As we head into 2015, I can think of no better words to describe where the miles and points community stands than at a crossroads. A lot of us are going to face difficult choices in 2015. While I remain passionately indifferent to the idea of revenue based loyalty programs, many are not so sanguine. I catch a lot of snark for saying things like “loyalty is a one-way street – to yourself.” But keep that in mind as we head into 2015. (Image courtesy of Shutterstock.)
If I wind up eating these words, I’ll admit it here, but I’m becoming more agnostic than ever when it comes to my 2015 loyalty plans. Cash back, Arrival Miles, and Ultimate Rewards will see the majority of my efforts. Does that mean I’m giving up on Delta and SkyMiles? Of course not. Making rational economic decisions like flying an airline based on schedules, reliability, and convenience almost automatically means I’ll spend most of my time on Delta, an airline that does the important things well. I will be making good use of my Platinum Medallion status in 2015. I expect I will maintain some level of Medallion status for the foreseeable future. I fly enough to earn it without any extra help.
That said, I’m making a “business” decision of my own to focus on rewards currencies that I find more financially advantageous for the program I’m most loyal to – MJ’s personal happiness fund. The MJPHF is multi-faceted, flexible, and includes not only miles, but keeping a little money in the bank too. Frankly, the old loyalty game ain’t as much fun as it used to be.
Many of us are at a crossroads with our loyalty programs. Where will your loyalty be in 2015?
-MJ, December 26, 2014
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@mj not alt all I am doing similiar, as I know you also value the operations side of aiirlines.
I will remain loyal to Delta as long as they continue to be operationally better than AA( my only other choice for most flights). To top that off as a DM Delta just gets me where I need to go on time and back home on time 96% of the time with 140 segments a year.
Hotels I am a free agent.
Cars – National all the way (but hate them in SAT)
@DeltaSegmentFlyer,
I hope my post didn’t come across as “leaving Delta” because that’s not what I was trying to do. Rather, I am focusing credit card spend on some other currencies. As I pointed out, looking at airlines for price, reliability, and convenience almost assures I’ll be flying Delta more than anyone else.
I somehow managed to fly 76,000 miles this year and not get elite status in any airline. But what DID I get? Lower fares, better schedules and more non stops. It’s like as if I was going to get any upgrades any way, as thing stand now.
I think the idea of a loyalty program should be that a business can gain and retain customers through promising that by engaging in certain behavior (flying and/or buying certain services) the customer is entitled to certain rewards and benefits. Delta and most other airlines have totally destroyed that concept. In any business relationship one of the key aspects is if you can trust that the other party will do what it promises it will do. With the constant, unilateral devaluations and eliminations of benefits with little or no notice, anyone would have to be nuts to have any faith… Read more »
I am definitely the unloyal loyal traveler. I want to bank points in hopes of redeeming for future travel. I am not particular which carrier or lodging entity I use.