oenophilist

Curiosity got the better of me, so I did a bit of research. Seems that Joel67 was right on this one:

From a 1990 article in the NY Times.

Interestingly, the article quotes some fellow named Randy Petersen

bseller

Yes, very interesting. The article was from 1990, however, so I remain curious as to what the situation was in the middle 80s, when I WAS PremEx and also 1K - prior to it's being a formal level.

I'm not sure where to find the history on it however? Oh well.

Dave

mtimmer

My wife is thrilled as well. If we ever did have a choice at 1 MM, I would want to go for the upgrades since now that I'm semi-retired, we always travel together so her status doesn't net her anything. But I'd bet my wife would prefer the status for herself...fine with me since she had to put up with my travels for so long.

Baze

As a .935 MM and 10 year 1K, I lost my job in Nov 2009. So close yet so far from 1MM. Being unemployed there was no way I could spend my own money to get over the hump. This realignment made my day. I will now be a 1MM. All those years of loyalty have not gone to waste as I thought they would. Last year I would have been right along side the single people and crying foul but after being single for 24 years I did meet someone and got married this summer. So it can happen. My new wife does not know about this yet but I am sure she will be happy.

Yes I am disappointed in the reduction of bonus miles. Yes I am disappointed in now being lower on the upgrade list. But hey, I am thrilled that I am no longer going to be pond scum and I will get some benefit for the rest of my (the programs) life. But hey, they promised *Gold and the 50K per year level and that is what you still get. There was NEVER a promise you would have the second tier. Only Premier Executive. Which will be no more. It is now called Premier Gold, and guess what, it is STILL the 50K level and *Gold. Just what they promised. I will not get into the upgrades/spouse changes as they can change the program as they wish. And it will change again in the future. I can guarantee it.

So this benefits some, hurts other. But there has always been the disclaimer, they reserve the right to change the program whenever they want. It is their program and they can do with it what they want. And contrary to popular belief on the forum, we are not the majority. This is just a skewed slice. There are a disproportionate number of elites and MM's on this forum compared to the population as a whole. Yes, we have the right to scream but in the end it is up to UACO to decide what they want to do.

I always found it amazing how many people I sat next to did not even realize they had status or what their benefits were. They were just flying for work. So just because Flyertalk knows about things does not mean the entire population of elites knows about it.

stimpy

I think the new rules are very fair. I have seen no proof of discrimination as "significant other" can effectively mean just about anyone. And even if you don't use it, so what? And I feel that there are a lot of people like me who feel that UA is being very, very loyal to me. But on Flyertalk the happy people only make a post or two in these types of threads. 99% of the posts are from people who are upset. Which goes back to entitlement. You are not entitled to have your FFP remain unchanged. You are effectively entitled to purchase a ticket and travel most anywhere, with or without your significant other. And you are entitled to join Mileage Plus and earn whatever benefits they offer in that particular calendar year.

kb1992

Well, UA makes it clear that only spouse and SO in the same address qualify this.

Not even your children can qualify.

I am not sure how UA will enforce this, though.

stimpy

Exactly, that is why it is effectively anyone. You could give it to your neighbor if you wanted, as long as his UA mail comes to your home.

xFF

I recall something like that.

ironmanjt

Neither do any changes in life. We win some, we lose some. Come to closure, and move on...or spend your life miserable

vicmmen

Being a United MM (Prem Exec for life), I think new bonus award miles rules are a big downgrade. Similarly, the introduction of the Premier Platinum level should be seen as a downgrade.
United uses opportunities like the merger to downgrade us all.

dgcpaphd

If you were to do that, it would be fraud, based on the definition of spouse or significant other.
-

If United were to grandfather those who made million mile status before the two plans merge, there would not be any complaints.

Or, if United allowed a choice between the former benefit (2 regional upgrades annually) or the spouse status there would be less complaining.

The way it is now, it is clear and simple discrimination no matter how much some people may not like that word - or call it bias if you prefer.
-

joel67

Good attitude! After finding nothing helpful on the 'net this morning, I remembered that they used to send out information on paper, which I dutifully filed away and in fact still have.

The June 1986 edition of the Mileage Plus Program Guide lists three numbered Premier levels (Levels 1, 2, and 3) requiring 25k, 30k, and 45k, respectively, "actual United miles" to achieve. Then they mention the "select Premier Executive program" for those "elite few whose travels during the year exceed the norm—more than 75,000 actual flight miles on United in one year."

By the way, this guide reminded me that awards in those days were skewed heavily towards couples. For example, 125,000 miles would buy you one first class ticket to Asia, while 150,000 miles would buy two of them on the same flights. (Both also included five nights at a Westin and a car for a week from Hertz!) I enjoyed a number of fine vacations back then, but I suppose they changed this because too many singles were complaining.

Attila123

Hello

I am ex Co Lifetime Million Miler and will be a Gold level I understand with the new program.

Three Questions Please:

My first question is with the new system from 2012 what is the next level I can upgrade to? If I want to get to Plat. or higher level can I still do that within one year? I just fly 75k on one calendar year?

Also I was a Plat traveler each year for a decade on CO so not sure why I am transferring over as a Gold MM to UA. Anyone heard of any errors in the rollover to UA's new program?

Also does anyone know if UA has a program like the old CO Chairman's Circle?

Thanks guys!
Ron

travel.flier

Correct, you should really transfer over as a Silver. Feel free to call CO and ask them to downgrade you to your proper status.

2cardinalalums

+1.
Mrs. 2cardinalalums is ecstatic. I've been a very loyal UA flier and will be even more so with this change. I should hit MM in about 2 years or so.

Not everything announced benefits us. Each person has some positive and negative impact from these, but probably, for all of us, on the whole the changes turned out a lot better than some of the rumors.