United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - MP delay is a GOOD thing for many of us

As an IT guy I know how hard some of these system integration projects can be. Currently the official word is that the 2012 program won't become live until 'late 1st quarter'.

As a Gold/1P elite I'll receive 100% bonus miles until the new program kicks in and then I'll lose half that benefit.

Delay, baby, delay!!!

As an IT guy I know how hard some of these system integration projects can be. Currently the official word is that the 2012 program won't become live until 'late 1st quarter'.

As a Gold/1P elite I'll receive 100% bonus miles until the new program kicks in and then I'll lose half that benefit.

Delay, baby, delay!!!

Why did you feel the need to start yet another thread about the same thing there is a sticky on and you just replied in another thread that is about the same thing.

Good questions, Baze.

1. There is a sticky on the 2012 program but not one that I see dedicated to discussing the benefits of the delay for some of us.
2. I did recently post a reply in the thread about the delay in sending out the cards and the extension for next years program. I didn't post about the benefits to some of us in the delay because I didn't want to take that thread in a direction unintended by the OP. That would be bad etiquette.

Ok, I will just respond this way

Merger Update: 2012 MileagePlus Program Details (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileage-plus-consolidated/1261722-merger-update-2012-mileageplus-program-details.html)

It is all in here.

Isn't the delay also good news for anyone moving down in status?

Isn't the delay also good news for anyone moving down in status?

Absolutely! If you're moving from 1K to 1P you're losing half your bonus points and your upgrade priority. Any delay is good for those losing status.

As an IT guy I know how hard some of these system integration projects can be. Currently the official word is that the 2012 program won't become live until 'late 1st quarter'.

As a Gold/1P elite I'll receive 100% bonus miles until the new program kicks in and then I'll lose half that benefit.

Delay, baby, delay!!!

Isn't the delay also good news for anyone moving down in status?
to take the contra position -- delay is bad because
1) the ranks of elites will be bloated since those that did not re-achieve their status level will still be in the mix -- too many elites chasing limited upgrade opportunities and crowding the lounges & boarding line
2) delays in receiving new cards may affect some for their lounge access (there is a thread on this already http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileage-plus-consolidated/1283056-first-half-2012-mp-elite-cards-will-stickers-letters.html )

so as with most things, there are pluses / minuses

If MP moving is contingent on UA moving to SHARES, any delay is good for legacy UA customers.

As an IT guy I know how hard some of these system integration projects can be. Currently the official word is that the 2012 program won't become live until 'late 1st quarter'.

As a Gold/1P elite I'll receive 100% bonus miles until the new program kicks in and then I'll lose half that benefit.

Delay, baby, delay!!!

Not clear this is actually the case per the master thread (with emphasis):
In the case of 2012, most of the new program benefits and features, including the new Premier tiers, will be effective when we migrate to a single technology system late in the first quarter.

Note "most" in the above, which is not all.

Additionally, not clear whether "including the new Premier tiers" means the 75k tier, or it actually means the bonus earning itself. It's possible that the bonus could change on 1/1.

Though that's in conflict with this page:
http://mileageplusmergerupdates.com/en/mp/MileagePlusin2012/EliteBenefitsExtended
Part of the merger between United and Continental involves converting to a new technology system, late in the first quarter of 2012. At that point, we'll begin delivering the benefits of the 2012 MileagePlus® program. Until then, elite members' 2011 status and benefits will be extended.

It's a double edge sword. A delay may mean they are going to make an effort to get it as good as they can the first time rather than forcing it out as I've seen in software implementations

However a delay will mean that we will continue to face issues or require an extra step for the pax:
-CR1/SWU from UA for use on CO and vice versa.
-We will continue to have two flight search engines that seem to work against each other than offer the pax more options. (UA provides CO connections that are cheaper, CO provides UA connections that are cheaper).
-E-certs on either airline will continue to only be available for use on that airline (who knows what will happen to these once there is further integration).

As someone who's travelling in early March I rather hope that they don't do the cutover the week I travel. I am not looking forward to the mess it's going to be as they work out the kinks & the GAs get up to speed on the new system.

Yes ... surely, this can't be a good thing, given the upgrade lottery that exists today, even without the artificially inflated elite count :(

More of the changes that we'll like! :rolleyes:


to take the contra position -- delay is bad because
1) the ranks of elites will be bloated since those that did not re-achieve their status level will still be in the mix -- too many elites chasing limited upgrade opportunities and crowding the lounges & boarding line

I would not be so optimistic.

I am sure 1P bonus will be cut in half come 1/1.

Unless you believe in fairy tales.

:(