More UA's game, UA's rules. If you want to play, makes sense to have a card. I already gave in and acquired the Club card last year. The benefits are significant if you fly UA and will now increase a bit more. We don't have to like it, just the way it is. And it's kind of true across US programs now. Free agency as always remains a viable and potentially appealing option but all the carriers want you to have their card and are doing their best to make that very clear.

Written in the air on UA SFO-TPE (with TPE-BKK on BR). I could have flown BR all the way for about $250 cheaper, but the PQP and RDM earnings were less than half what I'll get on a UA ticketed itinerary. Is BR a more pleasant long-haul experience? Yes. Do I regret the choice? Sort of but I'm going to rack up a bunch more PQP and RDM. So UA wins.