Consolidated "I need XXX UA Miles/PQMs for Elite Status" Thread [Archive]
Dec 6, 2011, 3:32 pm
#76
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3
Need 10 (Ten) EQMs for Premier Exec
Hi all, I hope someone can help me out. For 2011, I have 49,990 EQMs. Yep, I literally need 10 (Ten) miles to qualify for Premier Exec in 2012. Problem is I have no more travel planned in 2011. I really don't want to do a mileage run just to get these 10 miles. Can anyone offer up any alternatives? I called Mileage Plus customer service and they could not confirm or deny that I would qualify for Premier Exec with the miles I already have (they said in the past there was a tolerance level set that would bump people up, but this year with the merger, they said they "did not know" and the only sure way to get the status was to fly again in 2011). And, I have no EQMs with Continental to use either. Thanks in advance for any guidance....
Dec 6, 2011, 4:21 pm
#77
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA: 1K, HH: Diamond
Posts: 1,330
Hi all, I hope someone can help me out. For 2011, I have 49,990 EQMs. Yep, I literally need 10 (Ten) miles to qualify for Premier Exec in 2012. Problem is I have no more travel planned in 2011. I really don't want to do a mileage run just to get these 10 miles. Can anyone offer up any alternatives? I called Mileage Plus customer service and they could not confirm or deny that I would qualify for Premier Exec with the miles I already have (they said in the past there was a tolerance level set that would bump people up, but this year with the merger, they said they "did not know" and the only sure way to get the status was to fly again in 2011). And, I have no EQMs with Continental to use either. Thanks in advance for any guidance....
Here's a thread about the CO Elite Maximizer. I believe it only works if you book through CO.
Dec 6, 2011, 8:49 pm
#78
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,338
I thought I was bad. I needed 21 EQMs to make 1K. I ended up buying 500 EQMs (the minimum) on CO for $65 last week. UA may overlook the 21 miles and bump me up, but I didn't want to risk it. $65 is well worth peace of mind.
Dec 7, 2011, 4:37 am
#79
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3
So can I actually purchase a flight on CO, elect the additional EQMs, then cancel it within 24 hours and I am only stuck paying for those additional EQMs? Seems too good to be true....
Dec 7, 2011, 5:46 am
#80
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 12
How do you find the cheapest UA flight, period.
I need just 600 miles to renew my 1K status for next year. Since I earn a minimum of 500 EQM per flight, I can literally go anywhere during the remainder of this year and get what I need. I can fly out of PHL/IAD/BWI/EWR. I simply just want to pay the absolute lowest price and not stay overnight. I've just been randomly picking different destinations and searching. What would be the best way to simply find the cheapest seat- not caring at all about the number of miles or the destination?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Dec 7, 2011, 6:42 am
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
This will give you the lowest fares: http://www.farecompare.com/search/flyertalk.html
Punch in your airport(s), filter by airline (UA), and then sort by price.
Whether the fares are valid in your timeframe or the fares have any availability is a different story. But it's a god place to start with an idea of places to look.
That said, another strategy is to link with your CO account and buy the Elite miles on a CO ticket (i.e., buy any CO ticket, buy the Elite maximizer miles, refund the ticket under the 24-hour rule).
Punch in your airport(s), filter by airline (UA), and then sort by price.
Whether the fares are valid in your timeframe or the fares have any availability is a different story. But it's a god place to start with an idea of places to look.
That said, another strategy is to link with your CO account and buy the Elite miles on a CO ticket (i.e., buy any CO ticket, buy the Elite maximizer miles, refund the ticket under the 24-hour rule).
Dec 7, 2011, 7:23 am
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Won't you have a bump from the UA lifetime miles adjustment?
Dec 7, 2011, 7:33 am
#83
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM; former GS
Posts: 303
For me it was still cheaper (and less time consuming) than taking the cheapest flight I could find out of ORD or MKE. I was a little nervous clicking the charge my credit card button for the flight, but I cancelled it a few hours later and all seems to be well today. Since the buy-up is not refundable it actually works to our advantage.
Dec 7, 2011, 8:43 am
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
Yes, that is what I did yesterday to get the few miles I was short. The "seems too good to be true part" is tempered by the fact you have to buy a minimum 500 miles for $15 for the RDMs and another checkbox for another $50 to turn it into EQMs for a total of $65 for 500 EQMs.
For me it was still cheaper (and less time consuming) than taking the cheapest flight I could find out of ORD or MKE. I was a little nervous clicking the charge my credit card button for the flight, but I cancelled it a few hours later and all seems to be well today. Since the buy-up is not refundable it actually works to our advantage.
For me it was still cheaper (and less time consuming) than taking the cheapest flight I could find out of ORD or MKE. I was a little nervous clicking the charge my credit card button for the flight, but I cancelled it a few hours later and all seems to be well today. Since the buy-up is not refundable it actually works to our advantage.
Dec 7, 2011, 9:24 am
#85
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 12
This will give you the lowest fares: http://www.farecompare.com/search/flyertalk.html
Punch in your airport(s), filter by airline (UA), and then sort by price.
Whether the fares are valid in your timeframe or the fares have any availability is a different story. But it's a god place to start with an idea of places to look.
That said, another strategy is to link with your CO account and buy the Elite miles on a CO ticket (i.e., buy any CO ticket, buy the Elite maximizer miles, refund the ticket under the 24-hour rule).
Punch in your airport(s), filter by airline (UA), and then sort by price.
Whether the fares are valid in your timeframe or the fares have any availability is a different story. But it's a god place to start with an idea of places to look.
That said, another strategy is to link with your CO account and buy the Elite miles on a CO ticket (i.e., buy any CO ticket, buy the Elite maximizer miles, refund the ticket under the 24-hour rule).
Thank you for that very helpful info - that tool appears very useful.
Dec 7, 2011, 5:28 pm
#86
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 75
Used the buy-up on CO today; should be at the next level by the end of the year, and the cost has inched up to about .12/mile.
Dec 7, 2011, 5:34 pm
#87
Join Date: May 2007
Location: IAD
Posts: 302
I'm confused about what 75K gets me. I've been 1P for several years and will be there for next year. That said, my account keeps showing that I need 17K to reach the 75K threshold. I have just one flight planned between now and the end of the year (just 1300 miles), and could do the Choice option for another 5K, and then do the 'buy up'. Is all of this worth it? Seems like a pricey option for not a whole lot of benefit. Or am I missing something?
Enlightening welcomed.
Enlightening welcomed.
Dec 7, 2011, 5:41 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Northeast Kansas | Colorado Native
Programs: Amex Gold/Plat, UA *G, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Gold, NEXUS, TSA Disparager Unobtanium
Posts: 21,606
I'm confused about what 75K gets me. I've been 1P for several years and will be there for next year. That said, my account keeps showing that I need 17K to reach the 75K threshold. I have just one flight planned between now and the end of the year (just 1300 miles), and could do the Choice option for another 5K, and then do the 'buy up'. Is all of this worth it? Seems like a pricey option for not a whole lot of benefit. Or am I missing something?
Enlightening welcomed.
Enlightening welcomed.
If you stay 1P, you will only get 50% bonus RDMs, UDU @ 48 hours, and access for just one extra person to join you in E+.. You will also have less chance at getting UDU, as GS/1K/Plat will be ahead of you.
Dec 7, 2011, 5:45 pm
#89
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
I'm confused about what 75K gets me. I've been 1P for several years and will be there for next year. That said, my account keeps showing that I need 17K to reach the 75K threshold. I have just one flight planned between now and the end of the year (just 1300 miles), and could do the Choice option for another 5K, and then do the 'buy up'. Is all of this worth it? Seems like a pricey option for not a whole lot of benefit. Or am I missing something?
Enlightening welcomed.
Enlightening welcomed.
you will get
- 2 regionals
- higher upgrade and boarding priority
- 75% RDM bonus vs 50%
- most award fees waived
see for a side by side listing of benefits
You are far from alone in this dilemma and for more discussion
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ad-merged.html
or
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...d-threads.html
Dec 7, 2011, 6:16 pm
#90
Join Date: May 2007
Location: IAD
Posts: 302
Thanks, FriendlySkies and WineCountryUA, for the explanation. Looks like I have some quick catching up to do. I've not been keeping up really well with all of the changes.
For me, it may not be worth it (although I do need to check it out more thoroughly) since my travel budget at work has been cut pretty much to zero for next year and my personal travel will barely keep me at the 1P level (if that).
For me, it may not be worth it (although I do need to check it out more thoroughly) since my travel budget at work has been cut pretty much to zero for next year and my personal travel will barely keep me at the 1P level (if that).