Originally Posted by
Lurker
Firstly
UA1K4EVER welcome to FT. A fascinating first post and choice of handle
Sort of true. 1Ks based on travel in 2011 are guaranteed no CR1s until they fly a FURTHER 100k miles in 2012. Whereas, under current rules, they would have been guaranteed 4 CR1s at just 40k (spread evenly over 4 quarters). AND they would have the first of them at only 10k flown. I'd call that a devaluation.
Again, welcome to FT and thanks for a thought provoking reiteration of the new state of affairs with your own read on them.
Lurker
It's nice to post after "lurking" around for a couple of weeks to check the reaction to the UA announcement which I got directly from MP.
As for CR1s for 1K requalifiers in 2011, nothing will change. The CR1s will be awarded according to the current rules (2/Q/10K EQM). In 2012 is when the new rule goes into effect for ALL. Everyone, including 1Ks, starts at 0 CR1 until one hits 75K EQM at which point 2 CR1s will be awarded, and then 2 for every 25K EQM after that. This means that every 1K will be guaranteed at least 4 CR1s (or 50% of current max) per year, which for my purposes is plenty as most of my trips are international.
Originally Posted by
transpac
This is obviously the way it should be, at least for 1K re-qualifiers in CY 2011, but not how it appears to be, based on any UA/MP communication to date. While I think that they will end up offering this, and perhaps even meant this originally, but messed up the wording, it would be nice to get some sort of confirmation.
Do you know anything on this specific point or were you just speculating?
I think that going forward the 6 SWUs will be awarded upon qualification, which could be good or bad. I usually requalify at end of Q3 or early Q4 so that it is possible to "delay" requalification to prolong expiration date. But I think that for this to be a real perk, UA would have to let 1K members choose when they with to have the SWUs deposited...just as they do now!
Originally Posted by
epiding
The more i think about the new CR1 earning structure, the more I think its UA's way to spread more of the CR1s down to lower elite levels.
think about it -
1) although 1K's might get less, a lot of Platinum and 1P's will now get 2 or 4 or more CR1s.
Anyone who gets 4 CR1s under the new rule will have to be 1K...by definition.
Originally Posted by
epiding
2) also, one can now earn CR1s during the time they build up to 1K rather than only BIS miles AFTER attaining 1K.
Correct but I see no advantage...
Originally Posted by
epiding
3) also, if you fly heavily in one quarter, but none/little in another quarter, the cumulative EQM system would benefit you over the BIS-per-quarter system.
I do not see the impact of this on anything. Quarter flying seems to be a wash...
Originally Posted by
epiding
Overall, although its not likely an improvement for most 1K's, it would be for many sub-1K's, and those just building up status to 1K. And there are way more 1P's/Platinums than 1K's in total.
So it may be a redistribution of CR1 earning potential somewhat, but from UA's perspective, the new system might be a wash in total CR1s handed out - while encouraging lower elites to fly more UA/Star.
A small plus for high-end 1Ps (call them 1P+ or PE) and a slight negative for 1Ks who do a lot of p.s. a lot or domestic. For me, it is a net positive because I will no longer be wasting CR1s...