Cantheplanegofaster?

If you do primarily TPACs like I do, I would say 1K is not worth going out of your way to get.

The SWU clearing lottery is not a game worth paying to play.

Cristobal

Yeah, TPAC can be rough so consider where and when you fly.

If you're going to somewhere like HKG on the weekends, SWU's on w-fares are definitely a lottery and the odds seem pretty poor. I've cleared 0 times on 4 attempts on HKG or PVG weekend flights in the last year .

However I'm 100% on on easier routes like SEA-NRT and on weekdays to/from HKG (2/2, both clearing day-of)

DrDesmo

Just found out I'm going to HKG for 5 days for a "summit" at a resort in Macau. ^

Looks like I'll hit it on 12/31 with my BOS > DEN flight now

Cheers,
Adam

IAHFlyBoi

I'm sitting on about 95Kish miles and am thinking if it is worth it to do a MR to renew that cherished 1K status for this coming year.

Thoughts pro and con would be appreciated...

Dr_Adventure

at 95K that seems like an easy answer - one cross country gets you there.

UA900

Pros
1. ^
2. If you think 1k is being devalued next year, try 1P where 2011 100% mileage bonus will go down to 50%, representative of yet another change to like.
3. Six entries for the SWU lottery, as stated by others it is customary that W and above no longer clears weeks in advance a lot of times, but you've already given UA 45k in extra business at this point, so the 5k marginal business should be a formality.
4. While shy team or the dAArkside may not match to their plat equivalents of 1k, any match request accomplied by a copy of a recent, not-about-to-expire 1k card more likely to be accepted IMO. It also smoothens your transistion when switching crediting (and flying) to another *A carrier, assuming you fly in market where that's a viable option.

Cons
1. $250-$300 less in your pocket. I assume that doesn't really matter given that you've already paid for 45k miles beyond what you needed to get 1P.
2. UA metrics would reflect one less dropped 1k as a result of UA constant efforts to devalue that status. Metrics indicating that 1k's are putting up with changes he wants us to like encourage SMI/J and his minions to come up with more of things to like. @:-)

tkruger206

I'm 91 EQM short, and that is after MRs right up to the 31st. Will that be close enough for them to give me 1K again? In years past I've always cleared with EQM to spare so i'm not sure what to do.

Will I have to call in to see if they will make an exception? I hear some people getting granted automatic before they hit 100k EQM.

My flights have been mostly B fares on UA with one B fare on Thai and one V fare on Air NZ.

Thanks,
-TK206

halls120

Well, I'm making 1K today. And next year, there isn't a chance in the world that will happen, as I'm going to make sure I get 50K on AA, given that the dAArk side treats their customers in that category better.

IAHFlyBoi

I wouldn't bet on it. Take a small flight somewhere if you really want that 1K. The new airline can't even keep track of people that have already qualified, from the way things are looking, they won't be tossing any bones to anyone anytime soon.

soarer

I've been a 1K'er for the last 8 years or so. Since the merge with Continental it seems like there are way too many premier executives and 1k'ers. I'm starting to think it's not even worth it. The only plus to being 1K is the ability to check in 3 bags and to be able to board the plane early, other than that, it seems like there is no real benefit. I go to Japan often, Delta and Jal have there own special entrance into Immigrations when leaving the country, of course United doesn't. I've asked them about that and all I get is the typical run around answer. There seems like there is really no other benefit to being 1K. Any suggestions or recommendations?

aacharya

In all seriousness, what was the logic of a new thread? We already have tons of threads exploring each Elite level. Most have indicated 1K, although reduced, is still pretty darn significant.

Continental250K

Besides the The red carpet not many advantages than CO for me. I was all CO up until the link accts thingy.

CO boarding is a lot worse IMO. Rookie gate agent boards elite access and it's like the home team upset the number 1 team and we rush the court.

Plus I think UA has a better UG opp than CO as plats seem to be more on CO than UA 1K.

With that said, march is gonna be interesting.

wcalvert

Switch to Delta or JAL?

If the only benefits you are looking for are faster immigrations and 3 bags, then like you said those are the 2 that would probably better suit you.

FortFun

Might want to check out this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-11-posts.html

as219

Yes, it's true, between PMCO Plats being top-tier and now the Q1 status carryover, there have been a lot of top elites. But all that kind of goes away with the M+/OP integration. At that point, a lot of people who lost status go away and those flying at PMCO Plat level drop to below 1Ks. I think 1Ks' UDUs are going to be clearing much more than before.