Implications of GS free 2022 status extension for 1K
Oct 24, 2021, 3:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2021
Programs: United, Delta, American, ANA
Posts: 3
Implications of GS free 2022 status extension for 1K
Big implications for United 1k members of the announced qualification-free 2002 extension of Global Services status to those with that status now. Fliers who this year jump through reduced flying/spending hoops to earn/keep 2022 1K status will likely to find complimentary and PlusPoints upgrades again very challenging to secure in 2022.
2021 Global Service members who theoretically might not have flown at all in 2021 are advanced over those loyal at !K level who contributed to the airline in a material way in 2021.
It seems a material de facto devaluation of earned 1K status. After all, it is (actual) upgrades that are the heart of elite value, to most.
2021 Global Service members who theoretically might not have flown at all in 2021 are advanced over those loyal at !K level who contributed to the airline in a material way in 2021.
It seems a material de facto devaluation of earned 1K status. After all, it is (actual) upgrades that are the heart of elite value, to most.
Oct 24, 2021, 3:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA, Some Others
Posts: 286
Big implications for United 1k members of the announced qualification-free 2002 extension of Global Services status to those with that status now. Fliers who this year jump through reduced flying/spending hoops to earn/keep 2022 1K status will likely to find complimentary and PlusPoints upgrades again very challenging to secure in 2022.
2021 Global Service members who theoretically might not have flown at all in 2021 are advanced over those loyal at !K level who contributed to the airline in a material way in 2021.
It seems a material de facto devaluation of earned 1K status. After all, it is (actual) upgrades that are the heart of elite value, to most.
2021 Global Service members who theoretically might not have flown at all in 2021 are advanced over those loyal at !K level who contributed to the airline in a material way in 2021.
It seems a material de facto devaluation of earned 1K status. After all, it is (actual) upgrades that are the heart of elite value, to most.
Oct 24, 2021, 3:37 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
With 1K's getting upgraded nearly 100% to/from Hawaii - and some flights down to Silver - or going with empty F seats - I can't think of any airline that has a higher complimentary upgrade chance. Even today's EWR-HNL flight went with a empty F seat - so every 1K who requested an upgrade got upgraded. Out of UA's entire route system - a 1K in my opinion is the most valuable.
Oct 24, 2021, 4:02 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,026
Oct 24, 2021, 5:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 347
Oct 24, 2021, 6:21 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Funny how funny accounting works when you want it to look good or bad or worse or better.
David
Oct 24, 2021, 6:23 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 799
I earned 1k and diamond on DL this year. I did notice that as platinum on UA I got a little better treatment, but I hope the 1k thing is better. UA should make my decision on my primary carrier difficult.
I suppose it does not matter all that much though. At this point I am pretty much a WFBF kind of guy. The only thing I give up when I do that is boarding behind a handful of 1k's . Post covid I am more certain than ever I will simply buy the experience I want from travel. Chasing status is a fools errand.
I suppose it does not matter all that much though. At this point I am pretty much a WFBF kind of guy. The only thing I give up when I do that is boarding behind a handful of 1k's . Post covid I am more certain than ever I will simply buy the experience I want from travel. Chasing status is a fools errand.
Oct 24, 2021, 6:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHS
Programs: UA GS, Bonvoy Amabassador, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,589
The thing that COVID did for me was make me fly AA a LOT more - I have spent a ton of money on AA this year as i couldn't get a seat on UA for close to 2 months this year out of CHS. I even asked for a CK status match and was denied, but was given a EP status match and I turned it down as I didn't want to waste a once every 5 year match for EP. Including flights to EoY, I spent close to 85K this year in total.
Oct 24, 2021, 7:31 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
Oct 24, 2021, 7:42 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,310
Wouldnt the overall bounce back of OPM flying (and thus releasing hordes of GS into the system) be far more impactful on 1Ks than an extension if OPM GS stay grounded a bit longer?
Oct 24, 2021, 7:45 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
If a GS is not flying they’re not likely to be taking upgrades away from you. And if they are flying they’re probably making 1K thresholds anyway.
I myself am going to end up with about 35k PQP with bonuses. Not enough where I’d be feeling comfortable about GS requal without the extension, but enough where I’m not really feeling guilty about being ahead of 1Ks.
I myself am going to end up with about 35k PQP with bonuses. Not enough where I’d be feeling comfortable about GS requal without the extension, but enough where I’m not really feeling guilty about being ahead of 1Ks.
Oct 24, 2021, 7:59 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,026
What’s interesting is they may never reach GS again unless UA lowers normal $ thresholds, so they’ll take all the gifts UA is doling out in the meantime. The amount of travel they did pre-pandemic is not going be available to them post-pandemic. Management is definitely accelerating adoption of non- in person meetings.
My guess is Houston sees the biggest drop (percentage-wise) of GS flyers in next couple of years (vs other hubs).
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Oct 24, 2021 at 8:08 pm