Not really helpful to you, but just wanted to suggest it’s very short sighted of a company to restrict the use of loyalty programs, particularly around status and status benefits, as they then run the risk of needing to pay for additional food & beverage costs, baggage fees, seat selection, etc. The savings they make on enforcing BfoD would generally be very little compared to the potential ancillary cost.
The same goes for hotels, where loyalty and status can mean the difference between the price of a room only, or the price of a room, plus paying for breakfast, possibly dinner & drinks (assuming a lounge/equivalent option), and maybe a early or late checkout fee.
Of course, these two things can also run in combination. We enforced BfoD with non-compliant fares or stays requiring manager approval before the system would confirm a booking, but once selected, you could add loyalty programs and earn and burn later, as you liked.
Sorry… end of rant.
Cheers,
Matt.
