Agreed. If our prior year results counted toward our CR-1 earnings in the next year I would be fine. So a couple examples:

Flew 120 segments, 60,000 miles in 2010: No Cr-1s for 2011 until you hit 75,000.

Flew 75,000 miles in 2010: 2 CR-1's earned in January 2011, and 2 more for each additional 25,000 miles flown.

Flew 100,000 miles in 2010: 4 CR-1's earned in January 2010 and 2 more for each additional 25,000 miles flown.

That's a nice way of handling it. I would accept that explanation. In fact I though one UA exchange of information did present it something like that. But if that's what they meant, they need to start recruiting better MBAs focussed on marketing and communication. Heck, just hire some one from the U.S. based 1K desk to explain it to us. No need for an MBA to screw it up and cost you millions of dollars lost in top flyer loyalty.