May 12, 2016, 11:29 am
Last edit by: Surface Interval
May 2016 -- UA ran a targeted (unknown numbers) program to provide status bumps for some.
This included
- Some GM receiving a free E+ subscription,* some given Silver or Gold
- Some Silvers were bumped to Premier Gold status
- Some Golds were bumped to Premier Platinum status (no RPUs)
- Some Plats were bumped to Premier 1K status (no RPUs, no GPUs)
(* If given an E+ subscription, it will not appear under the "Subscriptions" section in one's MP account, but a message appears during the booking process that confirms E+ seats are available to such people. The E+ subscription is good only for U.S. flights, and maybe only for continental U.S. flights.)
Status bumps appear to generally be 1 level but there have been some reportedly 2 levels bumps (too small in number to have a high confidence level).
These status bumps are effective until end of January 2017.
The status bumps are only effective on UA/UX flights and does not include a bump in *A status. No MP card with bumped status will be provided (limiting ability to use for *A lounge access per UA e-mail). NOTE: there are a few reports of peoples digital cards reflecting the gifted bump in status. 2nd NOTE: There are also reports that the bumpees are getting the *A status associated with their bump in status.
No reports of equivalent bumps to GS.
Some were notified by email -- others noticed their bumps by viewing their online account.
The quantity, demographics or reason for this target promo have not be announced by UA. UA has acknowledged the program on some social media outlets (Twitter Link 1, Twitter Link 2, ...) More details can be found on this UA offer page TB3330. UA has suggested posting feedback at https://unitedairtime.com .
This included
- Some GM receiving a free E+ subscription,* some given Silver or Gold
- Some Silvers were bumped to Premier Gold status
- Some Golds were bumped to Premier Platinum status (no RPUs)
- Some Plats were bumped to Premier 1K status (no RPUs, no GPUs)
(* If given an E+ subscription, it will not appear under the "Subscriptions" section in one's MP account, but a message appears during the booking process that confirms E+ seats are available to such people. The E+ subscription is good only for U.S. flights, and maybe only for continental U.S. flights.)
Status bumps appear to generally be 1 level but there have been some reportedly 2 levels bumps (too small in number to have a high confidence level).
These status bumps are effective until end of January 2017.
The status bumps are only effective on UA/UX flights and does not include a bump in *A status. No MP card with bumped status will be provided (limiting ability to use for *A lounge access per UA e-mail). NOTE: there are a few reports of peoples digital cards reflecting the gifted bump in status. 2nd NOTE: There are also reports that the bumpees are getting the *A status associated with their bump in status.
No reports of equivalent bumps to GS.
Some were notified by email -- others noticed their bumps by viewing their online account.
The quantity, demographics or reason for this target promo have not be announced by UA. UA has acknowledged the program on some social media outlets (Twitter Link 1, Twitter Link 2, ...) More details can be found on this UA offer page TB3330. UA has suggested posting feedback at https://unitedairtime.com .
UA doing some targetted MP up-status changes [May, 10, 2016]
May 26, 2016, 6:35 am
#1426
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
When people start threatening to leave UA or to fly UA less often, not because of a schedule change or fare increase but because of a promotion, it's logical to ask why such people were flying UA in the first place.
Taking a lot of people in this thread at their word, they've inexplicably been flying UA despite having better and/or cheaper options all along.
Taking a lot of people in this thread at their word, they've inexplicably been flying UA despite having better and/or cheaper options all along.
I booked a few DL flights on these routes over the past few weeks, primarily out of spite and anger at this promotion. It didn't affect my wallet and it didn't affect my schedule. It's simply human behavior, and whether rational or not it has impacted UA negatively by a few thousand dollars from a good customer.
I understand UA's thought process, but there's very little excuse for their application. Good idea, bad implementation. Will the positives outweigh the negatives, since most of us are primarily captive to UA? Possibly. We won't ever know. But they absolutely weakened the bond many of us feel as road warriors who earned our status by actually flying and spending $, and in situations where we have a real choice on carrier have made it less likely- by however large or small an amount- to choose UA.
May 26, 2016, 7:23 am
#1427
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,648
It wasn't remotely off-topic to mention that AA has offered a similar promotion three times in the past 6 months.
This isn't really clear at all. But if UA was truly hoping to lure back the former HVF who have allegedly left, I'm sure UA still has contact information for most of them. These current promos obviously go well beyond trying to lure back HVF defectors.
This isn't really clear at all. But if UA was truly hoping to lure back the former HVF who have allegedly left, I'm sure UA still has contact information for most of them. These current promos obviously go well beyond trying to lure back HVF defectors.
May 26, 2016, 10:37 am
#1428
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
It wasn't remotely off-topic to mention that AA has offered a similar promotion three times in the past 6 months.
This isn't really clear at all. But if UA was truly hoping to lure back the former HVF who have allegedly left, I'm sure UA still has contact information for most of them. These current promos obviously go well beyond trying to lure back HVF defectors.
This isn't really clear at all. But if UA was truly hoping to lure back the former HVF who have allegedly left, I'm sure UA still has contact information for most of them. These current promos obviously go well beyond trying to lure back HVF defectors.
I get to choose whatever airline I want, as do all of my coworkers. We are a small company with plenty of us traveling but not enough to justify any type of corporate hand holding by UA. I stick with UA mostly because I grew up with UA, which is a relationship I should probably give up on. PMUA appreciated my loyalty, current UA doesn't care if I stay.
+1. The response I got was corporatespeak that said nothing and didn't address my concerns at all. I'll bet the blowback has gotten the at least reconsider their messaging.
Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; May 26, 2016 at 12:15 pm Reason: Combine consecutive, related posts from same member.
May 26, 2016, 11:11 am
#1429
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
MODERATOR NOTE
This is a discussion about MP status changes as a result of offers made by United to different customers but it is not a discussion about each other. If you want to discuss each other you are free to do so privately but not here and future posts of that nature will be deleted
goalie
UA Forum C0-Moderator
This is a discussion about MP status changes as a result of offers made by United to different customers but it is not a discussion about each other. If you want to discuss each other you are free to do so privately but not here and future posts of that nature will be deleted
goalie
UA Forum C0-Moderator
May 26, 2016, 12:23 pm
#1430
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Do people scream and boycott because Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts don't reward frequent customers at a faster and better pace than the people who go there once a month? No. The people who go to Starbucks every day get the same 2 stars per dollar as the guy who goes there once a month — and unlike with airlines, there are a zillion options for getting a cup of coffee.
I've seen no complaints here from a 1K who feels they deserve more than another 1K, as long as they both earned the status according to the rules.
Last edited by goalie; May 26, 2016 at 7:16 pm Reason: per mod note
May 26, 2016, 12:36 pm
#1431
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,340
I'm trying to understand this analogy. People are upset because UA is rewarding people who patronize their company less frequently the same as they reward people who are regular customers by giving them equal benefits...that's what the status bump achieved.
I've seen no complaints here from a 1K who feels they deserve more than another 1K, as long as they both earned the status according to the rules.
I've seen no complaints here from a 1K who feels they deserve more than another 1K, as long as they both earned the status according to the rules.
Last edited by goalie; May 26, 2016 at 7:17 pm Reason: edited quoted post to match edited original post
May 26, 2016, 12:36 pm
#1432
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,072
No, not really. UA didn't suddenly give everyone Platinum or 1k status. UA bumped up a lot of people one level. The people at the very top didn't have anywhere to get bumped to, but that's just the way it is.
Last edited by goalie; May 26, 2016 at 7:17 pm Reason: per mod note
May 26, 2016, 1:00 pm
#1433
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,157
May 26, 2016, 2:39 pm
#1434
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,442
It's on United Airtime... obviously they are hearing the feedback. Reads eerily like some responses folks have received 
:
:
Q:Why are you providing Premier status to some people who have not earned it?
A: We have been receiving feedback from some of our Premier members about the targeted MileagePlus promotion we recently launched. Let us assure you, we do not expect a notable change to the customer experience and benefits you receive today. This promotion was created to provide a very limited group of Premier MileagePlus members with Premier status one level higher than their current Premier level. Being a promotion, it is for a limited time period, and it doesn’t provide the same benefits you would receive as an earned Premier member (e.g. those participating in this promotion will not receive Global or Regional Premier Upgrades).
A: We have been receiving feedback from some of our Premier members about the targeted MileagePlus promotion we recently launched. Let us assure you, we do not expect a notable change to the customer experience and benefits you receive today. This promotion was created to provide a very limited group of Premier MileagePlus members with Premier status one level higher than their current Premier level. Being a promotion, it is for a limited time period, and it doesn’t provide the same benefits you would receive as an earned Premier member (e.g. those participating in this promotion will not receive Global or Regional Premier Upgrades).
Last edited by EWR764; May 26, 2016 at 2:45 pm
May 26, 2016, 6:11 pm
#1435
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: UA peon (+decades 1K), AA Exec Plt
Posts: 1,117
Is this bump going to make anyone fly more with United?
Is this bump going to make anyone fly more with United?
May 26, 2016, 7:01 pm
#1436
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: Free checked in bag on UA & DL. Free icecream at Marriott checkin.
Posts: 2,862
Probably so for people who save money on checked bag fees compared to other carriers. Might have as well given away free checked in bag to the masses and made it a competitive advantage to make up for the abysmal reliability.
Me thinks one of them is going to jump on the bandwagon of "1 free checked in bag", citing whatever reason will make it palatable at that point. TSA line backup, "targeted promotion", etc.
Me thinks one of them is going to jump on the bandwagon of "1 free checked in bag", citing whatever reason will make it palatable at that point. TSA line backup, "targeted promotion", etc.
May 26, 2016, 7:19 pm
#1437
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 35
Oh, we get it, and so does UA.
All the foot stomping aside, if people had better options, they'd be partaking of them.
Airline so-called "elites" have been spoiled for years. Do people scream and boycott because Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts don't reward frequent customers at a faster and better pace than the people who go there once a month? No. The people who go to Starbucks every day get the same 2 stars per dollar as the guy who goes there once a month — and unlike with airlines, there are a zillion options for getting a cup of coffee.
All the foot stomping aside, if people had better options, they'd be partaking of them.
Airline so-called "elites" have been spoiled for years. Do people scream and boycott because Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts don't reward frequent customers at a faster and better pace than the people who go there once a month? No. The people who go to Starbucks every day get the same 2 stars per dollar as the guy who goes there once a month — and unlike with airlines, there are a zillion options for getting a cup of coffee.
Last edited by goalie; May 26, 2016 at 7:22 pm Reason: per mod note
May 26, 2016, 8:21 pm
#1438
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: USA
Programs: UA (1K, 2MM), AA, Avis, National
Posts: 867
... it doesn’t provide the same benefits you would receive as an earned Premier member (e.g. those participating in this promotion will not receive Global or Regional Premier Upgrades).
Translated from PR-speak, this reads "it provides the same benefits you would receive as an earned Premier member except Global or Regional Premier Upgrades." Those bumped to silver and gold get same benefits as those who earned the status the hard way, and platinum unly miss a couple of RPU one gets at 75K mines.
May 26, 2016, 11:31 pm
#1439
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
An interesting tidbit on this mess:
Earlier I posted about my wife getting the E+ but I didn't despite nearly identical flight histories. Today we get promo emails talking about bonus miles--emails that make reference to the E+ status we were given. In other words, it looks like I actually got it but didn't get the e-mail.
It's still basically moot, though, as our expected domestic flying for the rest of the year is two hops of a little over an hour each.
Earlier I posted about my wife getting the E+ but I didn't despite nearly identical flight histories. Today we get promo emails talking about bonus miles--emails that make reference to the E+ status we were given. In other words, it looks like I actually got it but didn't get the e-mail.
It's still basically moot, though, as our expected domestic flying for the rest of the year is two hops of a little over an hour each.
May 27, 2016, 8:05 am
#1440
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: ua Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver, Hyatt Gold, National Executive, Avis First
Posts: 203
... it doesn’t provide the same benefits you would receive as an earned Premier member (e.g. those participating in this promotion will not receive Global or Regional Premier Upgrades).
Translated from PR-speak, this reads "it provides the same benefits you would receive as an earned Premier member except Global or Regional Premier Upgrades." Those bumped to silver and gold get same benefits as those who earned the status the hard way, and platinum unly miss a couple of RPU one gets at 75K mines.