I write further to John Gabriel's letter (South China Morning Post, August 25) on the extraordinary decision of Cathay Pacific to withdraw the only two useful perks available to Gold Card members of the Marco Polo programme. Cathay Pacific is experiencing financial difficulties and so I find it all the more amazing that it would wish to alienate those passengers who had shown their loyalty to the airline by clocking up enough air miles to attain the Gold Card. Surely, in these times, we are exactly the sort of customers that Cathay Pacific would wish to retain. I have written to the airline on two separate occasions asking for an explanation of its decision to restrict the perks available to Gold Card members, and all I have received in reply is a pre-printed standard letter expressing its regret and looking forward to welcoming me on a Cathay flight in the near future. Cathay Pacific clearly didn't read my letter very thoroughly as I informed the company that I intend to change my choice of preferred 'flying partner' and will now try to avoid flying Cathay Pacific. SIMON McCRUM Central
