My 1KVoice letter:

Hello,

I am writing to voice my dissatisfaction at your upcoming changes to the 2011 Mileage Plus program.
I have been a MP member since 1999, and a 1K flyer since 2005. I relocated from the Washington DC are to Sacramento, CA in 2008. At the time of my move, I was worried about maintaining my status level, being that my flight options on UA from Sacramento are limited at best. I was, however, very determined to maintain my status, despite UA's schedule deficiencies at SMF. Being that the majority of my flying is exclusively domestic, I look to the fact that for 2 years I've been able to maintain my 1K status as a testament to my UA loyalty. My flights are usually short distances, in to smaller airports. As such, instead of making 1K on mileage, I've been able to maintain my status for the last 2 years through segments. There have been many other options to my destinations served by both Alaska Airlines and Southwest, many times for less money...yet I "stayed United."
However, on the 16th of November 2011, you announced a fundamental change to your program. Now, instead of 100 segments, for me to maintain the same status that I enjoyed over the last 5 years, I am being asked to fly an additional 20%, or 120 segments. You're asking not your lower level flyers, but instead your "top tier" elites to give "more?" Why are you singling out your very best and most loyal customers for this new rule? I suppose it's nothing personal, eh...just business.
I have heard grumblings that your new 75,000 mile/90 segment tier was just "too close" to the current 100,000/100 segment level. And? Wouldn't it give those hitting 90 segments all the more incentive to fly an additional 10 segments to make 1K? Wouldn't that be additional money to UA's bottom line?
My bottom line is this: If I am being asked to contribute an additional 20 segments next year, I will not bother to continue going out of my way to fly on United. What's most convenient and least expensive will become my mantra for 2011. Loyalty doesn't seem to mean as much at United as I once thought it did.
United can look forward to not seeing my face or money on 100 + flights next year. It's nothing personal United...it's just business.

ExCrew
MP 1K 0305XXXXXXX