Well IMHO, which should not count much since I am a first time 1k who got it the lite way , it would seem that 1k is easier to achieve now than in the past and some of the benefits that used to be 1k have been shifted to UGS.

However, UA continues to have the best FF program and I haven't seen any convincing evidence that the top, miles-based, elite level for any other airline is better. So I am very happy to be a new 1k and think I'm getting great benefits. Of course I reserve the right to complain bitterly about all of the 1k-lites next year when I make 1k the BIS way in 2006.