Originally Posted by Hussman

I've lurked here for a while, replied once, and I don't follow the fare code lingo very well.

I'm a long-time 1K, MM (post-merger, I was at 850K prior to 3/3) flyer. I'm starting to get frustrated with my inability to use my RPUs, and then being offered the seat I should have had for a fraction of the business fare (IAD to SFO was offered at $289 at check-in). I recognize that this is a common complaint, but here's my idea.

I still plan to stay with United because I have enough domestic travel to make me like 1K benefits. I'm reaching 1K again in two weeks, and three weeks after that, I'll have an international flight to Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. I've already bought two international business class tickets for prices well above the competitor's price this year.

However, with this Asian trip, I could buy one ticket from a competitor for about $5K, only one, and it will have no effect on my status. I can send a picture of that ticket to the United Facebook page (and this site) with a note saying that a loyal customer bought a business class ticket from a competitor because he wants the United leadership to understand that loyalty needs to be returned. My $5k ticket would be about 15 denied domestic upgrades, certainly more than the 8 I won't get to use this year.

It's clear money is their driver, and while one person won't have an impact, imagine the meeting room conversations if hundreds of denied loyal flyers let their frustrations be known monetarily.

Thoughts?