Why are “million” miles flown the only threshold for UA lifetime status?
Feb 24, 2022, 2:56 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
It took me 10,000 hours of flying to achieve my LT status.
Over those 10,000 hours, I've built an affinity for the airline and the brand -- to the point where I'll fly UA long after I'm flying on OPM.
I'm not sure the new class of elites targeted by UA will share this affinity. For example:
1. The newly targeted 1K (EWR-BOS-EWR, 26x/yr, $1K per tix) spends 50 hours with the brand per year.
2. That's 500 hours/decade compared to my 5,000 hours/decade.
I'm not sure the 500-hour customer forms a loyal friendship with the brand over that decade.
So I think it's wise that UA grants LT benefits to folks who spend thousands of hours with the brand.
Over those 10,000 hours, I've built an affinity for the airline and the brand -- to the point where I'll fly UA long after I'm flying on OPM.
I'm not sure the new class of elites targeted by UA will share this affinity. For example:
1. The newly targeted 1K (EWR-BOS-EWR, 26x/yr, $1K per tix) spends 50 hours with the brand per year.
2. That's 500 hours/decade compared to my 5,000 hours/decade.
I'm not sure the 500-hour customer forms a loyal friendship with the brand over that decade.
So I think it's wise that UA grants LT benefits to folks who spend thousands of hours with the brand.
Feb 24, 2022, 3:01 pm
#92
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I remember in the 1970s, flying on North Central Airlines from TUS to ORD/MSP etc. on DC-9s, and my parents were paying $250- to $350- for Y. They did have nice onboard meals though. In those days, we couldn't afford F, so we never even looked at it, but I bet it was around $700-, which would be $3,263- in 2022 dollars (1977 base year).
I had a lot of travel - pre-FF programs - and none of that counts in any FF program.
Some examples:
1970 - WAS-SFO TWA 707 - $279 (I have paid less than that today for a transcon).
1982 - WAS-FRA PanAm 747 $695 RT coach - seemed expensive.
1987 - WAS-New Zealand/Australia in Coach 747 on Air New Zealand - $2200 coach.
1992 - WAS-AUS (Austin, TX) - $1100 coach. Although if you flew CO - they gave you a free upgrade.
Last edited by cova; Feb 24, 2022 at 3:09 pm
Feb 24, 2022, 6:35 pm
#93
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
My first jet flight was CO - WAS-DEN 1968 (DC8). Cost was $89 outbound, $103 return in First. Had to buy first on the return for $15 more since coach was sold out. $15 for the F ticket fare difference seemed expensive to me at that time. Remember - airfares were regulated. CO had a good reputation at time for food and service.
Feb 24, 2022, 7:02 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,331
UA’s MM program is still a “frequent flyer” program.
All other MM programs or pretty much all airlines loyalty programs now are “frequent spender” program.
Let’s preserve one of very last “frequent flyer” programs that is still in existence both in name and substance.
I look at it as running marathons. It is 26.2 miles for all runners. It does not make sense if people pay a higher enrollment fee to participate in the race, they get bonus miles to go with the higher fee that they don’t need to run the full 26.2 miles.
All other MM programs or pretty much all airlines loyalty programs now are “frequent spender” program.
Let’s preserve one of very last “frequent flyer” programs that is still in existence both in name and substance.
I look at it as running marathons. It is 26.2 miles for all runners. It does not make sense if people pay a higher enrollment fee to participate in the race, they get bonus miles to go with the higher fee that they don’t need to run the full 26.2 miles.
Feb 24, 2022, 7:27 pm
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
I went back to check my M+ history from the first UA flight I took back in 1992, and the date I made 4 MM (lifetime GS). It took me 26 years and a little less than 3 months. Coincidentally, I used 26.2-mile in my earlier post as an example. it tooke me about 26.2 years to make lifetime GS.
David
Feb 24, 2022, 10:00 pm
#96
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
I don't think UA could even pull together spend amount going back to early-1980s, when FF programs started. Legacy spend likely does not exist.
Back then people still had paper tickets and booked through travel agents. So spend as a metric for MM is not possible.
UA did have the history of your BIS miles flown and was able to compile that data.
Before CO merged with UA, CO did a 1-year effort to go back and collect data off old backup tapes (that were in storage by CO's IT contractor).
This allowed CO to come up with a Million Miler program. About 13 - 15 years ago - CO collected the data and then posted to your account when the MM program started. I was surprised - I had about 1.2 MM at the time and became a MM'er. MM status allows you to designate a significant other with your status.
Back then people still had paper tickets and booked through travel agents. So spend as a metric for MM is not possible.
UA did have the history of your BIS miles flown and was able to compile that data.
Before CO merged with UA, CO did a 1-year effort to go back and collect data off old backup tapes (that were in storage by CO's IT contractor).
This allowed CO to come up with a Million Miler program. About 13 - 15 years ago - CO collected the data and then posted to your account when the MM program started. I was surprised - I had about 1.2 MM at the time and became a MM'er. MM status allows you to designate a significant other with your status.
Feb 24, 2022, 10:14 pm
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,331
As I recall, the adjustment went in the other direction where UA flyers BIS were bumped up for certain double mile bonus promotions and premium fare bonus mile promotions that were given to CO FF'ers under their program. This required UA IT to come up with the history. As I recall, my bump was about 200,000 miles. Perhaps our historian WineCountryUA will weigh-in.
Working on 5 MM at the moment. Supposed to make it by end of 2021 without Covid, now looking at end of 2023 if no career change. No consider making other MM programs, but likely focus more on Singapore Airlines whenever possible to earn PPS annually.
Feb 24, 2022, 10:41 pm
#98
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
As I recall, the adjustment went in the other direction where UA flyers BIS were bumped up for certain double mile bonus promotions and premium fare bonus mile promotions that were given to CO FF'ers under their program. This required UA IT to come up with the history. As I recall, my bump was about 200,000 miles. ...
Million Miler one-time adjustment 12/31/11 questions/tracking
Feb 25, 2022, 5:06 am
#99
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CO hublette
Programs: UA AU MM,HH Diamond,Hyatt Globalist , Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,281
I went back to check my M+ history from the first UA flight I took back in 1992, and the date I made 4 MM (lifetime GS). It took me 26 years and a little less than 3 months. Coincidentally, I used 26.2-mile in my earlier post as an example. it tooke me about 26.2 years to make lifetime GS.
Feb 25, 2022, 7:54 am
#100
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
As I recall, the adjustment went in the other direction where UA flyers BIS were bumped up for certain double mile bonus promotions and premium fare bonus mile promotions that were given to CO FF'ers under their program. This required UA IT to come up with the history. As I recall, my bump was about 200,000 miles. Perhaps our historian WineCountryUA will weigh-in.
Feb 25, 2022, 11:38 am
#101
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I don't believe CO ever included credit card miles They included EQM - so for F fares the 25% bonus (somewhere in that range) was included.
Feb 25, 2022, 12:29 pm
#102
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CLE, DCA, and 30k feet
Programs: Honors LT Diamond; United 1K; Hertz PC
Posts: 4,162
And as far as brand relationships go -- be nice to agents, remember them, and form relationships through conversation: Better and more enjoyable than virtually any of the perks from any corporate-overlord granted status
)
Feb 26, 2022, 7:24 am
#103
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,581
UA should keep the MM program as it is - very simply based on miles flown. Someone who flies a million miles in coach has flown the same distance as someone who's flown a million miles up front. Both have demonstrated a remarkable amount of loyalty to UA. I'd have to give more kudos to the former
Feb 26, 2022, 7:53 am
#104
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: All of them, UA-Plat, 1MM*G
Posts: 881
While at one time, the annual FF program and the MM program may have seemed to have been linked -- FF program based on BIS Miles x Fare Class with *A flights included, MM program based just on UA BIS miles -- now they are not. This is because the FF program is now based exclusively on spend. But this is actually more rational. The FF program's benefits are both monetary (PP) and travel-related (luggage, upgrades, etc.). In contrast, the MM program's benefits are primarily travel-related. Given that the amount you travel is more closely related to BIS miles than to spend, this is logical. So rather than seeing the FF program and the MM program as closely linked, see them as two distinct programs -- the FF program as a short-term incentive to spend money on UA, and the MM program as a long-term incentive to fly UA.
Feb 26, 2022, 8:19 am
#105
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SDF
Programs: -=- UA: GS + 3.9 Million Miler; Hilton: Diamond; Marriott: Gold; Hertz: President's Circle
Posts: 676
Why? Because UA sets the rules to reward LONG-TERM loyalty. I'm 49 and sitting at 3.6MM BIS. Would be over 4MM if not for COVID. It required a huge number of nights on airplanes, abbreviated weekends, and being the road warrior every year since graduating university. UA values short-term profit (GS program) and long-term loyalty (MM program).