2011 Mileage Plus and OnePass elite program developments
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:21 pm
#376
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,869
Taking away half of all CR-1s for a 1K is definitely a 
!
Many will have to go without them for most of the year, e.g. until hitting the 75K treshold.
I take 1MM benefits and the 2CR1s stay, at least those 2 should show up at the beginning of the year.
! Many will have to go without them for most of the year, e.g. until hitting the 75K treshold.
I take 1MM benefits and the 2CR1s stay, at least those 2 should show up at the beginning of the year.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:27 pm
#377
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Twin Lake, MI
Programs: Delta platinum, lifetime platinum marriott, UA silver
Posts: 28
As I sit here in the RCC in ord and reading the post it does piss me off that they have upped the EQS to 120 since I never make it on the EQM. I will make 1k again for next year after this flight but next year I will have to take the milk run every time to get to 120!!
And the major thing is that they treat us like clowns when they talk about the regional upgrades, wow I get to earn the same amount for flying 150k NICE JOB UA. And for those of you who say we are whining well sadly I really thought we would see better benefits and not reductions so soon.
And the major thing is that they treat us like clowns when they talk about the regional upgrades, wow I get to earn the same amount for flying 150k NICE JOB UA. And for those of you who say we are whining well sadly I really thought we would see better benefits and not reductions so soon.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:31 pm
#378
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 21,283
That's what happens when a glorified regional carrier CEO takes over a combined huge global airline.
Remind me, which international hub did CO shut down in the last 10 years the way UA shut down MIA?
Certainly
at this "enhancement", but go look at the DL/NW forums circa 2008-2009 when the NW FTers were being "enhanced"... and look at DL's profit margins and network now. Measuring the success of an airline by the freebies that get handed out to elites is not necessarily the best way to measure success.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:36 pm
#379
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New Hampshire
Programs: UA Global Services, Continental, Marriott, Starwood & Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hertz P.C.
Posts: 246
As a 1P segment qualifier, I am very disappointed in the changes, too.
I have come close to 1K before but now never will. I don't see how anyone can have a life (or any kind of posture) after taking 120 EQS per year, especially for those of us in CRJ markets.
I also don't like how these are being billed as improvements. One thing I used to like about UA was that it treated people as if they were intelligent and could figure things out (ie full pricing displays on website, etc). This should not be listed as an "improvement" but a simple email that says "elite benefit changes."
I have come close to 1K before but now never will. I don't see how anyone can have a life (or any kind of posture) after taking 120 EQS per year, especially for those of us in CRJ markets.
I also don't like how these are being billed as improvements. One thing I used to like about UA was that it treated people as if they were intelligent and could figure things out (ie full pricing displays on website, etc). This should not be listed as an "improvement" but a simple email that says "elite benefit changes."
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:36 pm
#380
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AA EXP MM, SPG VIP
Posts: 160
This is a sharp kick in the groin to 1k EQS flyers. I am based in LAX and fly most frequently to DFW and then often from DFW to other east coast points. I. like I think most 1k segment warriors, have endured many more 3-hour CRJ700 trips than one should have to endure, all out of maintaining loyalty to UA.
I'm not particularly keen on having to add 20% more CRJ trips to maintain status when AA offers better mainline service to where I want to go, a minimum of 16 F seats on every mainline flight and an easier requal path to EXP.
I'm not particularly keen on having to add 20% more CRJ trips to maintain status when AA offers better mainline service to where I want to go, a minimum of 16 F seats on every mainline flight and an easier requal path to EXP.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:38 pm
#381
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAC, AA, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,523
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:40 pm
#382
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ani Ichibanya
Programs: WWMFD
Posts: 6,292
Dear UA,
I'd prefer a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
This is probably why Smisek smirks as he announces "how great the merger will be" on UA videos.
I'd prefer a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
This is probably why Smisek smirks as he announces "how great the merger will be" on UA videos.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:41 pm
#383
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Loyalty only makes sense if you're getting back something close to or more than what you're investing. If you're not then the loyalty you're expressing is really a waste of your time and money.
Is the Mileage Plus program really that much better than AAdvantage that you're getting good value for the extra effort you're investing? It doesn't seem such based on what you've posted.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:41 pm
#384
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: United Silver, 0.9MM
Posts: 133
wow, amazed to see the number of 1Ks acting like spoiled kids.
In the past year you got UDU, one way *A award, and *Net blocking has become much rarer. Now you lost a few CR-1s and everyone is whining like crazy?
The MP program is still way more competitive than SM and AAdvantage, imo.
In the past year you got UDU, one way *A award, and *Net blocking has become much rarer. Now you lost a few CR-1s and everyone is whining like crazy?
The MP program is still way more competitive than SM and AAdvantage, imo.
I really can't believe the whining on here today. I certainly don't see these changes as positive, but I didn't realize FT was only open to those between the ages of 4 and 12 today.
Sheesh. We wanted [and received] many changes over the past few years. Much lauded by the FT community at large. Such as, IPTE with lie-flats, keeping our CR-1's at least temporarily, a merger resulting in a HUGE network, etc etc. Hey, we even got UDU that we don't have to support with instruments. The value of CR-1's dropped after that anyway.
We're keeping 1K 1K. And without a stupid DEQM this year, it actually might mean something now. We're keeping our 6 SWU's. Although everyone is complaining about their value right now, they're still WAY WAY better than any CR-1 will ever be.
Folks, this could have been much worse. Take a deep breath, relax, and take the over-inflated emotion out of all this vitriol.
Lastly, for those shopping for a new airline, have fun over there. You will be happily upgraded from any fare into a crampt, crappy, angled lie-flat the 4 times you fly internationally on your EVIPs. As for your domestic travels, you'll get the same [OR WORSE] and no options for CR's at all.
Sheesh. We wanted [and received] many changes over the past few years. Much lauded by the FT community at large. Such as, IPTE with lie-flats, keeping our CR-1's at least temporarily, a merger resulting in a HUGE network, etc etc. Hey, we even got UDU that we don't have to support with instruments. The value of CR-1's dropped after that anyway.
We're keeping 1K 1K. And without a stupid DEQM this year, it actually might mean something now. We're keeping our 6 SWU's. Although everyone is complaining about their value right now, they're still WAY WAY better than any CR-1 will ever be.
Folks, this could have been much worse. Take a deep breath, relax, and take the over-inflated emotion out of all this vitriol.
Lastly, for those shopping for a new airline, have fun over there. You will be happily upgraded from any fare into a crampt, crappy, angled lie-flat the 4 times you fly internationally on your EVIPs. As for your domestic travels, you'll get the same [OR WORSE] and no options for CR's at all.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Nov 16, 2010 at 3:46 pm Reason: merge
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:44 pm
#385
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 5,825
Why not AA then?
Why have you even achieved / maintained UA elite status in the first place?
Being SFO based, my 'single airline' choices are limited. So I'll stick with UA and hope for the best.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:49 pm
#386
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 1,207
Lastly, for those shopping for a new airline, have fun over there. You will be happily upgraded from any fare into a crampt, crappy, angled lie-flat the 4 times you fly internationally on your EVIPs. As for your domestic travels, you'll get the same [OR WORSE] and no options for CR's at all.
Be thankful that CR-1s are still remaining. It could have reverted to CO's policy of not offering them. Feel free to go over to AA where you'll get 8 SWUs at 100K; but just a sidenote, they don't have CR-1s and you're capped at 8 SWUs no matter how much flying you do above 100K. Or you can try your luck over at DL. I hear they just love paying M-fares to upgrade their international itineraries. Oh, and another thing, neither airline ofers E+. Well, there's always US. 
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:51 pm
#387
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,721
So here is my take on the EQS thing. For people that can fly between lcc cities that ua does not, it is far too cheap to obtain status. Keys look at stl-mke. Right now there is a sale fare of $44, and a regular fare of $58. Foundering booked at those prices net UA $81.86 and $107.90 after the excise tax has been backed out. That on the sale is $20.41 per segment. Let's call it $20 as some will have discounts/certs. That is 1k on $2000 under the current program. Far too cheap for the benefits. Lccs dominate many more markets pricing today that 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. Now many short haul routes can be very expensive too, but the quick, cheap segment run to achieve valuable benefits at very cheap prices is IMHO way too easy. The revenue based program would rock, and GS in some forms fit this, but the other elite levels, in markets with LCC pricing, need to have the barriers to SWU accrual raised. This is a start in a good direction that unfortunately be bad for some high yield segment flyers.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:54 pm
#388
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: No Longer Anything
Posts: 478
Well, as another of the few 1P'ers posting here, I most certainly can understand, if not feel, the pain of most 1Ks. I am not very surprised by any changes, and I really, really, expect alot more changes to come. I can envision this being the first round of aligning programs, but I imagine we will not keep all the tiers of 2P, 1P, 1P+, 1K, 1K+, GS, MM1P .... in future years.
I think maybe in another year (for 2013 status) we will see more refinements.
I have gone over 75K before, but not this year nor next, so these changes will bump me down a bit with new 1P+ folks ahead in upgrades.
I'm thinking re: E+ that if it is kept in place, it may be that 2Ps and 1Ps no longer get for free.
I also agree with some other posters that there is a possibility of 1P going to *S. Perhaps new tiers would be something like 2P at 30K for *S and 1P at 60K for *G and then on to the 1K's and above levels.
Oh Well. I am just waiting around to see what happens and make whatever decisions make sense in the future for flying. I've enjoyed the past UA, although not perfect by far. But 1P has been nice.
I think maybe in another year (for 2013 status) we will see more refinements.
I have gone over 75K before, but not this year nor next, so these changes will bump me down a bit with new 1P+ folks ahead in upgrades.
I'm thinking re: E+ that if it is kept in place, it may be that 2Ps and 1Ps no longer get for free.
I also agree with some other posters that there is a possibility of 1P going to *S. Perhaps new tiers would be something like 2P at 30K for *S and 1P at 60K for *G and then on to the 1K's and above levels.
Oh Well. I am just waiting around to see what happens and make whatever decisions make sense in the future for flying. I've enjoyed the past UA, although not perfect by far. But 1P has been nice.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:55 pm
#389
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1MM Lifetime Gold, starting AK, Marriott Bonvoy
Posts: 348
Please don't make posts like that; the emoticons will be removed and the text will be used within UA to demonstrate how happy we are.
I agree: This is a real slap in the fact to 1Ks... a serious loss with absolutely nothing to make up for it. Hard to understand.
I agree: This is a real slap in the fact to 1Ks... a serious loss with absolutely nothing to make up for it. Hard to understand.
Nov 16, 2010 | 3:59 pm
#390
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Phoenix
Programs: UA1k;HH Gold;MR Gold
Posts: 6,112
So here is my take on the EQS thing. For people that can fly between lcc cities that ua does not, it is far too cheap to obtain status. Keys look at stl-mke. Right now there is a sale fare of $44, and a regular fare of $58. Foundering booked at those prices net UA $81.86 and $107.90 after the excise tax has been backed out. That on the sale is $20.41 per segment. Let's call it $20 as some will have discounts/certs. That is 1k on $2000 under the current program. Far too cheap for the benefits. Lccs dominate many more markets pricing today that 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. Now many short haul routes can be very expensive too, but the quick, cheap segment run to achieve valuable benefits at very cheap prices is IMHO way too easy. The revenue based program would rock, and GS in some forms fit this, but the other elite levels, in markets with LCC pricing, need to have the barriers to SWU accrual raised. This is a start in a good direction that unfortunately be bad for some high yield segment flyers.