View Poll Results: Are You Satisfied w/ UA's 2021 (+Jan 2022) PlusPoints upgrade program?
Yes, I'm satisfied and used 100% of my PlusPoints
13
12.87%
Yes, I'm satisfied and used at least 75% but less than 100% of my PlusPoints.
10
9.90%
Yes, I'm satisfied and used at least 50% but less than 75% of my PlusPoints.
7
6.93%
Yes, I'm satisfied and used at least 25% but less than 50% of my PlusPoint
9
8.91%
Yes, I'm satisfied and used less than 25% of my PlusPoints.
8
7.92%
No, I'm not satisfied and used 100% of my PlusPoints.
2
1.98%
No, I'm not satisfied and used at least 75% but less than 100% of my PlusPoints
0
0%
No, I'm not satisfied and used at least 50% but less than 75% of my PlusPoints.
3
2.97%
No, I'm not satisfied and used at least 25% but less than 50% of my PlusPoints.
12
11.88%
No, I'm not satisfied and used less than 25% of my PlusPoints
37
36.63%
Voters: 101. You may not vote on this poll
Jan 6, 2022, 6:41 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Are You Satisfied w/ UA's 2021 (+Jan 2022) PlusPoints upgrade program?
Jan 8, 2022, 8:00 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 312
I'm miffed that I see so much IN>PZ, advanced availability of PZ is pretty limited on the routes I care about esp to Europe from West Coast (though admittedly I too secured some PZ on IAH-SYD r/t for later this year).
Jan 9, 2022, 6:09 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
Agreed, although SYD is one of the best routes to apply PP's right now (if you are eligible to enter Oz). I cleared both directions during peak Christmas travel, and January is looking good too.
Jan 10, 2022, 1:07 pm
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
So with 75 votes cast, 45% viewed the PlusPoints program favorably in 2021. Certainly less than the 58% in 2019, but not bad, considering the limited int'l schedule last year.
I'm hoping UA facilitates PP availability (via PZ or STW) to accommodate those with PP expiring in July. Will go a long way towards improving this score.
Ultimately, I believe the PP favorable rating needs to be 70%+ for Kirby to achieve his goal of making UA the 'best' airline in the sky. UA has some work to do to get there...
I'm hoping UA facilitates PP availability (via PZ or STW) to accommodate those with PP expiring in July. Will go a long way towards improving this score.
Ultimately, I believe the PP favorable rating needs to be 70%+ for Kirby to achieve his goal of making UA the 'best' airline in the sky. UA has some work to do to get there...
Jan 10, 2022, 3:43 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 695
Depends on who's judging 'best'. Having an amazing "Plus points" program would mean the most upgrades with no capacity controls would be "best" for customers but "worst" for shareholders.
Jan 10, 2022, 3:44 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, MR Titanium
Posts: 459
Used most of my PP in 2021 on:
- one Europe RT for 2 pax,
- two transcon RT for 2 pax,
- one Hawaii OW for 2 pax,
- and some shorter flights.
Most of the longer flights were in real Polaris, which enhanced the value of the upgrades when we got lie flat on transcon or to Hawaii. That was more value for my PP than I had anticipated going into 2021 so I am happy with the PP program for now.
- one Europe RT for 2 pax,
- two transcon RT for 2 pax,
- one Hawaii OW for 2 pax,
- and some shorter flights.
Most of the longer flights were in real Polaris, which enhanced the value of the upgrades when we got lie flat on transcon or to Hawaii. That was more value for my PP than I had anticipated going into 2021 so I am happy with the PP program for now.
Jan 10, 2022, 4:52 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
What % of people are happy with Amazon Prime's 2-day shipping benefit? Probably 98%.
What % of people are happy with Apple Care's benefits? Probably 95%.
Apple & Amazon have NPS scores above 70. That's where Kirby wants to be. He'd love it if every PP holder used 100% of their PPs.
That's why he's pushing so hard to purge low spenders from the 1K tier. Will make it easier for every PP holder to use all their PPs.
Jan 10, 2022, 5:09 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,516
What's your explanation of GS not happy/not being able to use their PPs? GS not spending enough?
Jan 10, 2022, 5:35 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,291
Agreed. I had 100% PP usage in 2021, but so far the outlook for 2022 usage seems not so good.
Jan 10, 2022, 6:28 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Lot's of 1Ks flew EWR-SIN-EWR, four times per year, on low fares, and ended up with 320PP. That's enough to fly four RTs, in J, the following year!
The $24K spending threshold was going to purge those folks in 2020, but Covid... They'll get purged this year and PP pressure will significantly ease next year.
People jump up and down saying there's no PZ. When, in reality, the limited PZ allocation is often taken by someone else.
Reducing the elite ranks by tens of thousands, which is UA's plan, will ease this pressure, allowing PZ/PN space to be visible longer.
The $24K spending threshold was going to purge those folks in 2020, but Covid... They'll get purged this year and PP pressure will significantly ease next year.
Reducing the elite ranks by tens of thousands, which is UA's plan, will ease this pressure, allowing PZ/PN space to be visible longer.
Jan 10, 2022, 7:23 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
David
Jan 10, 2022, 7:59 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Similarly, it's not reasonable to expect PZ on the Sunday 10pm redeye, SFO-EWR.
With reasonable PP expectations, I feel PP usage will be 100% for the typical 1K in the coming years.
Jan 10, 2022, 8:06 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
It's important that companies have 'reasonable' relationships with their customers. No one cancels their Amazon Prime membership because Amazon can't deliver within 2 days, 3 days before Christmas. There is a mutual understanding that that is unreasonable.
Similarly, it's not reasonable to expect PZ on the Sunday 10pm redeye, SFO-EWR.
With reasonable PP expectations, I feel PP usage will be 100% for the typical 1K in the coming years.
Similarly, it's not reasonable to expect PZ on the Sunday 10pm redeye, SFO-EWR.
With reasonable PP expectations, I feel PP usage will be 100% for the typical 1K in the coming years.
Since this thread isn't the How are 1Ks being treated by UA? thread nor Implications of GS free 2022 status extension for 1K thread, I'd suggest 1Ks can comment as they wish and not get lorded over by others.
David
Jan 10, 2022, 9:52 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
You misunderstood. A typical 1K is one that earns ~320 PPs. My point was the typical 1K should expect 100% PP utilization, not the 1K who earns 500 PPs.
Nevertheless, I understand everyone isn't happy. That's why we do the poll. The results tell us how UA's doing.
Nevertheless, I understand everyone isn't happy. That's why we do the poll. The results tell us how UA's doing.
Jan 10, 2022, 9:57 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,516
Lot's of 1Ks flew EWR-SIN-EWR, four times per year, on low fares, and ended up with 320PP. That's enough to fly four RTs, in J, the following year!
The $24K spending threshold was going to purge those folks in 2020, but Covid... They'll get purged this year and PP pressure will significantly ease next year.
The $24K spending threshold was going to purge those folks in 2020, but Covid... They'll get purged this year and PP pressure will significantly ease next year.
In a year (2021) where overall travel was down (vs. 2019 for example), fewer elites were traveling, yet PPs were more difficult to use.
Last edited by Repooc17; Jan 10, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Jan 10, 2022, 10:07 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
You misunderstood. A typical 1K is one that earns ~320 PPs. My point was the typical 1K should expect 100% PP utilization, not the 1K who earns 500 PPs.
Nevertheless, I understand everyone isn't happy. That's why we do the poll. The results tell us how UA's doing.
Nevertheless, I understand everyone isn't happy. That's why we do the poll. The results tell us how UA's doing.
And, even when I use PPs for others, there's still not some sort of "utitilization" function. They don't get used because, as Repooc17 correctly points out, a whole bunch of folks, some 1Ks, many GSs and now others are buying up on the TODs offers to void any option to be able to actually use the PPs.
I have no idea why you're fixated on some mythic "typical" 1K. There isn't one.
David