ani90

I don't know why you would say that. A lot of us have a significant component of our travel on OPM. That is not the discussion. We were only explaining why a GS might not be able to afford (or be unwilling to pay for) a business ticket for personal travel. There is a reason business class is called 'business' class - many who travel in it are traveling for business - often on other peoples money.

With the introduction of PQDs it is increasingly difficult for many to obtain the higher elite status (Platinum or 1K) on leisure travel alone (except for those wealthy enough to buy expensive fares with their own money).

How high was you spend or how much did you travel last year?

WineCountryUA

Getting Personal

A reminder, FT is intent to be a resource for travellers and their (in this case UA) travel related issues and "be a friendly, helpful and collegial place."

Additionally, This includes the OP or a group of posters, such as the GS community. Let "discuss the issue, not the poster" be the guide.

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

iflyuaaa

it's not this thread, it's years of reading FT - there are many voices who despise those who spend OPM

I spent just under 40k last yr. almost all of it international business class but mostly p fares. one d and one j but the j was a AA invol

WineCountryUA

UA's GS qualification process is a "black box" but there is much speculation on that process in
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...iscussion.html
and
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ns-2017-a.html
and
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ions-only.html
plus the 2016 threads.

Let's not start another thread on the issue.

mahasamatman

I think you mean PQD, but there are waivers for that (credit cards and foreign residents) as well.

Chukiechz

When I fly for personal travel, I travel as cheaply as possible. Although when that's a family of 4, there's no such thing as cheap. All of our trips are award miles + GPU/RPU.

I definitely feel OPs pain of an extra $1000 for a economy W fare (I'm assuming it's a personal trip).

ani90

Thanks. Corrected.

PushingTin

Oh no, let's not get started on gifted GS....

Someone eventually is going to look at how the majority of people get nothing out of FF programs and the features are rarely delivered. That most GS are probably on some else's dime for the flights that get them the benefits, but the status follows them, not their business is overlooked when every level is getting some. You make it so that the GS, the 1%, are getting effectively a kick back and you leave it so that the benefits of the program have to claimed or taxed. With the anti elite fervor on both sides, that is a pretty easy target.

The devaluation of miles, the scarcity of upgrades, the queering of the system towards top elites only, then you add in the new Basic Economy fares... not a pretty picture.

Now, I bet the majors would love to get rid of their FF programs and their expectations and just monetize and cash flow everything, for now while the economy is hot. They are scrambling to re-cartel the industry before the next big slow down.

keisari

I have never been nor will ever be GS.
If I could spend that kind of money would NOT fly UA
but......... I agree with you. It is very ironical that a newly minted GS who is supposed to be the cream of the cream of UA will be in coach. E+ is same crap as E- with 4 extra inches.

Do you have a "special" phone number you can call?
Just call and ask very nicely if anything can be done.
Maybe you could upgrade with miles or they could make an exception.
You have nothing to loose - if you are very nice and laugh it off with the CSR.

UA is not the best in customer service but I have been pleasantly surprised before (not in asking upgrades but other things)

jgsx

hilrious.

UA_Flyer

I don't quite understand the purpose of this thread. I know GS flyers do sit in Y (including myself) more often than one may think.

NH_Clark

+1
Was sorta of thinking the same thing.

jgsx

Exactly. This is such a dead topic. Some don't understand that just because you're GS doesn't mean you usually travel on paid premium or Y/B economy, and are not expected to either. It's like those that say rich people only fly private charter vs international first.

iflyuaaa

I tried to make that clear if you read the very first line of my OP, "Pointless thread"

I'm pretty sure the airlines already pay people big bucks to do these things. and that's why we've seen such dramatic evolution of the programs in recent years. And the reason they keep them is they believe (rightly or wrongly) that it drives business. They learned a few years back that in many cases it was driving unprofitable business which is why they restructured the programs. but in the end, if they can give somenoe who spends OPM a few thousand worth of incentives and that person drives high value spending to the airline, then the airline views it as a big net win for them.

On the second part about it being OPM, the airline cares about who drives the decision, not who writes the check. it is completely irrelevant to them who signs the check - they are targeting the decision maker which in most cases is the traveler.

EQDsSUCK

Sorry for the stupid question, but how is one granted status?

So, just curious, if you could spend that kind of money what would you fly? Seems like all airlines are pretty much the same. And spending $50,000 per year won't get you very far in private air travel.

I don't know the rules. If you are on a K fare, its just never upgraded?