Originally Posted by
J.Edward
You raise a valid point but I just don't see small/medium businesses being able to ramp up this kind of spend in the current climate where cash is king. Consider the following: if a business could average $570,000 of spending monthly - or $19,000 daily - May through December on a 2% cashback card, they'd earn ~$80,000. While I know the FT answer to the following question, ask yourself what would the normal, rational person choose: 1. 4m UA miles + GS for life, or 2. $80,000 USD*?
My bet is the latter, not the former.
Plenty of individuals and small businesses pay taxes with their credit cards-- I would truly love the ability to earn LT/MM miles with a United card, but I would consider it to be a horrendous strategic move on United's part. Looking back to the Continental merger, there was a group of people losing their minds over United replacing their 2 confirmed regional upgrades/year with a MM companion benefit. Inflating elite ranks with people who are able to generate high credit card spend (whether they are wealthy or simply have jobs that allow them to charge large amounts on their personal/biz cards) would likely piss off a large group of their most loyal flyers.