Are Frequent flyer programmes all they are cracked up to be?
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Are Frequent flyer programmes all they are cracked up to be?
I recently fell out with the major UK carrier after being a Gold holder for at least 5 or 6 years and was just about to embark on becoming loyal with the fresh faced airline and its alliances when I sat down and thought what do I really get from always flying with these airlines?
The answer I came up with was not much, after all if I am paying a business or First fare then I get my lounge access, massages, chauffeur service and improved food whichever airline I go with. So why don't I just show them no loyalty at all and just pick whichever one has the best route or price at the time.
I used to go out of my way to book using 'my' airlines services including the hotels and hire cars as well as their credit card to get triple miles. What was I thinking?
Has my mind gone blank and I have forgotten some major perk that I used to receive?
The answer I came up with was not much, after all if I am paying a business or First fare then I get my lounge access, massages, chauffeur service and improved food whichever airline I go with. So why don't I just show them no loyalty at all and just pick whichever one has the best route or price at the time.
I used to go out of my way to book using 'my' airlines services including the hotels and hire cars as well as their credit card to get triple miles. What was I thinking?
Has my mind gone blank and I have forgotten some major perk that I used to receive?
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Are Frequent flyer programmes all they are cracked up to be?
I had a similar epiphany to yours a few years ago. Now it seems simply foolish to book on a particular carrier and/or buy particular brands at particular places with particular credit cards just to get points. I think the only sensible approach nowadays is to be a member of one airline's loyalty scheme in each of the three big alliances. Then you will get points on pretty much any flight. So you can go ahead and simply choose the one that is cheapest/quickest/most direct/most comfortable/whatever.
It will take you longer to get gold status, but as you observe, these perks are increasingly meaningless. You will still get the points, albeit spread out over the three alliances, and you can use them for "free" (ha!) flights, etc.
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you can use them for "free" (ha!) flights
I think the only sensible approach nowadays is to be a member of one airline's loyalty scheme in each of the three big alliances
Ciao,
Ulxima
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Hopefully the airlines do take some notice but I've no evidence of this. The main benefit I'm looking for is if I'm not travelling business or first I can use the lounges, as many cups of coffee and croissants as I can eat. In reality I'd rather be in a bar watching a sports channel.
This summer BA sent an offer for discounted time on their sims, I couldn't do it this time but if it happens again.
On the downside I get offers for credit cards every couple of weeks.
This summer BA sent an offer for discounted time on their sims, I couldn't do it this time but if it happens again.
On the downside I get offers for credit cards every couple of weeks.
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When it comes to flight redemptions these programmes seem to me to be less valuable than in the past.
I remember the days when my flying with KLM and Northwest allowed me to redeem Flying Dutchman points for flights between London and Amsterdam which were completely free.
At the other extreme, in the last year I've paid almost £400 on each of a number of occasions to BA in "taxes, fees and surcharges" when redeeming BA Miles for trans-Atlantic travel. Given airlines' sophisticated revenue management systems, I'm sure that's income for seats which would probably have gone empty. What one hand giveth....
I remember the days when my flying with KLM and Northwest allowed me to redeem Flying Dutchman points for flights between London and Amsterdam which were completely free.
At the other extreme, in the last year I've paid almost £400 on each of a number of occasions to BA in "taxes, fees and surcharges" when redeeming BA Miles for trans-Atlantic travel. Given airlines' sophisticated revenue management systems, I'm sure that's income for seats which would probably have gone empty. What one hand giveth....
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I did some maths not long ago where I worked out the value of 'Miles', based on what you spend versus what you can redeem them for. I don't have the figures to hand but I seem to recall that the miles earned, if you based the figures purely on a comparison of tickets, disregarding any other value added services, were worth a discount of about 0.5%. The only tangible value was 40kg allowance on all flights, as I used to bring a lot of wine and clothes back from SA. There were also frequent free upgrades, now a thing of the past too.
Last week I worked out that a BHX - CPT - BHX using my Flying Blue (KL/AF) Miles would cost me, in addition to the miles, just over £300. The cheapest consolidator ticket for the same flights would have cost me £370.
I realised what a waste of time these schemes are when after many years of frequent flying with LH, and reaching 'Senator' status, I was able to use the exalted Senator lounges in the German airports. On one occasion the hostess was showing me into the Senator Lounge at FRA and as we passed through the Business Class lounge, observed that the latter was less crowded and would probably be more comfortable! This was often the case, and the only 'advantage' I ever saw of the Senator Lounges was the possibility of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. The only person in that category whom I ever met and who was pleasant was, somewhat surprisingly in view of some of the roles she played, Grace Jones who was charm and Grace personified. What a lovely lady.
On a trip to Canada I desperately needed to get from YTO to YVR, I was waitlisted on several flights and went out the airport to standby. I'm not one of these people that likes to flash a gold card, but I did say to the lady at the ticket desk that I had a Lufthansa Senator card, or top level Star Alliance. She said : "That makes you a top customer of Lufthansa, but to us you are the same as anyone else." Since then I questioned the value of Alliances and Loyalty Schemes.
Like most marketing schemes, they simply give the customer an illusion of importance and value, whilst in reality he is being shafted.
Last week I worked out that a BHX - CPT - BHX using my Flying Blue (KL/AF) Miles would cost me, in addition to the miles, just over £300. The cheapest consolidator ticket for the same flights would have cost me £370.
I realised what a waste of time these schemes are when after many years of frequent flying with LH, and reaching 'Senator' status, I was able to use the exalted Senator lounges in the German airports. On one occasion the hostess was showing me into the Senator Lounge at FRA and as we passed through the Business Class lounge, observed that the latter was less crowded and would probably be more comfortable! This was often the case, and the only 'advantage' I ever saw of the Senator Lounges was the possibility of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. The only person in that category whom I ever met and who was pleasant was, somewhat surprisingly in view of some of the roles she played, Grace Jones who was charm and Grace personified. What a lovely lady.
On a trip to Canada I desperately needed to get from YTO to YVR, I was waitlisted on several flights and went out the airport to standby. I'm not one of these people that likes to flash a gold card, but I did say to the lady at the ticket desk that I had a Lufthansa Senator card, or top level Star Alliance. She said : "That makes you a top customer of Lufthansa, but to us you are the same as anyone else." Since then I questioned the value of Alliances and Loyalty Schemes.
Like most marketing schemes, they simply give the customer an illusion of importance and value, whilst in reality he is being shafted.
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The answer I came up with was not much, after all if I am paying a business or First fare then I get my lounge access, massages, chauffeur service and improved food whichever airline I go with. So why don't I just show them no loyalty at all and just pick whichever one has the best route or price at the time.
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If you are lucky enough to be able to afford (or be provided) with the premium services every time you fly, then I'd agree - not much value. Indeed, being involved in software for frequent flyer programs, it is true to say that one of the "headaches" some airlines have is recognising (and thus making sure they take "special" care of) customers who chose not to join their schemes and who travel fairly regularly in premium cabins.
I'm lucky that my employer allows me to use the premium cabins for long haul travel. That keeps me in the gold or above levels of one of the alliance's frequent flyer schemes. Unfortunately, that same employer doesn't put me in the front end on European or UK flights. However, when travelling short haul the gold card gets me into the shorter/quicker premium queues for checkin, gets me priority bags, blocked seats next to me if the flight is not full, gets me through the express security lanes at airports, and into the lounges that are often far more restful (and cheaper!) if I want a quick G&T than the scrummage at general departure lounge bars.
Furthermore, as a gold card holder, I've just booked a vacation travel for two to the USA where we've been able to immediately (at booking time) upgrade our cheapo paid-for economy tickets to business class for no additional charge - and this is the third time I've been able to do that this year. Now don't get me wrong - I could spend money on business class vacation travel if I wanted to, but when its as convenient to upgrade for free as it has been I'll keep that money for something else thankyou. Its not using the miles that's the the problem, its the WAY that you use them!
No doubt someone will tell me the frequent flyer perks I do value are earned at my employers expense. Yes, that's as maybe, but I won't get too stressed about that on the basis that I get precious little else in a life that regularly involves turning up at airports or getting home at stupid-o'clock and [despite the long haul business class] frequently feeling wrung out for days a trip.
A
I'm lucky that my employer allows me to use the premium cabins for long haul travel. That keeps me in the gold or above levels of one of the alliance's frequent flyer schemes. Unfortunately, that same employer doesn't put me in the front end on European or UK flights. However, when travelling short haul the gold card gets me into the shorter/quicker premium queues for checkin, gets me priority bags, blocked seats next to me if the flight is not full, gets me through the express security lanes at airports, and into the lounges that are often far more restful (and cheaper!) if I want a quick G&T than the scrummage at general departure lounge bars.
Furthermore, as a gold card holder, I've just booked a vacation travel for two to the USA where we've been able to immediately (at booking time) upgrade our cheapo paid-for economy tickets to business class for no additional charge - and this is the third time I've been able to do that this year. Now don't get me wrong - I could spend money on business class vacation travel if I wanted to, but when its as convenient to upgrade for free as it has been I'll keep that money for something else thankyou. Its not using the miles that's the the problem, its the WAY that you use them!
No doubt someone will tell me the frequent flyer perks I do value are earned at my employers expense. Yes, that's as maybe, but I won't get too stressed about that on the basis that I get precious little else in a life that regularly involves turning up at airports or getting home at stupid-o'clock and [despite the long haul business class] frequently feeling wrung out for days a trip.
A
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Are frequent flyer programmes all they are cracked up to be?
Answer: NOT ANY MORE!! I remember way back when - I actually got an UPGRADE on an AWARD ticket!! Can anybody remember THAT?? Now you're lucky if you even get an upgrade against miles.............!!
I remember way back when - I actually got an UPGRADE on an AWARD ticket!! Can anybody remember THAT?? Now you're lucky if you even get an upgrade against miles.............!!
I find the Marco Polo Club (CX) OK - handy to jump the queue when the flight is full, never been downgraded and I have not experienced any problems with upgrades using miles. I suppose it is the luck of the draw.
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The advertised frequent flyer programs have certainly lost their value. However, become a 3x Virgin Gold or 4x BA Gold and you will find service that perhaps you recall from years gone by - and more.
To achieve that level of course, you need to be flying J and/or F at least once a month or, to put it another way, spending £40-90k per year.
To achieve that level of course, you need to be flying J and/or F at least once a month or, to put it another way, spending £40-90k per year.
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Nope!
Not at all.
Certainly with the World's Favourite Airline silver/gold status these days simply means that you are penalized slightly less than all the other punters. If you fly J or F anyway, then there are no meaningful perks from membership. I've also noticed that most airlines have also significantly increased their mileage requirements for reward tickets, as well as extending blackout periods, so it becomes really difficult to use the miles.
I've actually started shopping around much more as a result, and found, for example:
Ticket on VS from LHR-SFO available at 3 days notice at 60% of the BA price (and a damn sight nicer as well)
Jet Airways to Mumbai at 50% BA club price advance purchase
Etihad to Manila at a special deal of 40% BA club price.
I'd rather have the increased travel budget than the miles any day.
The old days of AA Executive Platinum upgrades to First for nearly all transatlantic flights are truly gone. As well as a memorable QF experience in Tokyo in the early 90s when the captain invited me, as the sole gold card holder on the upper deck that night, to come up front and watch the lights taking off over Tokyo Bay.
Certainly with the World's Favourite Airline silver/gold status these days simply means that you are penalized slightly less than all the other punters. If you fly J or F anyway, then there are no meaningful perks from membership. I've also noticed that most airlines have also significantly increased their mileage requirements for reward tickets, as well as extending blackout periods, so it becomes really difficult to use the miles.
I've actually started shopping around much more as a result, and found, for example:
Ticket on VS from LHR-SFO available at 3 days notice at 60% of the BA price (and a damn sight nicer as well)
Jet Airways to Mumbai at 50% BA club price advance purchase
Etihad to Manila at a special deal of 40% BA club price.
I'd rather have the increased travel budget than the miles any day.
The old days of AA Executive Platinum upgrades to First for nearly all transatlantic flights are truly gone. As well as a memorable QF experience in Tokyo in the early 90s when the captain invited me, as the sole gold card holder on the upper deck that night, to come up front and watch the lights taking off over Tokyo Bay.
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Originally Posted by Seat 59A
Etihad to Manila at a special deal of 40% BA club price.
Paxing All Over The World
There are numerous web sites devoted SOLELY to this question!!!!
In short, using FFMs to upgrade when on personal travel as EastMids tells us, has long been established as the most cost effective use of them.YES they are cutting down on the number of reward seats available in each flight but you can shop around.
To gain points/miles I use a credit card that directs points into a particular FFM scheme and so all petrol and supermarket purchases also count.
YES the cost of BAs luvverly 'taxes' can be high but, when I needed to do a LHR/JNB this year, I got WT+ both ways for £370 (all points) and I could not have done that any other way.
If you are going to collect - then collect carefully. Ensure that they all (Hotels, car hire etc.) pile into a single account and then use it for upgrades. If you are NOT going to collect, then shop around. Incidentally, I still shop around every single time because I no longer travel on business as I did before and so have fewer earning opportunities. Some points I have kept ticking over for years until I find the right balance of points/money or plain money.
In short, using FFMs to upgrade when on personal travel as EastMids tells us, has long been established as the most cost effective use of them.YES they are cutting down on the number of reward seats available in each flight but you can shop around.
To gain points/miles I use a credit card that directs points into a particular FFM scheme and so all petrol and supermarket purchases also count.
YES the cost of BAs luvverly 'taxes' can be high but, when I needed to do a LHR/JNB this year, I got WT+ both ways for £370 (all points) and I could not have done that any other way.
If you are going to collect - then collect carefully. Ensure that they all (Hotels, car hire etc.) pile into a single account and then use it for upgrades. If you are NOT going to collect, then shop around. Incidentally, I still shop around every single time because I no longer travel on business as I did before and so have fewer earning opportunities. Some points I have kept ticking over for years until I find the right balance of points/money or plain money.
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Are frequent flyer programmes all they are cracked up to be?
Good for you Handy Andy! Should have specified: in my case it was a "free" ticket awarded against miles, and STILL got an upgrade. Guess that is no longer the case these days - you at least had bought a ticket for cash!
Or maybe I'm in the wrong FF programme(s)
Or maybe I'm in the wrong FF programme(s)
