Tier points changes

Does anyone know the aswer to this?
In the latest iFLY, they state that the teir point levels for moving up are reverting back to the original figures.
Why did they change them in the first place and why have they noe gone back to the old levels?
Does anyone see them reverting back to the more "interesting" figures again?

Alan

[Decker]

If you're welcoming speculation... trying to stimulate flying after the drop post 9-11.

[mitchja]

FC did a promo last year where they dropped the targets for reaching Silver and Gold tier. eg Gold usually requires 40 points but last year they dropped it to just 30 points. They also reduced the number of points you needed to retain your current Silver or Gold tier. It's now reverted back to the original system, details of which can be found here

Regards

[Nottingham Nick]

quote:Originally posted by Decker
If you're welcoming speculation... trying to stimulate flying after the drop post 9-11.

I don't think that is speculation Decker - more like fact!

Not too long before 9/11 VS introduced requalification for Silver - prior to this, once you had attained silver, that was it for life!

It was brought in because there were a huge amount of dormant silver accounts - not exactly frequent fliers:) RM has the figures, but it was a lot.

The new rules were brought in but, before there was a big cull of the old silvers, 9/11 happened and the flying habits of a LOT of people changed in the short term.

All airlines struggled to cope and most tried their best to encourage brand loyalty - as usual VS was among the leaders.To retain the loyalty of those whose flying patterns had changed short term, they reduced the tier levels required for elite level membership / retention.

As can be seen from the PAX loads, the planes are now flying at near capacity on a lot of routes and so I assume they no longer feel the need to 'bribe' FC members with lower levels.

IMO the FC silver and gold levels are there for the regular or premium class fliers, we can't expect to have our annual B&S economy flight to MCO and be treated like a V50.

Nick

[Decker]

Yes it always amuses me to think that I get Gold and probably only fly 6-10 time a year. I think about people who fly 20-30+ times a year as being in a different league! Kind of like with Centurion, makes you wonder what RICH people carry!

[HighFlyer]

Mitchja, the libk you posted shows the same: i.e. Silver - 15 to reach and 10 to retain. Is this the updates or old? Im confused now! LOL

HighFlyer

Those ones are the current TPs required to obtain & retain Silver/Gold - i.e. the same as they were before last year's promotion

Cheers

Michael

[HighFlyer]

Cool, so i only need to get 10 tier points each year to keep my silver? Thats ok, i thought that the system had changed to 15 TP or something.

[Nottingham Nick]

I hope it is still 10 - if it is much more I am in trouble:D:D

Nick

[mitchja]

Yes it's 10 tier points to retain Silver

Regards

[RichardMannion]

Current Levels:
Ag - 15 in a 12 month period to reach and 10 to retain
Au - 40 in a 12 month period to reach and 30 to retain
V50 - XXX to reach and maintain

The levels were lowered last year as a part of part of the revamp so from 1st July until 31st Dec 2003:
Ag - 10 to reach and 5 to retain
Au - 30 to reach and 20 to retain

Back in the old, old days (pre-Apr 2002 - if I recall) it used to be :-
Ag - 10 in a 12 month period to reach and then retained for life (whilst your account was current - activity at least every 3 years)
Au - 70 to reach and 50 to retain

Thanks,
Richard

To anyone reading this and thinking that they have vastly devalued FC gold from 70 TP to 40 TP... I should add that the number of TP you could earn for flights was higher!

[^]

[RichardMannion]

ooh yes - good point.....

Thanks,
Richard

what does it mean when you are still silver have no tier points and have not flown for 12 months?

is that a mistake

[?]:D

[Nottingham Nick]

Your silver card will have an expiration date on it. It usually take a couple of months after expiration, but the first thing you will see is that if you check your account on line it will tell you that your membership number has changed.

The next thing will be a shiny new red FC card through the mail with a letter saying that, because your flying habits have changed, you have been moved to Red membership. It then plays up the advantages(?) of being a red member.

I know this is right, because it has just happened to my son.

As has been stated many times before, the only REAL tangible advantage of silver is using the PE check ins. I have never known them scrutinise the card to check the expiry date. They may start to do this, or the agent will know from the computer screen that you are no longer silver when you check in - will you then face the ignominy of being frog marched to the rear of the economy queue - where ever that may be?

Nick