2011 Mileage Plus and OnePass elite program developments
#871
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: UAGLD AA_MM_GLD CO F9 HHGLD
Posts: 80
Pretty Disappointed with this announcement.....
I was all settled in for a mileage run to top off the EQM and hit 1K again, as I didn't get to explore as much of the world through my employment this year as in prior years. I've always saved the CR1's to treat my wife to F going to Hawaii (I know the product is minimalistic compared to Intl. F [ on very rare occasions these days ], but)....
Anyway, while I like the UDU's, the reduction in CR1's is making me think long hard about the MR to top off. I only spend $15K to 20K per year with UA, so its not a huge deal to them if I switch but it seems short sighted of US to target their top flyers with this change and of course the poor folks who hit 1K on segments.
I'm sure questioning my loyalty to UA with this turn of events.
Anyway, while I like the UDU's, the reduction in CR1's is making me think long hard about the MR to top off. I only spend $15K to 20K per year with UA, so its not a huge deal to them if I switch but it seems short sighted of US to target their top flyers with this change and of course the poor folks who hit 1K on segments.
I'm sure questioning my loyalty to UA with this turn of events.
#872
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,120
First step is on my back
I fly just about 150 plus or minus a few. This is a reduction in benefits for a 1K flyer up to 150K, and only EQUAL if you fly 1.5K, and only better if you hit 1.75K. Sorry-- this is a reduction in benefits for 90% of 1K's.
#873
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Really? In my 10+ years on FT we have reversed a huge number bad decisions by MP, none of which had to do with nuts or towels. If we had listened to the likes of you back then we would have caved on every lousy, bad change and now be left holding nothing. But do tell us when we get to things that matter.
#874
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
This hasn't been touched on explicitly that much in the however many hundred posts in this thread, but a question worth thinking about. My guess is that there wasn't anything inherently wrong with 1Ks getting 8 CR-1s. The bigger deal was that if CO gave out 8 CR-1s, their revenue model would break. Too many plats that would normally buy YBM fares to get the confirmed upgrade would now just buy the cheapest fare and upgrade. Four RTs per plat where you lost several hundred dollars of revenue would be a problem. But they couldn't take CR-1s away completely, so this is how they made the compromise.
#875
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,224
Many companies have focus groups like this (the old United did, too). They're by invitation, and the members are usually covered by an NDA, so they can't really talk about what goes on behind closed doors. Just let it go. You're not going to get anywhere trying to force the issue.
#876
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
Really? In my 10+ years on FT we have reversed a huge number bad decisions by MP, none of which had to do with nuts or towels. If we had listened to the likes of you back then we would have caved on every lousy, bad change and now be left holding nothing. But do tell us when we get to things that matter.
I just meant that if thousands of 1K's flood 1Kvoice threatening to go to AA because they take away hot towels, they're not going to listen to the bigger complaints.
I have no intention of silently caving on any change they make to MP.
#877
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,970
Well, I'm a bit happier, at least the CR-1 change doesn't happen until 2012. And now we can earn 8 CR-1s in the standard way + 2 more at 75k +2 more at 100k + 2 more at 125k next year!
1K members: During 2011, if you are a 1K member based on 2010 activity, you will still be eligible to earn two Regional Upgrades per quarter as you did before. In addition, under the new program changes announced on Nov. 17, you will also receive two more Regional Upgrades when you reach 75,000 EQM/90 EQS and two at every 25,000 EQM/30EQS after that. The quarterly earning process will end on December 31, 2011, and then the new rules will be in effect for 2012.
#878
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 187
Having said that, the ruckus over the CR-1 thing seems a little silly to me. The airline giveth, and the airline taketh away. The airline also controls your ability to spend; they can issue twice as many, and reduce the supply of available confirmable upgrades by half, and we'll only have anecdotal evidence (gathered in the midst of a merger) to try and figure out what's going on. It may very well be that somebody in an office somewhere convinced the powers that be that it would be much easier for them to reduce the supply of available confirmable seats (death by a thousand cuts in the dark, to combine two terrible analogies) than it is to reduce the supply of instruments (chopping off your head in the bright light of day.)
#879
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,847
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-blocking.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...hanges-ua.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...nited-com.html
This thread
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ts-merged.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-pay-deal.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...cies-fees.html
I'd say these are pretty significant topics.
I'm not sure I agree - I think 2011 is going to be swimming in CR-1's. Yes, there were no DEQM promos in 2009, but those 2009 promos created a lot of 2010 1K's, and they've been earning CR-1's all year, including this quarter. I think you're going to see a huge swell of CR-1's in use through Q3 of 2012, and maybe a lull, before that year's 1K's start earning them at 75k+.
#880
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,891
Flyertalk = small but mighty voice (not the only voice but still a might voice )
see my comment above
Bolding mine: See my comment above (redux)
sbm12 posted a nice overall synopsis of the chat tonight, not going into too much specifics.
I got the same read from it tonight, that MP execs are willing to listen and could make some adjustments.
And by the way, pretty much every comment/question/critique/rant/whatever that has been posted in this thread was brought up.
I got the same read from it tonight, that MP execs are willing to listen and could make some adjustments.
And by the way, pretty much every comment/question/critique/rant/whatever that has been posted in this thread was brought up.
#881
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,992
Many companies have focus groups like this (the old United did, too). They're by invitation, and the members are usually covered by an NDA, so they can't really talk about what goes on behind closed doors. Just let it go. You're not going to get anywhere trying to force the issue.
Seriously, a simple search would yield this thread, coincidentally started by mahasamatman.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...community.html
It's private.
It's by invitation only.
You are required to sign a NDA.
It's run by United, not FT.
I know several FTers in the UA forum who are members - you probably don't because they don't discuss it.
How much simpler can this be?
You weren't invited.
Gees, people. Get over it.
Any more posts about this topic in this thread will be summarily deleted. We are not going to babysit this thread.
You have been warned.
#882
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, HHonors Diamond,PC, Marriott Rewards Gold
Posts: 1,120
SPOT ON+1
There will no doubt be more fights ahead. Bigger? We don't know that yet. Are you suggesting we should have just sucked this up and bided our time?
In the long run the CR1 changes will be as stated just a few days ago, in the meantime we've bought some time to fill the coffers.
Each battle is important.
In the long run the CR1 changes will be as stated just a few days ago, in the meantime we've bought some time to fill the coffers.
Each battle is important.
#883
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA ExPlat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 17,150
I would assume that's the single biggest operational decision they have to make vis-a-vis retention of elites and the unified carrier, and I find it hard to believe that they'd be dumb enough to announce the end of E+ (or that they're phasing it out on domestic, or whatever) and then go back a few days later after the inevitable flyertalk freak-out.
#884
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL & (gasp) AVP (NEPA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 787
This hasn't been touched on explicitly that much in the however many hundred posts in this thread, but a question worth thinking about. My guess is that there wasn't anything inherently wrong with 1Ks getting 8 CR-1s. The bigger deal was that if CO gave out 8 CR-1s, their revenue model would break. Too many plats that would normally buy YBM fares to get the confirmed upgrade would now just buy the cheapest fare and upgrade. Four RTs per plat where you lost several hundred dollars of revenue would be a problem. But they couldn't take CR-1s away completely, so this is how they made the compromise.
I'm betting the next "enhancement" for 2012 for the combined program will be ZERO CR1s and "instant" upgrades (maybe instant upgrade 2H2011, and bye-bye CR1s in 2012, and amount of complaining will bring them back).
#885
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
My guess is a variation on that. They'll reduce the CR-1's (maybe 2 for every 50k miles starting at 100k) but they'll more than likely introduce reduced EQM for lower fares (S, T, K, L) making the target harder to reach as well. Then it's a natural progression towards instant upgrades for YBM since those are also the same people racking up full EQM.