My disappointment with 1K, How to get more out of your 1K status.
So, after a couple of years of being a Plat, this year I am 1k. It was not easy, I did 89 domestic flights to make the PQM and PQD. I live in West Palm Beach so had to do many out-of-the-way routes to just stick with United (is all this status chasing really worth it? I ask myself? I often fly to SAC so would do routes like PBI-ERW-ORD-DEN-SAC etc, just to stick with United.
Anyway, so far this year, I have had quite a few bad surprises, in this order: 1. Not seeing any more upgrades than I did as a Plat - even on a 777 ORD - EWR flight where 28 people cleared before me ! 2. I found out there is no complimentary upgrade for SFO/LAX to ERW - rip off ! 3. And this is the biggest shock - I just tried to upgrade a LHR to EWR flight and found out that you have to have a certain FREAKING ticket class to use the 'free GPUs'!!!! Seriously, I did not even know that. So my K ticket is useless , but she said I can pay an extra 300 bucks to get the minimum W ticket!! So, not all my GPUs (which was what I chased 1k for in the first place ) are pretty worthless as it means paying an extra 400 bucks for a ticket just to freaking use them. WHat use is that?!! 4. Not that is exactly related to this, but still something else to be annoyed at my stupid airline loyalty, I looked at using points to visit UK in summer and they jump up from the usual 25k to 70K , each way! Again, what is the point of collecting these miles, then not even being able to use them when you actually need them ???!! Sorry, had to vent, it had been one disappointment after another this last couple of weeks |
Originally Posted by simonoaks
(Post 29447569)
(is all this status chasing really worth it? I ask myself?
Originally Posted by simonoaks
(Post 29447569)
2. I found out there is no complimentary upgrade for SFO/LAX to ERW - rip off !
3. And this is the biggest shock - I just tried to upgrade a LHR to EWR flight and found out that you have to have a certain FREAKING ticket class to use the 'free GPUs'!!!! Seriously, I did not even know that. So my K ticket is useless , but she said I can pay an extra 300 bucks to get the minimum W ticket!! So, not all my GPUs (which was what I chased 1k for in the first place ) are pretty worthless as it means paying an extra 400 bucks for a ticket just to freaking use them. WHat use is that?!!
Originally Posted by simonoaks
(Post 29447569)
4. Not that is exactly related to this, but still something else to be annoyed at my stupid airline loyalty, I looked at using points to visit UK in summer and they jump up from the usual 25k to 70K , each way! Again, what is the point of collecting these miles, then not even being able to use them when you actually need them ???!!
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As a first time 1K here's my thoughts:
Originally Posted by simonoaks
(Post 29447569)
1. Not seeing any more upgrades than I did as a Plat - even on a 777 ORD - EWR flight where 28 people cleared before me !
2. I found out there is no complimentary upgrade for SFO/LAX to ERW - rip off ! 3. And this is the biggest shock - I just tried to upgrade a LHR to EWR flight and found out that you have to have a certain FREAKING ticket class to use the 'free GPUs'!!!! Seriously, I did not even know that. So my K ticket is useless , but she said I can pay an extra 300 bucks to get the minimum W ticket!! So, not all my GPUs (which was what I chased 1k for in the first place ) are pretty worthless as it means paying an extra 400 bucks for a ticket just to freaking use them. WHat use is that?!! 4. Not that is exactly related to this, but still something else to be annoyed at my stupid airline loyalty, I looked at using points to visit UK in summer and they jump up from the usual 25k to 70K , each way! Again, what is the point of collecting these miles, then not even being able to use them when you actually need them ???!! Have you had any interactions with the 1K desk? That's a super valuable perk to me that is much more important. Also, make sure you get your free drinks and snacks in Y! Even if you don't want anything, it's worth getting. |
WOW!!! :eek:
I'd definitely change airlines. S/W via WPB-PHL-DEN SAC & back SAC-BWI-WPB would possibly be just the ticket! |
Originally Posted by BThumme
(Post 29447612)
Even if you don't want anything, it's worth getting.
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Depending on how far out you book, the lowest fare might already be GPU eligible. Last night I book a trip to LHR in 3 weeks and the lowest available fare was "W" and my GPU cleared at booking.
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Originally Posted by sbm12
(Post 29447631)
How is this worthwhile? Eating food you don't want just because it is free seems like a pretty bad way to approach life.
And since this is a thread about a new 1K member, it's important to remind them about their benefits, since if they didn't know about needing a W or higher fare to use a GPU, there's a chance they don't know about this. |
Originally Posted by simonoaks
(Post 29447569)
I often fly to SAC so would do routes like PBI-ERW-ORD-DEN-SAC etc, just to stick with United.
For my part, I made a nearly $3k dollar run to keep 1K -- which a lot of people here would consider crazy. But I don't really regret it because I already knew where to count my CPUs and GPUs, and I made a fun trip to Maui out of it rather than doing a same-day turn. Really, I'm already happy to look at it more like United gave me an incentive to let loose and take an impulsive vacation I never would have done otherwise. I'm still not "loyal" in any blind sense; when another carrier is less for F than UA wants for Y, with a better schedule to boot, I'll fly the other carrier. But I think the bottom line is that "I sacrificed so I deserve things" is the wrong way to look at it. You'll get a huge number of opportunities to save money here and there (via awards and upgrades), but you won't be able to consistently pay for one thing and get another. But as always, ymmv |
After a couple years of being plat, you maybe should have known that LAX/SFO-EWR isn't a CPU-able route? Otherwise, what would be the point of those RPU's? Or what's the point of "PS".
So you think being able to upgrade a 600-700 economy ticket to a lie-flat business ticket for a 12-14 hour flight is worthless? Um, there are dozens here who would happily take those worthless GPU's. Not worthless IF (and a big IF) it clears. Look at the delta pricing between economy and business. |
I fell to Plat this year after an amazing 5 year run as a 1K. Wanna swap??
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Originally Posted by simonoaks
(Post 29447569)
...
2. I found out there is no complimentary upgrade for SFO/LAX to ERW - rip off ! 3. And this is the biggest shock - I just tried to upgrade a LHR to EWR flight and found out that you have to have a certain FREAKING ticket class to use the 'free GPUs'!!!! Seriously, I did not even know that. So my K ticket is useless , but she said I can pay an extra 300 bucks to get the minimum W ticket!! So, not all my GPUs (which was what I chased 1k for in the first place ) are pretty worthless as it means paying an extra 400 bucks for a ticket just to freaking use them. WHat use is that?!!... Rules of GPU use are pretty well presented at united.com. You can choose to ignore everything UA provides about using GPUs, but that doesn't seem to be working for you. $400 for an upgrade to Business from coach (vs buying a business fare) - even I think you can do the math. If it clears, it's worth it. Most people see buying the W fare and it not clearing as the problem, not actually spending the fare differential of $400 (or whatever) for the upgrade that does work. Defining how benefits work on your own leads to disappointment. I'd suggest becoming familiar with United's !K benefits, both at united,com and here. |
Originally Posted by IAH-OIL-TRASH
(Post 29447749)
I'd suggest becoming familiar with United's !K benefits
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also disappointed as 1K
I was 1K last year. I had a similar experience as the poster in this thread.
In my case, I knew that I need at least W to use GPUs. But still -- this seems like a ridiculous requirement. The 6 GPUs are massively advertised by United. The W requirement not so much. This is a bait and switch. In September 2017, I even bought a W ticket and paid $200 more for it over the K price, but then my GPU still did not clear. This was on a LAX - Taiwan route. There were 10 people in the waiting list ahead on me. Go figure. Never again. UA, those $200 will cost you dearly, in my lack of future business with you. Because of these ridiculous rules, I was not able to use all of my GPUs. They expired on Jan 31 2018. Actually, at the end of January, I attempted to upgrade a friend on a EWR-SFO route using my remaining GPUs. It failed. It was pathetic. My friend, a general member, got all excited about potentially being upgraded, since they know I have the 1K. When my GPU upgrade did not clear, I felt very bad. Seriously, I wish there was a "DELETE" button to just delete the GPUs from my account. They do more harm than good. So, I did not bother re-qualifying for 1K. I voted, and continue to vote, with my dollars. Hope you will too. |
I'm a first-time 1K this year. And I'm pretty happy with it. I've been upgraded twice on widebody flights -- FCO-ORD (GPU); IAH-LAX(CPU) -- so far this year, and it was pretty nice. But perhaps my expectations were more commensurate with reality? And I definitely feel as though United personnel mean it a little more when they thank me for my business.
My GPU may not clear for my ORD-MUC flight next month. But I really like the idea that it might. That was something I never had until 1K. I should cross the million-mile mark in early 2019. I'm hoping that make 1K this year 'cause I'd much rather gift mrs. iapetus 1K status than platinum status (though I think she'd appreciate either). :) |
Originally Posted by pixelator30
(Post 29447778)
Because of these ridiculous rules, I was not able to use all of my GPUs. They expired on Jan 31 2018. Actually, at the end of January, I attempted to upgrade a friend on a EWR-SFO route using my remaining GPUs. It failed. It was pathetic. My friend, a general member, got all excited about potentially being upgraded, since they know I have the 1K. When my GPU upgrade did not clear, I felt very bad. Seriously, I wish there was a "DELETE" button to just delete the GPUs from my account. They do more harm than good.
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