Tag Archives for status match.
Customers are unhappy with Southwest for adding checked bag fees and generally walking back their entire differentiated business model, laying off employees for the first time, and going back on the CEO’s word from just a few months ago about what they had planned.
It’s the perfect time for competitors to capitalize on that dissatisfaction – but this takes it to the next level, and also qualifies as expert trolling. I love it!
Marriott is acquiring CitizenM hotels, which I think of as a better Moxy, for a cost of $355 million. CitizenM has a free status match program.
Glen Hauenstein offered during the carrier’s first quarter earnings call that they plan to go after the loyal customers of airlines that are trying to convert themselves into premium – like Southwest Airlines as well as Spirit and Frontier. They’ve had an elevated status match offer for Southwest elites, and Hauenstein says it is working.
Southwest Airlines is blowing up their brand. They’re eliminating ‘bags fly free’. They’re introducing basic economy fares. They’ve devalued Rapid Rewards. American Airlines already stepped in to recruit Southwest’s best customers. Now Delta is doing the same.
Everyone is mad mad at Southwest Airlines for abandoning its business model, customer focus, and core principles. They’re laying off employees, outsourcing, eliminating free checked bags, moving to (paid) assigned seats and devaluing Rapid Rewards.
So now is the perfect time for another airline to go after their customers aggressively, court them, and win them over. American Airlines is doing that – but just isn’t really telling anyone about it?
Maybe it’s unlikely that you’ll need Air Tahiti Nui elite status? But this one is free, takes very little effort (just fill out their form) and you never know when having elite status with an airline other than the one you fly most could come in handy for status matching to another carrier. Can’t hurt!
Since there’s no cost to participate, taking them up on the offer seems like an easy move to get Avis President’s Club and Radisson Hotels status which might be useful to match elsewhere. (And you can use Avis status to match to another rental car chain if you prefer that as well.)
Some accounts update quickly, while others experience delays. It can take 72 hours, but usually takes just a few. Bear in mind that you may now be booking mixed Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines itineraries, and your choice of loyalty program affects benefits.
Under the contact form to submit an inquiry to American, when you choose AAdvantage account service, you can now select ‘status match’.
With the deal for Alaska Airlines to buy Hawaiian Airlines ,now done, they’re beginning to move forward on integrating the two carriers.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
