How to lure top tiers to keep flying

As mentioned on many threads, the current FC structure means that once you've retained gold there little definitive (other than rumoured secret tiers) benefit to keep flying for TP reasons on Virgin, other than further miles and brand loyalty ... i.e. why not then shop around and try to get status with other airlines too.

An interesting offer came to me from Emirates Skywards today, having retained Skywards gold in a matter of a few months this year; the offer is for a discount on future reward flights according to how many tier points I earn before the end of the calendar year. Emirates give tier points in a similar volumes to miles, whereas of course Virgin's are of the 1, 2, 3, 5 variety, and the offer goes something like this:

- earn 50,000 tier points and get 25% off a reward booking
- earn 100,000 for a 50% reduction
- earn 200,000 for a 100% reduction

Better still this a reduction in any class to any destination.

I thought it was an imaginative offer, posted simply as an possibility that Virgin might get similarly imaginative in trying to keep us golds (and other tiers) flying!

[mitchja]

That's quite a good idea.

Using my current travel plans, I should gain 34 VS TP's this membership year so that's only 4 over the retention level.

My personal (and possibly controversial) view is that AU flyers should get first choice for reward flights in advance of general release.

Regards

[RichardMannion]

Quick touche answer would be:

a) acknowledge them on the flight, and ensure they got their meal choice
b) deliver consistent good service at all stages, and don't treat us with disdain.
c) If you as staff are having a bad day or not happy with your pay deal, then please don't take it out on me as the customer or deliver substandard service. It will come round to bite you hard.

For the lack of the above reasons, both Sarah and I have started to look elsewhere once we have requalified. BA Silver here we come.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by mitchja

My personal (and possibly controversial) view is that AU flyers should get first choice for reward flights in advance of general release.

Agree with that along with auto upgrades to the next available class if there is space at checkin / once onboard

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by woggledog

Originally posted by mitchja

My personal (and possibly controversial) view is that AU flyers should get first choice for reward flights in advance of general release.

Agree with that along with auto upgrades to the next available class if there is space at checkin / once onboard

Sorry, I don't agree with that. That is what has ruined the US carriers, and their 'elites' who expect an upgrade. Why would they bother shelling out for premium classes if they are goign to get an auto-upgrade.

Now if we say, a voucher or two for an upgrade subject to load then that is different.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by slinky09
..the current FC structure means that once you've retained gold there little definitive (other than rumoured secret tiers) benefit to keep flying for TP reasons on Virgin, other than further miles and brand loyalty ... i.e. why not then shop around and try to get status with other airlines too.

Well - the benefit of the status is something that you would not get with other airlines so once I am qualified this is the reason why I would continue to fly with VS. Why would I switch to BA and then not have access to a lounge when I could be in the CH.

Surely if you're not interested in the benefits what's the point in qualifying in the first place.

I do think that some kind of additional appreciation once qualified would be a good idea though.

FM

[mitchja]

The upgrade voucher idea is a good one too.

BMI do that. They give you 4 one-way upgrade vouchers when you hit or retain AU. Upgrade to business on domestic/Europe flights or to Premium on trans-Atlantic flights. You can also use a voucher to upgrade a companion on the same flight as you too.

They also give you 4 double upgrade car-hire vouchers as well.

Regards

[preiffer]

Hmm - let's make the entire J cabin non-revenue with people queuing up to "spend their vouchers" at the gate, shall we? [ii] Ever watched the gate area of a US carrier who does this? [:0]

Lack of revenue in J/W means lack of investment, which in turn is bad news.

No thank you to auto-upgrades. If you fly enough, that's what your miles are for.

[mitchja]

Trying to actually get miles upgrades/rewards on certain routes is often not possible. It doesn't matter how many miles you have, if the airline doesn't release any reward fares in the first place, you wont get that seat.

Regards

Originally posted by RichardMannion
Quick touche answer would be:

a) acknowledge them on the flight, and ensure they got their meal choice
b) deliver consistent good service at all stages, and don't treat us with disdain.
c) If you as staff are having a bad day or not happy with your pay deal, then please don't take it out on me as the customer or deliver substandard service. It will come round to bite you hard.

For the lack of the above reasons, both Sarah and I have started to look elsewhere once we have requalified. BA Silver here we come.

[y]

Richard, I agree whole heartedly with you, except on the AU renewal issue.

I too used to make sure I renewed each year, but I have had so many problems with VS crew and CS staff over the last couple of years that I am not at all concerned about retaining AU, (even though I will only need 4 TP's before end Jan 2008).

When, and IF, I choose to fly VA in the future I will be in UC on a J or a D fare, so there is little to gain from the AU status apart from the companion ticket (no big loss there as 2 x D fares are not much more than the 1 x J to LAX).

Maybe there will be a restructuring of the AU benefits, but since I stopped traveling in PE and Economy, I do not see the need for AU status in any airline. That is a shame because I, like many others, used to feel as though I was not only part of an exclusive club at VS, but I also felt like I was once treated as part of the "family".

Also, not sure if any airline could make me be loyal again. Just give me a large seat/bed, and times that fit in with my plans and I will buy the ticket.

Time for my lunch time snooze... [|)]