Comments on: Some Thoughts on Results at the Freddie Awards http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/ Putting a little thought into a lot of travel Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:05:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Hassan Arshad http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-70459 Hassan Arshad Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:45:35 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-70459 Congratulations to Marriot and all winning Hotels and love to Marriot Islamabad Pakistan Congratulations to Marriot and all winning Hotels and love to Marriot Islamabad Pakistan

]]> By: iahphx http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-66077 iahphx Tue, 05 May 2009 13:07:57 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-66077 Not sure how often the above-posting "Prince" travels, but the idea that a Southwest award is much more easily redeemable than a Continental award is ancient history. The ever- tightening availability of award seats on Southwest has sunk that program from a frequent flyer perspective. Mind you, the airline is still good for certain circumstances (cancelling your rez and getting a credit for the whole ticket amount is wonderful), but it's not a great airline to fly for its frequent flyer program. So while I agree with others that "ballot stuffing" could play a role in these awards, I think ignorance also plays a part. It generally takes several years for an airlines reputation (good or bad) to catch up with reality. Like when Continental was rapidly improving in the late 90s, most people still thought they were a crummy airline. Not everyone flies or stays with the airlines/hotels to know that latest situation. Not sure how often the above-posting “Prince” travels, but the idea that a Southwest award is much more easily redeemable than a Continental award is ancient history. The ever- tightening availability of award seats on Southwest has sunk that program from a frequent flyer perspective. Mind you, the airline is still good for certain circumstances (cancelling your rez and getting a credit for the whole ticket amount is wonderful), but it’s not a great airline to fly for its frequent flyer program.

So while I agree with others that “ballot stuffing” could play a role in these awards, I think ignorance also plays a part. It generally takes several years for an airlines reputation (good or bad) to catch up with reality. Like when Continental was rapidly improving in the late 90s, most people still thought they were a crummy airline. Not everyone flies or stays with the airlines/hotels to know that latest situation.

]]> By: Brendan McMahon http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65645 Brendan McMahon Sat, 02 May 2009 06:50:14 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65645 As a westerner long term resident in Asia (12 years) flying regionally, I am amazed that Cathay Pacific does not get a mention. Superior, heart-warming personal service pre-board, on-board (no matter what class) and through all points of contact - website, promotions, etc etc. Most of the comments seem to point to one thing: the survey is faulty and biased Disclaimer: I have no professional or personal association with Cathay. As a westerner long term resident in Asia (12 years) flying regionally, I am amazed that Cathay Pacific does not get a mention. Superior, heart-warming personal service pre-board, on-board (no matter what class) and through all points of contact – website, promotions, etc etc.

Most of the comments seem to point to one thing: the survey is faulty and biased
Disclaimer: I have no professional or personal association with Cathay.

]]> By: Gwen G.C. http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65522 Gwen G.C. Fri, 01 May 2009 06:29:38 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65522 Whoa!! I am an American living in Europe and my husband and I travel extensively. Five years ago we were introduced to HGVC (Hilton Grand Vacation Club and all of its programs and services-airlines, reward program, resorts, etc). You should try them; maybe then some of these TOP WINNERS would disappear from your "OSCAR" list. I say 10+ for HGVC, Hilton Honors and the agreements they have with AMERICAN AIRLINES. Whoa!! I am an American living in Europe and my husband and I travel extensively. Five years ago we were introduced to HGVC (Hilton Grand Vacation Club and all of its programs and services-airlines, reward program, resorts, etc). You should try them; maybe then some of these TOP WINNERS would disappear from your “OSCAR” list. I say 10+ for HGVC, Hilton Honors and the agreements they have with AMERICAN AIRLINES.

]]> By: Dave K http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65497 Dave K Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:42:15 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65497 I am just totally overwhelmed by these results. I posted something similar earlier. As a platinum member of both Starwood (SPG) and Priority (InterContinental) I cannot buy these results in North America.... SPG is head and shoulders above Priority. To get enough points to qualify for one free night at Priority you have to really work for it as the points are given out most sparingly..... and then the rooms you get are crap... with SPG, they reward you platinum status whether you use points or cash.... this is a travesty and someone should be ashamed of themselves for this injustice. In North America, SPG is the best!!!!! I am just totally overwhelmed by these results. I posted something similar earlier. As a platinum member of both Starwood (SPG) and Priority (InterContinental) I cannot buy these results in North America…. SPG is head and shoulders above Priority. To get enough points to qualify for one free night at Priority you have to really work for it as the points are given out most sparingly….. and then the rooms you get are crap… with SPG, they reward you platinum status whether you use points or cash…. this is a travesty and someone should be ashamed of themselves for this injustice. In North America, SPG is the best!!!!!

]]> By: Latin Traveler http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65493 Latin Traveler Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:57:30 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65493 It's ballot stuffing pure and simple, just as when some really dead-boring average hotel in Cancun comes out on top in the T & L "readers poll." I've worked for two companies that strongly encouraged their employees to vote in these manufactured "best of" awards and I'm sure it doesn't take much of that effort to overwhelm the votes of real frequent travelers. It’s ballot stuffing pure and simple, just as when some really dead-boring average hotel in Cancun comes out on top in the T & L “readers poll.” I’ve worked for two companies that strongly encouraged their employees to vote in these manufactured “best of” awards and I’m sure it doesn’t take much of that effort to overwhelm the votes of real frequent travelers.

]]> By: BearX220 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65492 BearX220 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:36:28 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65492 The weighting algorithm used to compute order of finish in the Freddies is so torturously complicated and manipulable, it makes the awards impossible to take seriously. The weighting algorithm used to compute order of finish in the Freddies is so torturously complicated and manipulable, it makes the awards impossible to take seriously.

]]> By: charlie888 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65440 charlie888 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:37:02 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65440 Come on Freddie, admit it ! How much have these "Winners" been paying for these results? Come on Freddie,
admit it !
How much have these “Winners” been paying for these results?

]]> By: adviser http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65421 adviser Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:37:52 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65421 Congratulations to 21st FREDDIE AWARD !!! Congratulations to 21st FREDDIE AWARD !!!

]]> By: Mayberry http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/2009/04/26/some-thoughts-on-results-at-the-freddie-awards/comment-page-1/#comment-65419 Mayberry Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:45:31 +0000 http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfromthewing/?p=3898#comment-65419 One thing I know that is wrong with the Freddies is that it is voted on. I get to vote on Asian and European awards, yet do not fly or stay there. This give me no experience except American experience to vote on. I see this as a major flaw. Maybe I should not vote on foreign programs One thing I know that is wrong with the Freddies is that it is voted on. I get to vote on Asian and European awards, yet do not fly or stay there. This give me no experience except American experience to vote on. I see this as a major flaw.
Maybe I should not vote on foreign programs

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