Earning RPU on United
May 13, 2012, 12:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
Earning RPU on United
This is what it says on UA site:
"Premier members will earn two Regional Premier Upgrades when they reach 75,000 Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or 90 Premier qualifying segments (PQS), plus two more for each 25,000 PQM or 30 PQS earned thereafter."
If you're 1K in 2011 and on-track towards 1K in 2012, does that mean you get no RPUs from 0-75K miles in 2012 then you get 2 RPUs for each additional 25K PQM after that? Or, if you were 1K in 2011, do you keep getting 2 RPUs for each 25K that you fly in 2012?
Is this the same/different from how it was before $mi$ek took over?
I never before paid any attention to RPUs because under the old UA system, I could actually get upgraded > 70% of the time with CPUs so I never even bothered to use RPUs. Now, since $mi$ek has gutted the upgrade program and made CPUs nearly impossible to use, I'm learning that the only way to see the front of the plane more than once in every 20 or so flights is to either pay the upgrade fee or choose and book a flight that has RN availability and book the RPU into the RN bucket. Of course, there's always the ExpertFlyer waiting/monitoring game, but that's just not sustainable for someone who works for a living and also flies enough to qualify for 1K.
"Premier members will earn two Regional Premier Upgrades when they reach 75,000 Premier qualifying miles (PQM) or 90 Premier qualifying segments (PQS), plus two more for each 25,000 PQM or 30 PQS earned thereafter."
If you're 1K in 2011 and on-track towards 1K in 2012, does that mean you get no RPUs from 0-75K miles in 2012 then you get 2 RPUs for each additional 25K PQM after that? Or, if you were 1K in 2011, do you keep getting 2 RPUs for each 25K that you fly in 2012?
Is this the same/different from how it was before $mi$ek took over?
I never before paid any attention to RPUs because under the old UA system, I could actually get upgraded > 70% of the time with CPUs so I never even bothered to use RPUs. Now, since $mi$ek has gutted the upgrade program and made CPUs nearly impossible to use, I'm learning that the only way to see the front of the plane more than once in every 20 or so flights is to either pay the upgrade fee or choose and book a flight that has RN availability and book the RPU into the RN bucket. Of course, there's always the ExpertFlyer waiting/monitoring game, but that's just not sustainable for someone who works for a living and also flies enough to qualify for 1K.
May 13, 2012, 12:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Old system: Only 1Ks earn CR1. Every quarter 10K EQM yields 2 CR1. Maximum 8 per year.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
May 13, 2012, 12:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: IAH
Programs: UA/CO-GS/PPlat,AA-Gold,SPG-Plat,Hilton-Diamond,Marriott-Plat,Hertz-Pres_Circe
Posts: 824
Old system: Only 1Ks earn CR1. Every quarter 10K EQM yields 2 CR1. Maximum 8 per year.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
May 13, 2012, 12:28 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
Old system: Only 1Ks earn CR1. Every quarter 10K EQM yields 2 CR1. Maximum 8 per year.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
I appreciate your answer but there's one piece that is till not addressed.
If I was 1K last year, do I get 1 RPU for each 25K I fly in 2012? Or, do I get zero RPU until I reach 75K in 2012?
May 13, 2012, 12:32 pm
#6
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,105
May 13, 2012, 12:36 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
Bloody hell.
If he had said "hey, look guys - I need to make more money so I'm going to tear apart the airline as you know it and transform it into something that I think will get more bonuses for me" then at least we could have anticipated this.
Instead, for months upon months he looked us in the eyes and told us we were going to love these changes?
He is ruthless. I hate being lied to. I'm just now fully grasping the extent of the lies.
If he had said "hey, look guys - I need to make more money so I'm going to tear apart the airline as you know it and transform it into something that I think will get more bonuses for me" then at least we could have anticipated this.
Instead, for months upon months he looked us in the eyes and told us we were going to love these changes?
He is ruthless. I hate being lied to. I'm just now fully grasping the extent of the lies.
May 13, 2012, 12:37 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
Old system: Only 1Ks earn CR1. Every quarter 10K EQM yields 2 CR1. Maximum 8 per year.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
New System: Any elite earns RPU. 75K EQM = 2 RPU and every additional 25K EQM earns 2 RPU. There is no cap.
For people who fly between 100K-124K EQM, they lose 4 RPU: i.e. their earning is cut by half.
For people who fly between 125K-149K EQM, they lose 2 RPU.
For people who fly between 150K-174K EQM, they break even.
For people who fly more than 175K EQM, they gain more RPU.
May 13, 2012, 12:40 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
Wow. I had no idea it was this bad. So, as someone who is in the 100K-140K bracket, not only have my earnings been cut significantly, but also, I'm now competing with all fliers and not just with other 1K/GS. This is yet another one of $mi$ek's sneaky little changes that I'm only now starting to appreciate. And, since they are giving away premier status to anyone who purchases a card or signs up for the "challenge/match" it means it's even worse than if UA had granted this to all legitimate premier flyers who actually earned their status. It's no wonder upgrading has become so hard.
I appreciate your answer but there's one piece that is till not addressed.
If I was 1K last year, do I get 1 RPU for each 25K I fly in 2012? Or, do I get zero RPU until I reach 75K in 2012?
I appreciate your answer but there's one piece that is till not addressed.
If I was 1K last year, do I get 1 RPU for each 25K I fly in 2012? Or, do I get zero RPU until I reach 75K in 2012?
- 1Ks clear upgrades before platinums.
- It rewards high-value customers.
A very good change.
May 13, 2012, 12:48 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
May 13, 2012, 12:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: 1K on UA, Platinum on CO
Posts: 336
May 13, 2012, 12:53 pm
#12
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,768
This change was announced in Nov 2010 -- some 18 months ago
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...elopments.html
There was a temporary overlap of the old and new approach in 2011 for grandfathered 1Ks.
But in 2012, nada until 75K.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...elopments.html
There was a temporary overlap of the old and new approach in 2011 for grandfathered 1Ks.
But in 2012, nada until 75K.
May 13, 2012, 12:53 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: TX
Programs: UA mm, Marriott PLT, Hilton Dia
Posts: 580
Actually, only premier plats are added to the list, and only after they fly 75K in the year and then they have a prodigious 2 instruments. I think there will be many fewer RPU's out there and the competition for the 1K's will be reduced. I don't think you can get to Plat in a practical way with the credit card, and status matches should not be a factor.
May 13, 2012, 12:54 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,155
It's a devaluation for 1Ks who fly just over 100K EQM. But it rewards Platinums as well as very high EQM 1Ks. It also encourages people to fly UA pass 100K EQM. I generally consider such changes to be good, or at least neutral, certainly not sneaky.
May 13, 2012, 12:57 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,933
Making my wife a 1k as long as I am was pretty "sneaky" also, as it was really a pleasant surprise!
There are a lot of things that have changed for the worse, but a few RPU's, (basically 4 less per year), if one gets to 1k ain't a reason to flame about nearly everything and threaten to take your ball and go home, imo!
However, getting this upgrade thing brought front & center asap, and letting us know where we stand would be something to continue to holler about!
There are a lot of things that have changed for the worse, but a few RPU's, (basically 4 less per year), if one gets to 1k ain't a reason to flame about nearly everything and threaten to take your ball and go home, imo!
However, getting this upgrade thing brought front & center asap, and letting us know where we stand would be something to continue to holler about!
