USA Today, December 17, 1991, Money section page 8B:
United offers hot deal in California
Desiree French
…
California travelers are blessed. At least United Airlines thinks so. On Jan. 1 , United plans to roll out a new frequent-flier program just for Golden State residents who fly in the state. Dubbed California Plus, it's designed to lure travelers from low-fare carrier Southwest Airlines and other competitors who are fiercely battling for market share in California.
United is tight-lipped about the yearlong offer and will not comment. But a special mailing to California residents who belong to United's Mileage Plus frequent-flier program says the offer will include more upgrade certificates, lower mileage requirements and other benefits for intrastate travel.
For example, fliers will be able to earn 1,000 bonus miles for every seven in-state flights on United or United Express and earn a free round- trip companion coach ticket within California after reaching 10,000 miles - half the normal mileage.
…
Not sure how long the program lasted. Seems similar to the current frequent-flyer program strategy of giving special offers (sometimes just straight-up gifts, sometimes spend-more-earn-more programs) to people whose addresses are in certain target markets.
The USPTO also has the following trademark entries:
http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfi...07:gaed9u.2.17
Code:
Word Mark MILEAGE PLUS CALIFORNIA PLUS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 039. US 105. G & S: transportation of persons, property and mail by air. FIRST USE: 19911120. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19920101
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 18.09.01 - Airplanes; Gliders, airplane
24.09.07 - Advertising, banners; Banners
26.01.12 - Circles with bars, bands and lines
26.01.20 - Circles within a circle
26.01.21 - Circles that are totally or partially shaded.
26.17.07 - Heat, lines depicting; Lines depicting speed, propulsion, heat or wind; Propulsion, lines depicting; Speed, lines depicting; Wind, lines depicting
Serial Number 74255420
Filing Date March 16, 1992
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition August 11, 1992
Registration Number 1729914
Registration Date November 3, 1992
Owner (REGISTRANT) UNITED AIR LINES, INC. CORPORATION DELAWARE P.O. Box 66100 Chicago ILLINOIS 60666
Attorney of Record Thomas E. Fraser
Prior Registrations 1322575
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE the depiction of the state of California, "MILEAGE" and "CALIFORNIA" APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Description of Mark The mark consists, in part, of a depiction of the state of "CALIFORNIA" inside a shaded circle. The stippling is a feature of the mark and does not indicate color.
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date May 11, 1999
http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfi...07:gaed9u.2.16
Code:
Word Mark CALIFORNIA PLUS
Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 039. US 105. G & S: transportation of persons, property and mail by air. FIRST USE: 19911120. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19920111
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74255442
Filing Date March 16, 1992
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition August 11, 1992
Registration Number 1729915
Registration Date November 3, 1992
Owner (REGISTRANT) UNITED AIR LINES, INC. CORPORATION DELAWARE P.O. Box 66100 Chicago ILLINOIS 60666
Attorney of Record Thomas E. Fraser
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE "CALIFORNIA" APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Cancellation Date May 11, 1999
In other words, it looks like in 1992 United mailed people with California addresses a special sticker to put on their MileagePlus card to remind them that they were enrolled in a special MileagePlus promo program offering bonus miles and stuff for people with California addresses. Not sure whether UA pre-affixed the stickers or whether the card itself granted any perks (I wasn't there!).