What is your favorite former United benefit?
Feb 15, 2016, 9:09 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
The "Sweet spot" upgrades in my positive list are the tennis upgrades you're referring to. But prior to 2000, it was Y/C @ 24 hours only. I had endeavored to look up a mini history of UA system upgrade benefits here if of any interest.
A couple other benefits that exist in my very distant memory, but without many specifics - others may recall better:
A couple other benefits that exist in my very distant memory, but without many specifics - others may recall better:
- There were "tiered bonus miles" triggered during the year. I don't remember the mechanics exactly, but once you hit X premier miles in a year, you got a bonus of like 20,000 miles, etc.
- I also recall a benefit that was a "2 for" mileage redemption tickets. i.e. there was a price for 1 person, and then a discounted price if you were a party of two.
Feb 15, 2016, 9:21 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
If you want a blast from the past and my vote for the most prescient posting ever on FT, check out this classic original PremEx post about the newly introduced GS program from 2003. That single post is the one post that has always stuck with me, and I've never forgotten it. [Side comment: WOW, that actual thread lived all the way until the 2012 merger!]
Last edited by HeadInTheClouds; Feb 15, 2016 at 9:27 am
Feb 15, 2016, 9:22 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
A couple other benefits that exist in my very distant memory, but without many specifics - others may recall better:
- There were "tiered bonus miles" triggered during the year. I don't remember the mechanics exactly, but once you hit X premier miles in a year, you got a bonus of like 20,000 miles, etc.
Maybe that is what you are recalling?
Feb 15, 2016, 9:40 am
#50
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
I found some old article with a reference to them:
Airline program: United Mileage Plus
Minimum: 25,000 actual miles flown in one calendar year on United, Shuttle by United or United Express
Benefits: 25% mileage bonus for every flight and up to 100,000 miles in threshold bonuses...
Minimum: 25,000 actual miles flown in one calendar year on United, Shuttle by United or United Express
Benefits: 25% mileage bonus for every flight and up to 100,000 miles in threshold bonuses...
Feb 16, 2016, 7:28 am
#51
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
Feb 16, 2016, 8:35 am
#53
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
Ahh.. Man! When did we loose inherited status? That sucks.. I have not booked an award ticket for the family in a while and now I see that if I do what I usually do: Me paid (need PQM) and them award we can not all sit in E+..
Feb 16, 2016, 8:45 am
#54
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 107
Another erosion/devaluation of benefits. FF benefits are a thing of the past.
Last edited by Flyer1M; Feb 16, 2016 at 9:16 am
Feb 16, 2016, 9:31 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,644
When were you a 1K? Mid-90s, it was the "you could do no wrong" status with waivers and favors for pretty much anything. During the SFH, I pretty much got everywhere I was trying to go, mostly on time, and almost always in a cushy seat. It may not have been on my original flight, and as I would see the lost sea of humanity in snaking lines at ORD, I'd think "I'd never fly this airline if I didn't have my status."
Feb 16, 2016, 10:18 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
When were you a 1K? Mid-90s, it was the "you could do no wrong" status with waivers and favors for pretty much anything. During the SFH, I pretty much got everywhere I was trying to go, mostly on time, and almost always in a cushy seat. It may not have been on my original flight, and as I would see the lost sea of humanity in snaking lines at ORD, I'd think "I'd never fly this airline if I didn't have my status."
It's the 1Ks that have taken the biggest hit.
Feb 16, 2016, 12:56 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
I'm going to say blocked middle seats next to 1K flyers. Now there is hardly a middle to be found.
It seems like just yesterday I had to go down to the airport and sign the "blueys"
It seems like just yesterday I had to go down to the airport and sign the "blueys"