UA840, I think the COS bonus is an 'approved non-lite' method of 1K-ing. Being a new way to reward higher booking class flyers, It's become a legit way to get TRUE 1K without the 100,000BIS

You, my friend, have earned your stripes... ha ha ha

During 'The summer from hell' Actually obtaining status was difficult. Even getting through to reservations to book your ticket took loooooooooooooong.

UA decided to announce the lower threshold for 1K AFTER many deticated 1Ks went out of their way to fly extra to re-qualify...

It left a bad taste in thier mouths... the 1K lite phrase was born