HoyaSFOIAD

I can absolutely see why some are excited by this - I would be too if I was a plat or gold spending a decent amount and not getting 1K.

For those of us that are "hardways" 1K's though (mostly domestic) the bloating of the (already bloated) 1K ranks is a devaluation. Now, how much of a devaluation is up for debate seeing as CPU's very rarely clear and many GPUs are left to die on the battlefield.

One thing is for sure: The Group 1 line just went from an already ridiculous 50 people to what will be obscene numbers at the hubs.

Making GS just got WAY more important.

greg99

This was my first thought, too.

Artpen100

I agree. I buy a fair amount of international businessfirst (when I can't upgrade), and even domestically will often buy up to first if the price is right. (Pretty much all for business. My employer only pays economy, the rest is out of my own pocket.) My PQDs have normally been at the 1K level already. But a quick look would show that I would be around 100PQMs had this been in place in 2016. Now, the one reason to me for chasing 1K would be to get the GPUs. I have never chased status before; getting to Gold on UA has just been the consequence of where the cheapest business class tickets and best routes were for me in 2015 and AF doing less discounting. I might still not make it, though. Another factor is that for next year's work trips BA may be the best choice.

wco81

How about more BF fare sales then?

StringerBellBivDeVoe

Furthermore, who does this really help? If you are one who is booking in F/J all the time anyway, what do you need status for? You're already in Group 1, you are getting your free checked bags, priority screening, etc. I just don't get it - combined with the revenue-based reward miles, they are really drawing a CLEAR line between the rich/OPM flyers and us plebs. And wouldn't this actually encourage some F/J flyers to NOT book F/J anymore knowing that they can get better CPU chances (I know, I know...) after they get their easy 1K?

Thumbs down.

SEA1K4EVR

Taking this a little further.. I'm wondering what is going to happen if you've paid for discounted first class (even an UP fare) and decide to SDC to a different routing where one segment only has economy available..either a 1 cabin RJ, or F is full so you're put in Y. Do you get 150% or 200%?

love_to_travel

This is good for me (not great, but good), since I've been buying mostly P fares anyways ^

greg99

Thinking about this some more, this is mostly about 2017. Sure, ranks will grow some over the course of the year, and we can quibble about how many people are doing 3-4 biz intercontinental flights a year and not already making 1K ( I personally think it's material but not overwhelming), but it's mostly a second half 2016/2017 issue.

Given that, I suspect, together with the (presumably) pricey enhancements they're making to C, together with AA's reduction in SWU's to 4, we're going to see some "changes we're going to like" to GPU earning or/and usage for 2017.

Otherwise the math doesn't work out...

Greg

TimInSF

Totally agreed! Kudos to United for this change. Yet another reason to purchase premium cabin fares.

Tim

StringerBellBivDeVoe

Maybe it is because I'm tied to hubs (ORD/SFO/LAX), but I'm not seeing anyone less than 1Ks getting upgraded anyway - as a 1K my CPU rate is under 35% already.

exerda

I think the intent of UA Insider's post was clear, and the CC spend PQD waiver will remain in place. It will also still only be valid up to Plat.


CPUs have been dead for a while IME. Heck, for me, RPUs are dead.

Hence one reason I like this change, as I have started buying the majority of my domestic travel as paid premium fares. It annoys me I haven't been able to use all of my RPUs, and have failed on baffling dates/times/routes, but given I have no control over that, I have sighed, given in, and bought F.


I'll be interested to see. Group 1 at IAD is already a nightmare; I don't know if it can get worse. OTOH, if you're already buying paid premium cabin fares, you're in Group 1 regardless of status, so the net effect will probably be less than we fear.


I've lost the RPU lottery on 6am flights. This will only serve to encourage me even more to buy paid F instead of using instruments (the instruments I'll use on friends & family).


I don't know that I have received a single CPU this year. Granted, I have bought a lot of paid F and C, but I honestly don't think I have had a single Y flight clear via CPU, even when booked in Y or B fares.

exerda

150% would be my guess: You'll earn based on the posted fare class. (I have been in that exact situation, too, even upfaring at SDC to go from my discounted F to a full Y fare...)

IAH-OIL-TRASH

You're also bumping Golds and Plats into 1K and issuing a lot more RPUs and GPUs to current 1Ks and GSs. People are already whining about the instruments not clearing - there's going to be a lot more vying for the same seats.

2358

i wouldn't be too sad. People who buy the front cabins are already Group 1, and are already paying for their F seats with $$ rather than CPUs. It will presumably be tougher to get upgraded from BF to GF on an International flight, but I see the real value in irropps.

As a GS, even a 1K, I would be offered more options than a Gold when things went wrong - as long as nothing else changes, no one really loses out too much from this change.

Brucemcdou

Another 'change I like'. Thanks UA! I already had four status - run flights booked in international P in January and February 2016 to jumpstart my status to Platinum; now those same flights will vault me to 1K. I'm the flyer who is apparently much despised, flying just four flights and making 1K. However, that's on my dime, thankyouverymuch. My employer only pays for the cheapest economy and I will pay my own way to upgrade if required.

That said, I agree with those who intuit that making it easier to make 1K must eventually result in downgrades to the benefits of the lower tiers, or perhaps the creation of new, higher tiers??? Either way, UA is focusing on the high value passenger with added benefits and services and it should pay off in the long run.