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?
#48
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Chicago IL US
Programs: UA 1K; National Executive Elite; Hertz PC & Hotels Galore
Posts: 946
Last few years my spend has ranged from $13-20k annually at +/- 110,000 PQM on 35-65 PQS. To maintain 1K status, I've done a couple of Q3 PQM runs. One year I SDC'd a Christmas Eve LAX-DEN-ORD to LAX-SFO-ORD to round out at 100,004 .
I'm going to have to wait and see what I do as no matter what, I'm still going to be hubbed in here in Chicago.
If UA materially enhances (actually enhances, not "enhances") 1K benefits, I'll likely reach for $24k by bringing some OAL travel to over to UA and taking an additional TATL trip .
Otherwise my last-minute, front-of-plane travel will go to free agency, with UA at the bottom of the totem pole (well, maybe ahead of WN -- I live off the blue line). Receiving gold benefits for spending $20k on 23-44 actual segments is not a significant enough inducement for me to stay on UA. It also leaves a bad taste in my mouth after all these years of flying the "hometown airline."
I post this on my 32nd anniversary as a MP member.
I'm going to have to wait and see what I do as no matter what, I'm still going to be hubbed in here in Chicago.
If UA materially enhances (actually enhances, not "enhances") 1K benefits, I'll likely reach for $24k by bringing some OAL travel to over to UA and taking an additional TATL trip .
Otherwise my last-minute, front-of-plane travel will go to free agency, with UA at the bottom of the totem pole (well, maybe ahead of WN -- I live off the blue line). Receiving gold benefits for spending $20k on 23-44 actual segments is not a significant enough inducement for me to stay on UA. It also leaves a bad taste in my mouth after all these years of flying the "hometown airline."
I post this on my 32nd anniversary as a MP member.
Last edited by onthesam; Oct 11, 2019 at 4:28 pm Reason: maths
#49
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Copenhagen - CPH
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, MileagePlus Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 41
This year, as 1K, I am re-qualifying with:
~120,000 PQM
~44.5 PQS
~$6,000 PQD
I don't live in the US, and in fact I can't even start any itinerary on United from Denmark (I usually fly off to LHR, BRU, FRA, MUC or AMS to get on a United flight to the US).
I wish I knew about this earlier, I'd have moved my stuff last year. I'll either go for LH or SK. LH and OS treat me better on board anyway.
So long United!
~120,000 PQM
~44.5 PQS
~$6,000 PQD
I don't live in the US, and in fact I can't even start any itinerary on United from Denmark (I usually fly off to LHR, BRU, FRA, MUC or AMS to get on a United flight to the US).
I wish I knew about this earlier, I'd have moved my stuff last year. I'll either go for LH or SK. LH and OS treat me better on board anyway.
So long United!
#50
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,195
It's like trading stamps that my mother used to save. Everyone did it, and now, you ask someone about it and unless you're a boomer, all you get is a blank stare.[/QUOTE]
Can I trade in my books of S&H for status? Or would that make me over entitled?
Can I trade in my books of S&H for status? Or would that make me over entitled?
#51
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,195
This year, as 1K, I am re-qualifying with:
~120,000 PQM
~44.5 PQS
~$6,000 PQD
I don't live in the US, and in fact I can't even start any itinerary on United from Denmark (I usually fly off to LHR, BRU, FRA, MUC or AMS to get on a United flight to the US).
I wish I knew about this earlier, I'd have moved my stuff last year. I'll either go for LH or SK. LH and OS treat me better on board anyway.
So long United!
~120,000 PQM
~44.5 PQS
~$6,000 PQD
I don't live in the US, and in fact I can't even start any itinerary on United from Denmark (I usually fly off to LHR, BRU, FRA, MUC or AMS to get on a United flight to the US).
I wish I knew about this earlier, I'd have moved my stuff last year. I'll either go for LH or SK. LH and OS treat me better on board anyway.
So long United!
#52
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 894
100+K already booked for 2020 travel
I won't be eligible for continuing 1K status based on miles plus spend
Itineraries are combinations of UA and NH. Where would be the most advantageous to switch FF Programs and then credit these UA K miles?
Multiple EWR-KUL trips purchased for 2020 travel. ALL have schedule changes. What's the chance of refunding all of these itineraries due to multiple schedule changes?
Should I do this with 1K desk? Would it be better to do cancellations one by one on different telephone contacts, or does it not make a difference?
Itineraries are combinations of UA and NH. Where would be the most advantageous to switch FF Programs and then credit these UA K miles?
Multiple EWR-KUL trips purchased for 2020 travel. ALL have schedule changes. What's the chance of refunding all of these itineraries due to multiple schedule changes?
Should I do this with 1K desk? Would it be better to do cancellations one by one on different telephone contacts, or does it not make a difference?
Last edited by cagcag; Oct 11, 2019 at 8:05 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,642
OZ and A3 come to mind. You should go way past the *G qualification requirements for either of them.
#54
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 894
#55
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,642
#57
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,955
I’ve had such a great day today. It’s the first day since I first qualified for US Airways Gold status in 2002 that I literally have not given a moment’s thought as to how I would re-qualify for status on any airline after this year!
Going forward, my energies will be spent on finding discounted F/J or sniping for TOD’s, and I can nuke my 1K spreadsheet! (It’s like the airline equivalent of a mortgage-burning party.)
I can probably hit UA Platinum if I try, but I won’t think about it unless toward the end of the year I find myself getting close. I feel fabulous!!!
Going forward, my energies will be spent on finding discounted F/J or sniping for TOD’s, and I can nuke my 1K spreadsheet! (It’s like the airline equivalent of a mortgage-burning party.)
I can probably hit UA Platinum if I try, but I won’t think about it unless toward the end of the year I find myself getting close. I feel fabulous!!!
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,443
Perhaps we can wait until tomorrow to see if there are good suggestions for additions or changes. It would be nice to capture knock-on effects like credit cards or MM qualification, but with one question only I think this is a good focus. I'm not sure if Hawaiian merits specific mention.
Will you switch frequent flyer programs / what will you switch to?
[ ] no change (stay with UA)
[ ] change to American Airlines
[ ] change to Delta Air Lines
[ ] change to Alaska Airlines
[ ] change to non-US Star Alliance (please post which program)
[ ] change to non-US Oneworld (please post which program)
[ ] change to non-US SkyTeam (please post which program)
[ ] split alliances / programs (please post which programs)
[ ] cease preference for any program
#59
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,649
The fact that I can potentially obtain a *G status with UA this year, while I could not last year (which is why I went with another *A member instead). I don't fly UA much, and I certainly don't spend anywhere near what they wanted, nor do I hold a Chase card for the waiver. But flying approx. 60K "award" miles a year on other *A carriers is within the realm of possibility. I have flown 90K "award" miles based on Eurobonus count last year (although they are somewhat more generous with certain other carrier's earning).
UA Gold is a bit more valuable to me than other airline's *G as it gives me an occasional upgrade, if I do fly domestic (or to the Caribbean), possibly an E+ seat here and there, and also improves my use of UA miles (which are more valuable than Eurobonus miles, for example).
That said, I still won't fly UA much due to their poor service and terrible food.
UA Gold is a bit more valuable to me than other airline's *G as it gives me an occasional upgrade, if I do fly domestic (or to the Caribbean), possibly an E+ seat here and there, and also improves my use of UA miles (which are more valuable than Eurobonus miles, for example).
That said, I still won't fly UA much due to their poor service and terrible food.
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Nothing really. Even before PQD, I rarely receive any promotional offers from UA.