Funny you should use the world "delta", because on Delta the delta is ofter $1k or more, as the fares you can upgrade can be a scant couple hundred dollars less than discount C.

Current fares are no guarantee of future fares. NW had great upgrade fares pre-merger that all pretty much went away without the fare classes changing - M fares just went up a thousand dollars or two.

The real problem is most likely that the systems have no mechanism for tracking elite level on other airlines, just *G or *S. So when on the other airline, their system has no idea whether you're plat or gold or 1K or 1P, it just knows that you're *G and have a CO or UA FF number.

I get that. But, those of use >100k on CO could easily be given 1K. And, then unify the upgrade priority for 1K across CO/UA for 2011.

I'm fine with 75k level not being put into combined system until 2012. But, I'm not happy about non-unified 1K in 2011.

Just wanted to throw my two cents into the discussion.

First a huge caveat: this is entirely based on my travel patterns and habits. I completely understand if they are not yours.

I see this as a big improvement. My EUA clear so rarely that I'd love having the RU for flights where I really want to be in F, but not have to spend the miles/$ to jump the line.

The SWU issues is also an improvement for me. I tend to have one vacation to Europe and Asia each year that I buy a B fare on for the extra EQM and lack of BF co-pay. So the new restrictions don't really impact me. I'll be saving a ton of miles now.

EUA ordering, again, doesn't really bother me as I've had exactly one clear this year. When flying CO I don't expect to fly F unless I've purchased an instant upgrade fare.

Lastly, while my EUA never clear, I've always been in an exit row seat so E+ is a wash for me on CO metal.

As always YMMV

This is simply ludicrious and makes absolutely no sense IMO. Look at the UA1K reaction when they tried to get rid of CR-1s last year - I doubt there was a single elite cheering their elimination. Plus, "low tier elites" aren't even getting them, nor are mid-tier ones. It's a benefit for "the best" fliers, and that benefit was just severly devalued yesterday. Notice how the equivalent thread in the UA forum already has over 500 posts.

Many of us like to confirm UGs in advance without buying YB(M) fares or using miles.

Another unaddressed issue pertains to us million milers at CO. Currently, if I reach Platinum, my wife enjoys the same status.

If I fly 100,000 miles in January 2011, will my wife ALSO be above 'those not flying 100,000 miles' for domestic UG purposes, or will she just be 'plain' Platinum.

I hope Scott thought of something like this, but in the chaos to get things done, who knows. Scott, are you there?

:)

The 100K+ status thing doesn't take effect until 2012. CO and UA have both signaled that there will be 4 status levels: 25/50/75/100K;30/60/90/120P. If the spousal MM benefit remains - and that's a big IF - I would expect that the status level would match so the spouse would be a 100K if you are.

The kicker is on the SWU/CR1 question. Today you have to actually fly to get the SWUs; a spouse does not receive them. The way the new rules are written it is about flying a certain number of miles, not achieving a certain status level to receive the SWUs. This suggests that spousal benefits would continue to not receive the SWUs. It also opens the window to MMers not receiving the SWUs which would be quite a devaluation.

The handwriting is on the wall, they are just not SAYING it...the new program will be Mileage Plus. End of Story. Do you hear OnePass ANYWHERE. No. In the announcement they don't say Silver, Gold, etc. they say 25K, 50K, etc.

Also, at the SMD2 there was no UA/CO exec and staff that worked for the FF programs that said ONEPASS on their nametags, they ALL said MILEAGE PLUS.

OnePass is dead. Get used to remembering UA's 10-11 digit number over OP alphanumeric.


PresPlat going away because 1K will be it. Same thing with the Presidential Plus Card...a new name will be unveiled also.

President's Club will be gone too (and I think Red Carpet Club also) and a new name a la Crown Room / World Club -> Skyclub at DL will be implemented...you can't have a RED carpet club when there is NO RED in your company colors; it's just bad branding.

Prepare yourself former CO flyers...your airline will LOOK LIKE CO, but sound like UA.

- HF

but the level was not announced now. those who fly 75K would be pissed for being at a lower level than those plat with 100K.

How can it be a devaluation if MMers have never received annual (different from one-time threshold crossing) SWUs?

After yesterday's devaluation, and the ominous lack of talk around E+, I think many of us on the UA side would greatly prefer an airline that LOOKED like UA but sounded like CO...

nicely put!

This will probably be the hardest part of the adjustment for me.


Agreed, and based on the guys I spoke with at SMD2 the odds of a new name for the combined clubs seem VERY high

I thought that UA 3MM got the SWUs each year. If I'm wrong there my bad.

Nothing at 2MM, just lifetime RCC (though I think my FIL got 3 or 4 SWUs last year when he hit it) - a one time thing

3MM was 1K for life, so they would have received them. Can't imagine there are too many of them though!