The SWU issuance at time of qualification/requalification does not make sense. For us given some of the announced changes and for timing issues I can see us better managing our travel on UA creating stages so we reach to 1k requalification more towards December of each year. That would be in keeping with our current SWU expirations and rolling forward to keep a similar expiration schedule.

In regards to CR1s. What was wrong with the old system? There was no DEQM this year. There are going to be lots less people who would earn CR1s therefore using them. The routes we use them on are some of UAs hardest to get such as SFO to IAD and UA does not release that many upgrades to be had on the non-stops ahead of time anyways. But at least you get in line. The other would be to certain Mexico and Canada spots along with smaller aka 757 planes to Hawaii.

I have two close friends who will loose 1k status. One was hoping to make a run at 1k again in early 2011 using the last of their 6 SWUs but these changes have us both re-thinking the value of 1k. I have no doubt for my wife and I but those on the edge now question the value.

In terms of battles. That is not up to us in my opinion. We are not the ones throwing the first snowball. In the end we are the one$ with the buck$ and I have no problem reminding $omeone of that fact. $till lots of flying options out there. All will be well. 3m plus UA BIS miles for us bears this out over 2 plus decades.