Originally Posted by
TSparky
That difference is the reason Southwest is so dominant on the intra-Calif routes. It takes 9 months just to get to Silver on UA, and silver doesn't get you much. You can't reach Gold flying every week unless you are doing 1000 miles round trip.
Actually, the legacy carriers also have segment based qualification. On UA, for example, Silver = 30, Gold = 60, Platinum = 90, 1K = 120 Segment is defined by a takeoff and landing except for through flights.
So, if you fly 2 short segments ever week, you can get to Platinum. The problem is you won't earn that many miles to use.
If the OP wants short haul awards, BA miles can be redeemed on AA and it is distance based. So, it is great for those based in ORD. Changes on date/time costs $40 though.
I think RR 2.0 would have been great if they made the earning based on revenue and the spending based on the traditional way.