The Consolidated "Is United 1K Status Worth It? - 2013/14 Edition
Sep 22, 2014, 9:55 am
#331
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
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, 9:58 am
#332
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
15 - 20 K miles = a lot of hot pockets for lunch and dinner, if your CPUs come through.
Check with your GI specialist first.
Check with your GI specialist first.
Sep 22, 2014, 10:42 am
#334
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
In the past I would have said it is worth the extra status, but now I will add the caveat that unless you plan on doing some international travel and can utilize the GPU's that you earn, then I don't see it as worth it. I will go further than that and say that there is not really any difference from Gold and Above. United's upgrade policy of selling virtually every seat to anyone that will pay anything at all has undercut upgrades to the point of it being a very unlikely event and at best unreliable.
I have not found the same to be true on Delta or American. I am still finding upgrades are a regular and consistent benefit.
I have not found the same to be true on Delta or American. I am still finding upgrades are a regular and consistent benefit.
Sep 22, 2014, 10:45 am
#335
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
The same can be said about this year - 100% bonus (1K) or 75% bonus (Plat) vs. 11x multiplier (or 120% bonus) (1K/2015) or 9x multiplier (or 80% bonus) (Plat/2015).
Sep 22, 2014, 10:48 am
#336
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: SFO
Posts: 506
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.
GPUs and higher rate of mileage accumulation after March next year are the only reasons for 1K. If you're not going to be using the GPUs probably not worth it. But look into the new mileage calculation to see if getting to 1K will improve your mileage accumulation enough next year to be worth it.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Sep 22, 2014 at 12:04 pm Reason: Merge
Sep 22, 2014, 11:20 am
#337
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 923
Originally Posted by CO_Nonrev_elite:23564138
will go further than that and say that there is not really any difference from Gold and Above..
Sep 22, 2014, 11:49 am
#338
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Sep 22, 2014, 12:00 pm
#339
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
Sep 22, 2014, 12:09 pm
#340
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS/ BOM
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,567
Sep 22, 2014, 12:22 pm
#341
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Reopened. AA posts banned.
Oct 19, 2014, 10:25 pm
#343
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,290
Not flying UA in 2015; worth getting to 1K from 85k EQM?
Currently 1K but have decided not to fly UA anymore after 31 Jan 2015.
Scheduled to end 2014 with 85k EQM's. Unless I fail to see something that you guys might see, in the value of 1K, I don't find any sense for me to stretch for an extra 20k EQM to requalify for 1K in 2015.
Right or Left?
Scheduled to end 2014 with 85k EQM's. Unless I fail to see something that you guys might see, in the value of 1K, I don't find any sense for me to stretch for an extra 20k EQM to requalify for 1K in 2015.
Right or Left?
Oct 19, 2014, 10:28 pm
#344
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
If you're not going to fly UA, I don't see the benefit of going for 1K. The only reason might be if you plan to do a lot of flying Jan 1-31, but at that, I still wouldn't splurge for it.
Oct 19, 2014, 10:46 pm
#345
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467