The Consolidated "Is United 1K Status Worth It? - 2013/14 Edition
Oct 22, 2014, 5:15 pm
#361
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA-GOLD, SPG-GOLD
Posts: 4
First of all, don't buy 21k PQM when you need 14k....you can book a flight that gives you 14k as an option (you might have to do a few till you find one that works)....then after you buy the miles cancel the ticket.
That just dropped your cost from $2700 to $1800.
$1800 might be worth it to you....you're getting 2 more RPU, 6 GPU and an extra 25% bonus on all your miles, you're also getting a $60 credit against any MP credit card you may have...of course, you're getting somewhat better CPU chances as well
Depening on your travel patterns next year, just clearing a couple of GPUs would certainly pay for the $1800 regardless of the other benes.
If it were me, I would defintiely do it for $1800...
Also, the sooner you do it...the sooner you get to platinum as well...
That just dropped your cost from $2700 to $1800.
$1800 might be worth it to you....you're getting 2 more RPU, 6 GPU and an extra 25% bonus on all your miles, you're also getting a $60 credit against any MP credit card you may have...of course, you're getting somewhat better CPU chances as well
Depening on your travel patterns next year, just clearing a couple of GPUs would certainly pay for the $1800 regardless of the other benes.
If it were me, I would defintiely do it for $1800...
Also, the sooner you do it...the sooner you get to platinum as well...
Thanks for the tip! From the replies, it looks like this is the best way to go. The only question I have is if I buy the ticket, do the accelerator for 14K, and then cancel the ticket, UA would let me keep those PQMs and award miles even though I just cancelled my ticket?
Oct 22, 2014, 6:26 pm
#362
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Oct 23, 2014, 12:14 am
#363
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London and Madrid
Programs: BA Gold, UA 2MM, Hyatt Globalist, Columbia Record & Tape Club Triple Diamond VIP
Posts: 580
What routes do you fly if you don't mind me asking? I also use my GPU's to upgrade from D to ON and have found availability on almost every flight I've needed. R is one thing (almost non existent) but I find ON space quite easy to find
Out of my 6 GPU's I've used 3 from NRT-SFO or ORD, 2 from BAH-IAD and from IAD-DXB..no problem upgrading at booking
Out of my 6 GPU's I've used 3 from NRT-SFO or ORD, 2 from BAH-IAD and from IAD-DXB..no problem upgrading at booking
I'm not flexible about dates or routes, so these things just aren't worth anything to me. First class on UA is good for the privacy but their soft product is inferior to most carriers I would consider in business (LH, ANA, VS).
That said, I find United's service so poor that I fear that if one's status dips below 1k, it might be unbearable.
Oct 23, 2014, 4:22 am
#364
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1K, EL Al ???, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 182
1k gets you lots of free underwear :)
The only reason I see to try to reach 1k is that the compensation for screw ups (lost luggage, delayed/canceled flights) is much better. And this has been a year of numerous screw ups...
After what I thought was a year of improvement in 2013, 2014 has been abysmal. I'm routinely on the road for 2+ weeks so I tend to check luggage more than most ppl. And what I've come to learn is that I cannot expect both myself and my underwear to arrive in the same town and the same day. I've found UA to be generous is comp, both to cover costs of new clothing, and travel certs.
It's been a slow (revenue) travel year for me. I'm only at 55k. I've maybe got another 20k in flights by year end. Last year I did a couple of MR's to get 1k, but I don't feel like it's worth it for me this year. I will get Platinum and maybe that's good enough.
This is my 3rd year as 1k, 4th as Platinum (or better), 5th as gold (or better).
My main international route is EWR-TLV. GPU's are nearly useless. My domestic CPU is less than 50%.
Thanks to UA, I won't need to buy new underwear for at least 5 years. So that's a nice 1k perk!
After what I thought was a year of improvement in 2013, 2014 has been abysmal. I'm routinely on the road for 2+ weeks so I tend to check luggage more than most ppl. And what I've come to learn is that I cannot expect both myself and my underwear to arrive in the same town and the same day. I've found UA to be generous is comp, both to cover costs of new clothing, and travel certs.
It's been a slow (revenue) travel year for me. I'm only at 55k. I've maybe got another 20k in flights by year end. Last year I did a couple of MR's to get 1k, but I don't feel like it's worth it for me this year. I will get Platinum and maybe that's good enough.
This is my 3rd year as 1k, 4th as Platinum (or better), 5th as gold (or better).
My main international route is EWR-TLV. GPU's are nearly useless. My domestic CPU is less than 50%.
Thanks to UA, I won't need to buy new underwear for at least 5 years. So that's a nice 1k perk!
Oct 23, 2014, 5:49 am
#365
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA(EXP)UA(1K/1MM) Marriott(PP,LifeTime Plat) Hertz(5*)
Posts: 449
Ah what is wrong with ua. Maybe just maybe if they wanted to thin the ranks they should stop offering stupid s**t like this.
Well at least they are doing something.
I myself should land this year at 99,999PQM. I wonder if my 15k in PQD would allow them to still make me a 1k or not missing that 1mile.
The only reason I see to try to reach 1k is that the compensation for screw ups (lost luggage, delayed/canceled flights) is much better. And this has been a year of numerous screw ups...
After what I thought was a year of improvement in 2013, 2014 has been abysmal. I'm routinely on the road for 2+ weeks so I tend to check luggage more than most ppl. And what I've come to learn is that I cannot expect both myself and my underwear to arrive in the same town and the same day. I've found UA to be generous is comp, both to cover costs of new clothing, and travel certs.
It's been a slow (revenue) travel year for me. I'm only at 55k. I've maybe got another 20k in flights by year end. Last year I did a couple of MR's to get 1k, but I don't feel like it's worth it for me this year. I will get Platinum and maybe that's good enough.
This is my 3rd year as 1k, 4th as Platinum (or better), 5th as gold (or better).
My main international route is EWR-TLV. GPU's are nearly useless. My domestic CPU is less than 50%.
Thanks to UA, I won't need to buy new underwear for at least 5 years. So that's a nice 1k perk!
After what I thought was a year of improvement in 2013, 2014 has been abysmal. I'm routinely on the road for 2+ weeks so I tend to check luggage more than most ppl. And what I've come to learn is that I cannot expect both myself and my underwear to arrive in the same town and the same day. I've found UA to be generous is comp, both to cover costs of new clothing, and travel certs.
It's been a slow (revenue) travel year for me. I'm only at 55k. I've maybe got another 20k in flights by year end. Last year I did a couple of MR's to get 1k, but I don't feel like it's worth it for me this year. I will get Platinum and maybe that's good enough.
This is my 3rd year as 1k, 4th as Platinum (or better), 5th as gold (or better).
My main international route is EWR-TLV. GPU's are nearly useless. My domestic CPU is less than 50%.
Thanks to UA, I won't need to buy new underwear for at least 5 years. So that's a nice 1k perk!
I myself should land this year at 99,999PQM. I wonder if my 15k in PQD would allow them to still make me a 1k or not missing that 1mile.
Oct 23, 2014, 10:20 am
#366
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
The only level that matters is GS. Everything else is a credit card membership or a co-pay away. If GPUs had a longer shelf life, that might tip the scale. I think that 1Ks actually hack UA off since you are flying alot of miles but you aren't buying enough of the expensive fares to make GS.
This hybrid perks/bucks system where you can buy status features is eventually going to go away, and frankly I welcome the greater transparency. They tout all these advantages of being loyal and then it is hard as heck to get the benefits.
This hybrid perks/bucks system where you can buy status features is eventually going to go away, and frankly I welcome the greater transparency. They tout all these advantages of being loyal and then it is hard as heck to get the benefits.
Oct 23, 2014, 4:43 pm
#367
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA-GOLD, SPG-GOLD
Posts: 4
Oct 23, 2014, 6:04 pm
#368
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
Not worth it
I'm in frequent-flier hell I'm close enough to 2 million but in the sea miles but close enough to 1 million as well right at 1.56 million. I have not been upgraded and any United domestic flights all year but luckily having a bulkhead row or exit rowworks just fine for me.
Was at the Chicago seminars this weekend and realize that American Airlines seems to be the only airline until they sort out the USAir merger that will offer any chance of having any kind status that has any kind of value.
So for now I'm just going to enjoy my status and enjoy sitting in the bulkhead or exit row.
Flying internationally my only choice will always be the cure that offers the best hard product and that for sure will never be united till the next generation of clean start rolling in 2030
Was at the Chicago seminars this weekend and realize that American Airlines seems to be the only airline until they sort out the USAir merger that will offer any chance of having any kind status that has any kind of value.
So for now I'm just going to enjoy my status and enjoy sitting in the bulkhead or exit row.
Flying internationally my only choice will always be the cure that offers the best hard product and that for sure will never be united till the next generation of clean start rolling in 2030
Oct 23, 2014, 6:44 pm
#369
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,064
For me 1K is worth it right now with 10 GPUs for 2015 which are worth somewhere in the $5-10k neighborhood. Unless GPUs stop clearing or UA further restricts them I will probably keep going for 1K.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:31 pm
#370
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
Confusion
something is wrong in this picture. Unless you fly IAH-SFO Mo/Fr or transcons only that is close to impossible. My UG %age is ~ 60% this year which is less than before; 0% on a good sample size is near impossible.
For me 1K is worth it right now with 10 GPUs for 2015 which are worth somewhere in the $5-10k neighborhood. Unless GPUs stop clearing or UA further restricts them I will probably keep going for 1K.
For me 1K is worth it right now with 10 GPUs for 2015 which are worth somewhere in the $5-10k neighborhood. Unless GPUs stop clearing or UA further restricts them I will probably keep going for 1K.
Oct 23, 2014, 7:36 pm
#371
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,064
Oct 23, 2014, 7:39 pm
#372
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles& Telluride
Programs: UA1K, 1MM,AA Exec. Platinum, Global Entry, Nexus
Posts: 731
Oct 23, 2014, 8:42 pm
#373
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Oct 24, 2014, 3:45 am
#374
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,690
The only level that matters is GS. Everything else is a credit card membership or a co-pay away. If GPUs had a longer shelf life, that might tip the scale. I think that 1Ks actually hack UA off since you are flying alot of miles but you aren't buying enough of the expensive fares to make GS.
This hybrid perks/bucks system where you can buy status features is eventually going to go away, and frankly I welcome the greater transparency. They tout all these advantages of being loyal and then it is hard as heck to get the benefits.
This hybrid perks/bucks system where you can buy status features is eventually going to go away, and frankly I welcome the greater transparency. They tout all these advantages of being loyal and then it is hard as heck to get the benefits.
Oct 24, 2014, 7:22 am
#375
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Was at the Chicago seminars this weekend and realize that American Airlines seems to be the only airline until they sort out the USAir merger that will offer any chance of having any kind status that has any kind of value.