exp

I got 3 refunds this year from UA.

Yeah I know their cash flow situation is uncertain so they can't make that offer.

I'm just saying far more people would be wiling to book if they did offer it.

jsloan

They do offer refundable tickets, on (nearly?) every flight they sell. They're just more expensive than the non-refundable tickets.

It's possible that what you're suggesting would be revenue-negative for UA, because the people that are buying those refundable tickets now would presumably switch to these lower-price fares.

Using refundability as a form of (legal) price discrimination has been a core part of UA's pre-COVID strategy (which is one of the reasons that people are looking somewhat askance at the no-change-fee policy, wondering if that's going to lead to higher fares). Throwing that out as a promotion to try to goose their coffers would be quite risky.

WineCountryUA

But longer life FFC such as 1-year from original travel date (and with residual value) could lessen concerns with when you will get the all clear from the pandemic. Presently if I book next summer, the window for re-booking could be too limited especially those with certain date restrictions. Have an year to re-book provides more piece of mind and could encourage more advance bookings -- and UA retains the funds if delay is needed. Just too much uncertainity present if next summer will be travelable for many.

jsloan

Certainly. Something like that would seem to be much less impactful to their business model than the suggestion to offer refundable fares at the existing non-refundable fare prices.

Ari

Sorry; didn't mean to offend. Forum is also for advice; didn't mean to give unwanted / unsolicited / inapplicable advice even if the correct advice. Apologies.

mrt88

I couldn't quite figure it out, but do we get miles on these extra PQPs? Or is this a pure PQP bonus for status attainment, but no redeemable miles?

WineCountryUA

RDMs are earned based on the fare, not PQPs or bonus PQPs

mrt88

Thanks for clarifying!

Clarkcc1

So I read the Ts and Cs closely about the 2x PQP 1Q2021 promo. It defines a trip (of which your first 3 are eligible for 2x up to 1500 bonus) as essentially a UA ticket number it appears (so long as all segments depart btwn Jan 1 and Mar 31). Seems as though one could just book a multi segment itinerary even with long gaps.... I.E. SFO-EWR on 1/20, BOS-SFO on 2/7, LAX-IAD on 2/28. Some fare rules might make this strategy not make sense financially, but looking at the individual segments I may need to fly, the total ticket came out to the sum of the individual segments were they booked separately. So if I am taking 3 flights even weeks apart, various city pairs booked on the same ticket # or PNR, that should still count as 1 trip, leaving 2 more available..... no?
I feel like I might be missing something....

raehl311

So if I'm doing my math right, as I'm currently Plat, if I wanted to make 1K...

13,500 PQP+36 flights required.
I start with 2,500 PQP.

And I have 10,000 Flex PQP from Presidential Plus sitting in my account (and I still hold that card)...

So I could basically pay $1k and fly 36 flights or pay $2,500 in flights and be 1K right then?

Feel like I may be missing some terms and conditions.

Edit: I see that Flex PQP may still only get me to Platinum?

econ

I think that sounds right if everything in your itinerary goes to plan.

But I'd be a little wary of the following language in the T&C for complicated itineraries that you might want or need to change mid-itinerary, or even things like schedule changes, irrops, etc that may require re-ticketing.

https://mileageplusupdates.com/milea...glish/covid-19

lsquare

I'm new to UA's new elite status program. I am currently a UA Silver, but I got that thanks to my Marriott Titanium Elite status. Will I get 875 PQP in 2021?

8MiHi

FPQPs are only good to Platinum. It would be fantastic if UA raised it but I am happy with what the Presidential Plus card has given me over the last decade and a half.

fumje

I wonder if even SDC will interrupt the bonus. Nominally it shouldn't, since it doesn't affect the fare, but I think it's more likely than not that it would throw a spanner for the bonus calculation.

SPN Lifer

I earned Marriott Bonv°y Titanium Elite (formerly Marriott Rewards Platinum Premier Elite) status in 2016, 2018, and 2020, thereby earning complimentary UA MileagePlus Premier Silver membership.

I fully expect to receive 875 Premier qualifying point(s) (PQP) at the beginning of 2021. Such UA Premier Silver membership as we have obtained through Marriott has been considered "earned" by UA for various purposes, unlike, for instance, the companion membership granted to nominees of Million Miler Lifetime Premier Gold members.

Edit: See post # 197 below.