View Poll Results: Will you switch frequent flyer programs / what will you switch to?
Stay with UA (or join UA - please post)
233
42.75%
Change to American Airlines
28
5.14%
Change to Delta Air Lines
44
8.07%
Change to Alaska Airlines
28
5.14%
Change to non-US Star Alliance (please post which program)
53
9.72%
Change to non-US Oneworld (please post which program)
10
1.83%
Change to non-US SkyTeam (please post which program)
2
0.37%
Split alliances / programs (please post which programs)
28
5.14%
Cease preference for any program
91
16.70%
Retain no preference for any program
28
5.14%
Voters: 545. You may not vote on this poll
2020 MP changes — Will you switch loyalty programs? What program will you switch to?
Oct 15, 2019 | 1:00 pm
#196
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: United Premier Silver XD
Posts: 39
I'm considering match over to AS MVPG75K in July & completion of challenge to change my alliance.
but being based in NYC, needing to do a layover in West Coast to reach Florida just doesn't make sense to me... Any AS MVPG75Ks out there? How has your experience been?
As far as my flying patterns are concerned, I rarely fly OPM, usually do several transcons a year, 1 - 2 TATL and 1 - 2 TPAC each year, cutting it very close to 75K miles a year.
but being based in NYC, needing to do a layover in West Coast to reach Florida just doesn't make sense to me... Any AS MVPG75Ks out there? How has your experience been?
As far as my flying patterns are concerned, I rarely fly OPM, usually do several transcons a year, 1 - 2 TATL and 1 - 2 TPAC each year, cutting it very close to 75K miles a year.
Oct 16, 2019 | 9:12 pm
#197
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Portland OR
Programs: United 1K 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 560
I voted stay with UA. I’m a 15 year 1K, and based on this year’s flying I would already have qualified under the new rules (>$19K and 59 flights so far). With at least two long hauls to go (and probably three) I could hit $24K. Around $10K of that spend is on the company dime and $9K on me.
In fact Im looking forward to trying other *G airlines in J if there’s a good deal that could get better PQP for less personal spend, but it’s not essential.
If my business flying collapses I’ll have to re-evaluate and may go unaligned, but right now that’s not the plan.
In fact Im looking forward to trying other *G airlines in J if there’s a good deal that could get better PQP for less personal spend, but it’s not essential.
If my business flying collapses I’ll have to re-evaluate and may go unaligned, but right now that’s not the plan.
Oct 17, 2019 | 6:51 am
#198
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 258
I'm staying. I'll end this year at about 80 PQS and $22K (and 175K PQM). Last year was about the same. That doesn't include upgrades and some *A flying that probably puts me pretty close to, if not over, $24K
If I am understanding the plus points earnings correctly, I'll get the equivalent of 6 GPU and 4 RPU when I hit the segment minimum and $18K, with the equivalent of another GPU at $21K. So based on that, I won't earn quite as many GPU equivalents, but otherwise it's about the same for me.
If I am understanding the plus points earnings correctly, I'll get the equivalent of 6 GPU and 4 RPU when I hit the segment minimum and $18K, with the equivalent of another GPU at $21K. So based on that, I won't earn quite as many GPU equivalents, but otherwise it's about the same for me.
Oct 17, 2019 | 6:59 am
#199
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 5,227
Jeez this is a tough one. I'll hit 100,000 LT miles with UA by end of calendar year, having flown nearly exclusively UA this year. I was really looking forward to hitting 1MM flown with them. However, with UA now penalizing us for flying with them by forcing PQD down our throats I'm not so sure. I'm internationally based, and have the luxury of selecting any number of airlines (UA being merely one of them). Whilst UA is often the cheapest in terms of fares, the reason I choose them is mainly for the Premier benefits I can use on the flights such as extra baggage allowance. Checking my MP dashboard thus far I've got $1,059 in PQD which per the new system wouldn't even make my a Silver never mind the fact I flew 44,000 PQM across 15 segments of revenue travel.
As others have pointed out, now may be a time for me to go free agent and just choose whatever fares are the cheapest and get me the most status. Living in SYD starting next year and having to do a number of inter-continental trips, it's time for the airlines to make the case for me to spend money with them rather than me being blindly loyal to one! Thus far I'm looking at AS, OZ and A3 but would love to hear folks thoughts on which status is the easiest to get to and offers the best benefits. I'm inclined to stick with * if possible but am open to new possibilities.
Safe Travels,
James
As others have pointed out, now may be a time for me to go free agent and just choose whatever fares are the cheapest and get me the most status. Living in SYD starting next year and having to do a number of inter-continental trips, it's time for the airlines to make the case for me to spend money with them rather than me being blindly loyal to one! Thus far I'm looking at AS, OZ and A3 but would love to hear folks thoughts on which status is the easiest to get to and offers the best benefits. I'm inclined to stick with * if possible but am open to new possibilities.
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 17, 2019 | 7:53 am
#200
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LHR, MSN
Programs: FB Platinum, Marriott Platinum, GWR
Posts: 213
Being based in SG, will probably switch to Krisflyer. I travel to Europe, Australia, and US 2-3 times a year each. I was already taking the non-stop SIA flights (except to west coast/central US), but crediting to UA for the GPUs. With the new points, would be about 10,000 short based on this year’s numbers (and that’s flying paid business/first fares 75% of the time - just really cheap ones 
)
)
Oct 17, 2019 | 8:08 am
#201
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: United MileagePlus, Southwest RapidRewards
Posts: 54
I for one welcome this change.
I fly quite a bit - I will be at 31 segments and $9.5K spend at the end of this week, with more travel to come this year. However, only about 22-23K PQMs at the end of the week. Because I travel to a lot of small markets that are one hop from ORD, I have to grind and grind to only make silver. The other day I did my computation, and I'm at $0.39/QM flown.
However, someone who flies deep discount economy cross country a few times, maybe mixed in with a solo TATL trip can easily meet or beat my status, when I am likely a higher revenue passenger, and definitely more of a loyalist / frequent flyer.
If I have a similar level of travel next year, I'll be Platinum.
This is truly a change that helps the frequent flyer, not just the guy who puts more "... in the seat miles" by virtue of where he or she lives.
I fly quite a bit - I will be at 31 segments and $9.5K spend at the end of this week, with more travel to come this year. However, only about 22-23K PQMs at the end of the week. Because I travel to a lot of small markets that are one hop from ORD, I have to grind and grind to only make silver. The other day I did my computation, and I'm at $0.39/QM flown.
However, someone who flies deep discount economy cross country a few times, maybe mixed in with a solo TATL trip can easily meet or beat my status, when I am likely a higher revenue passenger, and definitely more of a loyalist / frequent flyer.
If I have a similar level of travel next year, I'll be Platinum.
This is truly a change that helps the frequent flyer, not just the guy who puts more "... in the seat miles" by virtue of where he or she lives.
Oct 17, 2019 | 8:35 am
#202
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: United 2MM
Posts: 182
Reluctantly staying for a few more years. At just over 1.8 million LT miles, I'll go for LT Platinum* and then go free agent. UA doesn't need me. I've been a 1K for years, spending less than $5,000 annually. So be it.
* but possibly extending my self-imposed deadline of mid-2021.
* but possibly extending my self-imposed deadline of mid-2021.
Last edited by dgdevil; Oct 17, 2019 at 9:01 am
Oct 17, 2019 | 10:21 am
#203
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA; But I'm a "Diamond Guest" Delta Diamond, UA 2MM
Posts: 2,375
When this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere, that will be $1059 of incremental revenue that United doesn't have.
Oct 17, 2019 | 10:28 am
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PIT
Programs: OZ Diamond, TK Elite, UA Refugee
Posts: 11,013
That's based on the fallacy, which I see repeated throughout this thread--that people on low fares represent a "loss" for United. The reality is they fill seats that would otherwise be empty. As long as the marginal revenue for that seat exceeds the marginal cost (i.e. the fuel cost for an extra 180lbs, the cost of printing the ticket, serving the extra soft drink, etc.), it makes sense to sell him that seat. And I'm pretty certain United always prices seats above marginal cost.
When this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere, that will be $1059 of incremental revenue that United doesn't have.
When this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere, that will be $1059 of incremental revenue that United doesn't have.
Last edited by dinoscool3; Oct 17, 2019 at 11:01 am Reason: Fixed word
Oct 17, 2019 | 10:36 am
#206
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAC, AA, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,523
That's based on the fallacy, which I see repeated throughout this thread--that people on low fares represent a "loss" for United. The reality is they fill seats that would otherwise be empty. As long as the marginal revenue for that seat exceeds the marginal cost (i.e. the fuel cost for an extra 180lbs, the cost of printing the ticket, serving the extra soft drink, etc.), it makes sense to sell him that seat. And I'm pretty certain United always prices seats above marginal cost.
When this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere, that will be $1059 of incremental revenue that United doesn't have.
When this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere, that will be $1059 of incremental revenue that United doesn't have.
So, I think the fallacy you may be falling for is not recognizing that UA (or any other business) can move pricing along the supply/demand curve as necessary to meet business requirements, but also not necessarily view those customers as valuable. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Furthermore, at the lowest price points, those seats will get filled, so even when "this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere" it will likely not be very hard for UA to fill that seat. They don't have to fill it with a 1K FTer...
Regards
Oct 17, 2019 | 10:39 am
#207
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,448
Oct 17, 2019 | 10:58 am
#208
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-Silver
Posts: 3,291
Not to mention, my fellow (relatively, I'd hardly call spending a thousands of dollars "low") low spend high mileage fliers are often ones who will stick through UA during economic downturns. Since I'm not flying on OPM, as long as I'm still getting a pay check I'd still be flying, when many corporate contracts will dry up the second the economy starts looking bad (which it will soon). But now I'll be taking my business elsewhere.
Oct 17, 2019 | 11:03 am
#209
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM, Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 5,227
That's based on the fallacy, which I see repeated throughout this thread--that people on low fares represent a "loss" for United. The reality is they fill seats that would otherwise be empty. As long as the marginal revenue for that seat exceeds the marginal cost (i.e. the fuel cost for an extra 180lbs, the cost of printing the ticket, serving the extra soft drink, etc.), it makes sense to sell him that seat. And I'm pretty certain United always prices seats above marginal cost.
When this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere, that will be $1059 of incremental revenue that United doesn't have.
When this guy takes his $1059 elsewhere, that will be $1059 of incremental revenue that United doesn't have.
Oct 17, 2019 | 11:04 am
#210
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Democratic People's Republic of the UK
Programs: Lifetime Gold, Global Entry, Hertz PC, and my wallet
Posts: 21,925