ek3494

When did you end up hearing from them/what did they have to say? Of course, very curious as apparently i've been ghosted

limey1K

First time GS here, flew three flights and then got shut down.

Other than what we've already been told, I don't believe we will be hearing anything from UA regarding status.

"We're pleased to confirm that you've requalified for Premier 1Kstatus for 2021. We will review 2021 United Global Services invitations at year-end.

It is bizarre to me that they're extending status for all other flyers yet neglecting GS, especially when AA and DL are showing their top-tier flyers how much they value their business. If UA doesn't do the same, I'll be switching airlines next year.

UA_Flyer

Just curious about those who have stated they would switch airlines next year if UA does not extend GS for another year:

1. Does this mean you will be a free agent in 2021 and just fly the airlines that offer the best services for the air fares within your budget?

2. Forget about your extended 1K status in 2021 (being a GS member in 2020) and benefits, start scratch as a general member, lower tiered elite members or 1K equivalent members in another program, and work your way up to GC (AA) or 360 (DL) status by the end of 2021.

3. You already have your GC or 360 extended, so leaving UA is a no brainer.

For 3, there is no brainer to switch. For 1 and 2, one has to sacrifice GS benefits in 2020 or 1K status in 2021 to do it, is it worth the sacrifice? UA may significantly reduce GS qualification threshold for 2021.

What are the considerations for making the switch other than not getting GS extended?

ironmanjt

Honestly, I'm starting to believe even 2021 will be a partially open travel year at best between border closings, restrictions, and virus spread. We probably won't see a year like 2019 again until at least 2022 or 2023. So hey, I'm taking things one day at a time right now. I'll travel when I can and it makes sense, and take whoever is most convenient for me if GS isn't there to incentivize me. (and most convenient is still often gonna be UA, being DC based...)

John Aldeborgh

Interesting, I take exactly the opposite view. My take on things is that we are building up demand for travel, that once the gates open there will be a rapid recovery. In my case, this is the longest I've gone without traveling in many many years. Once the international barriers come down, I will be traveling aggressively to make up for lost time. Anyone who feels video or phone calls are a substitute for customer face time, at least in the high dollar capital equipment world, is kidding themselves, relationships are perishable in a competitive world.

Dyce

Agreed, but I’m taking the same approach REGARDLESS of whether GS is extended or not...

ironmanjt

I have no doubt there is some pent-up demand, but the gates will never open - this is going to be very incremental and country by country. It's not like the world will open up again all at once one day.

...and for every story like yours, I'm hearing just as many "my company is realizing how much can be done virtually, and pretty sure I'll never travel as much again."

flybyFIRE

Anyone get an extension on their GS challenge? I got an extra 30 days, which obviously isn't going to help when the end date is May 30th. Bummer because I would have met the challenge easily if it weren't for the pandemic and I will be traveling again as soon as border open.

UA_Flyer

Both of you provide interesting perspectives. I guess it is down to the specifics of the industry, company and role/job description the person that will impact the business travel patterns.
Domestic business travel aside, international travels are more complicated. Some borders will be open and others will remain close, and there are those may not want American to enter while allow for others.

Speaking for myself, some of my international travels cannot be replaced with virtual meetings, but others will be replaced permanently as businesses have realized certain travels used to be viewed as necessary but it is not the case anymore Virtual meetings can be more productive. I understand if there are oversea's clients/customer related, then it is likely those travels will come back faster, but some of the internal business management and training related travels will likely not coming back. In addition, businesses are trying to find ways to cut cost and keep liquidity in check. There are certain businesses may increase travels because they need to sign up new clients and sell products overseas to survive and travel to meet perspective clients/customers is more important than trying to cut cost and save cash.

There are uncertainties and those uncertainties trigger my earlier questions asking why certain people are so sure they will walk away from UA if GS is not extended. Are people expecting travel to be back to pre-Covid 19 level so soon to generate enough travels to achieve top tiered status from scratch in OAL's program or earn GS equivalent status on AA or DL in 2022 based on anticipated travels within the 12-month period in 2021? If uncertainties hold, would it better off just ride it out with your current GS status on UA and soft-landing to 1K in 2021? Why walk way from with 11X multiples of RDM, extra baggage allowance, upgrades and other benefits during the time of uncertainties?

kb1992

I think all your points are valid.

But there is one important factor: human psychology. By refusing extension to the most selected high spending customers, while extending everyone else with elite status, UA is sending a message. This makes many current GS mad.

I really don't understand why UA has decided to alienate its best customers at this most difficult time, given that AA and possibly DL already extended their equivalent GS group.

John Aldeborgh

I'll start by saying I don't have a dog in this fight as I'm LT GS (as the result of many years of consistent travel) that said experience has taught me that my two biggest criteria for choosing an airline are convenience (schedule and # of stops) and habit. If you travel a lot, 200K+ BIS miles a year, you first and foremost concentrate on schedule, because you're always on the move, the airline that most often offers the best schedule becomes the "go to" carrier. I fly United because I fly United, they have good schedules for where I fly most, the experience is predictable, offers no surprises and importantly, I don't have to think. While at times I get annoyed at UA, my brain is hopefully occupied with higher value issues than worrying if the grass is greener on another carrier.

All of this said, I think UA would be foolish not to extend the status of this years GS members, plus add in any new comers that meet the latest "secret" spending criteria. Good luck and I hope we all get flying again (safely) soon.

UAflyer93

If UA does not extend, and I end up 1K next year, then I'll just go with whatever has the best schedule. I can quickly get highest published status on another airline -- whether through a match or simply by flying. I'd rather fly what's most convenient and get mid/high status on multiple airlines than be completely locked into UA. UA GS is special enough that I'll go out of my way to fly UA even if it's not the most convenient because I value the benefits of PN and tcon upgrades. 1K simply isn't. I'd rather fly B6 Mint, AA tcon first, LH First, etc.

Ari

Perhaps many in this thread. As always, flyertalk is a subset of the population. Those with solid year-over-year travel know not to worry, and most GS are probably thinking about other things right now anyway. This is probably only an issue in this thread.

311Hokie

This! I can't tell you how many times I've added a connection just to fly UA metal to attain/keep GS. If moved back down to 1K or no incentive beyond 1K, will go back to booking based on itinerary, price, and/or best hard product. No more stretching to ensure always flying UA metal.

LIH

This narrative certainly applies to me. With my travel ending abruptly in mid-March, I will have to fit the balance of the year travel in probably the 90 days after things are functionally open again (not just my comfort with travelling but the counter-parties we're meeting with being comfortable with having in-office guests). I will say though, I'll likely be doing more multi-city multi-day trips than my typical one RT a week which would be 1-2 days which probably means I'll be marginally less profitable to UA with just fewer outright legs.