May 12, 2016, 11:29 am
Last edit by: Surface Interval
May 2016 -- UA ran a targeted (unknown numbers) program to provide status bumps for some.
This included
- Some GM receiving a free E+ subscription,* some given Silver or Gold
- Some Silvers were bumped to Premier Gold status
- Some Golds were bumped to Premier Platinum status (no RPUs)
- Some Plats were bumped to Premier 1K status (no RPUs, no GPUs)
(* If given an E+ subscription, it will not appear under the "Subscriptions" section in one's MP account, but a message appears during the booking process that confirms E+ seats are available to such people. The E+ subscription is good only for U.S. flights, and maybe only for continental U.S. flights.)
Status bumps appear to generally be 1 level but there have been some reportedly 2 levels bumps (too small in number to have a high confidence level).
These status bumps are effective until end of January 2017.
The status bumps are only effective on UA/UX flights and does not include a bump in *A status. No MP card with bumped status will be provided (limiting ability to use for *A lounge access per UA e-mail). NOTE: there are a few reports of peoples digital cards reflecting the gifted bump in status. 2nd NOTE: There are also reports that the bumpees are getting the *A status associated with their bump in status.
No reports of equivalent bumps to GS.
Some were notified by email -- others noticed their bumps by viewing their online account.
The quantity, demographics or reason for this target promo have not be announced by UA. UA has acknowledged the program on some social media outlets (Twitter Link 1, Twitter Link 2, ...) More details can be found on this UA offer page TB3330. UA has suggested posting feedback at https://unitedairtime.com .
This included
- Some GM receiving a free E+ subscription,* some given Silver or Gold
- Some Silvers were bumped to Premier Gold status
- Some Golds were bumped to Premier Platinum status (no RPUs)
- Some Plats were bumped to Premier 1K status (no RPUs, no GPUs)
(* If given an E+ subscription, it will not appear under the "Subscriptions" section in one's MP account, but a message appears during the booking process that confirms E+ seats are available to such people. The E+ subscription is good only for U.S. flights, and maybe only for continental U.S. flights.)
Status bumps appear to generally be 1 level but there have been some reportedly 2 levels bumps (too small in number to have a high confidence level).
These status bumps are effective until end of January 2017.
The status bumps are only effective on UA/UX flights and does not include a bump in *A status. No MP card with bumped status will be provided (limiting ability to use for *A lounge access per UA e-mail). NOTE: there are a few reports of peoples digital cards reflecting the gifted bump in status. 2nd NOTE: There are also reports that the bumpees are getting the *A status associated with their bump in status.
No reports of equivalent bumps to GS.
Some were notified by email -- others noticed their bumps by viewing their online account.
The quantity, demographics or reason for this target promo have not be announced by UA. UA has acknowledged the program on some social media outlets (Twitter Link 1, Twitter Link 2, ...) More details can be found on this UA offer page TB3330. UA has suggested posting feedback at https://unitedairtime.com .
UA doing some targetted MP up-status changes [May, 10, 2016]
Jun 2, 2016, 3:19 am
#1471
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
Posts: 575
. Just curious, in your experience, does boarding group 1 vs 2 really matter? On some elite-heavy flights I can see a difference, otherwise it seems to be all appearances. I usually don't make boarding group 1 and board with 2, never noticed much difference.
Jun 2, 2016, 9:16 am
#1472
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K | MR Platinum
Posts: 492
Higher status is always better . Just curious, in your experience, does boarding group 1 vs 2 really matter? On some elite-heavy flights I can see a difference, otherwise it seems to be all appearances. I usually don't make boarding group 1 and board with 2, never noticed much difference.
. Just curious, in your experience, does boarding group 1 vs 2 really matter? On some elite-heavy flights I can see a difference, otherwise it seems to be all appearances. I usually don't make boarding group 1 and board with 2, never noticed much difference.
Jun 2, 2016, 12:04 pm
#1473
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
For me the whole point of boarding early is to secure overhead space for my 21" B&R. Normally I find space directly above or across from my seat (particularly in E+) but not always.
Jun 2, 2016, 6:36 pm
#1474
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Various tier levels of frequent flyer/hotel plans received for bellyaching about minor flaws in the service I received.
Posts: 610
FWIW - I told a colleague of mine "check your status to see if you've been upped to 1K." He had. He'd previously "given up" on United, but just booked a TPAC that was going to go to AA. So in my anecdotal world, the targeted upgrades seem to have served their purpose.
Jun 2, 2016, 7:30 pm
#1475
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
It's HUGE @ SFO. Group 1 is often half the flight (no joke) if you count GS. Group 2 is usually smaller but still sizable. Groups 3-4-5 are negligible. Similar @IAH and @IAD.
For me the whole point of boarding early is to secure overhead space for my 21" B&R. Normally I find space directly above or across from my seat (particularly in E+) but not always.
For me the whole point of boarding early is to secure overhead space for my 21" B&R. Normally I find space directly above or across from my seat (particularly in E+) but not always.
Jun 4, 2016, 11:11 pm
#1476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
Shot down as expected, though at least the response was polite:
Dear Boraxo:
We’re always glad to hear from Premier Gold members like you. Thanks for writing.
We appreciate your feedback on our MileagePlus® Premier Match promotion. We greatly value customers like you who have earned their Premier status by meeting annual thresholds, and assure you that most of our members have earned their status the same way.
The Premier promotion is an important marketing tool for us. Our research shows that many frequent flyers would switch to United if given a higher status. We offer conditional Premier status to encourage these customers to make United their first choice.
We are unable to upgrade your account to Premier Platinum as requested.
I have to admit this one stings more than most. I totally understand and support the concept of "status match" and "challenges." But to randomly upgrade some select percentage of members (presumably the least loyal ones) and ignore other more loyal ones is not good business sense.
All the more reason for me to fly SQ and LH as soon as I hit 1MM lifetime Gold.
Dear Boraxo:
We’re always glad to hear from Premier Gold members like you. Thanks for writing.
We appreciate your feedback on our MileagePlus® Premier Match promotion. We greatly value customers like you who have earned their Premier status by meeting annual thresholds, and assure you that most of our members have earned their status the same way.
The Premier promotion is an important marketing tool for us. Our research shows that many frequent flyers would switch to United if given a higher status. We offer conditional Premier status to encourage these customers to make United their first choice.
We are unable to upgrade your account to Premier Platinum as requested.
I have to admit this one stings more than most. I totally understand and support the concept of "status match" and "challenges." But to randomly upgrade some select percentage of members (presumably the least loyal ones) and ignore other more loyal ones is not good business sense.
All the more reason for me to fly SQ and LH as soon as I hit 1MM lifetime Gold.
Jun 5, 2016, 4:23 pm
#1477
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SDF
Programs: -=- UA: GS + 3.9 Million Miler; Hilton: Diamond; Marriott: Gold; Hertz: President's Circle
Posts: 676
At least the ranks in 2017 will be decreased when many of these 'gifted' members get returned to their earned status level.
Jun 5, 2016, 4:40 pm
#1478
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SFO South Bay
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 3,052
Jun 5, 2016, 4:54 pm
#1479
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,157
United has no respect nor loyalty for their frequent fliers. They just don't care.
Jun 6, 2016, 6:32 am
#1480
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
Yeah, sure. Much like the ranks of true 1K members were going to be smaller this year for those that actually met the increased spend requirement...until United just gave status away like candy.
United has no respect nor loyalty for their frequent fliers. They just don't care.
United has no respect nor loyalty for their frequent fliers. They just don't care.
I think UA has respect for all of us that earned the higher status, and I do believe they care. What they also do, however, is take us for granted. Holding a near monopoly in their hubs allows them to do that. Will it deter some of us from pushing all of our $ to UA? Sure. I've done it on a small scale, primarily out of spite when the $ and the schedule were almost identical on a few of my future flights. But I don't really have a choice in the future.
Jun 6, 2016, 7:01 am
#1481
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Platinum/LT Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,594
Yeah, sure. Much like the ranks of true 1K members were going to be smaller this year for those that actually met the increased spend requirement...until United just gave status away like candy.
United has no respect nor loyalty for their frequent fliers. They just don't care.
United has no respect nor loyalty for their frequent fliers. They just don't care.
I assume this stunt won't result in any measurable customer increase next year, so UA will move on to the next thing that takes it's loyal customers for granted.
Jun 6, 2016, 8:15 am
#1482
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,418
Jun 6, 2016, 8:22 am
#1483
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,157
I think the PQD did have some effect on elite ranks. In fact, I think that is one of the reasons for this stupid promotion. Instead of competing with less folks for the benefits, United back-peddled and swelled the ranks again.
I saw some crazy boarding group 1/2 lines at ORD this weekend. Reports of overcrowding at United Clubs have been more frequent. Good E+ seats are now harder to find.
So the reward for sticking with United and meeting the increased PQDs is a far crappier experience....oh, and lets not forget the insulting offers for extra RDMs compared to those that stopped giving United money.
Up until last month, I was pretty jazzed on my future with United. Things were looking up.
Stupid me.
I saw some crazy boarding group 1/2 lines at ORD this weekend. Reports of overcrowding at United Clubs have been more frequent. Good E+ seats are now harder to find.
So the reward for sticking with United and meeting the increased PQDs is a far crappier experience....oh, and lets not forget the insulting offers for extra RDMs compared to those that stopped giving United money.
Up until last month, I was pretty jazzed on my future with United. Things were looking up.
Stupid me.
Jun 19, 2016, 4:59 am
#1484
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: MA, USA
Programs: UA General member
Posts: 115
My two daughters got cards in the mail from UAL, announcing they'd been awarded a free Economy Plus subscription. Activating it on-line it says it runs through January 31, 2017. There's also an acceleration schedule for bonus MP earning based on spend for the base fare of UA flights.
My daughters haven't flown UA in maybe 1.5 years or more--just one partner flight a year ago. Alas, they're not likely to be using this perk, no trips planned that need flights.
I however would love to have this, but I guess since I actually flew on UA and LH for 2 round trips in the past year, I don't get the offer.
Looks like a targeted promotion. goes to www.united.com/your-exclusive-offer
My daughters haven't flown UA in maybe 1.5 years or more--just one partner flight a year ago. Alas, they're not likely to be using this perk, no trips planned that need flights.
I however would love to have this, but I guess since I actually flew on UA and LH for 2 round trips in the past year, I don't get the offer.
Looks like a targeted promotion. goes to www.united.com/your-exclusive-offer
Jun 27, 2016, 9:18 am
#1485
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 340
Any idea why I got free E+ on purchase (no status)?
Booked a one-way K fare and was able to choose E+ seats for free on both legs even though I have no status. Any idea why? Again, this was upon purchase and not during OLCI, and the fare is is significantly lower than anything else I've seen.
Was also offered $299 upgrade to GF (772, IAD-SFO) right after purchase — slightly regretting turning it down
Was also offered $299 upgrade to GF (772, IAD-SFO) right after purchase — slightly regretting turning it down