March 19, 2012
Most frequent fliers say the crown jewel of status benefits is the free upgrade to first class by legacy carriers. But this year the boards are lighting up with common complaints of no upgrades at the early window (usually 4-5 days before) while others are saying they are simply not receiving upgrades at all. The loudest chants come from United and Delta FFers but this should be no surprise. Often looking more like twins than competitors, these are the two largest elite status programs.
Of course, this varies depending on factors such as airline, airport, route, day of week, and time of day. Nevertheless, increasing chatter suggests looking to see if the dots connect.
So what changed? Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Travel |
December 13, 2011
Are you approaching the end of the miles and points year with the realization that you’ll be a lesser person next year? A person with a lesser airline, hotel or car rental status, that is!
While I’ve reached top tier status at three hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton and Starwood) and will reach 100k on Continental/United, I’m more focused on what I’m not going to achieve – Diamond status on Delta.
I have flown even more miles this year than I did last year (190k vs. 150k) and yet not ended up with the top tier on both airlines. I added more focus on Continental to ensure I reach the 1k status now that they have a fourth tier as they merge programs with United. I’m counting on an international flight next week with a 150% bonus to get me to this goal. With the increased focus on Continental, the airline I fly more often for domestic travel, the seesaw reverted downwards on my Delta accumulation. Sad. I want them both!
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Random Thoughts |
May 11, 2010
Ah, the good old days when there used to be three elite levels for airlines – Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Generally, those levels were recognized at 25K, 50K, 75 or 100K respectively for miles flown annually.
I realize this is a bit of an oversimplification because not all the legacy carriers followed this strict status. Also, there are some frequent fliers who qualify for elite status through segments, not air miles. Nevertheless, the points here remain valid.
In days gone by, Silver status had some value though it varied by airline. It was considered an achievement and there were rewards. Indeed, it was very possible for Silver status fliers to get upgrades to first class as long as they flew at non-peak times.
Those days are gone. Here are the frequent flier status programs today:
Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Travel |
April 7, 2010
The contest we just had on Boarding Area was fun, especially for the winner, of course. There were some excellent tips offered (thank you!) but I was looking for one tip and never saw anyone post about it (sorry if I missed it).
Some airlines offer business programs for employees where the companies actually accumulate points, too. These bonus miles are in addition to the frequent flier miles earned by employee travel. Companies can use their awards as gifts to employees – or anyone, for that matter – for things like free or upgraded airfare.
For example, here is how Delta’s business program works: Read more of this article »
Posted by Carol Margolis under Travel |
January 19, 2010
For frequent fliers who did not reach elite status by the end of 2009, your privileges will soon be expiring … typically by the end of February. That’s about the time the depression sets in. I’ve felt that pain before. Not only was it a miserable feeling to know that I would always be going to the back of the plane and walking by the ‘new elite,’ but it also shook up my entire travel methodology.
I was Delta Platinum for several years. When my kids were in high school, I worked locally and flew very little. I had my Platinum status with nowhere to go. After a year of my Platinum card collecting dust, Delta must have felt pity on me because they did not eliminate my status altogether. Instead they gave me Gold status. I was ecstatic! I thought I would have lost it all. The next year, however, I again had few flights and thus became part of the non-elite. No second year pity from Delta. It was so humbling to walk through First Class knowing that those used to be my seats!
What was most mystifying to me, however, was who to book flights through now that I had no elite status. Automatically I used to book Delta. It was all about status, status, status. But now that status didn’t matter and price did (since I was paying for my own flights), I was looking for the lower fares no matter what airline.
I began to fly a lot of different carriers for my domestic flights (United, Airtran, Spirit, etc…). Loyalty didn’t matter since status was no longer my main rationale, but on every flight I reminisced about Biscoff cookies, first class seats and 100% bonus miles. It was a very sad time.
Once my youngest child graduated high school, I was back on the road within weeks. Goodbye local job – hello weekly travel! I had to start my climb back up the elite ladder all over again. I had my first flight on Delta on August 4th and was able to reach Gold Medallion by the end of the year. I was back in the big seats!
I stayed at Delta Platinum for several years now, but will be soon getting my Gold Medallion for 2010. I dropped down a rung on the ladder again. Even though I have Platinum status on Continental now, I’m depressed that I will not also have it on Delta. I dread the day when my 2010 Gold Medallion card reaches my mailbox. At least I will never lose my Delta Elite status ever again. Achieving Million-Miler status assures me Silver Medallion for life.
If your status is about to drop, there may still be hope. Know that it is always worth a letter or call to your airline to request a matching elite status. I have received matching elite status in the past (Northwest and Continental have both given me Gold status based on my Delta Platinum status). Or request an exception if you just missed a certain level by a small number of miles. It never hurts to ask. (The same goes for hotels also always ask if a hotel will honor or match your elite status.)
For those of you going down in status this year, I understand your pain.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Travel |
