The Consolidated "Is United 1K Status Worth It? - 2013/14 Edition
Sep 6, 2014, 1:17 pm
#316
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
With my current expected flights this year, I'm likely to be just under the threshold for 1k (probably around 90k premier miles). What's the benefit of having 1k vs. platinum? Seems like the only real difference is that you get an additional 25% mileage bonus, right? Is it worth going out of my way (perhaps literally) to try to hit the 1k threshold? What are the important factors to consider?
Thanks.
Thanks.
If you are over $10K PQD's, then reports of Elite Maximizer at .07 cents per PQM may be of interest to you.
Sep 8, 2014, 4:21 pm
#317
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 70
I'm over 10k PQDs, though I'd like to avoid buying status unless the benefit is clearly going to be worth it.
So far I'm hearing that the benefits are essentially a faster RDM earning speed and extra upgrade coupons that you can only use on paid flights. Is that it? Honestly that doesn't sound super compelling if it would take an extra stretch (either in flights or in $$ to hit 1k). Am I missing something?
So far I'm hearing that the benefits are essentially a faster RDM earning speed and extra upgrade coupons that you can only use on paid flights. Is that it? Honestly that doesn't sound super compelling if it would take an extra stretch (either in flights or in $$ to hit 1k). Am I missing something?
Sep 8, 2014, 4:29 pm
#318
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
I'm over 10k PQDs, though I'd like to avoid buying status unless the benefit is clearly going to be worth it.
So far I'm hearing that the benefits are essentially a faster RDM earning speed and extra upgrade coupons that you can only use on paid flights. Is that it? Honestly that doesn't sound super compelling if it would take an extra stretch (either in flights or in $$ to hit 1k). Am I missing something?
So far I'm hearing that the benefits are essentially a faster RDM earning speed and extra upgrade coupons that you can only use on paid flights. Is that it? Honestly that doesn't sound super compelling if it would take an extra stretch (either in flights or in $$ to hit 1k). Am I missing something?
Sep 8, 2014, 4:51 pm
#324
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,281
To answer your question, I think it is worth the extra $500 you think it may cost you - reason, you get higher upgrade priority, better IRROPS (you get a free hotel usually whenever weather, ATC, etc hits), 6 GPUS which some people put a high value on - I put a very low value on that, and the additional RPUs. In the end, definitely worth the $500 IMO.
However, of course I would tell you it's probably best if you didn't since there would be less 1Ks to compete against
In the end, take an additional flight to get the status if you have the time and some extra dollars laying around you wouldn't mind spending. If your flying behavior is the same for next year as it is this year, you'll break out ahead.
Sep 8, 2014, 5:22 pm
#325
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
You may be able to get a mix of those miles through SDC - would be hard to get them all, and then a short mileage run maybe worth $250-300 to balance out the rest.
To answer your question, I think it is worth the extra $500 you think it may cost you - reason, you get higher upgrade priority, better IRROPS (you get a free hotel usually whenever weather, ATC, etc hits), 6 GPUS which some people put a high value on - I put a very low value on that, and the additional RPUs. In the end, definitely worth the $500 IMO.
However, of course I would tell you it's probably best if you didn't since there would be less 1Ks to compete against
In the end, take an additional flight to get the status if you have the time and some extra dollars laying around you wouldn't mind spending. If your flying behavior is the same for next year as it is this year, you'll break out ahead.
To answer your question, I think it is worth the extra $500 you think it may cost you - reason, you get higher upgrade priority, better IRROPS (you get a free hotel usually whenever weather, ATC, etc hits), 6 GPUS which some people put a high value on - I put a very low value on that, and the additional RPUs. In the end, definitely worth the $500 IMO.
However, of course I would tell you it's probably best if you didn't since there would be less 1Ks to compete against
In the end, take an additional flight to get the status if you have the time and some extra dollars laying around you wouldn't mind spending. If your flying behavior is the same for next year as it is this year, you'll break out ahead.
However, I have not seen too many opportunities to earn 10K PQM's for $500.
If I were short 10,000 PQM's, and I were offered .07/PQM through Elite Maximizer (plus the .019/RDM), I think I would take it.
As always, each individual judges this differently.
Sep 22, 2014, 9:30 am
#326
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SFO
Posts: 506
Just met Plat. Status...Should I bother going to 1K?
Hi all,
I've been in the United mileage program for a little less than 2 years. In 2013, I was able to qualify for UA Gold on the last flight of that year! This year, I've met the UA Plat requirements, but will probably be ~15-20k miles short of meeting 1K requirements.
The main differences between UA Plat. vs UA 1K to me are the GPUs. Should I bother making a mileage run or go on a vacation to meet the 1K requirements. If I do happen to make the 1K status...there is a very good chance that I won't even be using my GPUs anyways.
I was thinking about selling the GPUs so I can get a "free" trip out of it, but like I mentioned, this will be my first year even getting RPUs...so there must be things I'm overlooking. Is it possible to sell GPUs?
I've been in the United mileage program for a little less than 2 years. In 2013, I was able to qualify for UA Gold on the last flight of that year! This year, I've met the UA Plat requirements, but will probably be ~15-20k miles short of meeting 1K requirements.
The main differences between UA Plat. vs UA 1K to me are the GPUs. Should I bother making a mileage run or go on a vacation to meet the 1K requirements. If I do happen to make the 1K status...there is a very good chance that I won't even be using my GPUs anyways.
I was thinking about selling the GPUs so I can get a "free" trip out of it, but like I mentioned, this will be my first year even getting RPUs...so there must be things I'm overlooking. Is it possible to sell GPUs?
Sep 22, 2014, 9:46 am
#327
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott-Gold
Posts: 621
No, sale of benefits are not allowed, and you run the risk of be stripped of your miles and status. If you are 15-20k short I would say its not worth reaching 1kettle for.
At coupon connection you could trade the GPU's for miles for example, but again, since you are kindof far from reaching 1k I would not have done it if it was me.
At coupon connection you could trade the GPU's for miles for example, but again, since you are kindof far from reaching 1k I would not have done it if it was me.
Sep 22, 2014, 9:54 am
#328
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Agreed, I don't think it's worth mileage-running for 1K. Also, what's your PQD situation? Remember that it requires $10k PQD and no waiver allowed (only waived up to Plat).
Biggest things for 1K, according to the benefits table, are:
- instant M upgrades
- GPUs
- Greater upgrade possibility
- 100% bonus RDM vs. 75% RDM for Plat
- $60 MP card statement credit
My travel patterns are such that it's not worth it to me to MR from an expected 80k PQM to reach 1K.
Biggest things for 1K, according to the benefits table, are:
- instant M upgrades
- GPUs
- Greater upgrade possibility
- 100% bonus RDM vs. 75% RDM for Plat
- $60 MP card statement credit
My travel patterns are such that it's not worth it to me to MR from an expected 80k PQM to reach 1K.
Sep 22, 2014, 9:54 am
#329
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
I agree with PP. It's not worth a 20K run. Arguably it's worth up to, say a 5K run. But of course it's going to vary.
Do you fly a lot of shorter flights, so that CPUs are worth it to you (better chances as 1K). If you're not going to use GPUs, but only are trading them, then that's not helpful. You get modestly better call in service.
I'll give you my 2c, having gone between gold, plat, and 1K last year (requiring a 6-hour round trip to get the last 1500 miles) - it hasn't really been worth it. I haven't been able to use my GPUs easily, in part because my employer doesn't always buy W or above tickets. I don't fly too many segments, so CPUs haven't done much for me either. I suppose that being 1K has been the difference between clearing a couple of those international upgrades and ending up #2 or 3 on the list, but I'm questioning whether the extra trip was worth it. Certainly not if it had required multiple MRs.
Do you fly a lot of shorter flights, so that CPUs are worth it to you (better chances as 1K). If you're not going to use GPUs, but only are trading them, then that's not helpful. You get modestly better call in service.
I'll give you my 2c, having gone between gold, plat, and 1K last year (requiring a 6-hour round trip to get the last 1500 miles) - it hasn't really been worth it. I haven't been able to use my GPUs easily, in part because my employer doesn't always buy W or above tickets. I don't fly too many segments, so CPUs haven't done much for me either. I suppose that being 1K has been the difference between clearing a couple of those international upgrades and ending up #2 or 3 on the list, but I'm questioning whether the extra trip was worth it. Certainly not if it had required multiple MRs.
Sep 22, 2014, 9:55 am
#330
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SFO
Posts: 506
No, sale of benefits are not allowed, and you run the risk of be stripped of your miles and status. If you are 15-20k short I would say its not worth reaching 1kettle for.
At coupon connection you could trade the GPU's for miles for example, but again, since you are kindof far from reaching 1k I would not have done it if it was me.
At coupon connection you could trade the GPU's for miles for example, but again, since you are kindof far from reaching 1k I would not have done it if it was me.