dhammer53

I've been flying UA since 1988. I've been PremEx since 2001.
Last year I finally made 1k. Today is my last day as a 1k.

I'll miss:

- CR1's
- SWU's
- boarding early
- a shiny 2012 1k card
- domestic call centers
- bragging rights on this board
- larger payouts due to IRROPS
- additional award availability
- special telephone number to 1k desk
- ability to fly earlier without paying a fee
- free changes to award tickets
- ability to cancel an award and have miles redeposited

Who else will join me in bidding adieu to 1k?

Chapel Hill Guy

I've been a 1K for the last nine years, but no more. I will miss it, but life goes on.

I burned my last SWU on the 30th, NRT-SEA-ORD-RDU.

TWA Guy

Same here. Been enjoying 1K since Sept. 2008. Luckily I still have some CR1's to use throughout 2011. My current travel plans for 2011 have me at 70k so hopefully with a few more trips and some creative routings I can fight my way back to 1K.

N334AA

Will be back to 2P on Feb 1 after two years as 1K.

I'm definitely sad to lose the benefits but I just am not flying as much anymore. I'm very grateful to have gotten a soft landing (flew 13K EQM).

Eastbay1K

I haven't been 1K for quite awhile. But I waited until I was MM until I retired But you know what? The sun rises, the sun sets. When I fly UA, I still have a better experience than 98% of the masses. It is becoming a distant memory, yet forever emblazoned in my FT handle. But I was 1K for enough years that I'm entitled to keep it :-:

Mike Jacoubowsky

Got to it before me! I put up a post on our website along with a countdown timer here.

I managed to secure 1P status though, without any special considerations from UA. It wasn't easy; I flew less this year than last, and no DEQM. But I'm feeling liberated, not having to worry about paying for higher fare classes to have a chance at an upgrade that won't likely come through.

LarkSFO

The EgyptAir miles came through?

FriendlySkies

FWIW, you'll still get domestic call center access. When I was a 1P, I was always routed to ORD, HNL, or DTW.. I have been sent to the ICC as a 1K.

trekwars2000

Normal Standby has always been free on UA... Is this no longer the case?

Mike Jacoubowsky

Nope! I could have sent in more info and forced it, but I called the 1K line and was told no problem, they'd given me 1P despite being 177 miles short. Almost felt like getting those 370 miles anyway, just because, but realistically I have better things to do with my time.
Changed last year. Only 1K & GS get standby fees waived. Major issue for many. Sadly, I only took advantage of it once this past year, while in prior years, when I wasn't a 1K and it was free for any elite, I used it often. Go figure.
I'm going to literally frame mine. Yes, I know that's silly. I just wish I'd scored one of those personally-written thank-you notes at the gates in December.

ACVBear

Same here. Last year was my first year as 1K, and I was not only able to use my SWUs to get Business on LAX-IAD-FCO and return this past week I used paper SWUs to help a friend upgrade on Lufthansa.

90% of my domestic travel I won't miss the upgrades (LOTS of LAX-SFO), hopefully the customer service at lower levels is good again but I felt like as a 1k they really took care of you.

Anyway yeah upgrades are nice though for the long flights. Guess I need to go back to the miles for that (oh and the mileage bonus... stupid 2p... :-/... hopefully I make 1k again next year? probably not likely with the new 120 segment requirement).

Just some of the other things too that require fees at lower levels (specifically stand by... that is going to absolutely KILL me next fall :-/).

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, maybe one day I'll do it again?

taipeipeter

Actually, I don't think I'll miss it that much. Of course it was nice using SWU's for upgrades and thereby saving miles. But still, the waiting-till-the-last-minute for upgrades to clear last year, which I seldom had to do before, kinda spoiled the experience for me. Yes, better last-minute (perhaps helped by status) than not-at-all, but that's how I felt anyway.

Noel Vice

I am sad. I loved my shiny card.

Grace B

I'll be bidding 1K farewell next year. Don't think I'll be flying UA this year, so my 14 SWU's will just go to hell. Could fly UA if I wanted, but why should I put money in Smisek's pocket?

That's life on Smisek Airlines.

AMRivlin

oh so sad. (And still waiting on my 1P card)

I actually got my last 1K benefit today at 4pm, 100hr out UDU cleared for Feb 3. (Yes I planned that) Had it been the 1P 72hr, it would not have cleared as the cabin is now full (granted it is on a CRJ, so who cares)

I am contemplating the challenge (25k/499), but I don't fly UA long haul, just AC metal. So it might not make much sense. I still have time to decide I guess.

I did enjoy calling the 1K desk every 5 min to ask where I stood on the upgrade list. The main benefit I will miss is changing award routings, but maybe I will go into saving mode for a year, and not use miles at all.