Most people want to be a part of something. Maybe its a team, a group, a movement, a family or even part of event. In travel, everyone wants "in the club!"
It might be an airline club where drinks, food and internet access are flowing like water. The benefits of a hotel concierge club where breakfast is free and bountiful and evening snacks and beverages are perfectly tempting. How about a car program that allows you to choose your rental from almost anything on the lot or a "special line" that helps you clear customs and security more swiftly?
Some people earn access to these clubs, some people are given access to these clubs based on their company relationships and some people pay for these services on their own or on a per usage basis (i.e. day passes, increase in room rate to include the services, etc.)
I travel often enough to be able to take advantage of these clubs from time to time and its a double edge sword. They save my company money on things like breakfasts, drinks, bottled waters, and time. However, do "day-passes" or "buy-up programs" take away from the person who shelled out money for annual passes or earned it? I believe they do. I believe airlines and hotel have to be able to manage the sale of these items more effectively so their die hard club users, the person who relies on those services, can have access when they need them.
Everyone wants to be "in the club" but a service that was once a respite for the road-weary traveler is now a commodity for sale to anyone willing to pay for it. It's become an ancillary revenue stream and top level customers are paying the price.
In the club or out of the club, the important fact is that we keep going.
It might be an airline club where drinks, food and internet access are flowing like water. The benefits of a hotel concierge club where breakfast is free and bountiful and evening snacks and beverages are perfectly tempting. How about a car program that allows you to choose your rental from almost anything on the lot or a "special line" that helps you clear customs and security more swiftly?
Some people earn access to these clubs, some people are given access to these clubs based on their company relationships and some people pay for these services on their own or on a per usage basis (i.e. day passes, increase in room rate to include the services, etc.)
I travel often enough to be able to take advantage of these clubs from time to time and its a double edge sword. They save my company money on things like breakfasts, drinks, bottled waters, and time. However, do "day-passes" or "buy-up programs" take away from the person who shelled out money for annual passes or earned it? I believe they do. I believe airlines and hotel have to be able to manage the sale of these items more effectively so their die hard club users, the person who relies on those services, can have access when they need them.
Everyone wants to be "in the club" but a service that was once a respite for the road-weary traveler is now a commodity for sale to anyone willing to pay for it. It's become an ancillary revenue stream and top level customers are paying the price.
In the club or out of the club, the important fact is that we keep going.
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