Originally Posted by
fastair
Remember, 2 sides to any argument. Many have posted that UA is attacking, discriminating against/penalizing the 1K who gets it on segments. So why should the 1k on segments be the anomaly to all the other people who get 1P, and 2P on segments, which is in the 30/25k miles ratio per tier? It was fair to use that method for everyone up until this point where the 1k on segments had an exception to the ratio, now they fit the exact pattern that others have, and it is somehow unfair to them? This logic defies logic. They are standardizing everyone, eliminating an outlier to the standard formula, and it is somehow unfair. Look at "fair" in the dictionary, one of the uses is "without irregularity or unevenness". It seems to me that it was unfair to some before, but now fits the definition.
That doesn't mean that it doesn't feel good when you are given irregular treatment and it benefits you (i.e. teacher's pet) and then you get a new situation where equality is practiced (new grade, new teacher, no pets.) Anytime an advantage is taken away, it feels bad, but that doesn't make it unfair, discriminatory, or being picked on. I hear your pain, but it isn't anything irrational or unfair, it's just that change, even evolution, doesn't always benefit everyone equally.
You're right, it's not fair to the 2P & 1P crowd either. But nothing changed there, and if they (of which I will soon again be a subset of) wish to not complain about it, that's not reason for the 1K to go silent.
Besides, the 1K SW (Segment Warrior) is a special breed. It's not that tough making 2P, or even 1P. Even at 60 segments, 1P could still represent some leisure/low-fare passengers. 100+ segments and you're defining someone who's seen more than life's fair share of delays, cancellations, security lines and various other indignities. It's not easy getting there. And almost by definition it's going to be a business traveler.
I get your point about making the ratios consistent, but if you were to consider each subsequent level of status to relative accomplishment (pain?) on their elite journey, the difference between 60 & 100 segments likely separates the men from the boys as much as 50k vs 100k miles. Aside from that, an even 1 segment to 1000 mile ratio seems pretty reasonable. How did UA come up with something slightly-different in the first place?
If it would make you feel better to live in a neat, orderly & consistent world, by all means lower 2P to 25 segments and 1P to 50. As I said earlier, I don't see where the segment flyers should be any less desirable to UA than the high milers. In the days of cheap added segments, maybe you could have made a case otherwise, but those days are gone.
OK, but maybe here's the real reason we're so scared of UA taking away segment worth. Are we going to see another attempt to allow only actual mileage again for flights under 500 miles?
Some of this, of course, is my own fault. When I left the ranks of the lowly
2P and temporarily became a
Bold 1K, I lost track of my roots. I started hanging out too much with my 1K friends and have neglected to stand up for the little people (reference to Blade Runner- if you're not 1K, you're little people). It is time for me to stop worrying about redeeming my last 4 SWUs and look out for my own kind.