How many are REALLY leaving UA? [ARCHIVE]
#961
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Calif./Eastern Ida.
Programs: Amethyst Premier Plutonium Medallion
Posts: 20,640
I would imagine that the comment is in regard to PQ$ and perhaps the 2015 increase over 2014 required levels, particularly with the comment about moving to the only mAAjor progrAAm without $$ requirement.
#962
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
But PQD has nothing to do with MM. But yes, I forgot they raised the PQD requirement this year for each level.
#963
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
As someone who is now over 935,000 lifetime miles, but may have a tough time with the new 2015 PQD thresholds, the comment makes perfect sense to me. Especially since one of the key MM benefits is gifting current status to a partner. If, due to PQD requirements, that's only going to be Gold from here on out, then MM status is not nearly so valuable as if I were gifting 1K or Plat.
#964
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
As someone who is now over 935,000 lifetime miles, but may have a tough time with the new 2015 PQD thresholds, the comment makes perfect sense to me. Especially since one of the key MM benefits is gifting current status to a partner. If, due to PQD requirements, that's only going to be Gold from here on out, then MM status is not nearly so valuable as if I were gifting 1K or Plat.
But maybe I was just reading their comment in a way they didn't intend.
#965
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania
Programs: Milege+, SkyMiles, AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,685
I haven't flown with UA in a long time, but I'm trying them out again twice this Summer. Having flown AA, B6, and US recently, I have found JetBlue my favorite, but their destinations are so limited.
#966
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
I didn't say it's worthless. But there's no question that for many travelers, increasing PQD thresholds, combined with endless cuts in benefits, degrades the value proposition.
What I see here is quite a few longtime 1Ks saying "enough . . . it's not worth it anymore." Your calculation may be different from theirs. Personally I'm not there yet, but I definitely get it.
What I see here is quite a few longtime 1Ks saying "enough . . . it's not worth it anymore." Your calculation may be different from theirs. Personally I'm not there yet, but I definitely get it.
#967
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
I'm going to drop this as the OP I was answering to has not come back to answer my question or correct my understanding and discussing with others what the OP's intent was is a fruitless endeavor. Your understanding of what they meant is different from mine so I'm tagging out until they come back.
#968
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
#969
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
Actually, he bought his "kia" from some guy named Jeff Smisik. Its actually a used Yugo with a "kia" badge glued on it, and it was priced like a caddy.... (United can not command Mercedes of BMW prices, even if inflated. ).
#970
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,592
As someone who is now over 935,000 lifetime miles, but may have a tough time with the new 2015 PQD thresholds, the comment makes perfect sense to me. Especially since one of the key MM benefits is gifting current status to a partner. If, due to PQD requirements, that's only going to be Gold from here on out, then MM status is not nearly so valuable as if I were gifting 1K or Plat.
#971
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Actually, hurting the person you were going to gift that 1K status to.
I'd be pissed if I were them, and you are only gifting me silver! Just because you want a more comfortable travel experience on some glitzy foreign airline!
Last edited by LarkSFO; Apr 30, 2015 at 11:53 am
#972
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777
But even Gold is not worthless. There is more to status than just upgrades and some fees waived. E+ at booking, *A lounge access, free bags among them. Yes, 1K or Platinum is better but I very much appreciated the benefits of Gold as a MM before I hit Platinum. And knowing I don't have to requalify for Gold is a little pressure off of attaining status.
But maybe I was just reading their comment in a way they didn't intend.
But maybe I was just reading their comment in a way they didn't intend.
#973
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,851
#974
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA 1K 1.45MM, Marriott+SPG Plat, Clear, Nexus, Global Entry and MEX Viajero Confiable
Posts: 1,777