violist

Dead end, especially for recent 1Ks. If I choose to keep flying UA,
I will probably do okay, as I have built a good network of contacts
over a dozen years of 1Kness; but if you're merely annoyed, you
will have some interesting times ahead.

Not to say that the sky is falling ... but it is.

LAXNRT

Would love to give it a try as an elite.

reddirt14

United just recanted the reduction in CR-1s for 2011 - see the other thread. But they are leaving it open for 2012... Second try and they backed down. I'm guessing the third time it will stick.

BlissWorld

Only for 2011 though, for 2012, the 2 CR1 at 75K rule takes over. Most of us will have 1K through Jan 2012 anyway, so I don't think this will affect our decisions to switch, at least not for me.

chrisksc

+1 Don't mind going back to AA and give OW a try.

JSlo

Did UA really recant? What a bunch of bozo's. I mean, I'm glad but really I think I will still keep my name on the AA list.

Those who are posting about "why? these carriers don't have E+ either" I think are really posting naively. It's not about a couple CR's. It's about the culture changing, the difficulty in upgrading, and the value of 1K v. the value of EXP and 8eVIPS. It's about E- (coming soon to COUA), and the fact that E- to E-, I'd rather have wifi (even at $30 a month!) and power outlets. It's about the direction of value add's at a given FF program. Nothing else. No emotion, no subjectivity. Ask yourself:

What airline's FF program will reward my miles/dollars with the greatest and most satisfying number of acceptable flight outcomes (UG, no UG, IRROPS, route network, cost, etc)?

Answer that question for yourself. The answer will be different for everyone, and rightfully so. The one speculative element is predicting the future moves of the FF elite benefits. Is COUA moving toward things you like or away? Is another airline closer to your desired outcomes?

The biggest downside is the "down year" when you have to earn the new status. If AA were to eliminate the "down year" that is just another notch toward a "desired outcome". For me a major drawback is paying the year of working up the ladder. Eliminate that year and all of a sudden I can compare elite benefits of one carrier to another apples to apples. It's that simple.

I think these are all very rational and viable questions to think through when you are spending $20K+ a year and 100 flights a year.

EDIT: oh and PS- I just crossed a 100 hr threshold when again I did not clear the UDU. F is half full on expertflyer on a A320 out of PHX...yeah...UDU is UWL = unlimited waitlist loser

patk

If they recanted on the CR1's (which affect a much smaller segment of the flyer community), I really doubt they'll cancel E+ which would have a hugely negative impact on a much larger segment. At least, I sure hope so


Now this is the thing I fear the most: if the new CO/UA scales back the number of flights, then there will be more elites with fewer flights/seats to choose from. UA is already elite-heavy, and now they have yet another tier (the 75K tier from CO), that just screws everything up even more.

Just today I was on my way back from asia (return leg from a DEN-SFO-HKG-TPE-NRT-SFO-DEN in C), and the 777 (UA862 for the SFO-DEN leg) F was completely full of nothing but GS + 1K's. Of course, the meals were not available for everyone, and I overheard the FA telling a 1K sitting near me that everyone in F was top-tier when the 1K complained that she was a 1K and asked why she couldn't get her selection. That is on a 777 with 36 F seats, nothing but GS+1K (who knows how many were in back)! I can't imagine that getting any better, especially when CO/UA start scaling back flights which is what I expect to happen as they consolidate routes.

As an EXP, I've never had this problem, and I've only had to go back past row 6 on the MD-80 once this year, and that's when I booked my flight one day in advance.

The one thing missing from UA/*A and would put a pretty big nail in the AA coffin (for me, anyway) would be if *A added another tier that gave the equivalent benefits of OW Emerald. That's a big deal for international travelers (FC lounge access, FC check-in, regardless of ticket class, etc). If I, as a 1K, could get equivalent OW benefits + *A routing + E+, heck, I'd be UA forever and never look back. That'd make up for the times when my domestic UG didn't clear, because honestly, E+ and drink chits is darn near the same as F unless you're flying transcon

david-alexis

Nice, Problem solved AA's FF stay with AA and UA'FF stay with UA... Deal?
UA's ff have the best of both world now with the regional UPG.

JSlo

I agree on all counts, and also hope on all counts. I don't want to switch carriers, what a pain. But if devaluation is a continuing theme I fear many loyal UA legacy fliers who are discerning will not have much choice.

mahasamatman

For 2011.

So you think they're bozos when they don't listen, and bozos when they do? Some people can never be satisfied.

SFO777

Well, this is FT after all.

JSlo

I wouldn't put myself in the camp of "never be satisfied". I'm pretty easy going and think I have a decent perspective on life. In the end CR1's and upgrades and status are fun to banter about, but they aren't that important in the long run or what's most important in life to me. It's fun to rant a bit on FT, when in most of life I have to be on the other end of those rants in my position at work.

SO..with that clarification/admission/acknowledgment (I stand duly contrite at the post of mahasamatman)- When I say they are bozo's, it's more about how they do things.

1. dislike devaluation
2. like they listened and adjusted for 2011
3. think it's funny how they go about things. wording of T&C's at times, program changes and then recants, no info about E+, etc etc.

There are alot worse things they could be than bozo's! no?

Without being all pantsy, I have a fairly senior management position at the company I am with. If I communicated with our employees or customers in the way UA does with us, I don't know how long I would be there. So, I just kinda said they are bozo's. There is still something loveable and redeemable about a bozo When UA goofs things up think "bad news bears" more and "freddy krueger" less....

Is that more clear? If I have been whining excessively I apologize and I'll try to choose my words more carefully.

BlissWorld

Yes, NIMBY; Don't come to AA and compete with my upgrades; yada yada yada

I hope you are not changing your mind. Seriously, UA pulls these kind of stunts all the time. Let's take away this and that and hope everyone will like it! Then, they give them back when everyone threatens to leave. I am sick of this practice.

I hope you are reading between the lines of the revised CR1 announcement. What UA is really saying is, oh snap, let me give you back your CR1s so you don't leave me! But, when mommy Continental takes over in 2012, I really will have to do what they tell me and take your CR1s again, okay? Deal.

Grace B

Well said, I could hardly have described the situation better myself (well maybe a little). Obviously you're quite astute.

Pity most other posters on this website don't see it the same way. Why is that, I wonder? It was a rhetorical question...

david-alexis

[QUOTE=BlissWorld;15201740] Yes, NIMBY; Don't come to AA and compete with my upgrades; yada yada yada

and your point is? yes my reaction is quite expected but I still voice my opinion...
And to be quite frank I don't really care but I just wanted to give you guys just a little bit of a hard time, but you seem really sensitive to it so I will stop, and wish you guys luck with that status match!^