As already mentioned here, it kind of makes me scratch my head at how this is clearly de-incentivizing someone to make 1K on segments while the mileage requirement stays the same. Especially since, as a segment flyer myself who will do 115 segments this year and has no idea yet whether I will be 115 or be closer to 100-108 next year, I know that I/my company spends more $ to reach on segments than I would by booking fewer trips that get more EQMs.

From my perspective, the best approach now is to consider whether it's better to hit 90 segments on UA comfortably, then pull the plug there and then focus on getting status on another airline with the remainder, or whether to keep 1K in 2012.