Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal
Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal {Archive}
#766
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 68,154
For flights on or after July 1, 2020, the maximum Premier qualifying points that can be earned per flight on tickets issued and operated by Star Alliance partners and select MileagePlus partner airlines are as follows:
![WineCountryUA is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#767
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 417
I sat down and started thinking what else could Mr Kirby do?
Then it came to do me. Reduce the amount of points you can get per flight...Coming soon from your favorite CEO Scott Kirby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Kirby
The shareholders really need to vote him out before he wrecks the business ...
Then it came to do me. Reduce the amount of points you can get per flight...Coming soon from your favorite CEO Scott Kirby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Kirby
The shareholders really need to vote him out before he wrecks the business ...
![tilhas is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#768
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 43
So now we can safely say that UA has the most difficult elite program thresholds of the big three American airlines--not only do they have higher qualification thresholds than AA or DL across all elite levels, but they cap earnings on partner ticketed flights which neither AA and DL do. Why does it make sense for UA to make their program so much harder to qualify, especially during a time when they are losing huge amounts of passenger traffic? Most of the time the big three match in almost everything. But UA is clearly making things more difficult for their elites. Certainly a lot of elites are stuck with UA due to hubs--but those they still stand to lose "free agent" city elites who could much more easily qualify with AA or DL. Furthermore, this seems like an especially good time for people to reevaluate their allegiances, given the long break in travel for many.
![gandalf29 is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#769
Suspended
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Chicago
Programs: ,united 1k, AA EXP, HH Diamond,BA gold, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 974
So now we can safely say that UA has the most difficult elite program thresholds of the big three American airlines--not only do they have higher qualification thresholds than AA or DL across all elite levels, but they cap earnings on partner ticketed flights which neither AA and DL do. Why does it make sense for UA to make their program so much harder to qualify, especially during a time when they are losing huge amounts of passenger traffic? Most of the time the big three match in almost everything. But UA is clearly making things more difficult for their elites. Certainly a lot of elites are stuck with UA due to hubs--but those they still stand to lose "free agent" city elites who could much more easily qualify with AA or DL. Furthermore, this seems like an especially good time for people to reevaluate their allegiances, given the long break in travel for many.
![united 1k flyer is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#770
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,903
So now we can safely say that UA has the most difficult elite program thresholds of the big three American airlines--not only do they have higher qualification thresholds than AA or DL across all elite levels, but they cap earnings on partner ticketed flights which neither AA and DL do. Why does it make sense for UA to make their program so much harder to qualify, especially during a time when they are losing huge amounts of passenger traffic? Most of the time the big three match in almost everything. But UA is clearly making things more difficult for their elites. Certainly a lot of elites are stuck with UA due to hubs--but those they still stand to lose "free agent" city elites who could much more easily qualify with AA or DL. Furthermore, this seems like an especially good time for people to reevaluate their allegiances, given the long break in travel for many.
![bocastephen is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#771
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,303
As passengers are such a bother (outside their money) one would think he might be happier at UPS or FedEx - packages don’t whine.
![IAH-OIL-TRASH is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#772
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,217
Elites cost the company money - Kirby doesn't like to have too many Elites because of the cost, and thus he wants everyone who isn't "margin-positive" out the door, whether Silver or 1K. The MP program is no longer a gateway to loyalty and customer retention, but a metric tool with which to measure per-customer profitability, and either incentivize or punish customers who don't hit the target he arbitrarily created. The more complicated the program, the easier it is for customers to unknowingly fall through the cracks and end up at a lower tier or cost point, this is all about being deliberate. Remember, Kirby doesn't like customers - he likes margin and metrics. You are nothing to him but an instrument with which to achieve arbitrary goals and targets - when you interfere with that plan, you're out. It's the Baldanza Way.
Post-2001 -> FFPs were sitting at a very sweet spot.
Post-2008 -> Airlines fight for survival and beg customers to come.
Pandemic -> Extend expiration of status, upgrade instruments, status requirement goes down.
Let's see what this pandemic turns the Airlines and FFPs into.
![PaulInTheSky is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#773
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,903
Capping the PQP in this manner isn't the end of the world - I think most of us can work with or around it by using creative routings or tossing in an extra trip, but it's just another cherry on the sundae of a miserable relationship with company leadership who just doesn't get it, or does, but doesn't care. Seriously, what kind of company would trot out a new program restriction designed to curtail benefits with almost zero warning before implementation, at a time like this, while whining that no one is flying??
![bocastephen is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#774
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 20,217
So now we can safely say that UA has the most difficult elite program thresholds of the big three American airlines--not only do they have higher qualification thresholds than AA or DL across all elite levels, but they cap earnings on partner ticketed flights which neither AA and DL do. Why does it make sense for UA to make their program so much harder to qualify, especially during a time when they are losing huge amounts of passenger traffic? Most of the time the big three match in almost everything. But UA is clearly making things more difficult for their elites. Certainly a lot of elites are stuck with UA due to hubs--but those they still stand to lose "free agent" city elites who could much more easily qualify with AA or DL. Furthermore, this seems like an especially good time for people to reevaluate their allegiances, given the long break in travel for many.
Elites cost the company money - Kirby doesn't like to have too many Elites because of the cost, and thus he wants everyone who isn't "margin-positive" out the door, whether Silver or 1K. The MP program is no longer a gateway to loyalty and customer retention, but a metric tool with which to measure per-customer profitability, and either incentivize or punish customers who don't hit the target he arbitrarily created. The more complicated the program, the easier it is for customers to unknowingly fall through the cracks and end up at a lower tier or cost point, this is all about being deliberate. Remember, Kirby doesn't like customers - he likes margin and metrics. You are nothing to him but an instrument with which to achieve arbitrary goals and targets - when you interfere with that plan, you're out. It's the Baldanza Way.
You can only do alright when the economy allows you. Many FTers argue how it would fare after the economic downturn comes. Now that everybody cannot travel, and most major airlines are going to embrace 30%+ reduction, I don't know how UA is enticing to people anymore.
Post-2001 -> FFPs were sitting at a very sweet spot.
Post-2008 -> Airlines fight for survival and beg customers to come.
Pandemic -> Extend expiration of status, upgrade instruments, status requirement goes down.
Let's see what this pandemic turns the Airlines and FFPs into.
Post-2001 -> FFPs were sitting at a very sweet spot.
Post-2008 -> Airlines fight for survival and beg customers to come.
Pandemic -> Extend expiration of status, upgrade instruments, status requirement goes down.
Let's see what this pandemic turns the Airlines and FFPs into.
![lsquare is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#775
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 22,364
Personally, I think the concept of spend-based earnings and qualification is flawed. Outside of certain luxury items, it's generally considered somewhat gauche to call attention to the amount of money your customers are spending on your services.
![jsloan is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#776
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Many share your sentiment, but the cap is just one more step towards a 5%-10% 'cash back' mileage program. Many on FT are going through withdrawal as they come to terms with this new reality. The others will follow, and Covid will accelerate this movement, as it doesn't make sense to have a mileage program based on miles, when all the high-mileage routes are curtailed for the foreseeable future.
![spartacusmcfly is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#777
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 20,217
For me -- a US-based 1K with little OPM spending -- the original 2020 requirements are less expensive to meet than the 2019 ones were.
Personally, I think the concept of spend-based earnings and qualification is flawed. Outside of certain luxury items, it's generally considered somewhat gauche to call attention to the amount of money your customers are spending on your services.
Personally, I think the concept of spend-based earnings and qualification is flawed. Outside of certain luxury items, it's generally considered somewhat gauche to call attention to the amount of money your customers are spending on your services.
Many share your sentiment, but the cap is just one more step towards a 5%-10% 'cash back' mileage program. Many on FT are going through withdrawal as they come to terms with this new reality. The others will follow, and Covid will accelerate this movement, as it doesn't make sense to have a mileage program based on miles, when all the high-mileage routes are curtailed for the foreseeable future.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; May 6, 2020 at 1:21 am Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
![lsquare is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#778
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Really? So my no-fee 2% cash back card is a luxury item...
![spartacusmcfly is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#779
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 20,217
![lsquare is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)
#780
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Agreed, but the 5-10% cash back concept will prevail, and given there is no easy way to implement 5%-10% cash back on a mileage based program, most will move to a spend based program.
![spartacusmcfly is offline](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif)