Equity Miles
Mar 15, 1999 | 1:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Posts: 4
Equity Miles
Here is a copy of a letter I sent to TWA...
Ms Kathleen Rice
Executive Assistant
Aviators Customer Relations
Trans World Airways
1415 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Dear Ms. Rice,
Thank you for your letter of March 1st. Unfortunately it did not address the core issue of how TWA reconciles eliminating the Equity Awards given that back in October 1995 the airline clearly promised that "FFB miles earned through 6/30/89 will always be available to claim FFB Equity Awards."
While I can understand your changing many elements of your program, both new and old, and have never complained when you did so, TWA specifically promised, in writing, that the Equity Awards would always be there. To eliminate them, no matter how much you desire to do so, is inexplicable to me. Since other airlines, such as American, that grandfathered old mileage and promised no expiration date have had no trouble honoring their comittment I am confused as to why TWA is unable to do likewise.
Any insight you might offer would be most appreciated.
I look forward to hearing you at your earliest convience.
Sincerely,
Steven Edelman
Ms Kathleen Rice
Executive Assistant
Aviators Customer Relations
Trans World Airways
1415 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Dear Ms. Rice,
Thank you for your letter of March 1st. Unfortunately it did not address the core issue of how TWA reconciles eliminating the Equity Awards given that back in October 1995 the airline clearly promised that "FFB miles earned through 6/30/89 will always be available to claim FFB Equity Awards."
While I can understand your changing many elements of your program, both new and old, and have never complained when you did so, TWA specifically promised, in writing, that the Equity Awards would always be there. To eliminate them, no matter how much you desire to do so, is inexplicable to me. Since other airlines, such as American, that grandfathered old mileage and promised no expiration date have had no trouble honoring their comittment I am confused as to why TWA is unable to do likewise.
Any insight you might offer would be most appreciated.
I look forward to hearing you at your earliest convience.
Sincerely,
Steven Edelman
Mar 15, 1999 | 4:27 pm
#2
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Naples FL, Munich DE
Programs: UA MM, AA 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,817
Thanks for carrying our water on this. Please post any reply you receive.
Mar 31, 1999 | 1:09 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Posts: 4
I got a return letter from TWA.
Basically a non-answer that they needed to make changes to ensure the economic viability of the program and company. I find it hard to believe that continuing to honor their promise regarding Equity Awards puts the company's survival at risk, but that is what they represent. I doubt they will be able to convince a court of that.
I wrote Ms. Rice back asking her to reconcile eliminating the Equity Award given the statement TWA made back in 1995 that "FFB miles earned through 6/30/89 will always be available to claim FFB Equity Awards."
It will be interesting to see what she says.
BTW given that Randy is supposed to represent the interests of the frequent flyer I find surprising that he hasn't called TWA on this one. Wonder why he is shying away from this. I sent him a copy of the sheet then called him to talk about the situation, but couldn't reach him.
Anybody know how to get his take on this?
Basically a non-answer that they needed to make changes to ensure the economic viability of the program and company. I find it hard to believe that continuing to honor their promise regarding Equity Awards puts the company's survival at risk, but that is what they represent. I doubt they will be able to convince a court of that.
I wrote Ms. Rice back asking her to reconcile eliminating the Equity Award given the statement TWA made back in 1995 that "FFB miles earned through 6/30/89 will always be available to claim FFB Equity Awards."
It will be interesting to see what she says.
BTW given that Randy is supposed to represent the interests of the frequent flyer I find surprising that he hasn't called TWA on this one. Wonder why he is shying away from this. I sent him a copy of the sheet then called him to talk about the situation, but couldn't reach him.
Anybody know how to get his take on this?
Mar 31, 1999 | 4:59 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 51
Steve,
Before you disparage Randy, he has written extensively on this one issue and he has spoken with TWA about his feelings (which are none too positive). He has tried. Possibly because of his efforts TWA did extend the deadline on the equity award conversion from May 1 to December 31.
Jeff
Before you disparage Randy, he has written extensively on this one issue and he has spoken with TWA about his feelings (which are none too positive). He has tried. Possibly because of his efforts TWA did extend the deadline on the equity award conversion from May 1 to December 31.
Jeff
Mar 31, 1999 | 6:31 pm
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,343
Just so you know, American only grandfathered the old mileage after they lost a big class action suit, which contended that expiring the mileage earned when there was no expiration date on mileage amounted to consumer fraud. They tried to get the court to rule that FAA regulation pre-empted state consumer fraud laws, and lost. so, they grandfathered the mileage as a result of the class action. What they appear to have done, though, is to simply ignore those members who have the old mileage and never earned any new mileage--they don't get statements, or any other indication that the miles are there, so AA hopes they will never redeem the mileage (if any of it is in amounts great enough to redeem awards).
Djlawman
Djlawman