Upgrades and Downgrades — July 16, 2007 — Status, scales, fares, and the little guy
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Upgraded: US Airways elite status for non-elites
Downgraded: Existing US Airways elite member satisfaction
US Airways is letting those without status buy their way into the rank and file of the elite frequent flyer set, giving them access to the upgrade waiting list and a few bonus miles. Whoo. If I were a US Airways elite, I’d be peeved at their “Try Preferred Status on for size” promotion. Much like Tim Winship argues, it’s hard enough getting an upgrade; now the airline is willing to sell your loyalty down the river to make a quick buck, thereby making it even harder to snag that wider seat with the marginally better service. Classy.
Upgraded: Virgin America
Slow-going upstart Virgin America got its approvals all lined up, and they’re officially legal to sell tickets and fly around the USA. But they’re not selling tickets yet. Their website still promises the moon. What’s the holdup? Jeez, people! August, they say.
Downgraded: Airport scales
Surprise, surprise. The scales at airports are often wrong. How often? 90% of scales were off in a Phoenix television station’s investigative report. Problems limited to Phoenix? Probably not. Try to make sure your scale is at zero when you put down your bags, but that won’t necessary avoid trouble. (Via Consumerist)
Upgraded: The little guy
Jane Waun rocks. She took Spirit Airlines to small claims court for the additional expenses she incurred after Spirit summarily canceled her flight and left her high and dry. They refunded her money for the ticket (eventually) but didn’t cover her additional costs. So she sued. And she won, in part because Spirit never showed up to fight it. 90% of success is showing up, or something like that, right?
(Update: I see Chris Elliott picked up on this, too. And he goes a step further, suggesting that everyone take every travel company to small claims court. Sue them every time, and hope they don’t show, in order to force them to change their practices. Nice idea, but small claims cases still take time! That’s probably why Spirit blew the case off in the first place. But if you have the time, go for it.)
Upgraded: Price transparency in the European Union
The EU Parliament has passed a set of rules mandating that airlines have to quote full prices, not just base fares. (Take that, easyJet!) The law needs approval from member states before taking effect, but this is pro-consumer. Let’s hope the member states pass it.
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July 16th, 2007 at 11:34 pm |
I’m not sure US Airways buy your way to status is a big problem.
If you only fly US (or *A) once or twice then it is an expensive way to get a few perks - and the worthwhile ones only kick in at Gold status and above. If you are only flying once or twice then you are not really taking benefits away from other elites.
For those that fly a lot, it is true the status benefits are worth more and may have more impact on the benefits others receive (only so many upgrades to go around). But at least the program is harder than the American Airlines status “challenge”. Also, how many of the passengers that buy status will then go on to fly Star Alliance more and thus earn the right to retain their status?
July 17th, 2007 at 6:40 am |
That’s a sensible argument, and indeed the newbie cash-money elites won’t individually be taking too many upgrades, because they don’t travel that often.
The key word is “individually.” If the program turns popular, then there might be more competition for upgrades, especially among lower-tier elites.
Alternatively, the program could end up upsetting both the “cash elites” and the “butt-in-seat elites.” The cash elites, who haven’t been elites before, might actually end up disappointed in the program, especially if they pay for a low level and don’t get the upgrades they’re banking on. They could be turned off by US Airways’ program and turn their back on the program. At the same time, the butt-in-seat elites could be angered at the airline for even offering the cash program in the first place. Even if it doesn’t alter the upgrade calculus much, the impression remains that the airline will sell out their most loyal customers to make a quick $200. And that could hurt in the long term.
Risky business, methinks.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:10 am |
Check out my entry on the Consumerist article. I got a nice comment from an airline employee.
http://blog.flightwisdom.com
July 17th, 2007 at 10:32 am |
Looks just like UA’s Fast Track promotion from earlier in the year. I paid $100 and flew 12,500+ miles within 90 days and moved from 2P to 1P. Now, I would have moved to 1P anyway by the summer due to an increase in my travel, but for the $100 I got to enjoy the perks a little bit earlier. The way it looks, by the end of they year I might very well reach 1K (from 2P for the last six years or so), and that’s not on ultra-cheap MR fares (though admittedly I can’t afford full-fare/premium class tickets either).
But speaking of sell-out, aren’t all those double/triple mile and EQM promotions that are so loved on sites like Flyertalk just ultimately the same?
July 17th, 2007 at 10:32 am |
Thanks, Guru. Your suggestion of having the luggage reweighed on a separate scale, if your luggage comes in a hair over legal weight, is a good one.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:35 am |
Oliver, yes, those double EQM promos are in the same category, in my opinion, but at least you have to fly in order to earn the miles. US Airways’ deal doesn’t even make you fly, as long as you’ve got the cash. But you’re right, at the end of the day, it’s a minor distinction, and the effect on existing elites is comparable.
July 19th, 2007 at 1:49 pm |
Argh! Virgin America is advertising that seats are for sale on the front page of nytimes website (thursday) but they obviously weren’t prepared for the traffic! doh!
“We apologize for the inconvenience. Our web site will be back up shortly. In the meantime, please call 1.877.FLY.VIRGIN, 5 AM - 9 PM (Pacific Time), and one of our Guest Services agents will be glad to assist you. “