The difference is different metrics to track. Instead of tracking the number of miles, you now track ticket price spent, plus number of segments as applicable. Both methods would benefit from a spreadsheet, as I do around August/Sept to figure out what's left to requalify.
Originally Posted by
artvandalay
The origin of MP, when it was conceived as a reward for loyalty, was the 100,000 Mile Club. Segments nor dollars mattered. No "tiers." Now the MP we once knew and loved is no longer about loyalty, it's about status, something anyone can access with a credit card or two or three.
Not quite true. Until they introduced minimum dollar spend (copying DL), it was 100,000 Elite/Premier qualifying miles or 100 segments for 1K, with bonus PQM/PQS for first/business class fare purchased.
Also, with the per card PQP cap, there is no way to get 24,000 PQP using credit cards alone, unless you have Presidential Plus (which is no longer offered)
and personal Club card
and Quest, and managed to put $480,000 across the cards, not to mention the 4 UA segments requirement.