever capitalized. Kind of a prat anyway.

Yes, I've met people like this; i.e., frequent flyers who are either completely unaware of the potential benefits, or who are partially aware but don't maximize them -- for example, they are aware of redeemable miles but unaware of the benefits of status such as upgrades, etc. I think we all have encountered such individuals.

Also, this is a very well-worn topic, always with the same conclusions.

Hey, did you guys hear? FF programs are being eliminated. To save yourselves some time, don't bother putting your numbers in your reservations anymore. It won't do you any good. Really, I promise.

Mike

I dunno about that. I think we are all more worried that FF programs are oversubscribed and face dilution that will harm us. So while we may once have freely shared knowledge and strategies there is a trend towards staying mum and not encouraging any more participants.

I think this attitude is a subtext on FlyerTalk as a whole, too, which is a lot bigger community than it used to be but not IMHO nearly as supportive of / generous with new arrivals.

I would also say that people who like to fly (travel) are very often type A personalities that aren't going to suffer in the back of the plane when they can ride in the front in style (or relatively speaking for domestic) and comfort for free or little $$. By nature we are competitive and therefore those other names on the UPG list in a sense are our enemies because they are also vying for those limited prized seats up front. I don't say this per se as a criticism as I certainly am a much happier camper when I am up front.

I never worry about dilution of benefits because for every savvy FTer there's a clueless or just doesn't care non-FTer who travels. Always been that way; always will be. And even if you clue someone in in the interest of being helpful doesn't mean they'll act on it.

I have FF friends who I give a lot of input to who travel, and I know at the end of the conversation they won't do anything w/ it. Heck, I've shown lots of friends & colleagues FT & its various forums, & they rave about it at the time but as far as I know still haven't registered.

And even when UA (my program) runs it's D-EQM (as they've done in the past few years), I've got colleagues who should take advantage of it who 'never read the email' or 'didn't understand it' or 'didn't think it applied to me', so I don't really pay too much attention to the UA FTers who shriek that the sky is falling & they'll lose their upgrades or their bennies are being diluted.

OVMV. Cheers.

I know people that travel four or five times a month, minimum, and don't belong to any plans at all. They don't get the reason for it, don't want to be limited to one hotel or airline or anything else.

I gave up trying to clue them in on the actual benefits. Just telling them you know that group that gets to be called early to board? That could be you. And to them it's not worth the time to fill out the card.

I'm always amazed the sheer numbers of them that are out there. And I really don't care anymore either if they know or not. I am thinking not, they pay more for tickets so I can pay less, they sit in coach so I can sit closer to the front, etc.

FF programs are better than coupons. With grocery store coupons, some people think "why bother". One shouldn't carry over this attitude to ff programs.

There are benefits such as standby priority. Even better treatment during weather delays are possible. The people who don't participate lose out. Elite members can get automatic upgrades (which comes with a meal, sometimes), priority baggage handling (less wait!), and better seating (exit the plane faster).

Some who say "the above doesn't matter" are so rich that it doesn't matter. However most could use some benefits, such as priority baggage handling and getting off the plane faster. One can get this without extreme planning, such as mileage runs, getting bonus offers, etc.

I used to fly enough that strategy didn't matter. Fly any airline and put the miles in that airline. Upgrade on many airlines. Now it takes strategy. 2008 looks bad. For the first time in possibly 15 years, no elite status on any airline. Help!!! This is happening despite consolidation of new deposits to Skyteam airlines and trying to minimize non-Skyteam travel where possible.