Wx4caster

This is a really tough question for me to answer now - at least I have until May to think through the decision. I held on to the card all these years primarily for the waiver to PLAT and the the opportunity to earn a few FPQM as needed each year (primary spend went the CSR). So it would seem like a no-brainer to finally cancel the card. However, the value proposition of the Club membership has increased now that club membership fees have gone up significantly. My card renewal in May was still $375. I then factor in the Mortons VIP membership benefit, which gives me $100 to spend during my birthday month (which also happens to be May), and net result is I'm getting UA Club membership for $275. Of course, that assumes that my renewal rate does not go up.

United Clubs aren't worth $650/yr for sure!! And I won't be able to pop in any longer without a *A ticket come next month (I'm still reeling from the loss of the GG Checkpoint rule a few years back). And I'm not all that frequent of a traveler... but the club is a nice convenience to have when I do travel, particularly when with friends or family.

SO, I'm leaning towards renewing as long as the rate remains at the $375 level, but it's a close call.

auandagbug

As a legacy Continental Airlines frequent flyer, like many other mostly long haul United flyers, I'm disappointed by the recently announced changes to the MileagePlus program.

I live in Hawaii so I'm not eligible for any complimentary upgrades even as a Premier Gold on nonstop flights from HNL to the mainland U.S. beyond the West Coast or on nonstop flights to NRT that I usually fly. I earned a complimentary upgrade to first class on a 600 mile flight connecting into ORD and was pleasantly surprised when my wife got a complimentary upgrade to first class as well on a trip this past May, but otherwise even as a Gold, I've grown accustomed to not getting upgrades.

The domestic United Clubs continue to be a poor value proposition for the retail annual membership fee. On my occasional trips through NRT, I always skip the United Club and use the far better ANA Lounge. It really is awful that the United Clubs in domestic United hubs no longer have showers, since most of my flights from Honolulu are 8 hours or more and often overnight flights. To add insult to injury, Polaris service isn't even offered out of HNL on the HNL-EWR nonstop flight, so I'm not eligible to use the showers in the former main United Club at EWR's Terminal C which was converted to a Polaris Club. If United continues to increase the prices for United Club membership, they should at least return showers to the clubs at their mainland hubs. Of course, they won't, since the recent changes to the MileagePlus program show they really don't care about the business of their long haul, non-Polaris Class customers.

Since upgrades aren't really a consideration, the benefits of Premier Access and the two free checked bags even without Premier status still remain a tangible benefit. When it comes to non-United spending earned mileage for award tickets, the United Club Card returns 1.5 miles per $1 spent compared to the PresidentialPlus 1 mile per $1, except for double miles on purchases made on hotel accommodations purchased directly with the hotel, and at car rental agencies.

When it comes to earning PQPs under the new rules, it appears Presidential Plus cardholders can earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 in card spend, up to 10,000 PQP in a calendar year, that can be applied up to 1K. In comparison, United Club cardholders earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 in card spend, up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year, that can be applied up to Platinum, so the PresidentialPlus card still has somewhat of an advantage, but only if you're a huge spender on the credit card.

I'm still paying $375 a year for the PresidentialPlus card compared to the $450 annual fee for the United Club Card. Losing the ability to earn flex PQMs is the biggest disappointment and devaluation of the legacy PresidentialPlus card benefits. I'm still holding onto my PresidentialPlus card for now, but I assume that Delta and American will probably make similar changes to their FF programs if the MileagePlus program changes stick, so there probably aren't any really viable alternatives for me.

worldwidedreamer

I'm also an EXCON customer, and live in SFO/OAK but visit HNL frequently. Alaska happens to have lots of service to Hawaii, and happens to be partnered with JL, KE and QF so they might be an option for you. They use the AA lounge at HNL which I happen to prefer over what I feel is the quirkiest United Club in the system.

msantosnj

I still have the PresPlus card and use it as my primary card everywhere. I usually buy WiFi onboard. I just noticed that my last purchase on Monday posted with a 25% credit back. I never received this before and thought it was only for the current set of cards.

Anyone know when this started? Does this mean I can get the $100 for Global Entry too?

paule123

I received a mailer tonight with the changes. See attached. A separate mailer was received tonight regarding the PQP changes. Regarding the price protection, I was told last week by a phone agent that it had been cancelled last year, however after that phone call I did some googling and filed a claim online that is currently in process and seems to have been approved. I got an email today that said "the check is in the mail" so we shall see...

Halo117

I got the mailer too. What I am not clear on...when does new PQP earned in 2020 and beyond expire?

The way i understand FPQP is that all will expire on april 1st 2023 with exception of pre 2012 earned. Is that correct?

Wx4caster

I got the mailer as well. All I want to know is what my renewal rate is going to be, but that information was nowhere to be found!

Micp3208

I had emailed Chase through their messaging portal about this and received this reply: “Similar to FPQM, FPQP will be subject to expiration in 39 months. . . “

I also asked about cross statement/year spending and the rep indicated that exceptions or adjustments due to statement overlap may be possible by contacting Chase who will then contact United.

SAPriorityTag

I would love to know what you did to finagle this! My AF was raised from $375 to $450.

JetAway

Likewise. And I've had my card since the year it was first issued.

wcj1

New PQP earned in 2020 and beyond don't expire per se, because they are immediately applied to that year's PQP balance. They are no longer Flex where you can earn them and then apply them to the calendar year that you wish.

Micp3208

I would hope they can be banked for those with the Presidential Plus Card. I don’t always need to use the FPQMs for Platinum, so applying them when I don’t need them would be less than ideal.

ctownflyer

Spending until 12/31/19 will get bankable points that are only good for Plat.. As of 1/1/20 they will only be good in the calendar year earned, but they're good up to 1k.

worldwidedreamer

As someone who usually flies UA over oceans these changes mean I’ll almost never qualify for Silver.

I’ll probably keep this card because it offers many of the same benefits as silver...but wow this game is getting a lot less interesting.

Say Vandelay

Mine has been $395 since I enrolled in 2011, and it just renewed at that rate this month. Switched from Master to Visa around 2016.