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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 Delta is the most secretive, with Executive Partner status, which has been replaced by Diamond Medallion level status, requiring 125,000 qualifying miles or 140 qualifying segments.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 2 of 2)
michael Dec 7th 2009 6:14PM
real rollers fly private gulf streams not comm'l
Young$inatra Dec 7th 2009 6:58PM
I know what your saying but it's NOT 100% true. When the price of jet fuel went up P. Diddy or puf daddy had to stop flying private and use commercial. He's worth around 300 million dollars. But the G-4 runs about 20 thousand each way and a first class ticket is about $1600. It was just wise.
michael Dec 7th 2009 6:17PM
real rollers fly private gulf streams not comm'l who cares about secret programs
Marshall Dec 7th 2009 6:40PM
Are you talking about frequent flier clubs? If so, American was one of the first airlines
to develop frequent flier miles as far back as the late l970s. It comes to no surprise
actually to me. The average casuall first time air traveller wouldn't know at first if a major
airline has a frequent flier mileage club. It takes discovery and research. Some airlines
will give a new member triple miles for the first two or three round trips he or she flies.
A couple of realities come into play once you decide to join a frequent flier plan program
with a major airline. Sometimes there are black out periods in which you may not be able to
make your miles accumulate and then there is a hassle of redeeming your collected
tickets stubs and boarding passes for a mileage statement. Sometimes an airline may drop
a member from a frequent flier program if there has been no flying activity for a year or
two. Free tickets and other perks only come after a member of a frequent flier plan has
earned thousands of miles in a year. It is hard work to do lots of flying. One needs to be
flying every month of the year in order to get a free ticket or an upgrade to first class even.
Some airlines have cut back drastically on redeeming old boarding passes and ticket
coupons. Some airlines charge even for redeeming them too.. It has become a real
travelling jungle of sorts.
Paul Dec 7th 2009 6:40PM
You might be surprised to know how many people aren't paying anything to fly. Airline employees, buddy passes, frequent fliers, travel agents, etc.
FirewindII Dec 7th 2009 6:43PM
Nothing rivals United's (former) Concierges. They worked true miracles for their 1K flyers. Fully empowered at the front line. Alas...
United's Global Services was created specifically to get away from all those arcane, pesky earning rules. Yes, there is a spend requirement for some people who do not have virtue in some other area, but even for them, United takes "the whole picture" into account. But really, it's to bring in these people, PLUS CEOs of major companies, Senators, Representatives, cabinet and immediate sub-cabinet level officials, government ministers, governors, lieutenant governors, ambassadors, supreme court justices, big city mayors, archbishops, sometimes movie stars and sports celebrities -- the types who are catered for in "Room 3333" (one of the black doors) at many United stations. Next time you're riding United, and have some extra time, walk the concourse and look around. You'll see a Room 3333, and if the door's open, chances are you'll see someone you recognize, and maybe some people who talk to their sleeves. Really. No kidding.
Young$inatra Dec 7th 2009 6:48PM
I used to fly often with my family back in the 1970's and coach was BETTER than first class today! Not only did you eat off of real stoneware with real silverware the food was exquisite! Everyone went and bought new dress clothes to go to the airport. Now the airport is no differant than the bus station:(
Kristi Dec 7th 2009 6:54PM
My husband was invited & belonged to Concierge Key ( American). It was awesome...a couple times when our flight was delayed- they held the connecting flight for us & kept the gate open. Truly great!!
Rick Dec 7th 2009 7:00PM
Damn... I have been to four county fairs, three goat ropings, and have watched 2 monkeys try to make love to a football, and NEVER have I seen the likes of you worthless whiners on here. I am a FORMER frequent traveler, and miss DELTA and SOUTHWEST! On a personal note, I would rather have my sister in a whorehouse than travel on United or Continental! BOTH SUCK! And yes, I am TRYING to find a j-o-b unlike most of you who are waiting on the JOB FAIRY to show up for you!
web Dec 8th 2009 11:42AM
ROFL @ your wonderful sense of humor. Shows that even if we are unsatisfied at least we can express ourselves in a humorous manner. Thanks for not being the standard whiny poster I usually see on the comment boards.