Originally Posted by
lotemblizej
Same here. I also have had a yearly 1K qualification spreadsheet that I can say goodbye to because although I could meet the new threshold, I find the benefits no longer outweigh the benefits. During 20+ tears with UA I have moved up the value chain from buying cheapest economy to Y fares that I try to upgrade and to buying C/F fares and ditching the need to upgrade. My spend has increased considerably on UA, but now I like the idea of moving business to other airlines I enjoy more: LH, NH, NZ, OS, SQ.
Identical situation for me. During my 20+ years with them, I went from an economy-buying pax who would stretch to meet Gold, then to an economy-buying one who would stretch for 1k, to one who buys mostly front cabin fares, even on hour-long United Express flights where it costs 30-50cpm. And one who has stretched to make all of the additional requirements UA hot me with over recent years.
Now, there's no reason to. I'll buy whatever the deepest discount F is on whichever carrier. Those shorter Express flights? E+ on the cheapest fare they sell; it's only an hour or two, after all.
I figure UA is going to lose up to $10k or so in incremental revenue from me, not to mention the change fees, etc., I had paid them.
Well, that's the course they want.