StringerBellBivDeVoe

That is not what I meant to say. I'm saying that it will make it that much harder to land an upgrade (by any means), and that if you want to sit in first, you're going to have to buy it. I don't think anyone is going to buy up for the PQMs (unless maybe the price is super-lucrative, but I doubt that is going to have any wide-spread effect).

This is a good theory, and probably the most likely reason. I can't really think of any other compelling reason for UA to do this otherwise.

chitownflyer

I very much like the fact that the PQM bonus is extended to Star Alliance partners such as Lufthansa and Swiss.

HoyaSFOIAD

The group you're not taking into account is those of us that are 1Ks mostly based on domestic travel who go well beyond 100k PQM (150k+), still end up spending a boatload 30,40,50k and miss GS. Every incremental PQM in that scenario is worthless and the devaluation hits those miles. These are the customers UA kinda leaves in in the dust with changes like this.

Delta did something about this with DM. United needs to consider it.

StringerBellBivDeVoe

I'm in the same boat as well. What they should do is instead of doing all this tracking of status and perks, is scrap the FF program altogether and just sell different tickets for different class of service at different prices for those who can pay for them. Oh wait....

PaulInTheSky

So, if one is able to net a BF fare 2x of the W fare and they get 2x PQMs, then it's better to just pay BF once a while.

Two BF US-Asias will be already 80k PQMs. Nice and easy. ^

IAH-OIL-TRASH

Uh, I believe the OP's issue is not meeting PQDs - it's getting the PQMs which is the dilemma of those who travel on high $ tickets, but not a lot of trips. The OP probably easily clears the PQD hurdles, but the PQM requirements have been keeping him/her on United or *A. Now that he/she gets the PQMs faster, other (more convenient) airlines will benefit.

I think the point is well taken - if RPUs an GPUs become harder to use than they are now (due to mushrooming 1Ks and Plats), PQMs beyond the qualifying threshold to get those upgrade certificates become less of an incentive to stick with United.

Zeug

Yep, I'm in this boat as well. I'll do 130K PQM this year. About 50% domestic. Another 50-100K does almost nothing for me. I will still be 1K at around $35k PQD. I might get a few more RPU/GPUs BUT, I see a lot more 1Ks in 2016 with this program change and that will just dilute my already dismal CPU success.

Nothing in this for me....

og

Thanks UA. I'm very happy with this change. I hope it's not mitigated by an enhancement to requirements for requalification in a years time. This will make it a comfortable year to maintain UA G for my 11th consecutive year.

alexperi

I guess this goes to show that I'm the customer who UA doesn't care about. 1K several years in a row but all earned through Y international. Company certainly won't pay for me to fly first class so the extra PQM are irrelevant to me, and it will make my occasional GPU upgrade successes even more occasional...

Still, as long as this is the only change for next year, it's not so bad.

dank0014

Well this sucks....now more 1K's. I see this as a major devaluation to their current 1K's....meaning benefits will become less and the perks go down more, creating more separation between 1K & GS.

The only benefit this will help me with is that I'll earn more RPUs and GPUs, but honestly, what is the positive in that when they never clear.

Mike Jacoubowsky

Looks to me like the first step towards functionally eliminating CPUs. Basically an attempt to make people actually want to pay to sit in F, rather than get upgraded, for the extra PQMs. What I would expect next would be a new way to prioritize the upgrade list, possibly using an algorithm that includes PQDs.

I think this could have a substantial effect on increasing paid upgrades to F (at least those that would qualify for the DPQM bonus).

A smart business move, I think. A few years ago, no way. Comp'd upgrades into F were an elite entitlement. Jeff's reign weaned many of us off that train. The kickback today won't be anything like it would have been three years ago.

How will it effect me? 'Cuz it's all about me, right? As a Plat, I haven't predictably had a seat in F for the past three years. Main thing, I think, will be that better seats in Y won't be suddenly opening up at the clearance windows like they used to.

Absolute serious in saying this is a really intelligent change by United. The lower-tier HVFs will simply be buying into F instead of thinking an upgrade might clear. United has most likely satisfied the majority of people who matter to the bottom line. Those falling underneath, well, there's always "the network." That and Katie Nolan.

edcho

I don't think there will be too many additional 1Ks cause if they are spending that much in the first place, they (more often than not) probably got comped to 1K anyway.

Your second point I agree with although there will be more RPUs and GPUs in the system + less F space because people would be buying more F. The net result would be less upgrades opportunities for elites.

ljwobker

May I pointout that these people, who only fly 3 round-trips a year, a not the ones we should be worried about. Because they only fly three roundtrips a year, they're not the people were competing against for upgrades.

I could care less how many 1K flyers there are in the united system. I care a great deal about how many 1K flyers there are ahead of me on the list for a single given flight.

Air Houston

Thanks UA. This is great for me and should result in 2 extra RPU's next year at minimum.

I don't buy the conspiracy theories. This is simply matching the AA earning rate to avoid loss of customers. Nothing more, nothing less. Just smart concern about being competitive.

cfischer

Nice move UA ^ although 300% only for F and J is tough ... would have been nice to see intl. A also @ 300%. 200% instead of 150% and not having to avoid LH/OS on P fares is HUGE for me ^