kd_LAX

I don't know that I'm leaving exactly. But being million miler, I have permanent gold status. Even though I'm 1K (140k this year), I'll not fly United on overseas routes - and here is the reason:

With 1K at 11x the airfare, I'm probably looking at 12.1K total redeemable miles for a flight to HKG or PVG on a crusty 747-4, no IFE, no power, pay for alcohol, and a jurassic flight crew.

If I book Asiana, ANA, EVA, or other Star Alliance partner - I get better seat pitch, free alcohol, better meal, IFE, power, and better service, plus. I will pull 12.3k for PVG and 13.8k for HKG both in redeemable miles and advance toward 2 million mile status. Why would I fly UA? To get 1K status - why?

My company will never book me on anything but the lowest fare, hence lowest fare basis code. So, I'll never get any upgrades even if 1K, the fare basis won't put me high enough on the list for upgrade. So what value is 1K?

Essentially - United has given up the back of the bus on over-Pacific flights. For over Atlantic, see above, but substitute Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss or other, better, Star Alliance airline.

I'll stay on UA for the domestic routes, but not International.

Smisek is now in charge of A4A - I imagine now the whining will be louder about "it's not fair" (regarding Asian carriers) - United simply has the worst over-pacific service available. In retrospect - United sounds like the US auto industry in 1985 blaming "unfair" competition while simultaneously offering a vastly inferior product.