United Airlines Award/Premier Accelerator Rates [2013]
Jan 3, 2013, 4:18 pm
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I see that as 3, almost 4 TATL round-trips from the West Coast.
Can you explain how buying PQMs in January gets you 2 years of status?
Is this some January thing only?
Or is it that on reaching the threshold in one transaction, you get status for the rest of 2013 and also for 2014?
So you wouldn't need to accumulate PQMs until 2014, to get status for 2015?
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 3, 2013 at 4:40 pm Reason: merge
Jan 3, 2013, 4:35 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341
I'm thinking the same thing. The main benefit to MP for me was good availability of Saver GF awards. Since UA announced they were reducing availability of Saver GF space, I've decided to just burn through my miles this year and not pay anything for tickets. If I decide to stick with UA (unlikely given their current attitude toward MP benefits for high level elites), I'll just "buy" two years worth of status at the beginning of 2014. More likely though, I'll be headed over to AA.
Jan 3, 2013, 4:42 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SNA
Programs: UA 1MM, Global Entry, Avis President's Club
Posts: 274
This is tempting. I'm seeing 11.4 cpm all-in for 15,000 RDM/PQM on both of my existing reservations (cost - $1,700 per trip).
Here's a question for those of you who track this: In the past, have the prices gradually dropped over the course of the year, bottomed out, and then began a slow rise, accelerating at the end? Or did they tend to fluctuate up and down over the course of the year?
The answer to this question may influence my purchase behavior (and perhaps the behavior of others). And yes, I recognize that past performance is no guarantee of what may happen this year. Just looking for a few data points...
Here's a question for those of you who track this: In the past, have the prices gradually dropped over the course of the year, bottomed out, and then began a slow rise, accelerating at the end? Or did they tend to fluctuate up and down over the course of the year?
The answer to this question may influence my purchase behavior (and perhaps the behavior of others). And yes, I recognize that past performance is no guarantee of what may happen this year. Just looking for a few data points...
Jan 3, 2013, 5:44 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
This is tempting. I'm seeing 11.4 cpm all-in for 15,000 RDM/PQM on both of my existing reservations (cost - $1,700 per trip).
Here's a question for those of you who track this: In the past, have the prices gradually dropped over the course of the year, bottomed out, and then began a slow rise, accelerating at the end? Or did they tend to fluctuate up and down over the course of the year?
The answer to this question may influence my purchase behavior (and perhaps the behavior of others). And yes, I recognize that past performance is no guarantee of what may happen this year. Just looking for a few data points...
Here's a question for those of you who track this: In the past, have the prices gradually dropped over the course of the year, bottomed out, and then began a slow rise, accelerating at the end? Or did they tend to fluctuate up and down over the course of the year?
The answer to this question may influence my purchase behavior (and perhaps the behavior of others). And yes, I recognize that past performance is no guarantee of what may happen this year. Just looking for a few data points...
Back when it first rolled out at pmCO, the all-in cost of EQMs+RDMs was as low as 0.05 each. I don't think we'll ever see that again. Last year, I remember seeing .075.-.085 on a few occasions. If you need to buy a few miles I'd wait until that rate shows up (if ever)...it probably won't go much lower. BTW...some international itineraries will have the RDM priced lower, so that gives a total lower cost.
You'll always do much better on a good mileage run if you have the time and fortitude to do one.
Jan 3, 2013, 7:26 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Mry
Programs: UA silver (soft landing from 1K), AA plat, HHonors gold, Ambassador club, DC
Posts: 92
That's basically it, as I understand it. He has close to 3 million MP miles and is concerned that they will be seriously de-valued before he can use them. Spend nothing this year, spend roughly $5,000 to be 1K for each of the following two years. Hopefully, he will gift his GPUs to colleagues who can still use them.
I could see the bloggers run with this idea.
If you already are 1k and have a lot of UAMP miles, you could be 1k very cheaply. 100K EQM and RDM purchased at today's rate would be 10,600$ AI. Mr(s) 1K presumably has 6 GPU and 4 RPU and will get another set when he/she purchases status next year. Because you are flying on awards, instruments could be sold, if one was willing to take the risk (400$/gpu & 200$/rpu = 400$x12+200$x8=6400$), which would bring the cost down to 2100$/year [(10,600$-6400$)/2yrs]. The purchased RDM's also are worth something, say 1000$ if you value UA miles at a very conservative 1cpm, so take another 500$ off per year and now you're at 1600$/year. Consider the purchase price (10,600$) a tax deduction/business expense and if you're in a 31% bracket or above, it's free!
Of course, the value of 1K is much less if you dont buy UA tickets.
Jan 3, 2013, 7:31 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Yes, it does fluctuate throughout the year. But, this program has only been around for a few years and there aren't a lot of good data points for what the new normal, "good deal" means with respect to this program. That said, I think the current price is high.
Back when it first rolled out at pmCO, the all-in cost of EQMs+RDMs was as low as 0.05 each. I don't think we'll ever see that again. Last year, I remember seeing .075.-.085 on a few occasions. If you need to buy a few miles I'd wait until that rate shows up (if ever)...it probably won't go much lower. BTW...some international itineraries will have the RDM priced lower, so that gives a total lower cost.
You'll always do much better on a good mileage run if you have the time and fortitude to do one.
Back when it first rolled out at pmCO, the all-in cost of EQMs+RDMs was as low as 0.05 each. I don't think we'll ever see that again. Last year, I remember seeing .075.-.085 on a few occasions. If you need to buy a few miles I'd wait until that rate shows up (if ever)...it probably won't go much lower. BTW...some international itineraries will have the RDM priced lower, so that gives a total lower cost.
You'll always do much better on a good mileage run if you have the time and fortitude to do one.
Jan 3, 2013, 8:44 pm
#40
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
This is a tongue in cheek post
I could see the bloggers run with this idea.
If you already are 1k and have a lot of UAMP miles, you could be 1k very cheaply. 100K EQM and RDM purchased at today's rate would be 10,600$ AI. Mr(s) 1K presumably has 6 GPU and 4 RPU and will get another set when he/she purchases status next year. Because you are flying on awards, instruments could be sold, if one was willing to take the risk (400$/gpu & 200$/rpu = 400$x12+200$x8=6400$), which would bring the cost down to 2100$/year [(10,600$-6400$)/2yrs]. The purchased RDM's also are worth something, say 1000$ if you value UA miles at a very conservative 1cpm, so take another 500$ off per year and now you're at 1600$/year. Consider the purchase price (10,600$) a tax deduction/business expense and if you're in a 31% bracket or above, it's free!
Of course, the value of 1K is much less if you dont buy UA tickets.
I could see the bloggers run with this idea.
If you already are 1k and have a lot of UAMP miles, you could be 1k very cheaply. 100K EQM and RDM purchased at today's rate would be 10,600$ AI. Mr(s) 1K presumably has 6 GPU and 4 RPU and will get another set when he/she purchases status next year. Because you are flying on awards, instruments could be sold, if one was willing to take the risk (400$/gpu & 200$/rpu = 400$x12+200$x8=6400$), which would bring the cost down to 2100$/year [(10,600$-6400$)/2yrs]. The purchased RDM's also are worth something, say 1000$ if you value UA miles at a very conservative 1cpm, so take another 500$ off per year and now you're at 1600$/year. Consider the purchase price (10,600$) a tax deduction/business expense and if you're in a 31% bracket or above, it's free!
Of course, the value of 1K is much less if you dont buy UA tickets.
In my case, I could kayak this year to see if it is a strategy that I like.
If I don't like it and decide to stick with UA, I could then buy 2 years of 1K in Jan 2014.
I would only have to buy 95,000 PQM's, because with my MP Signature Visa I receive 5,000 PQM's for $5,000 of spend on UA.com as well.
Jan 3, 2013, 9:04 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,989
Another data point.
My BKK-TPA offer:
30000 RDM = $630 (.021 cpm)
30000 PQM = $2550 (.085 cpm)
TOTAL R/P = $3180 (.106 cpm)
My BKK-TPA offer:
30000 RDM = $630 (.021 cpm)
30000 PQM = $2550 (.085 cpm)
TOTAL R/P = $3180 (.106 cpm)
Last edited by TomA; Jan 3, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Jan 3, 2013, 9:08 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,989
This is a tongue in cheek post
I could see the bloggers run with this idea.
If you already are 1k and have a lot of UAMP miles, you could be 1k very cheaply. 100K EQM and RDM purchased at today's rate would be 10,600$ AI. Mr(s) 1K presumably has 6 GPU and 4 RPU and will get another set when he/she purchases status next year. Because you are flying on awards, instruments could be sold, if one was willing to take the risk (400$/gpu & 200$/rpu = 400$x12+200$x8=6400$), which would bring the cost down to 2100$/year [(10,600$-6400$)/2yrs]. The purchased RDM's also are worth something, say 1000$ if you value UA miles at a very conservative 1cpm, so take another 500$ off per year and now you're at 1600$/year. Consider the purchase price (10,600$) a tax deduction/business expense and if you're in a 31% bracket or above, it's free!
Of course, the value of 1K is much less if you dont buy UA tickets.
I could see the bloggers run with this idea.
If you already are 1k and have a lot of UAMP miles, you could be 1k very cheaply. 100K EQM and RDM purchased at today's rate would be 10,600$ AI. Mr(s) 1K presumably has 6 GPU and 4 RPU and will get another set when he/she purchases status next year. Because you are flying on awards, instruments could be sold, if one was willing to take the risk (400$/gpu & 200$/rpu = 400$x12+200$x8=6400$), which would bring the cost down to 2100$/year [(10,600$-6400$)/2yrs]. The purchased RDM's also are worth something, say 1000$ if you value UA miles at a very conservative 1cpm, so take another 500$ off per year and now you're at 1600$/year. Consider the purchase price (10,600$) a tax deduction/business expense and if you're in a 31% bracket or above, it's free!
Of course, the value of 1K is much less if you dont buy UA tickets.
Jan 3, 2013, 9:31 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,989
But he's recommending that I sell them to make up a large part of the cost of this plan. I guess he's assuming that I would be traveling on C/F awards alone, but if that is the case, there is almost no benefit to being 1K:
I'm getting C/F anyway.
I'm not earning any bonus miles.
I get lounge access anyway.
I get priority checkin and seating anyway.
I'm getting C/F anyway.
I'm not earning any bonus miles.
I get lounge access anyway.
I get priority checkin and seating anyway.
Jan 3, 2013, 9:44 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
This seems to be the point where it could be almost worth doing, except that I don't understand the benefit of 1K anymore. I'm still watching 2 GPUs expire in a few weeks because I can't get them to clear anywhere. This is my third try, all on CPU eligible flights. And, on this flight, if we don't clear before T-24, I'll have to call UA and have them put me on the formal do not upgrade list so I don't get split off from my companion.
Side note: Last time I did this check, my companion was on another PNR. She got a lower rate offer than me. Others have posted same thing - seems that non-status members almost always get cheaper offers. In this instance we are both on same PNR, and we both get same price offer. Seems they're trying to be clever about hiding the discount given to non-status members.
So, what's the point of paying more to get 1K?
