Buy-Up UA MileagePlus Elite Status Promotion - Jan/Feb 2015
Feb 10, 2015, 10:38 pm
#226
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: WN A-list, Hyatt Glob, HH DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 434
Wow, that may throw a wrench in the works of all those arguing that it is so clear that you are buying just status and not instruments. If there are so many of us confused, some UA agents confused, then it is not so clear I guess. Also, comparing it to MM holders or other ways of acquiring 1K is not quite appropriate because we are not talking about buying 1K outright. The point is that most of those offered the buy-up have already flown most of the miles and need just a few to get to 1K.
Not arguing any of that.
"when you reach 100K PQMs".
Well. Then this is benefit then of *EVERY* premier level including Silver. Why did UNITED not choose to identify this as a benefit of "buying up" from SILVER TO GOLD? (Such a "benefit" applies to SILVER MP members too. Why then not advertise this benefit on THOSE buy-up promos? ie if SILVER member is lucky enough to fly 100,000 miles during April of 2015 - then member gets 6 GPU - and 1K status.)
In any case - I asked UNITED MP about GPU's on the buy-up.
This is the email response I got back - and take it with a grain of salt (i.e. I will follow up here after 10-14 days - my company reimbursed me for the buy-up to 1K - so I took advantage).
"XXXXXXXX
Dear Mr. FrequentFryer:
We’re always glad to hear from Premier 1K members like you. Thanks for writing.
The six Global Premier Upgrades will be added to your account within 10-14 days after date of purchase.
Regards,
C.
MileagePlus® Service Center
We appreciate your participation in the MileagePlus program and your support of United and our partners. We look forward to serving your travel needs again in the near future. For MileagePlus program information, please visit www.mileageplus.com.
Original Message Follows:
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"when you reach 100K PQMs".
Well. Then this is benefit then of *EVERY* premier level including Silver. Why did UNITED not choose to identify this as a benefit of "buying up" from SILVER TO GOLD? (Such a "benefit" applies to SILVER MP members too. Why then not advertise this benefit on THOSE buy-up promos? ie if SILVER member is lucky enough to fly 100,000 miles during April of 2015 - then member gets 6 GPU - and 1K status.)
In any case - I asked UNITED MP about GPU's on the buy-up.
This is the email response I got back - and take it with a grain of salt (i.e. I will follow up here after 10-14 days - my company reimbursed me for the buy-up to 1K - so I took advantage).
"XXXXXXXX
Dear Mr. FrequentFryer:
We’re always glad to hear from Premier 1K members like you. Thanks for writing.
The six Global Premier Upgrades will be added to your account within 10-14 days after date of purchase.
Regards,
C.
MileagePlus® Service Center
We appreciate your participation in the MileagePlus program and your support of United and our partners. We look forward to serving your travel needs again in the near future. For MileagePlus program information, please visit www.mileageplus.com.
Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Submitted: 2/10/2015 10:08:30 AM
Remote Host: XX.XXX.XXX.XXX
User Agent: Firefox
Signed In: Yes
Last edited by flyersky1; Feb 11, 2015 at 11:32 am
Feb 11, 2015, 12:25 am
#227
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Wow, that may throw the wrench in the works of all those arguing that it is so clear that you are buying just status and not instruments. If there are so many of us confused, some UA agents confused, then it is not so clear I guess. Also, comparing it to MM holders or other ways of acquiring 1K is not quite appropriate because we are not talking about buying 1K outright. The point is that most of those offered the buy-up have already flown most of the miles and need just a few to get to 1K.
In any case - I have an email from a UNITED MP representative confirming that six GPU will be deposited to my MP account within 10-14 days of purchasing this "buy-up" from PLATINUM to 1K. I am now sure - that I will get the 6 GPU. ;-)
Feb 11, 2015, 4:35 am
#228
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Programs: UA GS MM SPG Platinum (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 429
How are you not a 1MM after 15 years of Gold and 1K?
Feb 11, 2015, 12:22 pm
#229
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: 66,874
Feb 17, 2015, 12:17 pm
#230
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
So - those who achieved 1K status thru matches and challenges got the GPUS? Sorry - the answer is NO and NO. You obviously don't understand what the deal is. 1K does not get you instruments. How you get to 1K matters immensely. Fly 100K and you get the instruments. Buy the status (or challenge to it or match to it) and you don't - UA says so. At the end of the day, UA is telling you what you get for the money. Take it or leave it - your choice.
For the record - I only flew about 89K EQM in 2014.
(And for the record - on a flight from ORD to MSP this morning - there were 51 pax on the list eligible to upgrade.)
Feb 17, 2015, 1:04 pm
#231
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: near to SFO and LHR
Programs: BA Gold, B6 Mosiac, VS, AA, DL (and a legacy UA 2MM)
Posts: 2,274
My company paid the $3100 offer to buy-up my 2015 status from Platinum to 1K - and the six GPU's and two RU's were indeed deposited to my account - a few days after I made the purchase.
For the record - I only flew about 89K EQM in 2014.
(And for the record - on a flight from ORD to MSP this morning - there were 51 pax on the list eligible to upgrade.)
For the record - I only flew about 89K EQM in 2014.
(And for the record - on a flight from ORD to MSP this morning - there were 51 pax on the list eligible to upgrade.)
Feb 17, 2015, 8:51 pm
#232
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 8
Feb 18, 2015, 1:42 am
#233
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: where lions are led by donkeys...
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 20,356
Feb 21, 2015, 9:56 pm
#234
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston
Programs: Star Alliance (Gold), HHonors (Diamond), Emerald Club (Exec Elite), SPG Plat, Clubcarlson Gold
Posts: 20
Not very familiar with this buy-up thing.
United is offering to give me 2015 platinum for $2049. I'm currently a gold for 2015.
Worth it?
United is offering to give me 2015 platinum for $2049. I'm currently a gold for 2015.
Worth it?
Feb 22, 2015, 12:51 am
#235
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,506
Feb 23, 2015, 3:36 am
#236
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: A3 *G, Hertz PC, Accor Platinum, IHG Platinum, occasionally AS, LM, BA/Avios, Bonvoy.
Posts: 87
Buy up to MP Gold: $2299
I finished 2014 on c36K miles: silver was my 'target' and it was circumstance rather than plan that I went a fair way over this. Over the weekend I received an email from United with two offers:
1) Buy up to gold: $2299
2) Buy up to gold plus 5,000 EQMs for 2015: $2999
I won't be taking advantage of either as if I really wanted I'm sure I could have found 14,000 EQMs for less than half the cost without really trying. But in this era of supposedly trying to think out the ranks of elites I thought this was an interesting approach.
1) Buy up to gold: $2299
2) Buy up to gold plus 5,000 EQMs for 2015: $2999
I won't be taking advantage of either as if I really wanted I'm sure I could have found 14,000 EQMs for less than half the cost without really trying. But in this era of supposedly trying to think out the ranks of elites I thought this was an interesting approach.
Feb 23, 2015, 3:42 am
#237
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just outside Big D, or many other places in big metal tubes
Programs: WN Rpd.Rwrds, AA, was longtime CO very top Elite tier, Overentitled UA Lifetime 1K (since 2012)
Posts: 1,334
What is the expiration date for the buy up offer?
Feb 23, 2015, 3:49 am
#238
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: A3 *G, Hertz PC, Accor Platinum, IHG Platinum, occasionally AS, LM, BA/Avios, Bonvoy.
Posts: 87
Offer good to February 28, 2015.
Feb 23, 2015, 3:58 am
#239
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Just outside Big D, or many other places in big metal tubes
Programs: WN Rpd.Rwrds, AA, was longtime CO very top Elite tier, Overentitled UA Lifetime 1K (since 2012)
Posts: 1,334
That is the expiration date for UA's previous buy up offer
I guess they did not have enough people buy up, so now they are dipping down to persons who were 14,000 miles short. For your offer, that is 16.4 cents/mile for Gold and 15.8 cents per mile for Gold and 5,000 miles.
Just curious, were you short on PQDs also, or were you exempt?
I guess they did not have enough people buy up, so now they are dipping down to persons who were 14,000 miles short. For your offer, that is 16.4 cents/mile for Gold and 15.8 cents per mile for Gold and 5,000 miles.
Just curious, were you short on PQDs also, or were you exempt?
Feb 23, 2015, 4:00 am
#240
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: A3 *G, Hertz PC, Accor Platinum, IHG Platinum, occasionally AS, LM, BA/Avios, Bonvoy.
Posts: 87
Exempt from PQDs, UK address.