Why arent "Top-up SC's" made available?

[MartinMemo]

I found myself booking J over Y (and upgrade the Y with points) to earn more, and get the whole "you have to earn it". I think what I have taken out of today is I was looking at status runs as something pointless, when most other people see them differently. All of my travel is leisure, and usually for parties, nightclub events and birthdays, so all i need to do is find something different to do on status runs I think, (like see mum, or go somewhere random) and make it a fun thing not a painful thing.

 

[MartinMemo]

Personally I think you should earn the SC's from bum in seat flying, but not by buying them. mind you the cost to buy them could very well be the same as just taking the flight!

That was my orignal thought - not being able to have earn the points, but actually purchase them with cash at the rate of the seat.

 

[nlagalle]

I'm going to swim against the current and say I'm with you startawar. I see little point of burning fossil fuels and taking seats from others who actually want to go from A to B, just to retain/gain a status level.

But some people enjoy just flying around anyway.. but if someone is making countless status runs to maintain status they might want to consider it's worth to them (i.e. do they really need it).

 

[UP4014]

It's the only bit remaining of the frequent flyer scheme that is still connected to flying. If you want to buy a top up of SCs go for a plane ride.

 

[Edge]

I agree that having your bum in the seat should remain the only way to earn SCs.

I'd just like to see it so that any time your bum is in the seat, you earn them. Eg - classic award seats should earn SCs.

 

[nlagalle]

I agree that having your bum in the seat should remain the only way to earn SCs.

I'd just like to see it so that any time your bum is in the seat, you earn them. Eg - classic award seats should earn SCs.

Yes I agree there. The taxes component is so pricey now, sometimes it's better to buy a ticket and get something back

 

[medhead]

I completely get it, but if you are gold or WP, and just shy of re-qualifying, does it make sense to make you fly or lose it? Not suggesting you should be able to jump a level by simply buying SC's, just not actually having to get in a plane to make up for 40 or 60 missing SCs

And how does the cost of the top up SC factor in the extra SC required to requalify at the level. Does the price of the top-up SC include the cost of the extra 200SC that would be required to get back to platinum if someone didn't requalify platinum? Similar the cost of the extra 100SC gap between re-qulaifying and qualifying for Gold?

 

[basso]

Imagine if they limit it to 50 top up SC. Then we'll have whiny threads from people that need 55SC. Fly them. Simples.

 

[MartinMemo]

And how does the cost of the top up SC factor in the extra SC required to requalify at the level. Does the price of the top-up SC include the cost of the extra 200SC that would be required to get back to platinum if someone didn't requalify platinum? Similar the cost of the extra 100SC gap between re-qulaifying and qualifying for Gold?

Imagine if they limit it to 50 top up SC. Then we'll have whiny threads from people that need 55SC. Fly them. Simples.

Both very good points. I imagined it as in you paid for the flight that would have allowed you to keep your status.

I have heard a few examples where people have kept their status because the airline was feeling nice that day when they were just short. I suppose you couldn't put a number on it, because the same thing would happen.

 

[samh004]

Talking in general about why it might be better for an airline to make you fly the SC than a top-up... they're all trying to beat each other in number of passengers carried and percentage of the market that they command, and I'd imagine less bums in seats, even for pointless SC runs, would reduce that market share.

Also, they probably rarely completely fill flights, so when there's only a few seats left because of FF's chasing SC's, the remaining seats probably cost more and earn them more money. Why bother reducing how much they earn?

 

[Mwenenzi]

..Personally I think you should earn the SC's from bum in seat flying, but not by buying them. ...

Status with Frequent Flyer Programs is earned from frequent flying.
Miles/points can be easily earned from frequent spending
The frequent flying bit seems to be missing for many people