”Globes” has learned that El Al will restore the points lost by El Al Matmid Gold Club (GL) frequent flyers after more stringent conditions for the Gold Club were instituted, effective May 1 this year. The stricter regulations were subsequently cancelled. The latest news constitutes another achievement for the Gold Club members’ forum, after El Al announced it was retracting some of the conditions it instituted at the beginning of the month.
The Gold Club members’ forum was set up several weeks ago and held its first meeting Saturday night in the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel. The meeting discussed current issues, and the most emphasis was put on El Al management’s measures affecting the accumulation of points and seat upgrading opportunities. Israel Seed Partners partner Michael Eisenberg was chosen president of the forum.
The forum will examine legal possibilities for setting up a non-profit organization in order to raise funds for its activities. A document will be submitted at the forum’s next meeting in two weeks listing all the demands that will be presented to El Al management.
Eisenberg told “Globes” today, “Even though El Al retracted some of the more stringent conditions, a number of important issues remain to be clarified. For example, it has not yet retracted the more stringent conditions for upgrading business class seats to first class. It's also unclear whether purchasers of tourist class tickets at all prices will be able to upgrade to business class."
”There are a number of questions concerning El Al’s new Platinum club, which appears to us to serve no purpose. It 's obvious, however, that El Al management took a brave step by consenting to some of our demands. We won't attempt to strong-arm them; we'll help El Al management to help itself.”
Published by Israel's Business Arena on May 29, 2001