I haven't done anything "official" like go before a notary or a judge, but I do intend to move my revenue flights to Delta Air Lines™ for 2020. I have nothing against United® and I've done well as a Premier Gold℠, but the new conditions (especially the elimination of the cc PQD waiver) make it impossible for me to achieve even Premier Silver℠ status on United® in the future.

But I'm not "dumping" them until I use up the 400,000 RDM I've accumulated over the years.

UA losing revenue would qualify as consequences. Its a shame really - and I kind of feel for UA. They cant test this stuff. I am just waiting for the first airline netflix moment where they shoot themselves roundly in the foot and have a material impact on their own operating results.

The cc PQD waiver is a dealbreaker for me too as a Silver and I'm looking into transferring to the Sapphire Reserve and Ultimate Rewards for miles accrual, while using the miles I have. I'm wondering though - is there ANY program that, as a silver, is any better? The United Club has gone downhill as well, so I'm not that concerned about losing access - I have the AMEX clubs and prefer them anyway. Where would you go? I can do any of the NYC airports, though I avoid LGA like the plague - who knows, maybe it'll improve when they're done (HAH!) with the never ending construction.

Living in RDU and doing a lot of business travel in the southeast, United is already my number three program. They just aren't competitive for me here compared to AA and DL. Furthermore, I only made Platinum last year thanks to a really good RDU-PEK fare. This year I'll likely only make Gold (thanks P fare PQM getting cut) and to be honest I've seen so few benefits in Platinum over Gold that that isn't really a big deal.

I will, however, strive to keep Gold because I go to Europe a half dozen times a year and Star Gold is so valuable there.

I am a 1K that will be moving away from MileagePlus beginning sometime next year and am looking for recommendations about other programs. (I looked for a forum about "which program should I join?" but it doesn't exist. )

This is my situation:

• I am at 950,000 miles on UA. I'll keep crediting to MP until I reach 1,000,000 by midyear and then I'll be looking at something else.
• I will continue to fly to Asia UA until I use up my 4 GPU equivalents next year. I never have a problem using them up because I'm flexible.
• I'm leaning toward StarAlliance--at least for next year--because I'll be flying on UA as I burn through the upgrade points. I also have *G.
• I fly mostly to SE Asia/HK/China about 3-4 times per year. Been using W+ fares on UA and upgrading with GPUs.
• I fly around within SE Asia a LOT as I live over there half the year.
• I fly to South America from the US 1 time per year, usually in paid business class.
• I usually take another 1-2 international trips to somewhere I haven't been--that's mostly Africa/Scandinavia/Middle East/Northeast Europe. (This makes Turkish interesting due to their huge number of routes to atypical locations.)
• I usually have 2-3 domestic trips in the US.
• My main goal would be Y to J upgrades. Free flights would be second to that.
• I know that First Class Flyer has strategies to buy miles. Never much considered this before as I was focused on status, but might now.

I saw this article, which is interesting, but the focus seems to be on getting *G which I probably don't need due to the 1MM status
https://thepointsguy.com/news/star-alliance-credit-flights-elite

Would love to hear any suggestions regarding what program(s) I should switch to? Also which programs to avoid.

Where should you go to? Your wallet, and your wallet only.

With almost Star Gold lifetime, you need to ask yourself what exactly you want after you reach 1MM. The goals and expectations you specified did show LH and TK are your best bet. Keep in mind that on NH and LH, you can use the GPUs to upgrade to Business on their metal.

Y to J upgrades on long-haul international are mostly a US legacy thing. Very few foreign carriers offer them, and if they do, it's only at tier levels that are at least as difficult as 1K to achieve (e.g., LH HON or CX Diamond). So if that's a key criterion, you're unlikely to find a better program than UA.

I've heard LH's program is awful though. All the Germans I know said "don't" haha. No problem flying LH, but maybe crediting elsewhere.


Well, I won't be getting anything on UA but maybe Silver so no benefit to staying as I'm already Gold for life.
Also on UA 1 mile flown is meaningless since you earn award miles on money alone. Their earnings are already low at 11X. They are totally not worth bothering with at the Gold rate—especially now that there are no award charts either. LOL I only hung around with them the last few years for the status.

But, yes, I was wondering about this issue. And that's a reason I'm thinking about the First Class Flyer route for stuff I'm not reimbursed for.
But when I am reimbursed, I'm not sure I can explain that strategy. LOL

I know EK offers Y to J for miles. I've used them a few times.

I've been buying J on various carriers (including CX, JL, EK, and SQ) and crediting to AS. It's a phenomenal deal. You earn a boatload of miles, and get free award changes with MVP Gold or higher. The TPAC redemption options are very good. Flying JL F next week for 70k.
Many carriers offer some version of that. Not really a status benefit.

Do you ever actually fly AS? You're in SFO, but I live in Florida and they're not really much of an option here.


True, but depends on how easy the miles are to get.

Interesting. When you say the seats are available at T-24, do you mean as an upgrade from your coach ticket?

Where do you credit your *A miles? Still UA?

Shackled to UA at SFO 😓

If you're only crediting for *G you should look at Aegean's program: 48K miles first year and 24K miles every year after that to get *G and both are halved if you actually fly on Aegean once.

Sad!

At least for the next three years I will be with UA. I anticipate 250K BIS each year on UA and about 100K BIS on *A partners each year as well.

I will still earn 11x RDM on mostly UA premium fares and still earn enough upgrade Points from PQPs. lifetime GS is nice perks when I still fly around 350K BIS each year.

After three years, who knows what will happen to DL, AA or even AS. Maybe UA is the worst program three years from now. Too many uncertainties....

Anyone with lifetime 1K or GS should be comfortable enough with continuing with/on UA. ^


I've enjoyed Hainan Airlines, Etihad, and this coming week Singapore, Qatar and Lufthansa, since I ditched UA (although to be fair, not all the destinations are covered by UA).

All I can say so far is: "WOW, I never knew how truly bland United Airlines really is!"
I must have simply gotten used to mediocrity! Quite sad actually....

Mine does, I have a 220 ticket with UA & LH sectors from Feb to May next year