miles & points

by Randy Petersen
March 2008

‘Tis the season when loyalty programs bestow new credentials on frequent fliers based on last year’s travel records.

The season? Don’t you mean “the holidays,” and didn’t they already happen? Not if you’re a frequent flier. January through March is the season for frequent fliers, when we find out just how well we did last year with our loyalty choices. I know many frequent fliers focus on their miles, but it’s the hardware that really counts: gold, platinum, silver, bronze and especially diamonds. Think they’re only a girl’s best friend? We frequent fliers have sparkly best friends as well.

Last week, I got my first hotel reward of the season when I received my credentials for requalifying for Priority Club Platinum Elite, with the side title of “Ambassador” thrown in. That might sound pretty cool, but to be frank, I was extremely disappointed in my performance last year. I had a choice to remain top elite in several programs or super elite in one or two, and I went for a broad assortment of elites.

As a result, I just barely missed Royal Ambassador with Priority Club. Hey, Ambassador level is nothing to be ashamed of, but when others I know invite me over to their room at an Inter-Continental Hotel and the goal is to raid the minibar—well, I have to let them brag. Over in my nicely upgraded room, I’m paying for that privilege. Stay refreshed with as many items as you like, free of charge.

The minibar is my secret obsession, because years ago, I screwed up royally. I had made Royal Ambassador level for a single year, and, unfortunately, the following year I scaled back my travel. As a result, I did not get to all the minibar raids I’d hoped for. But for some reason, I thought I was still a higher-level member and treated the minibar as if it were free. Upon checkout, I was faced with a minibar bill that blew my room rate away. You could have knocked me over with a feather. The only upside was that I was traveling alone, so there were no witnesses to my despair—until now.

Since that fateful incident, I’ve been back on the road to manage my miles and points, with plans of Platinum and beyond. So this year, I was surprised and relieved to get a note from United Mileage Plus inviting me into the exclusive Global Services program. (Global Services is a program United has lurking in the background. It provides enhanced services and benefits to a very few lucky passengers. Unfortunately, it’s by invitation only.)

I have worked my way up through Mileage Plus over the years, first as a Gold member, then 1K for several years and now this. With United being the largest carrier out of Colorado Springs, where I’m located—with Denver nearby—it does help. But I come from meager roots of 22F, having earned and flown and studied my way toward the front cabin.

Welcome to the season. With more elite cards to come, this is truly my favorite time of year.
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RANDY PETERSEN is publisher of Inside Flyer magazine and president of Frequent Flyer Services. Email Randy at editor@executivetravelmag.com.