fumje

I'll be a little bit surprised if there's a blanket extension, given that UA has put more into constructing (re)qualification promotions than DL has. But I will be watching with curiosity. The GS extension might've been a harbinger, but it also might have been the first move and the one to which DL responded, so to speak.



Aside —

You're finding great use for this post.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33420010-post138.html

lsquare

I don't think UA has a choice. I guess it's only a matter of when and not if UA will extend status. Good job DL for putting pressure on UA!

drewguy

Rollover certainly better rewards people who flew this year than lowering thresholds for everyone. Yes, it means that some people will have huge PQPs next year (if rolled over) because they may already have 1K level PQPs to roll. But that's probably better than cutting the qual levels for everyone else - just give those fliers a bunch of extra PPs.

Repooc17

UA didn't provide just an extension this year:

1) UA lowered qualification requirements
2) UA provided multiple promotions to help members earn PQP faster

To the best of my knowledge, no US FFPs have ever rolled over spending portion of annual qualification, but hey if UA wants to be the first, be my guest...I would probably re-qualify 1K by January with 4 flights (min. segment); already have almost $18K PQP with an actual spend of around $6K (and I haven't flown UA since mid-May).

bocastephen

I think an extension with rollover is the way to go, and I would accept a lower position on the upgrade list relative to other 1Ks at my fare level, it's not like those are clearing with any regularity anyway. Just continue my status and give me a head start on next year because there is just too much uncertainty this year. I did my 3 tickets to get the booster, and I have my Italy trip planned for Oct, and if things continue to open I might make it to Asia before 12/31 - so there is still a chance to qualify naturally, but if things overseas remain closed and my Italy trip ends up getting pushed to next year, then I think it's reasonable and fair to give people in my situation a carry over into next year with a chance to try again.

DELee

"The Sky(Miles) are falling! The Sky(Miles) are falling!"

David

econ

AA did rollover 4Q 2020 activity into this year.

Weatherboy

As a GS who still hasn't flown yet since February, and every attempt to fly being canceled left and right due to COVID issues, I appreciate Delta's move to make 2021 another wash year for all frequent flyers. I am sure UA will quickly match.

Xyzzy

UA has already announced an extensin for GS members to 2023.

kevflyer

I'm sure he got the memo on that, and is just wishing the rest of us peasants will get an extension as well

DELee

Since February 2020 or February 2021?

David

Doppy

With millions of GS and tens of millions of 1Ks, even if they are only flying a small percentage of the normal qualification amount, they are a huge percentage of the flyers at hubs.

I agree about people buying more F tickets outright lowing CPU percentages, but the fact that 1Ks are nowhere near the top of the list suggests that the ranks are already bloated, despite the supposed inability of high spend GSs and 1Ks to fly that people claim.

Right, reducing thresholds next year does nothing to incentivize travel on UA now or reward those who requalify for whatever level. If it's a blanket extension with no incentives for travel this year, then it might make more sense to move travel for the rest of the year to another airline to pursue a higher status given the promos elsewhere. Either that, or I'll do the smart thing and burn miles.

bluedemon211

Based on the incentive programs UA put in to start the year and the one that ended today, I think the answer to your question would be...... no they don't.

DELee

Naw. They copy and screw up the paste. Example: the shift to PQPs/PQFs was started as a copy of what Delta was doing and then UA really showed how to make it more screwed. And now both UA and the MP members are really screwed.

David

jsloan

Your numbers are off by at least an order of magnitude, possibly two.

A few anecdotes does not a full picture paint. I've been 30th on the upgrade list, pre-COVID, for a 20-seat cabin, checked-in full; my overall CPU rate was over 50%. Fewer people bother to write in and say "hey, I cleared again."

The truth is, we're jamming approximately the same total number of passengers into many fewer flights to fewer destinations. That doesn't really relate much to what will happen if they're able to transition back to a normal schedule.

Which is certainly your right, and which I'm sure some people will do -- although I've never really understood the mindset that you should stop flying your preferred airline because you've reached the top status tier. You'd think that either (a) they were the best choice for your flights anyway or (b) you'd want to keep choosing them to take advantage of that status level.

The truth is, UA will probably match DL, because UA always matches DL.