(Start of 1st session)

Catman
Thanks everyone. Randy, nice to see you again. My concern is on United. Keeping to the topic on hand... I have at least foru flights coming up that will mean my Premier executive requalification for 2001. My concern: cancellations. If my flights get cancelled and I am rerouted, would I still be able to get the miles back (1) and (2) get the miles credited as status toward Premier Requalification. The "non topic" question: Do you foresee the United situation getting better or worse in the coming weeks?

Randy Petersen
I see it getting better....summer is almost done with and United has precancelled enough flights to get back to business. If i were you, I'd plan to fly with airlines you feel comfortable with and assume (I do) that United will be very generous at the end to settle up on Elite qualifying flights...

Randy Petersen
Remember, US Airways came back with Double miles fro mtheir fake strike, I expect that and more from United....thanks to the media for finding all those people to quote that said they are booking away from United....

kidpachinko
Not an imp question, but are there any "down sides" to getting comp status from other carriers? (Do they hunt you down if you do not fly enough miles, etc.?) Thinking about it (UA and/or NW), as AA's weak in Japan....

Randy Petersen
Yes, they hunt you down because most ofthe new comps are controlled. Airlines in the last year will beleive you only so much. But remember, once burned for comp status,,,means you'll never be able to pull it off again......

dg1
Randy, if the merger goes through, United will have its pick of thousands of elite US fliers.. a lot of whom are 'stranded' in fortress hubs with no real alternate choice. Why should United care for the percentage of frequent fliers it might lose now due to problems compared to the ones it might/probably will get?

Randy Petersen
Because theis merger won't go through. I think they will pull it off the table pretty soon and will refile later on.

BostonBoy
Randy, there has been some talk on the AA board about a total restructuring of their elite level program. It appears that the bars for Gold (to be renamed to Silver) and Platinum (to be renamed to Gold) will be raised, while the bar for Executive Platinum (to be renamed Platinum) will be lowered, and a new super-elite level known as Executive Platinum will be created. It is unclear what the qualification for ExPlat will be, but it appears anywhere from 120,000 to 200,000+ miles/year. I don't know the change of benefits for existing levels, or the new benefits from EP. But if they can offer great benefits, such as unlimited systemwide upgades without capacity controls (total extreme!) I know that I would highly consider puting most/all of my miles on AA, as would other big-buck big-mile flyers. Do you have any inside information, and your opinion on this matter? How will it ripple the rest of the industry? AAdvantage was the first frequent flyer program, will this innovation make its way to every other FFP?

Randy Petersen
As for more elites......hey, even their current elites are agravated by the current situation and as you may know....upgrades are becoming tough to get....

Randy Petersen
AA is working on this as they feel with the seating situation (I personally love the 3 inch change) will give them total advantage since Delta has gone another way. I know there are some important deadlines coming up in September regarding this but as you might imagine.....the impact of getting AOL/AAdvantage has weighed heavy on this. Best plan.....stay tuned to "sneaks" in the AA flrom on FlyerTalk....but yes, " a change is going to come"

hfly
A quick side question, what other carriers do you see joining the Skyteam alliance?

Randy Petersen
I see a fallout from Star Alliance. Hey, I can be wrong, but I think you'll see some other deals coming along from Asia. As you know - Korean Air is hardly the answer for a world class alliance and as I've said before......I wouldn't count BA out for being multi-alliance.....

martin
what's the future of MyPoints.com as they recently added ONEPASS

Randy Petersen
I think they and ClickRewards can be viewed in similar terms. However, I do beleive that whole end of the business will really change by years end with the launch of AOL/AAdvantage, and the launch of Air Miles here in the U.S.

William
Randy, is there a particular credit card you recommend for the earning of miles transferrable to United? I am hearing that the Sheraton Amex card is the one... your opinion?

Randy Petersen
While sites like WebMiles are getting attention, there are new ones everyday like Milespree.com, etc.

Randy Petersen
Sheraton Amex is up in the air since they have had plenty of time to correct to the Starwwod name and nothing done yet. I'm not convinced that's a long term card. As for United......hey, I'm still a big player in American Express Membership Rewards and option to Delta for United awards. It's always a question of if you need to top off or if you need to have flexibility. I like options, which is why MR or Delta SlyMiles Optima is where I go. Better promotions, better options for purchase bonuses....etc.

james
Living in the UK and being a DL flyer, I am very interested that you suggest BA might go muliti-alliance and join SkyTeam. Care to rate the chances of that happening?

Randy Petersen
I'll go way out on a limb and say i think they are at least 50/50 right now....

Randy Petersen
The reason why is that they have attracted too much attention with the AA connection and I think the government will be more friendly with another partner at the table.....that way the complaints will be diluted.....

Larry
For those of us less informed, what is AOL/AAdvantage?

Randy Petersen
My apologies....AOL/AAdavantage is an announced alliance between the AOL online program and the American AAdvantage program that will offer members of AOL online the opportunity to earn miles for much of their online epxerience (replacing the current AOL rewards program) and also allowing AAdvantage members to redeem for things other than just airline tickets. merchandise, online time, etc.

kendoll70
BA has pulled their Concorde service today. We all know the SST jets have been around 25-30 years. Are their days numbered?

Randy Petersen
They were numbered before the announce,emt as i beleive they were only scheduled to be in service anyway for the next 5-7 years then retired.....fast vs. luxury seems to be the trend of the future....hello Airbus.

BostonBoy
It seems that JAL has had strong ties to most/all the current oneworld alliance members. I still can't believe that they haven't joined. I thought maybe that didn't want to restrict themselves at it's beginning and wanted to see how it worked out, but they still haven't made any public plans to join. Are there plans to join, and if not, why?

Randy Petersen
I have been convinced that they were waiting for a better offer from SkyTeam......while JAL has had their problems the last few years with a falloff of quality and more competition than they anticipated.....I think we're in the final turn for "Who Wants To Be A Winning Alliance" As you might have guessed, when the economy crashed a little while ago, it put too much presuure on JAL or anyone else to complete a deal on the table terms.....it was wait to get the Yen back up to a reasonable level.....

dg1
Is Airbus going to build a supersonic jet? Or are you just talking about the A340?

Randy Petersen
Just the A340...luxury replacing fast. These days, you really don't need the Concorde for status, you need a good alliance - the busines has changed.

hfly
Randy, as I am sure you are aware, DL is planning on changing the Systemwide upgrade system next year which will be detrimental to all Medallion fliers (check out the boards, we're going crazy there). What do you think of this, and what can we do? Thank You.

Randy Petersen
I honestly don't think you/we can do anything. I flew down to Atlanta last week to visit with Delta on this issue and spent time at dinner with them on Thursday night. Their heart is in the right place - make benefits that are deliverable. As you know, this is related to the fact that their BusinessElite has been more successful than they planned (nice problem to have), but they beleive that by making their change now, more people will be happier in the future. Unfortunately.....learn to live with this one or be prepared to move airlines, though there may be other changes by others in the future, even CO is finding it difficult to keep up with the demand.

kazman
Speaking of alliances, how about Virgin Atlantic ? Will/can they remain independent ?

Randy Petersen
Withtheir relationship with Singapore, they have proved to many that they will not remain independent - look for an alliance decision by years end, though they may be multi-alliance also, look no further than the relation they have with America West where BA is also a partner......

Richard Green
Randy do you see planes like the Airbus 3xx and 747x(stretch ) changing the way people fly?

Richard Green
foloowup - as in airbus building plans for planes with hotel rooms etc

Randy Petersen
Not really, but certainly changing what we come to expect from airlines. I guess the best example is the cruise uindustry that has come a long way from The Big Red Boat. The reason i don't expect it to change everything is that these decisions are being made in a great worldwide economy....which will look much different when 1991 returns.

BostonBoy
What is your opinion on serving your frequent flyers vs. your revenue customers? This is what the Delta issues makes me think about. They can offer an outstanding premium C class, yet it would have to be restricted to elites to make money. Or they could have three-class, make C a haven for upgrades from Y, F a haven from upgrades from F, and reward their elites, but not make money. On a smaller scale, on UA, sometimes the FA will ask a 1K upgrade for their meal order first, sometimes a non-status F revenue. Which is more important?

Randy Petersen
BostonBoy - this is a question that could be debated all night (it's that good). In the interst of time, could we take this one up on the boards of FlyerTalk? I hope you don't mind, but it's one that i think requires many people to pipe in and also requires great explanation. Again - a great question.....

hfly
Randy, sorry to nag, but we all agree on the boards, that we almost never see a full BizElite cabin (except the MOLE on the board and when there are operational upgrades)

Randy Petersen
Delta's idea of success isn't based on 100% sell through with each flight, it's based on having leverage fopr corporate deals, and also to allow alliance partners to sell inventory.....it's really a complicated view they have.

Catman
Randy, do you forsee the next evolution in Frequent FLyer program being a multi-tiered elite level with revenue-base for a special level as well as those who earn via mileage?

Randy Petersen
I used to think that, but the complexity of that has set me back. If I were to say anyhting about the duture tonight is that in the near future your award chart won't look like mine. That all elites will have a base chart and then some which will be custom to where we travel and what we like....the important thing being that it's deliverable.....

james
what are your thoughts on alliance-wide frequent flyer programs (i.e. the pros, cons and likelihoods of alliances having a single program)?

Randy Petersen
I think alliance-wide frequent flyer programs are a danger. Yes, i love the fact that i have less decisions to make when i travel because i truly can beleong to only two programs and get the benefits of 10 airlines i might otherwise fly.......but it comes at a cost. I have only been upgraded this year about 37% of the time.....two years ago i was at 74%. The difference...more elites......i understand where the industry is going, but it comes at a cost and I for one am not comfortable with the future in this area......

Randy Petersen
They think they are smart. They think that on the surface it is OK to have similar programs, with the difference coming in one-to-one marketing. I am not an expert in this area, simply a member of these programs but can tell you that I think their success at being one-to-one with me is miserable.

opus17
Randy -- it looks to me that airlines are now trying to make their FF programs the same as their competitors -- the same way they match ticket prices when one has a change or sale. Is this the new trend?

Randy Petersen
The impact of the Alliance issue to come. They think that by making this decision now, that they will be able to sustain the benefits when the alliance really kicks in, 2-5 years from now. As we have seen for some time....Delta really does see the world from a different set of eyes than everyone else when it comes to upgrades and best benefits to top members. I beleive they feel that you will understand the companion upgrade benefit and will be satisfied...you should know as I do that thst benefit or similar has been around by all other major programs for years......

kazman
Just to follow on the DL issue - Even if I accept the DL logic re:BizElite - There does not seem to be a logical answer as to why the SM and GM levels have to wait till 40,000(vs. current 20,000) to get North Am. upgrades - These upgrades have zero impact on int'l BizElite - If anything I can really fault DL in this area - Any thoughts on this specific issue- I think going to NAMU should have actually lowered the threshold

Randy Petersen
Actually, the era of the internet (we're talking technology here) is what allows one-to-one marketing to come into play. In the near future, you will come off a long road trip and receive an email letting you know that they have pre-reserved a nice weekend reward for you for only 17,500 miles to one of your favorite leisure destinations.....

BostonBoy
Why is there such a difference between different airlines on there various Million Miler benefits? In every airline but this the airlines are very similar, as has been pointed out. United offers among the best benefits, with lifetime mid-tier status, yet it is the hardest to obtain, as every mile has to be on UA metal. American is the easiest to obtain, with miles from any source, but you only get lifetime Gold, lowest tier. Delta is also weak in benefits, with just lifetime silver, but miles have to be earned on any Delta or partner flight.

Randy Petersen
Million-mile benefits. Interesting observation. I thinkthis falls into the area where we want programs to be similar in some areas but different in others. As for the difference in Million-mile status....let's remember that leading programs like Continental and US Airways don't even have them. There's probably a reality that a very, vart small number of the population would choose a program for the long term benefit of this...most don't even know until much later in the miles careers.

opus17
Randy, to follow up -- isn't one-on-one marketing an obsolete concept in the era of the internet -- where any unique offer is posted on FlyerTalk in about 15 seconds after it is made?

frightweb
Are there any surprises or changes that we will see for the ff industry before the end of the year?

Randy Petersen
I still see a move by the indsutry to move from capacity controls given where they are right now - but i don't know where that might be by years end. I do know that by years end, there are several iniatives which I've been tracking down that will allow you to redeem miles, one-at-a-time for merchandise and/or discounts and that will be a huge change since it's very limited with miles today. I also see something coming that may allow you to add miles from a variety of programs for redemption sakes....well beyond where alliances are today...but i could be out-to-lunch here... we'll see.

bdines
Do you think another program will ever offer another promotion like the LatinPass Million Mile promotion?

Randy Petersen
Actually I do. While that promotion will "cost" them dearly through the years for redemption, it provided them with millions of dollars of very favorable publicity....sort of an Internet Super Bowl ad........i do think we'll see more of them, though limited to smaller programs who can live out the liability......

Randy Petersen
Thanks for all the questions gang....always the best part of the month for me......

(Start of 2nd session)

Randy Petersen
Bring it on.....

John at Webflyer
WHAT ABOUT CANCELATIONS OR FLIGHT DELAYS? IS BOOKING ONLINE SAFE?

Randy Petersen
Booking online is always safe, in fact, most credit card companies nowadays will protect your use online the same as they will offline, meaning that your typical exposure to being responsible is set at $50 per incident or total loss. The problem is’Ķ.not that you have protection, the problem is that you are certainly advised to get issued another card. Sometimes this is tedious and given that you may use that card for ISP or other online registration, you may have problems when your old credit card is rejected all the time until they let you know. Then you feel like a dummy’Ķ.because you didn’Äôt cause the problem. Safe? Yes. I don’Äôt hesitate at all to use a credit card online. As for the impact on cancellations and flight delays’Ķ.booking online is similar to offline, just remember who your friends are. I’Äôll book online, but only with a travel agency that has a telephone number for problems’Ķ.no customer service, no business from me. I don’Äôt expect Bill Gates to be around if I have a problem using an airline I b

SLCflyer
Question for Randy: I'm a relatively new frequent flyer and will gain Silver Medallion status on Delta in the next month or so. My husband is Gold Medallion. We're thinking of burning some miles by flying to Europe and are wondering the best strategies for both getting upgraded, considering my chances will be significanly less than his. Are there certain days or times or even flights we should take to help us out?

Randy Petersen
Mid-week is best, with Thursday being the best for east bound Europe flights (most business guys and gals coming west bound at that time) and of course later in the month if possible as Summer tends to drag into the second week of September. Coming west bound from Europe.....fly on Monday since most european business people wll be flying on Tuesday....good luck and try from different conencting cities on Delta.....

AusTXHiker
In light of possible UA cancellations, what options are there for FFs on an award ticket in business class?

Randy Petersen
None...United has yet to announce a perfect policy on protecting award people for cancelations...even their potential partner, US Airways announced they would rebook awards on other carriers. Best advice, route on destinations where there are multiple flights daily rather than single flights......you'll be in for a long delay, usually til the next day. But truthfully, at this stage, coach, business, first class....all odds are the same.

frightweb
Is it common that a program does not let you transfer ff miles if they are bonus miles? My specific experience was with 5,000 LatinPass bonus miles which they did not allow me to transfer into my Hilton account... But United and Delta do not seem to have a problem with this...

Randy Petersen
It is fairly common for smaller programs to limit the transfer of miles/points in blaocks as they are more likely a manual system and it's quite expensive to do single miles. LatinPass is not the only, recently American Express Membership Rewards in Canada inacted a similar restriction.......

JayBrian
Hi Randy, do you have any comments on the impact of a merged United and USAirways

Randy Petersen
I have many comments, none of which are too kindly to the idea. I for one am not in favor.......i like comeptition and feel that if Steve Wolf was so good at being a CEO of an airline, this wouldn't be an option. I say boot his ass out and let's give US Airways a shot, Lord knows they've dated some strage alliances in the past.....yes, what happended to BA? Also....(more)

Randy Petersen
I would feel very sad for the US Airways members who are sure to lose some great benefits......such as unlimited upgrades for their highest elite members (UA is not so generous) as well as better credit cards......US Airways Platinum Visa earns 1.2 miles per dollar spent and of course there's that night 20,000-mile off peak award to be lost and of course there's that nice rekationship with American Express Membership Rewards which United has spent years ignoring....shall I go on?

bdines
Why do airlines charge up to $75 for an expedited e-ticket? What's the logic?

Randy Petersen
Theie logic is member rip-off. When an airline program like United can not charge anything......it stands to reason that this is yet another example of airline mis-direction....yea! e-tickets that cost almost nothing to book and distribute.......express fees are a multi-million dollar busines sfor the airlines that beg for change......these are the fees from 10 years ago when everything was manual, come on airlines, get with the times.....remember, are these supposed to be loyalty programs?

opus17
Randy -- if you had to bet on which airline will join SkyTeam -- BA, JL, Thai, Alitalia or Aeroflot -- which would you pick as the most likely?

Randy Petersen
ohhhhh , you are really testing me with this one.....let me see...eeinie, meenie, minnie, mo, which airline is the next to go.....

Randy Petersen
I'll go with Alitalia, then BA......... (John, please erase all parts of this transcript later on!!!!HA!)

Randy Petersen
The easy answer is Aeroflot, but that's a no brainer, no comes cruch choice.....

SLCflyer
Any general tips for a relatively new frequent flyer? Anything the airlines keep "secret" I should be aware of?

Randy Petersen
NSLCflyer - not really. I think places like FlyerTalk are best for learning from embers of individual programs. Understand that your loyalty is not always returned to the same degree as you might think, that you are not an island alone when it comes to being a member of any program (American has almost 40 million members) and that you can get anything you wish from aprogram with being educated about that program and realistic about what it is you want......About 1 1/2 years ago we helped Smart Money magazine do "10 things your frequent flyer program will never tell you" I would suggest going to their Web site and looking that article up...it will answer all your concerns.

BradC
Randy, Have you heard anything concerning the Starwood/Bass merger/takeover? And if that happens,what changes would you see for the Starwood Preferred Guest program?

Randy Petersen
Bass/Starwood. Well, I understand that they still have a problem with gettnig it done and that if I were a betting man (the $2 slots in Las Vegas don't really count do they?) I'll say that Bass will buy Hyatt instead.......

opus17
OK,maybe an easier alliance question. Will Qualiflyer try to go global, or will it merge with oneworld?

Randy Petersen
Merge....they have lost the alliance race and while they can booast Turkish Airlines and others.....they will be a mere player in the bigger picture.......though Delta and them had it at one time....bot did they goof up, they could have been the Star Alliance if they were smarter and better at understanding the business of global dominance......

bilco
Randy, I apologize if this has already been discussed. If United does take over US Airways what is your expectation of the miles we have accumulated on both individually? Will United change its program?

Randy Petersen
I don't beleive that United will change much, if anything from their program, preferring to keep the liability they have invested with their much bigger program. The reality is that they might have to alter the Star Allaince to make any changes and that is more important than worrying about US Airways. No one will loose anything, but some members (guess which ones) will have select benefits devalued...good question by the way.

burkey
Speaking of LAS, who will be the new Starwood partner there?

Randy Petersen
Hail Ceasars..........anyone care to disagree? I'll bet this by the end of next month or October....I see it in the cards......

hfly
Randy, As any given route can only be successful if its passengers originate 50/50 from both ends, does Delta not think that the changes to its program will alienate flyers based outside of the US, most notably in Europe (As the NAMU's will be worthless to them).

Randy Petersen
As you might guess, flyers outside the U.S. are far less spoiled by upgrades than U.S. residents. Most of the European flagship carriers don't offer many, if any upgrades...this is part of the overal Delta strategy.......great observation....

Randy Petersen
OK...time for 1,000-mile trivia.....visitors....get your keyboards ready as i get ready to post the firsttrivia question tonoght for 1,000 bonus miles, compliments of ClcikRewards......

Randy Petersen
Tonight's first Trivai question: Which came first, the chicken (20,000 miles awards) or the egg (35,000 mile awards)?

BradC
chicken

kidpachinko
chicken

SLCflyer
egg

hfly
egg

NEFlyer
chicken

bilco
chicken

chexfan
neither

burkey
20,000 award

burkey
35,000 award

Randy Petersen
SLC....egg was first - in 1981 there was no such thing as a 20,000-mile award...congrats rookie SLCflyer......now for the next question?

hfly
Does DL not realize that they are penalizing couples, wher both partners travel frequently, in my case I'm Platinum, wife Gold.

Randy Petersen
They do know that and that very issue has survived for a few years now. While Delta has a popular program, there doesn't seem to be that militant of a group of members who have been able to rattle them yet. United's members are the most militant, then there is a long drop to TWA then Continental and then Northwest and then American and then lastly Delta......reasons to be cheerful, Part 3.

doc
Regarding the upgrades to a CLub Floor, which I really enjoy, any good data on pecentages/likelihood at hyatt/marriott/starwood/hilton? Which is best?

Randy Petersen
Nice question: Marriott is tops, followed by Starwood, then Hyatt and finally Hilton. The reason for Hilton is simple..they tend to concentrate on "Towers" and also they have added Doubletree and Embassy Suites which aren't yet built for this type of thing.....as for percentages....I understand from some research last year that Marriott was in the high 85-90% range, Starwood in the 75-90% range, Hyatt at the 75% range and Hilton at the 65-75% range......

Randy Petersen
Better than nothing, quire different, but too regional to make a difference. I like the program as an extention to what Las Vegas is all about but it's not one ready for prime time...and that's for a reason, they are a local airline and have spent more of their time competing against Southwest than with United and American. For the long haul - long term frequent flyers.......the majors are still better, though I happen to fancy America West out of Las Vegas......

Randy Petersen
Ready for Trivia?

Randy Petersen
In a recent national survey: Why did the frequent flyer cross the road? To claim an upgrade or to claim a free seat? (which answer was the most popular in a national poll?)

hfly
First answer

burkey
free upgrade

chexfan
upgrade

AusTXHiker
free seat

SLCflyer
free seat

BradC
free seat

doc
free set

NEFlyer
free seat

JayBrian
lol

kidpachinko
free drinks.

chexfan
lol

John at Webflyer
lol

kazman
a free upgraded seat

kidpachinko
free at last

burkey
free for all?

Randy Petersen
Yep...upgrades are chosen by a 3:1 margin over free seats...by a recent national poll. this means our winner is - hfly...congrats......Do you like these chicken jokes? Shall I continue?

hfly
yes

John at Webflyer
yes...

NEFlyer
yes

hfly
whoopee!

chexfan
wait... that's a cheap answer!!!

SLCflyer
congrats hfly

kidpachinko
Every one type "the first answer" and wait. : )

hfly
thanks

chexfan
exactly kidpachinko!

kidpachinko
(I'll type #2)

chexfan
lol

kazman
I'll type the second answer and we can split the miles

BradC
(BradC hopes for a three-choice question....)

John at Webflyer
These guys are tricky

Randy Petersen
Here it comes...get ready.....

kidpachinko
If only it was worse miles - I gotta run! : (

Randy Petersen
OK, one chicken says to the other: If you only had one mile to give, would you give it to a friend, charity or family member? (Again, this comes from a national poll of frequent flyers recently) Which one do people give their last mile to?

BradC
family member

JayBrian
family

doc
family

NEFlyer
familu

SLCflyer
friend

kazman
friend

chexfan
charity

AusTXHiker
friend

JayBrian
friend

JayBrian
damn, wish I could type

SLCflyer
us fast fingers have the advantage, huh Jay?

Randy Petersen
BradC....you the chicken.....I mean man...congrats.... it is Family member by a 2:1 over a friend and a 20:1 over charity......

JayBrian
right

doc
Gezz, I need a new keyboard!

BradC
Cluck, cluck! Thanks Randy!!

AusTXHiker
Where's Jailer when you need someone to type?

doc
lol

JayBrian
I won during the last chat : )

Randy Petersen
Now...back to questions or else I'll have to start with the jokes about people in bars.....

kazman
Randy - What about the talk on the Flyer Talk American Board and the rumor of a drastic change By AA to AADvantage ELite levels and benefits ??

Randy Petersen
kazman - i answered that last time but here goes: It is a confirmed rumor though not likely to be announced anytime soon since AA doesn't want to tip off the other airlines. They are feeling good about their new seat pitch changes and if you remember, last year they chaged their program to higher levels for First/Business class awards and they have found that they have seats going unused, so why not alter the elite to upgrade and downgrade some members. The problem with the current program is the Executive Platinum isn't a competitive level because it's based too much on revenue, which they want to keep off the clock...Look for something to come out of rumors by October...The other reason is that they may try to change elite levels based on non-flight miles because of AOL and that is something no one else can react to....

doc
How about the new Sun Country promo with the fee free CC and the easy upgrades to Europe? Like 35k And Will they survive?

doc
Addendum to SunCountry question if possible- Regarding the new Sun Country" Smile Awards" program, for only $4,250. or so in spending you get a free BC ticket to Europe on Icelanic! Any thoughts?

Randy Petersen
This new 'Smiles' program is interesting. I'm afraid I'd have to pan it as a frequenty flyer program because as you need to know, there is no benefit to flying Sun Country. The program is only about spending on a credit card and based on that, can cash in for a free trip. With that in mind (no flight activity is required to earn a free ticket) I put it more into the league of the WebMiles credit card and CapitalOne and I think they might lose that race......they have some learning to do and after all, it's only "Phase 1" I'd spend elsewhere on a card.......

hfly
Randy, stupid question: In your opinion, what are the best and wort aircraft for fliers, also, barring American and their new changes, who has the best layout overall throughout their fleet?

Randy Petersen
I like 777s most liek anyone lese. I'm also pretty fond of 767s because of the most often generous FC number of seats. As you might guess, it varies more by ailrine that aircraft......for instance.....737s are dind for most airlines excpet for SWA because they have the all-coach configeration...... Today, I have to go with American and for one big reason, their new 3 inch seat change is wonderful and in my mind, much better than what United has done........