Mile High Rip-off? Cathay changing loyalty scheme because too many people are benefitting

Too popular for its own good, Cathay Pacific’s frequent flier scheme is set to change due to complaints of overcrowded lounges and long priority boarding queues.

According to the SCMP, so many people are enjoying bump ups and benefits nowadays that Diamond and Gold frequent flyer members don’t feel special (cue sad face followed by tiny violins).

A survey conducted by Cathay late last year revealed major customer dissatisfaction. Cathay’s solution for the unhappy chappies? BUY MORE EXPENSIVE TICKETS!!

Those using the airline’s Marco Polo rewards scheme – which formerly saw travellers provided with benefits based on the distance flown and the number of flights taken – will from next year focus on big spenders who buy premium or the most expensive, fully flexible economy seats.

Asia Miles clients will still benefit if they buy the cheaper seats, but will only receive free flights and upgrades instead of lounge access and priority boarding.

Feeling miffed now and wondering how can you can stick it to Cathay?

Well, 22-year-old American, Aktarer Zaman, founder of the website Skiplagged, thinks he’s unlocked a loophole. Zaman noticed that airlines overcharge for direct flights to popular destinations but charge less for connection flights.

Dubbed the “Hidden City Connection”, the model works like this:

If you want to travel to Singapore from Hong Kong, instead of purchasing a direct flight, book a ticket to Sydney, Australia ,via Singapore, and simply leave the airport once you’ve reached your intended destination (Singapore).

That example probably wouldn’t work out cheaper in all honesty, but you get the idea.

Careful, though. Zaman is currently being sued by multiple airlines who are adverse to consumer demand for affordable travel.

If airlines like Cathay are concocting evil schemes however, shouldn’t we cook up our own?



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