So long 1k. It was nice while it lasted. Official goodbye to elite status thread
I've been flying UA since 1988. I've been PremEx since 2001.
Last year I finally made 1k. Today is my last day as a 1k.
I'll miss:
- CR1's
- SWU's
- boarding early
- a shiny 2012 1k card
- domestic call centers
- bragging rights on this board
- larger payouts due to IRROPS
- additional award availability
- special telephone number to 1k desk
- ability to fly earlier without paying a fee
- free changes to award tickets
- ability to cancel an award and have miles redeposited
Programs: UA 1K/AA Plat/HH Diamond/Hyatt Plat/Marriott Silver/OpenTable VIP/Priority Pass/Sbux Gold
Posts: 1,697
Same here. Been enjoying 1K since Sept. 2008. Luckily I still have some CR1's to use throughout 2011. My current travel plans for 2011 have me at 70k so hopefully with a few more trips and some creative routings I can fight my way back to 1K.
I haven't been 1K for quite awhile. But I waited until I was MM until I retired But you know what? The sun rises, the sun sets. When I fly UA, I still have a better experience than 98% of the masses. It is becoming a distant memory, yet forever emblazoned in my FT handle. But I was 1K for enough years that I'm entitled to keep it
Programs: Last 1K flight 1/21/11; fun while it lasted, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012 & '13.
Posts: 6,041
Put up countdown timer on my web blog
Got to it before me! I put up a post on our website along with a countdown timer here.
I managed to secure 1P status though, without any special considerations from UA. It wasn't easy; I flew less this year than last, and no DEQM. But I'm feeling liberated, not having to worry about paying for higher fare classes to have a chance at an upgrade that won't likely come through.
__________________
-Mike- Chain Reaction
Most fun flight ever? SJC-SBA-SFO-LAX-IAD-LAS-LAX-SJC Mileage Run 12/07/09!
I've been flying UA since 1988. I've been PremEx since 2001.
Last year I finally made 1k. Today is my last day as a 1k.
I'll miss:
- CR1's
- SWU's
- boarding early
- a shiny 2012 1k card
- domestic call centers
- bragging rights on this board
- larger payouts due to IRROPS
- additional award availability
- special telephone number to 1k desk
- ability to fly earlier without paying a fee
- free changes to award tickets
- ability to cancel an award and have miles redeposited
Who else will join me in bidding adieu to 1k?
Normal Standby has always been free on UA... Is this no longer the case?
Programs: Last 1K flight 1/21/11; fun while it lasted, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012 & '13.
Posts: 6,041
Quote:
Originally Posted by LarkSFO
The EgyptAir miles came through?
Nope! I could have sent in more info and forced it, but I called the 1K line and was told no problem, they'd given me 1P despite being 177 miles short. Almost felt like getting those 370 miles anyway, just because, but realistically I have better things to do with my time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by trekwars2000
Normal Standby has always been free on UA... Is this no longer the case?
Changed last year. Only 1K & GS get standby fees waived. Major issue for many. Sadly, I only took advantage of it once this past year, while in prior years, when I wasn't a 1K and it was free for any elite, I used it often. Go figure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noel Vice
I am sad. I loved my shiny card.
I'm going to literally frame mine. Yes, I know that's silly. I just wish I'd scored one of those personally-written thank-you notes at the gates in December.
__________________
-Mike- Chain Reaction
Most fun flight ever? SJC-SBA-SFO-LAX-IAD-LAS-LAX-SJC Mileage Run 12/07/09!
Last edited by Mike Jacoubowsky; Jan 31, 11 at 12:03 am..
Reason: merge
Same here. Last year was my first year as 1K, and I was not only able to use my SWUs to get Business on LAX-IAD-FCO and return this past week I used paper SWUs to help a friend upgrade on Lufthansa.
90% of my domestic travel I won't miss the upgrades (LOTS of LAX-SFO), hopefully the customer service at lower levels is good again but I felt like as a 1k they really took care of you.
Anyway yeah upgrades are nice though for the long flights. Guess I need to go back to the miles for that (oh and the mileage bonus... stupid 2p... :-/... hopefully I make 1k again next year? probably not likely with the new 120 segment requirement).
Just some of the other things too that require fees at lower levels (specifically stand by... that is going to absolutely KILL me next fall :-/).
Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, maybe one day I'll do it again?
Actually, I don't think I'll miss it that much. Of course it was nice using SWU's for upgrades and thereby saving miles. But still, the waiting-till-the-last-minute for upgrades to clear last year, which I seldom had to do before, kinda spoiled the experience for me. Yes, better last-minute (perhaps helped by status) than not-at-all, but that's how I felt anyway.
I'll be bidding 1K farewell next year. Don't think I'll be flying UA this year, so my 14 SWU's will just go to hell. Could fly UA if I wanted, but why should I put money in Smisek's pocket?
Programs: HH Gold, Fairmont Platinum (No Airline Status, a first in 7 years)
Posts: 1,534
oh so sad. (And still waiting on my 1P card)
I actually got my last 1K benefit today at 4pm, 100hr out UDU cleared for Feb 3. (Yes I planned that) Had it been the 1P 72hr, it would not have cleared as the cabin is now full (granted it is on a CRJ, so who cares)
I am contemplating the challenge (25k/499), but I don't fly UA long haul, just AC metal. So it might not make much sense. I still have time to decide I guess.
I did enjoy calling the 1K desk every 5 min to ask where I stood on the upgrade list. The main benefit I will miss is changing award routings, but maybe I will go into saving mode for a year, and not use miles at all.
But you know what? The sun rises, the sun sets. When I fly UA, I still have a better experience than 98% of the masses. It is becoming a distant memory, yet forever emblazoned in my FT handle. But I was 1K for enough years that I'm entitled to keep it 
