How hard is it for UA to require PQD for members worldwide?
Nov 21, 2014, 10:30 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
Not hard.
The real purpose of PQD is to direct spending onto UA or UA codeshares/JV instead of partners. If you live in the US, you can almost always find a flight on 016. If you live overseas, you may not be able to book a reasonable fare in 016(united stock) due to a lack of a codeshare from your home airport, etc.
I think UA doesn't want to lose these flyers for some reason, perhaps they buy premium fares, even if not on UA stock?
The real purpose of PQD is to direct spending onto UA or UA codeshares/JV instead of partners. If you live in the US, you can almost always find a flight on 016. If you live overseas, you may not be able to book a reasonable fare in 016(united stock) due to a lack of a codeshare from your home airport, etc.
I think UA doesn't want to lose these flyers for some reason, perhaps they buy premium fares, even if not on UA stock?
Nov 21, 2014, 10:39 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,322
Nov 21, 2014, 10:42 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: LHR
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, mLife Platinum
Posts: 380
I can only assume it isn't practical at the moment due to the issuer of the MP credit cards outside of the USA being different from Chase.
As a UK cardholder (issued by MBNA), we didn't get any bonus miles on sign-up, no bonus miles when booking UA flights with it, and no discount in the club on premium beverages when paying with it.
There is also no choice in the card we hold - there's just one MP card available.
As a UK cardholder (issued by MBNA), we didn't get any bonus miles on sign-up, no bonus miles when booking UA flights with it, and no discount in the club on premium beverages when paying with it.
There is also no choice in the card we hold - there's just one MP card available.
Nov 21, 2014, 11:02 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
UA doesn't just blindly follow DL. If it will generate more ancillary revenue UA will follow. If it is an improvement or something that will cost UA money (and probably make elites happy) UA will not follow.
Nov 21, 2014, 11:03 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
Being based in London, I'm often doing short trips to Germany. LH and Germanwings offer sensible fares (eg one I'm doing next month to DUS is £90 return). If I booked that trip through United.com, it prices out to about £1000. If UA forces PQD on me, I'm lost to *A as well as UA. Perhaps that's no big deal in the overall scheme but I would easily satisfy the PQD requirements if they counted in *A spend.
Nov 21, 2014, 11:12 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 205
Nov 21, 2014, 12:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Nov 21, 2014, 12:38 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
Yes, I would like to understand too. How is a dollar requirement any different than a have to fly 4 segments on UA metal? A requirement to achieve status is a requirement to achieve status.
Nov 21, 2014, 1:14 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,886
This
While probably a contributing factor, I don't think its the prime reason. The benefits that UA gives costs $. For example, UA elites entering other carrier lounges cost UA real $, putting someone in E+ means they aren't paying for that seat, and if you check a bag and don't have to pay for it, they're also losing out on $. Waived SDC fees, award re-deposit fees, etc. - the list goes on. Don't forget on the 1K side, people potentially forgoing paid business class tickets and buying economy and using a GPU. UA wants to ensure that they are getting a minimum amount of revenue for providing these benefits (and for those who say what about the CC waiver, that revenue make-up is still coming in, just from Chase buying the miles). UA simply doesn't want to give out expensive benefits if they are getting absolute minimal revenue in return. And it makes a lot of sense to me, and is in line with most other types of loyalty programs, which are based on revenue.
This I agree with as well. There's a not a choice to fly UA on intra-EU flights, or intra-Asia (well, very, very limited exceptions). But applying PQD would likely lead to losing loyalty on the long-haul's UA wants them on.
Sorry, disagree. UA is already doing conversions from local currency, and especially starting in March, where RDM earned is being changed to by revenue, even for those buying tickets in a foreign currency. When purchased in a foreign currency, RDM will be earned based on the converted $ amount.
I think UA doesn't want to lose these flyers for some reason, perhaps they buy premium fares, even if not on UA stock?
If you live in the US, you can almost always find a flight on 016. If you live overseas, you may not be able to book a reasonable fare in 016(united stock) due to a lack of a codeshare from your home airport, etc.
If you live in the US, you can almost always find a flight on 016. If you live overseas, you may not be able to book a reasonable fare in 016(united stock) due to a lack of a codeshare from your home airport, etc.
Sorry, disagree. UA is already doing conversions from local currency, and especially starting in March, where RDM earned is being changed to by revenue, even for those buying tickets in a foreign currency. When purchased in a foreign currency, RDM will be earned based on the converted $ amount.
