Share Your Opinions About Being a Red Carpet Club Member
Jul 18, 2011, 3:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
Share Your Opinions About Being a Red Carpet Club Member
Just received a survey from UA. First question asked me what I had used miles for in the last year (including RCC and award travel). Then I was asked if I wasn't able to use miles to purchase a RCC membership, would I buy one? I answered "probably not."
Ugh...I hope they don't take this option away from us...
Ugh...I hope they don't take this option away from us...
Jul 18, 2011, 3:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K,SPG Plat,
Posts: 1,091
I think that removing the miles option would be a foolish move. They keep adding ways to spend your miles, why would they take away this one?
In the comments of the survey, I mentioned that I can justify spending the miles for the RCC, but not cash, and that I would happily let my membership lapse if it was cash only.
In the comments of the survey, I mentioned that I can justify spending the miles for the RCC, but not cash, and that I would happily let my membership lapse if it was cash only.
Jul 18, 2011, 3:40 pm
#3
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,126
I, too, got the survey, and found it disturbing that so many of the questions seemed more to do with using miles for membership than with the quality of the club / membership itself.
Definitely seemed like they were floating the notion of eliminating the ability to buy a membership with miles...
And I can say that without serious improvements in amenities, for me there's simply no way I'd consider it worth the $$ (even though the exchange rate for the miles is poor compared to the typical valuation of said miles).
Definitely seemed like they were floating the notion of eliminating the ability to buy a membership with miles...
And I can say that without serious improvements in amenities, for me there's simply no way I'd consider it worth the $$ (even though the exchange rate for the miles is poor compared to the typical valuation of said miles).
Jul 18, 2011, 3:41 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Is the miles redemption option for RCC being chopped/?
Anyone else get the RCC survey today? Basically it asked pointed questions whether you would renew your club membership if you had to pay versus redeem miles for membership. I don't like where this is going...another change I'm supposed to like?
Jul 18, 2011, 3:48 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: TPE, SF, DC
Programs: UA Lifetime GS 4mm
Posts: 891
I got email from UA today pitching for 1-yr RCC with 47,500 miles
Jul 18, 2011, 3:49 pm
#6
In memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: UA, AA, SPG - Gold, LM
Posts: 589
I just received an email from MP asking if I would like to become a member of RCC for 47,500 miles or with pouse for 70k.
I am not sure if this is anything related to the survey OP mentioned.
I am not sure if this is anything related to the survey OP mentioned.
Jul 18, 2011, 3:52 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
I also received the 47.5k offer today. It made no mention of the cash option. I wonder if this is part of the survey process - if they don't get enough bites, the miles option is gone.
Unless I was sitting on millions of miles, I would never spend them this way (maybe they're figuring that out). 47.5k miles are worth a lot more on a longhaul premium award than a $375 RCC fee.
Unless I was sitting on millions of miles, I would never spend them this way (maybe they're figuring that out). 47.5k miles are worth a lot more on a longhaul premium award than a $375 RCC fee.
Jul 18, 2011, 3:56 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Southern California, GVA, SIN, LHR, BRU, CDG
Programs: UA LT GS 4.12MM (4.08MM BIS), AA EXP 1.86MM ,DL DM 1.1MM, HH LT Diamond, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,182
I also received the survey even though I purchased a lifetime membership in the early 80s and then received another lifetime membership when I passed 2MM!
My wife uses miles for her membership (usually my miles
)...and we would probably not renew her membership (she is a 1P travelling with me 70% of the time) if we had to pay cash!
My wife uses miles for her membership (usually my miles
)...and we would probably not renew her membership (she is a 1P travelling with me 70% of the time) if we had to pay cash!
Jul 18, 2011, 4:00 pm
#9
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD & BKK
Programs: UA 1K/MM; *A Gold Life; CX Gold; Marriott Platinum LT; SPG Plat; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 343
I just got the survey and it was very clear that the underlying thread was the possible elimination of redemption of miles for RCC membership.
I answered every question in the most negative way possible--for example "If I could not redeem miles for membership would I pay cash to retain membership" answer NO; "If I could not redeem miles for RCC would I be less inclined to fly UA? Answer YES.
My free form comment at the end of the survey was to the effect of "What in the world are you thinking--absolutely absurd idea. Another change that Jeff knows that we are sure to like--NOT."
Please take the time to respond. It is very clear what they have up their sleeve.
I answered every question in the most negative way possible--for example "If I could not redeem miles for membership would I pay cash to retain membership" answer NO; "If I could not redeem miles for RCC would I be less inclined to fly UA? Answer YES.
My free form comment at the end of the survey was to the effect of "What in the world are you thinking--absolutely absurd idea. Another change that Jeff knows that we are sure to like--NOT."
Please take the time to respond. It is very clear what they have up their sleeve.
Jul 18, 2011, 4:05 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
I just got the survey and it was very clear that the underlying thread was the possible elimination of redemption of miles for RCC membership.
I answered every question in the most negative way possible--for example "If I could not redeem miles for membership would I pay cash to retain membership" answer NO; "If I could not redeem miles for RCC would I be less inclined to fly UA? Answer YES.
My free form comment at the end of the survey was to the effect of "What in the world are you thinking--absolutely absurd idea. Another change that Jeff knows that we are sure to like--NOT."
Please take the time to respond. It is very clear what they have up their sleeve.
I answered every question in the most negative way possible--for example "If I could not redeem miles for membership would I pay cash to retain membership" answer NO; "If I could not redeem miles for RCC would I be less inclined to fly UA? Answer YES.
My free form comment at the end of the survey was to the effect of "What in the world are you thinking--absolutely absurd idea. Another change that Jeff knows that we are sure to like--NOT."
Please take the time to respond. It is very clear what they have up their sleeve.
My RCC is up for renewal on 1 Sept. Probably time to get the status match paperwork in order.
Jul 18, 2011, 4:20 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: 1K 2MM
Posts: 605
Since I use most of my miles to fly spouse and kids around, the miles option for RCC never made much sense to me. And this year, with my airmiles almost doubling over previous years, I finally went with the Mileage Plus Visa RCC option, for something like $325. Considering that there was already a $95 fee or so to get those EQM, it seems like a bargain to me.
Jul 18, 2011, 4:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 1,289
Got the survey too. I usually use miles to get membership for me and my spouse. I also use miles to buy her tickets. Nonethless, with all my flying I am sitting on .5M miles. I would much rather buy with miles and would reevaluate if I had to pay cash.
Jul 18, 2011, 4:58 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SNA and XRY
Programs: UA PP, 2 MM; IC;
Posts: 1,043
I wouldn't re-evaluate... I would not bother... end of story!!! If they keep taking a piece out of the pie, there won't be any pie left!!!
Jul 18, 2011, 5:27 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Just received a survey from UA. First question asked me what I had used miles for in the last year (including RCC and award travel). Then I was asked if I wasn't able to use miles to purchase a RCC membership, would I buy one? I answered "probably not."
Ugh...I hope they don't take this option away from us...
Ugh...I hope they don't take this option away from us...
Jul 18, 2011, 9:10 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NoCal
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM
Posts: 232
At the end in the comment section I said that RCC membership was only worthwhile if it was obtained with otherwise unused miles. The product's low quality did not justify a cash outlay. I also mentioned that increases in mileage needed for membership could also easily cause me to drop membership I've held since 1986.