Airlines still pamper a secret elite

Source: San Jose Mercury News

With the summer travel season in full swing, the indignities of flying continue to pile up, from intrusive security searches to overcrowded and perk-free flights. But for one class of fliers, the airlines continue to roll out the red carpet.

The existence of this rarefied status is only hinted at -- until it's bestowed upon those customers who spend tens of thousands of dollars a year flying around the world. Then the sky's the limit.

"It's amazing. They take care of everything," said Shaun Bagai, manager of market development for Mountain View medical device-maker Medtronic Ardian. He recalls the exact time and day -- 7 a.m., Jan. 10, 2005 -- when he was asked at the United Airlines' Red Carpet Club check-in desk at San Francisco International Airport whether he'd received his "package" yet. He'd just been anointed a Global Services member, a secret loyalty level.

"We are watching you," he recalls being told. "Don't worry. You'll get the best service ever."

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18589544

Still subject to delays and other inconveniences.

Below, excerpt from the article.

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A Road Warrior's Diary

Shaun Bagai, manager of market development for Mountain View medical device maker Medtronic Ardian, is a member of United Airlines' secretive top tier frequent flier club dubbed Global Services. That elite status comes only with a punishing travel schedule. Here is a snapshot of his life aloft in 2010.

Miles flown: about 400,000
Nights in Hotels: 200
Countries visited: 17
Cities visited: More than 100
Number of business meetings: Too many to count

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and do, every time the choice is presented.

There are recent threads here on DU but I'm too lazy to look them up