Will/should UA do further status extensions/promos?With limited international travel?
Mar 11, 2021, 8:53 am
#151
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UA has already dropped the qualification requirements by an amount equivalent to about four months' of travel under the original scheme. They've also thrown in a bonus of another six weeks' travel for re-qualifying members -- or more for people who are able to meet the PQF targets.
Let's wait at least a couple more months before we start talking about how difficult it is for people to re-qualify.
Mar 11, 2021, 8:58 am
#152
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Mar 11, 2021, 9:55 am
#153
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(And it's not necessarily "impossible" for an international elite to fly UA - one could fly to a UA int'l destination and then fly UA to the US - though I realize that's totally impractical and likely undesirable)
Mar 11, 2021, 9:58 am
#154
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Mar 11, 2021, 10:02 am
#155
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Mar 11, 2021, 10:03 am
#156
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I think you're making an artificial distinction between types of barriers. For some barriers are a result of government restrictions; for others health restrictions, employer restrictions, or otherwise. While it may be easier for UA to identify legal restrictions, I don't think it's in their interest to tell people "well, you could have flown, even at risk to your health, so no soup for you." Assuming anyone gets soup.
(And it's not necessarily "impossible" for an international elite to fly UA - one could fly to a UA int'l destination and then fly UA to the US - though I realize that's totally impractical and likely undesirable)
(And it's not necessarily "impossible" for an international elite to fly UA - one could fly to a UA int'l destination and then fly UA to the US - though I realize that's totally impractical and likely undesirable)
United States: Entry Restrictions
United States: Entry restrictions
By Presidential Proclamation, there are entry restrictions if you’re traveling to the U.S. from:
Non-U.S. citizens who have visited the countries listed above in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through the United States.
By Presidential Proclamation, there are entry restrictions if you’re traveling to the U.S. from:
- Brazil
- China
- European Schengen area (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City)
- Iran
- South Africa
- The Republic of Ireland
- The United Kingdom
Non-U.S. citizens who have visited the countries listed above in the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter or transit through the United States.
Mar 11, 2021, 11:03 am
#157
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Based on my current travel plans for 2021, I will re-qualify for 1K for 2022. What will be my incentive/reward over all non-flyers if UA will extend status to all members? I will still end up behind a non-flying GS on the upgrade list. That is not the way to keep my loyalty... How about a 1K+ status for members that re-qualify on their own just for the transition into 2023?
Mar 11, 2021, 11:17 am
#158
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Extenders can still use miles for upgrades. I agree with previous posters - those who have continuously re-qualified should be ranked above extenders for both CPUs and instrument-supported upgrades. These are the people who are putting money into UA's coffers through the pandemic. It's not going to happen, but I can still dream....
Mar 11, 2021, 11:42 am
#159
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It is March.
UA has already dropped the qualification requirements by an amount equivalent to about four months' of travel under the original scheme. They've also thrown in a bonus of another six weeks' travel for re-qualifying members -- or more for people who are able to meet the PQF targets.
Let's wait at least a couple more months before we start talking about how difficult it is for people to re-qualify.
UA has already dropped the qualification requirements by an amount equivalent to about four months' of travel under the original scheme. They've also thrown in a bonus of another six weeks' travel for re-qualifying members -- or more for people who are able to meet the PQF targets.
Let's wait at least a couple more months before we start talking about how difficult it is for people to re-qualify.
Yes, I get it, there are probably 1 in 100 or fewer 1K and GS today who can qualify, so unless United is OK with a 90% reduction in the 1k rolls, they better have a plan in the works.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 11, 2021 at 12:14 pm Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
Mar 11, 2021, 12:14 pm
#160
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Giving people status in 2022 based on what they flew in 2019 seems crazy to me. I'm sure there is going to be some correlation between what you did in 2019 and what you do in 2022, but how strong? It's a two year gap during which time there have been massive disruptions across the economy - travel in particular. Who knows if people are still in the same job, whether their companies are going to need or allow the same level of travel, and so on?
United has already done a bonus promo, cut the qualification levels, and given people a head start. If travel continues to be soft they can run some more promos later in the year, but I think a blanket extension would be a bad idea. I could see a soft landing where if you didn't requalify they bump you down a level, maybe with a Q1 2022 fast track to regain your status.
Whatever the solution, people who actually qualified this year should be treated differently than those who haven't been on a plane since 2019. Yes, if you qualify for 1K you get extra PlusPoints, but people aren't going to want to burn those on every trip, and having to spend plus points to get an upgrade on a one hour Express flight over a 2019 flyer seems unreasonable.
United has already done a bonus promo, cut the qualification levels, and given people a head start. If travel continues to be soft they can run some more promos later in the year, but I think a blanket extension would be a bad idea. I could see a soft landing where if you didn't requalify they bump you down a level, maybe with a Q1 2022 fast track to regain your status.
Whatever the solution, people who actually qualified this year should be treated differently than those who haven't been on a plane since 2019. Yes, if you qualify for 1K you get extra PlusPoints, but people aren't going to want to burn those on every trip, and having to spend plus points to get an upgrade on a one hour Express flight over a 2019 flyer seems unreasonable.
Mar 11, 2021, 12:20 pm
#161
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Given virtually all international flying is dead as a dodo at this point, likely for the rest of 2021 vaccine or no vaccine, I would hope United has some plan in the works at this point - nothing significant is going to change before Q3-4 and by then it's not realistic for anyone with significant international travel exposure to re-qualify.
Yes, I get it, there are probably 1 in 100 or fewer 1K and GS today who can qualify, so unless United is OK with a 90% reduction in the 1k rolls, they better have a plan in the works.
Yes, I get it, there are probably 1 in 100 or fewer 1K and GS today who can qualify, so unless United is OK with a 90% reduction in the 1k rolls, they better have a plan in the works.
Mar 11, 2021, 12:33 pm
#162
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I could see UA, and the other carriers for that matter, doing a further extension of status. But, to earn PPoints, new substantially lower thresholds are employed. Doesn't cost UA anything and ensures that the numbers of elites remain roughly where they were pre-COVID.
Mar 11, 2021, 12:34 pm
#163
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Mar 11, 2021, 12:37 pm
#164
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David
David
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 11, 2021 at 12:52 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Mar 11, 2021, 12:58 pm
#165
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Giving people status in 2022 based on what they flew in 2019 seems crazy to me. I'm sure there is going to be some correlation between what you did in 2019 and what you do in 2022, but how strong? It's a two year gap during which time there have been massive disruptions across the economy - travel in particular. Who knows if people are still in the same job, whether their companies are going to need or allow the same level of travel, and so on?
On the other hand, someone may blink and just extend status and the others follow.