MrWorldwide

I’ve been 1k on my own dime the last 5 years. At 43 I will never get to any of those million mile milestones. Why is this the only way for lifetime status? If I kept up 1k for 15-20 more years wouldn’t that effort be worthy enough? If I could fly more I would….

DELee

That's United approach - total lifetime earning via actual miles flown. There is no spend component nor total time. They want you to fly.

David

hyho61

At this rate you will be million miler gold in less than 5 years. But for million miler 1k it will take a long time, those are the rules. United million mile program is the best among the 3 programs in US. At 1 million miles, one (and one other companion) can get Star Gold and its benefits for lifetime while at 1 million miles, both in AA and DL all one can get is the Silver equivalent of United.

Repooc17

With UA's focus on spend only, you could get a lot of PQP but also very little in BIS, especially if one flies largely on last minute tickets and/or partner airlines.

It used to be you can get MM in 10 years or less. That's no longer definitive anymore.

MrWorldwide

United is the best airline and has the best FF programs imho, and I’m not going anywhere. Besides this is the way it’s always been done chant, and giving us beta we all know, can there be a realistic approach to earning other ways? I choose to give United my business for the above and other reasons, why can’t this be rewarded as well as bis?

WineCountryUA

How many Lifetime miles do you have (approx?) and are you purchasing just premium fares?

DELee

You're welcome to make that point to United. This is the path that they've taken.

David

MrWorldwide

Pushing 500k. Wife and I both 1K and travel together often (my spend13-20k hers usually less but always hits 1K). We have two teenagers who are generally silver or gold but on our spend. 90%+ paid to sit upfront.

entropy

There is no big benefit to MM if you're spending to fly up front

You're earning a better status every year. Unless you're really a mixed flyer (J for work, and Y for leisure) the benefits are really just nice to haves..
If you're traveling with family, its hard/impossible to secure that many upgrades... unless you're a GS.

WineCountryUA

Half way there.

It has been a bit easier to achieve 1K in the few years -- and a lot of bonus

But using at minimum 15K PQFs (like higher once normal travel resumes) for 1K on UA metal, say at 30 cpm spent - a farily strong premium fare level,, will be 50K BIS annually, so it may take up to 10 years more.
If you fly partners and don't keep up this level of flying, it may take longer.

MMer status is of minimal value for the active traveler, outside of gifting companion status. It does become of value once you stop being as active flyer with guarantee min status of *G.

Offering MM status is not very common in the world of FF programs. The domestic programs offer and many have additional methods but their lifetime programs are weaker.

MrWorldwide

ive earned it without bonus even during Covid

WineCountryUA

The use of BIS miles as the qualifier goes way back and distance flown has always been a special metric. Could UA offer a Lifetime spender program some day, perhaps -- but my guess it would be closer to $150-200K . 10x 1K min spend requirement, as it was 10x1K min miles, when miles was the metric. (UA has been targeting 18-20 cpm as a min desired spending level for status)

seanp7

Then you have more PlusPoints than a 1K who just got there with the bonuses. That's your reward for flying more - on top of the 1K benefits. Take a trip to Brazil or Australia - use your PP's to get into J and enjoy it.

What specifically do you want from achieving 1MM and/or 2MM?

exerda

With the amount of promos, extensions, etc., during the pandemic, coupled with the fact I've been mostly buying front cabin fares, has meant though I hit 1MM five years back, I'm only at like 1.2MM now instead of 1.5MM. Going to take a looooong time to hit lifetime 1K with that kind of accrual.

MrWorldwide

I’m just starting a different dialog on a FF forum. I don’t care about plus points. They go to my kids or our parents, who are so appreciative.

I care that that when I call united someone usually answers right away. I care my valuables always make it. I care that when my family and I were stranded this past weekend I never heard a no. I care that I don’t have to waste my time. I think 1k and above should get access to Polaris lounge if they are flying premium.

Not all of us do this for upgrades. I guess I’m just venting because my wife asked me if we should start flying other airlines?!