The Consolidated "Is United 1K Status Worth It? - 2013/14 Edition
Jul 26, 2013, 9:40 am
#121
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
Those are apples and oranges.
I'm not too concerned about the calculation because I'm going to clear the threshold pretty easily. So I don't accept the concept of a "frustration tax" that applies in all instances.
But history suggests that there likely be issues with the PQD calculation for some percentage of people at the margins. And yes we are likely to see a bunch of threads here about how UA screwed up the calculation in a particular case.
I'm not too concerned about the calculation because I'm going to clear the threshold pretty easily. So I don't accept the concept of a "frustration tax" that applies in all instances.
But history suggests that there likely be issues with the PQD calculation for some percentage of people at the margins. And yes we are likely to see a bunch of threads here about how UA screwed up the calculation in a particular case.
But, for someone at margin, either because of dollar amount, or because they fly in ways that the regime doesn't want to reward (wrong stock, use of *A, etc.), it gets a lot tougher.
Jul 26, 2013, 10:51 am
#122
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,693
I have zero concern because:
My customers will dictate my biz travel needs
My life needs will dictate my personal travel needs.
Getting some plastic fake status from an airline at any level is a few steps below removing toe jamb on my "importance list"
(Plot swing)
Whoa, wait a minute pardner!
Are these real beers or drink chits?
Are they valid on UA or any *A ?
Do they expire or have a minimum drink requirement?
My customers will dictate my biz travel needs
My life needs will dictate my personal travel needs.
Getting some plastic fake status from an airline at any level is a few steps below removing toe jamb on my "importance list"
(Plot swing)
If I'm wrong, I will buy up to 10 beers for flyer-talkers who present themselves at a time and place of my choosing for redemption.
Are these real beers or drink chits?
Are they valid on UA or any *A ?
Do they expire or have a minimum drink requirement?
Jul 26, 2013, 11:04 am
#123
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
<<In my view, this brings the true cost well above $15,000. Perhaps even $20,000, depending on how you value your time, and the frustrations involved.>>
Let's not get into revisionist history.
Last edited by aacharya; Jul 26, 2013 at 11:11 am
Jul 26, 2013, 3:13 pm
#124
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
And yes I will be tracking but I track RDMs/PQMs/upgrades/seat assignments/ .... because I am who I am -- FTer / OC / ...
Jul 26, 2013, 7:18 pm
#125
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Corvallis, OR
Programs: United 1K/2MM+, American Plat For Life 3MM+, Marriott Lifetime Platinum/Platinum Premier
Posts: 13
I have been a 1K for quite some time plus Exec Plat on American. I can say quite clearly that 1K is worth it and my overall experience with United has improved. My upgrade batting average is thru the roof this year. On the other hand, American is a mess. Sorry to say with almost 4M miles flown.
I love it! I too have spreadsheets for everything
. The only way to go!
Given 99%+ (my estimate) of the folks just trust the RDMs/PQMs numbers posted in their accounts presently, I would not expect those folks to do anything different with PQDs. However, I am sure there will be growing pains before this gets done right.
And yes I will be tracking but I track RDMs/PQMs/upgrades/seat assignments/ .... because I am who I am -- FTer / OC / ...
And yes I will be tracking but I track RDMs/PQMs/upgrades/seat assignments/ .... because I am who I am -- FTer / OC / ...
. The only way to go!
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jul 27, 2013 at 3:30 am Reason: merge
Jul 28, 2013, 11:52 am
#126
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
I have gone 0 for 10 recently on CPU's and it seems I may well go the rest of the year on my current schedule without getting an upgrade, I'm usually several places out on the upgrade queue. These are hub to hub, peak times, I'm buying lowest fare about 7-10 days out usually V->H fares. Would 1K still be worth it to you if you never get an upgrade?
Jul 28, 2013, 12:14 pm
#127
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
I have gone 0 for 10 recently on CPU's and it seems I may well go the rest of the year on my current schedule without getting an upgrade, I'm usually several places out on the upgrade queue. These are hub to hub, peak times, I'm buying lowest fare about 7-10 days out usually V->H fares. Would 1K still be worth it to you if you never get an upgrade?
Jul 28, 2013, 12:36 pm
#128
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: UA GS, UA 2MM, HH LT Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,803
I have gone 0 for 10 recently on CPU's and it seems I may well go the rest of the year on my current schedule without getting an upgrade, I'm usually several places out on the upgrade queue. These are hub to hub, peak times, I'm buying lowest fare about 7-10 days out usually V->H fares. Would 1K still be worth it to you if you never get an upgrade?
As an example, I have a flight tomorrow from DEN-CLE which is a U fare. At 96 hours, it showed 7 of 12 F seats open. I didn't clear at 96, 72, 48 or at OLCI and the flight now shows F booked full and 7 upgraded to F. It's not a complaint, just an observation as I figured this one was highly likely to CPU for me.
Jul 28, 2013, 12:45 pm
#129
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
Jul 28, 2013, 1:27 pm
#130
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
Aug 22, 2013, 5:31 pm
#131
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
On a somewhat expensive fare being #9 on the upgrade list with 5 cleared on a 320 sure doesn't feel like it. I gotta say the domestic 1K experience sucks if you fly at peak times, I guess unless you buy full fare. You may as well be gold, the upgrade list is currently 68 deep, for a 320 that's about as bad as I've seen it.
Aug 22, 2013, 5:58 pm
#132
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
On a somewhat expensive fare being #9 on the upgrade list with 5 cleared on a 320 sure doesn't feel like it. I gotta say the domestic 1K experience sucks if you fly at peak times, I guess unless you buy full fare. You may as well be gold, the upgrade list is currently 68 deep, for a 320 that's about as bad as I've seen it.
Aug 22, 2013, 6:12 pm
#133
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
On a somewhat expensive fare being #9 on the upgrade list with 5 cleared on a 320 sure doesn't feel like it. I gotta say the domestic 1K experience sucks if you fly at peak times, I guess unless you buy full fare. You may as well be gold, the upgrade list is currently 68 deep, for a 320 that's about as bad as I've seen it.
Aug 22, 2013, 7:08 pm
#134
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Paramaribo, Suriname
Programs: Mileage Plus (PLATINUM); Qatar Privilege Club (PLATINUM)
Posts: 384
Last edited by OnePassenger; Aug 23, 2013 at 12:18 pm
Aug 22, 2013, 7:11 pm
#135
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: None - previously UA
Posts: 4,867
I don't have much intl travel planned for the next several months and getting an upgrade rate of less than 10% for dropping north of $20k doesn't seem an outstanding return.