Feb 6, 2015, 3:38 am
Last edit by: mkr
THIS IS A THREAD FOR WHICH ALL MP MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND ...THANKS.
The goal of the survey is to benefit all of us.
This thread is to ask ALL MileagePlus members who read the MileagePlus Forum to please respond to this
short 3 question survey. It will only take a few minutes..
PLEASE PM YOUR MP FTer FRIENDS TO ASK THEM TO ALSO POST IN THIS SURVEY....THANKS.
This thread is to ask ALL MileagePlus members who read the MileagePlus Forum to please respond to this
short 3 question survey. It will only take a few minutes..
PLEASE PM YOUR MP FTer FRIENDS TO ASK THEM TO ALSO POST IN THIS SURVEY....THANKS.
The 3 questions are in Post #1
WIKI UPDATED FEBRUARY 24 (already over 160 posts)
PLEASE READ THIS WIKI AND POST #1 BEFORE RESPONDING TO THIS SURVEY. THANKS.
WE NEED YOUR INPUT....PLEASE TAKE PART.
IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE WHO HAS ALREADY RESPONDED, KINDLY CHECK YOUR POST TO MAKE SURE YOUR REASONS FOR SEEKING THE STATUS LEVEL YOU ARE SEEKING ARE CLEAR IN QUESTION #3. KINDLY CONSIDER EDITING, IF NEEDED. THIS IS TO HELP IN GATHERING OF DATA FOR THE SURVEY, TO BENEFIT US ALL. THANK YOU.
The data will be compiled and posted in this WIKI after approximately each 100 respondants during the year to keep it simple for someone (me) who has trouble figuring out where Boarding Line 1 is
DATA WILL BE UPDATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WIKI
UA monitors these threads. They will not release their statistics on MP membership changes, so let us work together to compile our own data.
PURPOSE OF SURVEY
The aim is to get a very large number of data points in the coming weeks/months to see percentages of those who are planning on dropping, maintaining, or increasing in status through their 2015 earnings activity for 2016 status in MP because of many reasons.
The survey asks persons to state their individual reasons for their 2015 plans for attaining a certain status level for 2016. The survey will determine in a objective, structured, measurable and efficient way, what are persons' experiences in flying on UA in light of various changes in the MileagePlus program or other UA flying experiences that have affected the amount of flying they plan to do on UA in 2015. This MAY affect their planned Premier status. Kindly PM your UA FTer friends to ask them to post in this survey. Thanks.
YOU MAY NOT YET KNOW YOUR SPECIFIC PLANS FOR 2015, ie, number flights within the USA or number of TATL flights you plan to take, etc., but please at least post your general plans...like, "I am Platinum but plan to reduce to Gold for 2016." OR, "I am Gold and plan to keep Gold status." Post the minimum status you know you will likely achieve, even if that may just be GM. Then expound on how you plan to do that and your reasons for seeking or not seeking a certain status level.
Later in the year when you have a better idea of your travel plans, you can come back and post again in this thread, referring back to your original post, so your second post will make it clear that you are not a new person responding.... (AN EXAMPLE FUTURE POST: A POST ON APRIL 10: "I posted on Feb. 10 [QUOTE POST] now I am amending my post... (1)I was Gold on Feb. 10 and estimated I would reach 1K status for 2016. (2) I now realize I will only reach Platinum through the following planned flying on UA....XX TATL flights, XX Domestic (3) I no longer plan to reach 1K, as my travel on UA will be cut and I will not reach the required PQMs for 1K. I am shifting XX% flying to AA and doing a status match. 1K on UA is not valuable to me anymore BECAUSE....state reasons,compared to other airlines.")
(There is another thread to ask persons if their status decreased, stayed the same, or increased from 2014-2015. Please also respond to that survey.) Thanks. [Survey] From 2014-15 Did your MP Status Increase, Decrease, or remain the same? The data from that survey will be compiled and reported in that thread.
PLEASE READ POST #1 before responding to this present survey for 2015. Thank you.
Since the PQD requirements have increased in 2015 for earning 2016 Premier Status for all Premier levels
($3,000/$6,000/$9,000/$12,000)
AND since the requirements for earning Reward Mileage is changing on March 1, 2015, this a survey of ALL FTers who belong to MileagePlus about plans for achieving 2016 status throughout 2015.
There has been speculation in this Forum that increases in PQDs for earning 2016 status and the changes in earning Reward miles beginning March 1 may significantly reduce those seeking particular Premier status for 2016. Many other reasons have also been cited in other threads in this Forum for persons reducing their flying on UA in favor of other carriers.
The goal of the survey is to also see if any trends become evident in regards to persons reducing, keeping, or increasing their status in MileagePlus over the course of the next few weeks/months....as well as to see if any trends emerge for reasons given,
It will take just a few minutes for you to respond. THANKS AGAIN FOR TAKING PART.
Statistics will be updated occasionally during the year in this WIKI when a significant number of persons respond to the survey.
Please read Post #1 before responding to this survey. Thank you.
FIRST DATA REPORT FEB. 17
It is very early in the year and not all persons have their specific travel plans for the year. There are many 1Ks who fly enough each year that they already know they will make the requirements and several already have several trips booked, so they have been able to respond to the survey.
I am asking persons to estimate the status they will attain, as some have done, based upon a general idea of the travel they will likely have. People can come back later in the year to amend their plans in this thread when they have a better idea.
Some persons are very clear in their reasons why they will attain certain status. Some persons are making statements like..." I will make somewhere between Gold and Platinum."
When persons make vague statements like that, I take the conservative measure and project the lower status. When I can take some time to see if any trends emerge for reasons, I will update that information. Several have made statements alluding to the increased PQDs and RDM changes, but I noticed no real trend emerging in the early life of this survey.
I do wish persons would go back to their posts to edit and give some clearer reasons for why they are keeping, dropping, or increasing status. That will be more helpful for the survey results to see if any identifiable trends are emerging.
Some persons would not commit to any particular status for 2016, so I did not count them. I am going to clarify in the instructions for the thread to see if persons will commit to the lowest status they likely will achieve in MP for 2016. If you post in the future, please commit to the lowest status you will likely have in MP.
DATA
SO...for the first 100 respondants reported in this survey, here is the breakdown:3 GS, 52 1k, 13P, 24G, 6S, 2GM.
33/100 report they plan a drop in status from 2015-2016. 62 report they plan to maintain status. 5 report they plan to increase status.
All 3 GS feel they will keep it.
35 1Ks report they will maintain 1K. 5 1Ks report they will drop to Platinum.
11 1Ks report they will drop to Gold or below
(several will maintain Gold through MM status) 1 1K aims for GS
3 Platinums report they will retain Platinum.
9 Platinums report they plan to drop to Gold.
(several will maintain G through MM...I will report later)
1 Platinum reports increasing to 1K
18 Golds report they will retain Gold ( several are MM...I will report this later)
4 Golds report they will drop to Silver. 1 Gold will drop to GM
1 Gold will increase to 1K
3 Silvers will retain Silver, 3 will drop to GM
1GM will aim for Silver, 1 for Gold
PLEASE READ POST #1 BEFORE RESPONDING TO THIS SURVEY. THANKS.
[2015] Version: Survey of plans you have in 2015 for earning 2016 Premier status.
Feb 13, 2015, 8:49 am
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,859
1. Currently Gold (MM)
2. Gold (Will rely on MM; not sure I will reach $5k PQD)
3. My travel is solely self-funded, and I no longer see enough value in focussing my spend on United. Without GPUs (was 1k in 2007-2014) I will now use Premium Economy on other carriers where available on international trips. Also, award flighs (burn accounts).
2. Gold (Will rely on MM; not sure I will reach $5k PQD)
3. My travel is solely self-funded, and I no longer see enough value in focussing my spend on United. Without GPUs (was 1k in 2007-2014) I will now use Premium Economy on other carriers where available on international trips. Also, award flighs (burn accounts).
Feb 13, 2015, 9:10 am
#107
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,393
(1) What is your MP Status on UA right now?
Global Services/3MM
(2) What are your plans for earning certain MP Premier status for 2016 AND how will you achieve that status?
Global Services by 8-10 full-fare international paid business or first class tickets. Additional domestic travel one to two times per month.
(3) What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain Premier Status in 2015 for 2016 with UA?
Global Services, if I can maintain it, provides me with the best choice for the benefits I need for my aggressive travel schedule. I also use *A partners as appropriate when flying to places not served by UA.
Global Services/3MM
(2) What are your plans for earning certain MP Premier status for 2016 AND how will you achieve that status?
Global Services by 8-10 full-fare international paid business or first class tickets. Additional domestic travel one to two times per month.
(3) What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain Premier Status in 2015 for 2016 with UA?
Global Services, if I can maintain it, provides me with the best choice for the benefits I need for my aggressive travel schedule. I also use *A partners as appropriate when flying to places not served by UA.
Feb 13, 2015, 9:21 am
#109
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: Continental
Posts: 1,589
1. Currently 1K also MM
2. Possibly 1K, perhaps Plat.
3.Have 90K PQM booked for this year, but have to make the increased PQD.
Will need to do another TATL trip to do so, and also book some one way FC fares SFO-LGA to get to the 12K spend.
I am a leisure traveler, spending my own money.
I very tired of the constantly increasing PQD but the last straw for me is the new copays on the PS flights. After 20 years flying to EWR on CO, I refuse to do it in coach on an A320, 73G, or a 738. After the merger I started flying into LGA through DEN and PS flights to JFK using miles to upgrade, but it is not worth an extra $500 and 40K miles for a RT upgrade.
I may do the AA EXP status challenge this summer, since they upgrade for free SFO-JFK. I did a status match in 2012, flew a roundtrip on AA and was treated like they appreciated my business, instead of being another over-entitled 1K on United.
If UA increases the PQD again this year as I expect, I'm done.
2. Possibly 1K, perhaps Plat.
3.Have 90K PQM booked for this year, but have to make the increased PQD.
Will need to do another TATL trip to do so, and also book some one way FC fares SFO-LGA to get to the 12K spend.
I am a leisure traveler, spending my own money.
I very tired of the constantly increasing PQD but the last straw for me is the new copays on the PS flights. After 20 years flying to EWR on CO, I refuse to do it in coach on an A320, 73G, or a 738. After the merger I started flying into LGA through DEN and PS flights to JFK using miles to upgrade, but it is not worth an extra $500 and 40K miles for a RT upgrade.
I may do the AA EXP status challenge this summer, since they upgrade for free SFO-JFK. I did a status match in 2012, flew a roundtrip on AA and was treated like they appreciated my business, instead of being another over-entitled 1K on United.
If UA increases the PQD again this year as I expect, I'm done.
Feb 13, 2015, 9:35 am
#110
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: Paid F
Posts: 238
1. Currently 1K also MM
2. Possibly 1K, perhaps Plat.
3.Have 90K PQM booked for this year, but have to make the increased PQD.
Will need to do another TATL trip to do so, and also book some one way FC fares SFO-LGA to get to the 12K spend.
I am a leisure traveler, spending my own money.
I very tired of the constantly increasing PQD but the last straw for me is the new copays on the PS flights. After 20 years flying to EWR on CO, I refuse to do it in coach on an A320, 73G, or a 738. After the merger I started flying into LGA through DEN and PS flights to JFK using miles to upgrade, but it is not worth an extra $500 and 40K miles for a RT upgrade.
I may do the AA EXP status challenge this summer, since they upgrade for free SFO-JFK. I did a status match in 2012, flew a roundtrip on AA and was treated like they appreciated my business, instead of being another over-entitled 1K on United.
If UA increases the PQD again this year as I expect, I'm done.
2. Possibly 1K, perhaps Plat.
3.Have 90K PQM booked for this year, but have to make the increased PQD.
Will need to do another TATL trip to do so, and also book some one way FC fares SFO-LGA to get to the 12K spend.
I am a leisure traveler, spending my own money.
I very tired of the constantly increasing PQD but the last straw for me is the new copays on the PS flights. After 20 years flying to EWR on CO, I refuse to do it in coach on an A320, 73G, or a 738. After the merger I started flying into LGA through DEN and PS flights to JFK using miles to upgrade, but it is not worth an extra $500 and 40K miles for a RT upgrade.
I may do the AA EXP status challenge this summer, since they upgrade for free SFO-JFK. I did a status match in 2012, flew a roundtrip on AA and was treated like they appreciated my business, instead of being another over-entitled 1K on United.
If UA increases the PQD again this year as I expect, I'm done.
Feb 14, 2015, 3:36 pm
#112
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 828
(1) What is your MP Premier Status on UA right now?
1K
(2) What are your plans for earning MP Premier status for 2016?
Hope to make 1K again but it might be Platinum. I will have 2 trips to Europe in paid business and multiple cross country. Sometimes buy P or A fare if seems reasonable. PQD may be an issue this for 1K. No problem getting PQD waived from cc spend for platinum.
(3) What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain status on UA
Working towards MM. Like SDC; decent (not great) upgrades as 1K;
Waiting to see if the amount of elites has really decreased and if it will have any impact on upgrades
1K
(2) What are your plans for earning MP Premier status for 2016?
Hope to make 1K again but it might be Platinum. I will have 2 trips to Europe in paid business and multiple cross country. Sometimes buy P or A fare if seems reasonable. PQD may be an issue this for 1K. No problem getting PQD waived from cc spend for platinum.
(3) What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain status on UA
Working towards MM. Like SDC; decent (not great) upgrades as 1K;
Waiting to see if the amount of elites has really decreased and if it will have any impact on upgrades
Feb 14, 2015, 10:09 pm
#115
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New home in BOS
Programs: AA EXP, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 21
1. Gold
2. I should have enough work travel to requalify for Gold (2 trips to Asia, several cross country trips, a few trips to the midwest, and up and down the west coast). If I can spin it, I would like to get to Plat, but it might involve some creative family vacations or mileage runs. But we'll see what happens with the PQDs since I am usually required to buy the cheapest ticket possible and sometimes I have to pull teeth in order to fly United.
3. I started flying for work several years ago and just started with United. Ever since I qualified for Silver several years ago, I haven't left. Then I made it to Gold and definitely haven't left. Maybe it is being complacent or laziness, but qualifying for Premier (anything) has really improved my flying experience. Anytime I fly a different airline, I just feel like one of the cattle in the herd. Even though I'm not 1K or GS, I still have a better experience in general, so I'll probably stick with UA for a while as long as I can get the flights I need. If I ever get to MM, I guess I could always reconsider.
2. I should have enough work travel to requalify for Gold (2 trips to Asia, several cross country trips, a few trips to the midwest, and up and down the west coast). If I can spin it, I would like to get to Plat, but it might involve some creative family vacations or mileage runs. But we'll see what happens with the PQDs since I am usually required to buy the cheapest ticket possible and sometimes I have to pull teeth in order to fly United.
3. I started flying for work several years ago and just started with United. Ever since I qualified for Silver several years ago, I haven't left. Then I made it to Gold and definitely haven't left. Maybe it is being complacent or laziness, but qualifying for Premier (anything) has really improved my flying experience. Anytime I fly a different airline, I just feel like one of the cattle in the herd. Even though I'm not 1K or GS, I still have a better experience in general, so I'll probably stick with UA for a while as long as I can get the flights I need. If I ever get to MM, I guess I could always reconsider.
Feb 15, 2015, 8:54 am
#116
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,433
1. Lifetime gold thru MM
2. Could care less about getting back to 1k or Platinum. While the possible Elite UGs are nice, and my % of them have been high as a Platinum and 1k my main interest is an exit row aisle seat confirmed at time of booking. I have that with MM Gold.
3. I will fly UA to use up my certs and gift cards and travel bank but for the most part I will just burn my miles. UA cannot hold a candle to other carriers in international J and F cabins so I am switching to others if I am paying for a tkt.
If you try to compare UA GF to LH F on a US to FRA route you can see how UA is lacking. Out of EWR you have the United Club pre departure and you have a lovely buffet in the Senator lounge. Hard product can not be compared, especially with the new LH F product. UA gives you a tiny cup of soup in GF, LH gives you caviar. Flying from FRA to Ewr you get the LH FCT if you are in F. This is just one example where UA intl. falls short. There are many other comparisons also where UA fails in comparison.
2. Could care less about getting back to 1k or Platinum. While the possible Elite UGs are nice, and my % of them have been high as a Platinum and 1k my main interest is an exit row aisle seat confirmed at time of booking. I have that with MM Gold.
3. I will fly UA to use up my certs and gift cards and travel bank but for the most part I will just burn my miles. UA cannot hold a candle to other carriers in international J and F cabins so I am switching to others if I am paying for a tkt.
If you try to compare UA GF to LH F on a US to FRA route you can see how UA is lacking. Out of EWR you have the United Club pre departure and you have a lovely buffet in the Senator lounge. Hard product can not be compared, especially with the new LH F product. UA gives you a tiny cup of soup in GF, LH gives you caviar. Flying from FRA to Ewr you get the LH FCT if you are in F. This is just one example where UA intl. falls short. There are many other comparisons also where UA fails in comparison.
Last edited by cruisr; Feb 23, 2015 at 9:33 am
Feb 15, 2015, 10:36 am
#117
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RDU
Programs: UA Plat 2MM, Delta Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott cardboard
Posts: 1,699
1. 1K MM
2. 1K, probably by Sept 1. 4 flights to Asia, 2 in paid C + a few domestics + UA Signature Visa will do it.
3. I'm still around because I can't find anyone else that will upgrade me to HKG consistently. I'm batting 1000 on HKG upgrades over the last 10 years.
2. 1K, probably by Sept 1. 4 flights to Asia, 2 in paid C + a few domestics + UA Signature Visa will do it.
3. I'm still around because I can't find anyone else that will upgrade me to HKG consistently. I'm batting 1000 on HKG upgrades over the last 10 years.
Feb 15, 2015, 11:13 am
#118
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: STS/SFO
Programs: UA MM, AS MVP Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, National Exec Elite
Posts: 182
1. What is your MP Status on UA right now?
1K.
2. What are your plans for earning certain MP Premier status for 2016 AND how will you achieve that status?
At least Platinum with my Chase waiver due to personal domestic travel (monthly travel to YYZ and SEA). I will retain my 1K status if any TATL travel is required (and paid for) by my employer this year. Also I am getting close to MM and I will continue to fly UA until I get there.
3. What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain Premier Status in 2015 for 2016 with UA?
UA has the best non-stop route network from SFO. Their SDC policy is worth more to me than CPUs which rarely clear on the Economy fares I typically purchase from SFO. I've enjoyed great IRROPS handling as a 1K as well. But the combination of lower RDM earning and corporate travel policy (including complimentary Delta PM status) will have me flying Delta for domestic business travel.
1K.
2. What are your plans for earning certain MP Premier status for 2016 AND how will you achieve that status?
At least Platinum with my Chase waiver due to personal domestic travel (monthly travel to YYZ and SEA). I will retain my 1K status if any TATL travel is required (and paid for) by my employer this year. Also I am getting close to MM and I will continue to fly UA until I get there.
3. What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain Premier Status in 2015 for 2016 with UA?
UA has the best non-stop route network from SFO. Their SDC policy is worth more to me than CPUs which rarely clear on the Economy fares I typically purchase from SFO. I've enjoyed great IRROPS handling as a 1K as well. But the combination of lower RDM earning and corporate travel policy (including complimentary Delta PM status) will have me flying Delta for domestic business travel.
Last edited by alanro; Feb 15, 2015 at 11:40 am Reason: Clarity
Feb 15, 2015, 11:30 am
#119
Used to be 'IAD22066'
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K AA
Posts: 282
(1) What is your MP Status on UA right now?
1K (was GS)
(2) What are your plans for earning certain MP Premier status for 2016 AND how will you achieve that status?
I plan to keep doing international travel in BusinessFirst as needed and will use United as long as the quality of service remains good.
(3) What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain Premier Status in 2015 for 2016 with UA?
I'd like to stay with United. I don't like the PQD. It's not that I fear that I won't be able to meet the targets. I just don't want to be accused of trying to spend more (i.e. being accused of waiting until the last minute to purchase tickets) to earn PQD. With the PQD requirement, waiting until the last minutes was considered wasteful. Now it might also be considered dishonest.
If someone started flying 787s to Sydney, that could be tempting to leave United.
Dulles Airport... terminals C and D are a dump. If AA had direct flights from Dulles to the west coast without having to stop at DFW or ORD, that could be tempting just so that I could avoid terminals C and D.
^ SFO Arrivals Lounge... love being able to take a shower.
^ SFO and Denver (why can't Dulles be like this?)
United Club facility at Dulles
^ United Club staff at Dulles
United First club at Dulles
1K (was GS)
(2) What are your plans for earning certain MP Premier status for 2016 AND how will you achieve that status?
I plan to keep doing international travel in BusinessFirst as needed and will use United as long as the quality of service remains good.
(3) What are your reasons for seeking or not seeking certain Premier Status in 2015 for 2016 with UA?
I'd like to stay with United. I don't like the PQD. It's not that I fear that I won't be able to meet the targets. I just don't want to be accused of trying to spend more (i.e. being accused of waiting until the last minute to purchase tickets) to earn PQD. With the PQD requirement, waiting until the last minutes was considered wasteful. Now it might also be considered dishonest.
If someone started flying 787s to Sydney, that could be tempting to leave United.
Dulles Airport... terminals C and D are a dump. If AA had direct flights from Dulles to the west coast without having to stop at DFW or ORD, that could be tempting just so that I could avoid terminals C and D. ^ SFO Arrivals Lounge... love being able to take a shower.
^ SFO and Denver (why can't Dulles be like this?)
United Club facility at Dulles^ United Club staff at Dulles
United First club at Dulles
Feb 15, 2015, 11:46 am
#120
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: JZRO
Posts: 9,169
Good point, but an unethical practice of waiting until the last minute is nothing new. Before PQD, one could get 1.5x PQMs when H fares were the only available. That motivated unethical procrastination.