I am dumping UA. At some point the surly employees, tone deaf treatment and customer beatings have to create a situation where everyone says enough. I can't imagine that the demand for UA is so inelastic that people will take ANYTHING. But I saw the thread that said 40% of the UA fliers are still going to stick with UA. So maybe it is? I cannot fathom a person with little travel experience putting up with this though.

I was able to get my status reinstated at DL - back to Diamond for me. I am booking my required flights now (have to fly 3750 mqd and 3125 MQM). my current situation is MM on DL with only 380k on UA. Flying out of DEN I hate changing planes, but if I don't have time to change I can use F9 or NK. most of my domestic flights are short (< 2 hours) and the trips last a day or two at the most, so I won't miss the perks (the flights are direct if I use NK or F9).

For international I have to change airlines for the most part anyway so the DL stuff isn't a big deal then. If that doesn't work, I will just use Amex travel. they have great solutions for business or first class tickets. I suppose if the major airlines want to be a commodity we can treat them like that.