Deekh8

So it will be harder to achieve the 1K status since class bonus will not help you achieve the PQM, meaning you will need 100K actual miles flown versus 74K+37K class bonus.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

No - PQM calculation hasn't changed and is still calculated on mileage and COS bonus PQMs. This is completely separate from award miles.
$5000 P ticket, 20,000 miles earns 30k PQMs (for anyone - 20,000 miles plus 10,000 class of service) and 55,000 RDMs (for a 1K at 11miles/$)

Deekh8

So the 10,000 for the class of service only applies to PQM not for RDM's?

IAH-OIL-TRASH

Correct.

UA's logic is that if you pay for a higher class of service, that will show up in the $ you spend, which in turn will get you more RDMs - eg a $1000 round-trip in coach earns a 1K 11,000 RDMs. If you ride up front instead, paying $5000, you'll get 55,000 RDMs.

Deekh8

Well that sucks! Thanks for the clarification

RNE

Let me see if I have this straight.

1. You fret it will be harder to achieve 1K status.
2. IAH-OIL-TRASH reassures you that's not the case.
3. You conclude "that sucks."

RNE

Deekh8

It won't be harder to achieve per his response and I was saying it sucks for me because I typically fly more miles on lower fares so it will suck because the bonus mileage will be less for me

chitownflyer

The only way one will earn the same level of redeemable miles in the 2015 Mileage Plus program commencing March 1, 2015 is by spending an average of 20 cents per mile. For those whom spend more on a ticket, one may earn up to 75,000 miles per ticket. So the new system is designed to reward more miles to those whom spend more on a ticket; however, there is the 75,000 mile cap which informs us the rewarding of miles only goes so far and is limited even to the high spenders buying $12,000 C or $20,000 F fares on ORD-SYD where a no mileage cap per ticket would earn 132,000 and 220,000 miles respectively.

The real problem here is that the new RDM earnings scheme is going to reward 40 to 60 percent fewer miles to a majority of flyers not spending 20 cents per mile. A 1K spending $500 on a JFK-SFO ticket currently earns around 10,000 RDMs, but this will be reduced to 5500 RDMs in 2015 and would have to spend $900 to keep the same RDM earnings. A 1K flying on a $2000 ticket ORD-SIN earns around 40,000 RDMs, but this will be reduced to 22,000 miles in 2015 or spend $3700 in 2015 for the same earnings.

At the same time, United and Delta both continue to base elite qualification upon distance traveled so 1Ks must fly 100,000 PQMs(or earn this via flight miles and the 50 percent PQM fare class bonus for high fare class tickets). So elite status requires one to fly great distances, but the loyalty program is simultaneously reducing the earnings of redeemable miles by 40 to 60 percent. Does this make any sense for loyalty? It is very likely to cause the loss of many valuable customers.

RNE

Or be happy you'll still get premier status on the cheap.

RNE, though all bets are off for 2016.

RNE

No sense at all. Both Premier status and redeemable miles should be based on spend alone.

WineCountryUA

and spend
UA/DL wants both!!

syrahnose

I'm thinking along same lines. At 1.3mm I have the lifetime gold on Star pocketed, or until United degrades that status too.

My main concern is getting Transpac/Transatlantic miles credited to AA program for full status credit.

I could qualify for 1K again this year and next under new rules, but I'm fence citing on whether to start my move now or get status match with AA next year.

My main regular travel is NZ to EU, which I've routed via Sydney and PDX (family stopover) to ride United metal.

Previously, I flew quicker, more comfortably on SQ, NZ or TG to EU.

With no incentive to regain gold card to stay in international star lounges I'm better off gaining lounge entry in other alliances and kayaking.

From my perspective, United has not only de-incentivised me riding them, but also other Star carriers.

Once I've got gold status with all I can ride any, anytime.

teeceedee

While it is unfortunate, I disagree here. Hotels have been doing this forever - rewarding loyalty with frequency and redemption points with spend. So it's not unheard of

mkr

I am a Lifetime 1K. I am perplexed what to do.

I have calculated my spend based on likely future itineraries and my RDM will be reduced in 2015 by 50%+ compared to 2014. I used the RDM for leisure travel & mileage upgrades.

UA is not going to get me to significantly increase my spend to catch up in my RDM earnings loss (and UA has also increased the cost to redeem miles).

I guess I will join the many other mid-tier Premiers and seek OAL. UA will not be my main carrier of choice, I will only fly UA when I absolutely have to. I was hoping to make Lifetime GS, but now I doubt it is worth the pursuit.

I flew CO from the 80s and UA after the merger. Over 30 years! UA cares nothing about loyalty. This latest devaluation of the Premier benefits on top of all the degradation of service , poor on time arrival , IRROPS, etc., has finally driven me away.

I will start flying AA to replace many of my UA flights and status match.
I hope UA will not join UA and DAL with RDM earnings. I think AA will get significant new business if AA does not copy UA and DAL.

And what is really perplexing to me is why UA management thinks they can replace the many Premiers who are leaving? Flyers from OAL UA thinks will come to UA, IMHO, are not going to come en masse. They are likely aware that Premiers are leaving UA because of the degradation of UA. Why would flyers from OAL WANT to fly on UA?

Thanks UA management. You have succeeded in turning Friendly Skies into dark ones.

kkg

I'm digging this thread up because I need to start planning my Feb/Mar 2015 travel soon.

I have been UA 1k for 8 years. I fly from SIN to United States about four times a year, plus one or two trips to Europe and within Asia. All of them are for work in economy class. So far in the last 8 years, I exclusively use UA for transpac flights, and other *A carriers for flights to Europe and Asia.

With the new RDM rule from Mar 2015 onwards, I will earn about 40% fewer miles when travelling on UA.

Here are options I'm considering.

1) stay with UA MP but use NH for all transpac flights, assuming the RDM earning for NH-plated NH-metal flights remains unchanged (this is still pending UA announcement, right?). Since I'm based outside of US I'm waived on the PQD requirment (this is confirmed for 2015, right?). I shall easily meet the 4-UA-metal-segments requirement on these NH-transpac tickets.

2) status matched and move over to AA. AA doesn't serve SIN on its own metal and I will have to buy AA-plated tickets with segments on JAL or CX. RDM earning should remain the same as in old UA days. A couple of downsides: a) AA tickets ex-SIN are typically more expensive and I might need some effort to justify to our finance; b) AA miles cannot be put on CC to trade for other currencies.

3) status matched and move over to AS, but fly AA or DL for transpac. I haven't studied very closely but it seems that RDM earning is also about the same as in old-UA days. I'm also not familiar with the use of AS miles, but at least I could put it up on CC.

Other options include joining NH/SQ/OZ, but without status matching, I don't find them attractive.

Comments/suggestions are appreciated.