United sets 2004 Premier
 

Press Release Source: United Airlines


United Mileage Plus Adds Up to Even More in 2004
Tuesday November 11, 3:07 pm ET
New Benefits, More Miles for Mileage Plus Members


CHICAGO, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines (OTC Bulletin Board: UALAQ - News) today announced the addition of several new benefits to its #1 rated* Mileage Plus program for 2004 -- including new opportunities to earn miles, upgrades, and elite status.
"Our Mileage Plus program is ranked number one for one simple reason -- because we reward our loyal customers better than any other airline," said John Tague, Executive Vice President - Customer. "As we move into 2004, our loyal customers will continue to see even more benefits when they fly United."

New promotions for Mileage Plus members in 2004 include:

Earn 2005 elite status faster ... by miles and segments. Starting January 1, 2004, class-of-service bonus miles and segments will count toward elite status. The 50% bonus miles members enjoy when flying in United First® and the 25% bonus miles in United Business® will be added to their 2004 Elite Qualifying Miles balance. Plus, members can earn new class-of-service bonus segments when flying in United First (50% bonus) and United Business (25% bonus).

It's more rewarding than ever to reach elite status in 2004. The following will be awarded to Mileage Plus members in 2004, based on their flying in 2003:

2,500 miles (redeemable only) awarded to Premier® members with 25,000 flight miles** or 30 flight segments.
10,000 miles (redeemable only) awarded to Premier Executive® members with 50,000 flight miles** or 60 flight segments.
Six electronic systemwide upgrades with limited restrictions for Premier Executive® 1Ks with 100,000 Elite Qualifying Miles or 100 Elite Qualifying Segments.
Two more systemwide upgrades for 1Ks with 100,000 flight miles** or 100 flight segments.
More rewards for Million Milers. Two Confirmed Regional Upgrades for members with one million lifetime flight miles** on United or United Express.

Earning more systemwide upgrades. Starting January 1, 2004, members have two new opportunities to earn more systemwide upgrades:

-- Two systemwide upgrades upon reaching 125,000 flight miles** or
125 flight segments; and
-- Two more systemwide upgrades after flying 150,000+ flight miles** or
150+ flight segments.


In addition, United's current Mileage Plus program provides a number of exciting opportunities for upgrades and status recognition, including:

Automatic upgrades to United First and United Business. Elite members who purchase full-fare United Economy® E-Tickets(SM) (select Y and B booking classes) are upgraded when seats are available. No mileage redemptions, money or upgrade certificates are necessary.

Secure 2004 elite status. Mileage Plus members have more opportunities to earn or maintain elite status with special offers including United's Double Elite Qualifying Miles promotion, which expires December 15, 2003.

For more details, please visit the company's website at united.com .

United and United Express operate more than 3,300 flights a day on a route network that spans the globe. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's web site at www.united.com .

Mileage Plus has been ranked #1 for seven consecutive years by readers of Business Traveler magazine.
Flight miles include travel flown on United, United Express, US Airways and Star Alliance; miles do not include promotional Elite Qualifying Miles/Elite Qualifying Segments.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: United Airlines
* Mileage Plus has been ranked #1 for seven consecutive years by readers of Business Traveler magazine.

** Flight miles include travel flown on United, United Express, US Airways and Star Alliance; miles do not include promotional Elite Qualifying Miles/Elite Qualifying Segments.
(edited to add in footnotes)

[This message has been edited by MrAOK (edited November 11, 2003).]

Awesome changes http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

(except SWUS's being electronic). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Unexpected, but VERY nice.

edited to add....

...but somehow...I have a voice in the back of my head that's saying: "wait...the other shoe is going to drop soon!"

[This message has been edited by auggie doggie (edited 11-11-2003).]

I agree. Awesome.

I think United now really "gets it".

Btw, for those that want may be in a bit of disbelief, here's a copy of the press release on the PR Newswire:

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031111/cgtu067_1.html

I guess we now have 1k benefits and 1k-lite benefits http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I wonder when we'll get a release regarding the "limited restrictions."

[This message has been edited by kluau88 (edited 11-11-2003).]

OK, so glad I didn't rely on the "Great Offer" to secure the 1K re-qualification. Will have 100K on flown miles! (still have the 9,000 G.O. EQM but that was just a security blanket)

Good grief, UAL is inconveniencing me more and more. These segment bonuses they are throwing at me makes me fly more just so I can get the bonus. Geeze!!! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I think these perks hit all of the anxiety that others have brought up such as whether there wil be SWU's at all, additional perks for people who fly more than 100K per yr and trueFlyers vs "Lites"

All in all I am very happy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gif

------------
UA wins the most important award of any - MY $$$$$

Sorry but I'm new to the 1K world, what difference does it make if SWUs are electronic?

[This message has been edited by GoldenKiwi (edited 11-11-2003).]

Any ideas what "limited restrictions" means with regards to the 2004 Systemwide Upgrades? (Do I assume that they will be equivalent to Sweet Spots?)

Also, do you think that 1K's will continue to be able to earn HK-49's/Confirmed Region 1 Upgrades? (They are not mentioned in the press release.)

Have you tried transferring HK49's? It's a hassle without a CTO. This is one of two reasons I can think of why folks will be unhappy with the electronic SWU's.

Wonder what "limited restrictions" refer to...

actually i'm a little confused from the phrasing. do I understand it right that the 2,500/10,000 mile bonus is automatic based on 2003 flying?

so qualifying for premier executive under the current double elite promo in essence gets you whatever you fly plus double miles next year PLUS now also 7,500 miles?

I think it only covers changes in the program. Since 500 milers are not mentioned either.

The Double EQM promo only gets you double qualfiying miles for this year. The only benefit you might get for the double eqm offer is if you eclipse the 100k mark. I guess the biggest benefit is if you can reach 125k then you can either gift 2P status to someone next year or carry over 25k EQMs towards 2005 status.

Speaking of gifting 2P status, iluv2fly, my cousin is interested if you already haven't found someone to gift 2P status http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by kluau88 (edited 11-11-2003).]