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Airline secret societies
American Airlines is mentioned in the flick, but the carrier won't talk about the subject itself. No details have been released on how to attain these levels of air travel greatness, except the obvious: you need to be a rich frequent traveler or control a company where a lot of people are on the road all the time. The perks of this secret society include fantastic upgrades, bat-phones to experienced agents who answer on the first ring, priority check-in, lounge access and airport escorts when you're layover's about to go under. Simply, it translates to real customer service, a rarity in this industry.
Status has become a commodity, with double miles bonuses and other tricks helping frequent flyers amp up their accounts faster, a side-effect of airlines looking to make their passengers as loyal as possible. Because of this, anyone who wants to be a real player -- e.g., American's ConciergeKey, Continental's Chairman's Circle and United's Global Services -- will have to pierce the inner circle.
Only 20,000 of United's 1 million program members were allowed into United's program, which requires 100,000 miles or 100 segments. Delta is the most secretive, with Executive Partner status, which has been replaced by Diamond Medallion level status, requiring 125,000 qualifying miles or 140 qualifying segments.
Okay, so you can figure out all the basic benefits -- just like every other status, only faster and bigger and bitter. And then, it isn't hard to let your mind wander to such upsides as confirming upgrades 120 hours in advance (instead of 100 hours). But, this only scratches the surface. Forrester Research reveals that airlines know which planes have the greatest VIP density and use this to assign gate priority. A Continental passenger and Chairman's Circle member -- who took more than 300 flights and traveled more than 400,000 miles (no bonus miles tucked in there) -- was able to finagle some time on an MD-80 slight simulator, because the airline values his business.
See, it is possible to get some love from the airlines. You just have to be ready to spend an absolute fortune ... and make the airline need you.
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Filed under: Business, North America, United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
KiloMike Dec 6th 2009 2:03PM
GS on United isn't 100K miles or 100 segments - that's the 1K status level, equivalent to AA Exec Platinum. GS is based on revenue numbers - fly a lot of full fare tickets as a 1K and you stand a chance of making the cut-off for GS. UA also selects, as you noted, "players" - people who influence and generate a lot of travel revenue for them both directly and indirectly by sending their employees out and about, and for the very big players, offers them the opportunity to nominate a few key employees for GS. The company I fly for has all o fthe above.
Fly safe.
- Kilo
Klondike Dec 7th 2009 3:37PM
Thought GS would really be customer service. Falls short. Way short. Plane had to change a pump. Captain says mechanic will let him know whats wrong, then says it will be at least an hour to change, plus time to test it. 40 minutes have gone by already, I'm going to miss my connection. So I get off the plane and fly an entirely different airline. NOBODY approached me on the United flight. You get a nice greeting, thats about it with GS. Emirates is the best with Limo service! Wow!
Karen Dec 7th 2009 3:32PM
I worked for the airlines. Let's talk about these upgrades, favors, etc.
Bob Dec 7th 2009 2:58PM
Mr. Johansmeyer
Please have someone proof read any future articles to insure correct wording
John Dec 7th 2009 4:05PM
Bob, Did you mean "ensure"?
obo Dec 7th 2009 5:11PM
Please have someone change "proof read" to "proofread"; and please have someone change "insure" to "ensure".
Atticus Dec 7th 2009 4:44PM
You are absolutely correct. For instance, "proof read" is actually one word..."proofread" and "insure" should be "ensure" as you are not planning on a financial loss (insurance) but are making sure something happens....
k Dec 7th 2009 5:38PM
Apparently, none of these grammar/spelling experts bother to update their limited knowledge by reading a consulting a CURRENT dictionary once in a while. You're all wrong.
Rick Dec 7th 2009 2:58PM
"escorts when you're layover's about to go under. " Let's uncontractionalize that phrase: "escorts when you are layover is about to go under." Doesn't make much sense, does it?
mhphammes Dec 7th 2009 4:21PM
If they are secret, how does so many people know about them?
Angie Dec 7th 2009 4:52PM
SOUTHWESTn Airlines is the only airline left with FABULOUS Customer Service!
BOB Dec 7th 2009 5:02PM
ty John and Atticus. of course you both are correct and i should have used spell check. i don't get paid to write thankfully. my comment was alluding to the 3 errors i saw at first read the writer made and should have caught. You're not your as pointed out by Rick and then Bitter for better and Slight not flight. AOL should do better than that
Clark Dec 7th 2009 5:36PM
Geee, what a "lucky" Continental passenger; he got to use the "slight simulator". I'm sure that's much more pleasant than actually being slighted by the airlines.
Peter Dec 7th 2009 5:12PM
WillyBob you are one sick puppy. I am an American, a veteran, and a filthy rich disabled one. I live with chronic pain and have for 30 years. I worked my ass off to get to where I am today. You know it doesn't make any difference how much money one has, I have to live with pain rich or poor. I would just as soon do it rich though because its nice to have a massage after work and a nice warm home to live in.
You need to rid yourself of that anger before it eats you alive. Your due for a heart attack or a punch in the nose if you don't straighten up dude.
PWebster Dec 8th 2009 8:15AM
I agree! I worked hard for my wealth and people who want to drag me back down are awful. God bless you for being a veteran and a hard worker. Great role model.
NMac Dec 7th 2009 6:50PM
Peter, any interest in adopting an adult child who could use some extra support? :)
Seriously, though, I'm sorry to hear of your chronic pain; I can relate. It sucks.
willybob22124 Dec 7th 2009 5:30PM
Yeah? Let's discuss things AFTER you know a lot more about how the U.S. has been using robot aircraft to murder women and children in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This country SUCKS. We are the most dangerous thing on earth, and we deserve every calamity that comes our way. No one respects a hypocrite, and that's why people around the world hate our guts. I say piss on us for the foreseeable future.
Bambi Dec 7th 2009 7:22PM
I did not realize this was an open forum for us to discuss issues other than the airlines. Lets stick with the topic.
JUST Dec 29th 2009 10:54AM
British Airways not refunding pax if they have swine flu. Willing to give back only taxes minus fuel charges, forcing passengers to take the flight to avoid losing thousands of $$ and in the process endagering the life of other passengers and crew.
gr8bsn Dec 7th 2009 6:10PM
What's this? Customers who pay more money get better treatment? SHOCKING!!!!! SHOCKING!!!! Next thing you know, they are going to come out with a story stating that expensive restaurants have better food than Burger King!