We just got #OSCARED !
Oct 22, 2019, 7:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
We just got #OSCARED !
The same way that folks have made #Bonvoyed a mark against Marriott, we should come up with a hashtag like #Oscared to refer to how awful United has been treating its elites. Especially with the new elite requirements for 2020/2021, which only reward a small minority flying on corporate contracts (and do nothing for personal loyalty).
Oct 22, 2019, 7:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Too bad I'm not allowed to use the actual words in my mind to describe this thread. 
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 23, 2019 at 12:13 am Reason: discuss the issue; not the poster(s)
Oct 22, 2019, 7:43 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,997
Some elites are going to fare better under new system than others. Just because you’re in the “others” doesn’t mean all elites are treated “awful”. UA thinks the number of Premiers will stay the same and what will happen is more of a re-shuffling to get the benefits to those who UA thinks should get ‘em.
Some Premiers are going to go better under the new scheme - they’ll like be “Oscared”. Other will do worse, so being “Oscared” is bad.
Smisek’s actions affected everyone (eg miserable operations reliability post-merger). Getting “Smiseked” hit everyone, Premiers and not.
Some Premiers are going to go better under the new scheme - they’ll like be “Oscared”. Other will do worse, so being “Oscared” is bad.
Smisek’s actions affected everyone (eg miserable operations reliability post-merger). Getting “Smiseked” hit everyone, Premiers and not.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Oct 22, 2019 at 8:20 pm
Oct 22, 2019, 8:03 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,459
I haven't been "Bonvoyed" at all. The transition was a success by and large for me. All night credits and points conversion came in without any hiccup. I am 4 nights away from renewing Plat for next year, and even with the devaluation, MR is still a great currency to have, given its vast amount of transfer partners. Sure, SPG was better, but you play the hands you are dealt with. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to stay put.
Same with United. I have a plan for next year, and if all goes well, I would be spending less; while retaining the same status as I have now.
Same with United. I have a plan for next year, and if all goes well, I would be spending less; while retaining the same status as I have now.
Oct 22, 2019, 8:19 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,751
It’s amazing how a few months of not flying - and a couple of years beyond chasing status - puts life into perspective.
I come back and read some threads and realize that I, too, once put so much focus on elite status. Life is really and truly so much better without the stress.
I come back and read some threads and realize that I, too, once put so much focus on elite status. Life is really and truly so much better without the stress.
Oct 22, 2019, 8:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
The UA change is just increasing spend requirements on all tiers. Bonvoy was a whole different level of debacle on combining SPG/Marriott Rewards for all members, which resulted in devaluing points, stripping benefits, new tiers, new qualification requirements along with a slew of IT issues. I was lucky my Bonvoy transition went smoothly, along with preemptively taking screenshots of all my points activity to make sure I got my LT status. I'm not too worried about this UA change besides just reshuffling some of my flying patterns.
Oct 22, 2019, 8:28 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,120
Oct 22, 2019, 8:54 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA GS, Marriott Gold
Posts: 174
I would say the population is skewed to the hurt side in this forum, due to the changes in the UA-MR relationship. I for one found that to hurt just a bit - now the focus of my spend goes to IHG/MR/Hilton/Hyatt instead of just Marriott. The place I go just don't allow for one chain to move into the upper tiers. I wish it was neutral.
Oct 22, 2019, 9:13 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Alaska Mileage Plan, Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 82
I'm essentially being Oscared or Kirby'd, but I'm used to it now. I'm a leisure traveler, spending my own money. I fly just over 100k a year. I used to be 1k for several years in a row then came the spend requirement and I could only get to platinum. Now, I'm not sure I'll even make gold in the new system. My only saving grace is making million miler in 2020. I'll likely drop my United Chase card and fly other Star Alliance airlines for all my tpac's in the future.
Oct 22, 2019, 9:22 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Perhaps I'm missing something here, but there will be a whole segment of frequent traveller who will go from having some status 2020 to no status in 2021. They may be correct that the number of Premier 1Ks and Platinums will drop but they will be surprised to see how many lowly Silvers and Golds disappear after responding to these enhancements. Meanwhile DL **knocks on wood** still is based entirely on miles flown and doesn't have any silly dollar spend requirement for international members.
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
Oct 22, 2019, 9:22 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Former 1k, Lifetime UA Gold, Starwood Gold; Avis Preferred; Hertz Gold
Posts: 1,731
I'm essentially being Oscared or Kirby'd, but I'm used to it now. I'm a leisure traveler, spending my own money. I fly just over 100k a year. I used to be 1k for several years in a row then came the spend requirement and I could only get to platinum. Now, I'm not sure I'll even make gold in the new system. My only saving grace is making million miler in 2020. I'll likely drop my United Chase card and fly other Star Alliance airlines for all my tpac's in the future.
