Jun 25, 2022, 8:37 am
UA plus pts with 31 July 2022 expiry, extended to Jan 2023; Jan 2023 to July 2023
Jun 30, 2022, 3:40 pm
#91
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: USA
Programs: American Airlines (Executive Platinum), Hyatt (Globalist), Hilton (Diamond), IHG (Diamond)
Posts: 2,917
I think that this is really it. UA"s published requirements to qualify for 1K in 2023 are off the charts compared to the competition. DL is still $15k. AA has gone to the LP scheme so it's hard to make a precise apples-to-apple comparison but even if you get all your LP from flying (which is clearly not what they want or expect you to do) the requirements to maintain EXP are still nowhere near UA's published 1K requirements.
Jun 30, 2022, 3:51 pm
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
$15k (or 13500 with segments) is the 2022 discounted threshold.
Jun 30, 2022, 3:57 pm
#93
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: USA
Programs: American Airlines (Executive Platinum), Hyatt (Globalist), Hilton (Diamond), IHG (Diamond)
Posts: 2,917
As for right now, re-qualifying for 1K on UA for 2023 is $13,500, which is lower than DL and a lot lower than AA.
Jun 30, 2022, 4:24 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Also, things like the cap on partner earn and the extremely low amount of PQP for CC spend make it harder on UA than even the numbers indicate. $12k spend for 500 PQP is quite bad (consider that on DL, $25k CC spend gets you a MQD waiver for all levels but diamond. On UA it gets you 1000 PQP. On DL you can rack up MQD by flying on AeroMexico in PE. On UA the 750 PQP cap kills that on previously useful partners like SQ and AC).
Basically, on UA you need to spend the cash on flights. On AA and DL there are workarounds.
Jun 30, 2022, 5:35 pm
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
This ($24k / person) is what I was referring to. If that's someone's travel budget just for flights, they must be spending well into 6 figures total on travel (I'm guessing most people are not spending $10k on business class for 2 to stay at a motel 6 for $49 a night). I would say that qualifies as pretty wealthy.
My point is just that only a very few couples can afford to spend $50k on flights in a year if it's their money.
But I fully agree with you, United bet the house on OPM before the pandemic, firing all non-OPM elites (especially 1Ks). And it seems like they are stubbornly hanging on to that strategy by extending these upgrades
Jun 30, 2022, 6:46 pm
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
UA has consistently raised the spending requirements since they were introduced, and yet upgrades seem scarcer than ever. There's no reason to think that UA raising the requirements further is going to have much of an effect on whoever's remaining. The implication seems to be that all of these "excess" 1Ks, who are (naturally) less deserving because reasons, are taking the valuable PZ space, depriving the "true" 1Ks. I find it equally, if not more, plausible that UA is simply selling the seats, rather than giving them to anyone.
What do I base this on? Large number of flights with PZ0 and few/no apparent bookings. Stories of people being on the waitlist for months and failing to clear. Etc.
What do I base this on? Large number of flights with PZ0 and few/no apparent bookings. Stories of people being on the waitlist for months and failing to clear. Etc.
Jun 30, 2022, 10:42 pm
#100
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,509
I think this leads to a bigger impact in domestic flights where people have noticed a decline in CPU, since everyone is throwing PP into domestic upgrades and prioritizing themselves on the upgrade list. Though arguably, one could also say PP makes no difference domestically since UA is also selling F upgrades for cheap.
Whatever the case the lack of PZ is annoying. Searched for an hour last night for PZ space 3 months out and couldn't find any. Ended up purchasing a discounted J-fare because it was marginally more expensive than the Y/O fares and it didn't make sense for me to waitlist with PP.
Whatever the case the lack of PZ is annoying. Searched for an hour last night for PZ space 3 months out and couldn't find any. Ended up purchasing a discounted J-fare because it was marginally more expensive than the Y/O fares and it didn't make sense for me to waitlist with PP.
Jul 1, 2022, 9:54 am
#101
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: UA MileagePlus 2MM
Posts: 1,567
Yeah I fit in this category and was glad to see my 380 PP were not going to expire on 7/31. I will hopefully use them in the autumn like early to mid November when hopefully less people are traveling. I have flown 4 segments on UA this year to MCO and have been using AF for my international trips.
Jul 1, 2022, 10:23 am
#102
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
UA has consistently raised the spending requirements since they were introduced, and yet upgrades seem scarcer than ever. There's no reason to think that UA raising the requirements further is going to have much of an effect on whoever's remaining. The implication seems to be that all of these "excess" 1Ks, who are (naturally) less deserving because reasons, are taking the valuable PZ space, depriving the "true" 1Ks. I find it equally, if not more, plausible that UA is simply selling the seats, rather than giving them to anyone.
What do I base this on? Large number of flights with PZ0 and few/no apparent bookings. Stories of people being on the waitlist for months and failing to clear. Etc.
What do I base this on? Large number of flights with PZ0 and few/no apparent bookings. Stories of people being on the waitlist for months and failing to clear. Etc.
Right now airlines are booked pretty full with paying pax, including in F. What's left for upgrades is pretty limited.
Jul 2, 2022, 9:54 am
#103
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NY Metro
Programs: SPG Titanium, United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,601
I wonder if this means status will be extended to 7-31-2023 as well? Cause if someone is 1k now and has PPs which expire 7-31-2023 but doesn't requalify, does that mean they'll be Silver, Gold, whatever after 1-31-2023 but still have PPs?
Jul 2, 2022, 9:55 am
#104
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
I would hope that status would be extended (please no flame-throwing)!
Jul 2, 2022, 10:20 am
#105
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,056
Did UA extend status the past few years? If not, there would be no reason to do so now.
The various PQP promos more than suffice.
The various PQP promos more than suffice.
Last edited by SPN Lifer; Jul 2, 2022 at 10:28 am