Originally Posted by MMProfessor

After reading the whole thread, I wrote to 1KVoice and am repeating my letter below. Instead of complaining, I think concrete action items are more effective, especially if "from a business perspective" is included in the wording. My 2 cents.


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Dear 1K Voice:

I want to voice my strongest objections to some of the proposed changes in the mileage plus program. I have been a loyal United customer since 1984 and have continuously achieve 1K status for the past many years, accumulating more than 2.6 million United lifetime miles.

1. There is a devaluation of my status - Even though I will still be a 100,000+ mile flyer in the foreseeable future, my LIFETIME PREMIER EXECUTIVE status has apparently been DEMOTED because a new tier at 75,000 miles has been created. I understand you have to merge with the Continental program, where 75,000 is their second highest status level. It is however not fair to have my MM benefit reduced. *** I respectfully request that my MM LIFETIME status be put at the equivalent of the proposed 75,000 level. Indeed, even if you stay with the 50,000-flyer LIFETIME status for 1-million mile flyers, I should get SOMETHING for flying 2+ million miles and be awarded LIFETIME status of a 75,000-flyer, in view of the fact that 3-million mile flyers get LIFETIME 1K status. From a business perspective, you will have extra incentive for people to achieve 2 million miles.***

2. There is a decrease in CR1 awards - For people with 1K status going into a given year, they will not get any CR1 until 75K miles and then only 2 at that time. That means for a traveler with a schedule evenly spread over the year, there will not be additional CR1 until the THIRD quarter. Furthermore, at 100,000 total miles, there will only be 4 CR1 as compared to the current 8 CR1. *** I respectfully request that for those ALREADY QUALIFIED as 1K from the previous year, they start receiving 2 CR1 EVERY 25K miles, with no maximum. For those who have not yet qualified as 1K from the previous year, they will start receiving 2 CR1at 75K miles and 2 more every 25K miles. From a business perspective, people who fly more than 100K miles per year will still have your intended (new) incentive of 2 additional CR1 every 25K miles. There will also be the additional threshold of 75K miles to encourage loyalty.***

3. There is a devaluation of SWU - If 6 are deposited immediately after one achieves 1K status, they will expire much earlier than now. I understand there is advantage for some to get the SWU early. *** I respectfully request that the 6 deposited for achieving 1K status have expiration dates extended through JANUARY of the following year. This will be similar to your present policy of allowing requests for early deposits of SWU, but without the penalty of early expiration. This also parallels the award of status levels through January of the following year. From a business perspective, since these are capacity controlled, they should not have a negative effect on your revenues. On the contrary, SWU encourages people to buy W and higher fares to increase your bottom line.***

4. I just made my 175,000-mile level Elite Choice award (one day before your announcement of changes) to gift the Premier Executive status to my wife, thinking it will be just ONE level below 1K. Now, it seems the 1P is TWO levels below 1K. This is a devaluation of the award and constitutes FALSE ADVERTISING. *** I respectfully request that those Elite Choice awardees for 2011 be given the 75,000-mile status.***

I recognize that you have reasons for proposing each of those changes. However, the above details are unanticipated consequences that should be corrected. I believe almost every elite member of Mileage Plus have the same concerns and will agree to the above suggested modifications of the proposed program.

Sincerely,

MMProfessor

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