Would You Buy 1K Status?
Jul 14, 2011, 5:43 am
#46
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
Second, if someone wants to buy it and they don't travel much... then what is the difference. If they want to get "treated" like a 1K for a couple of flights, and spend a fortune, then more power to them.
Third, if similar to my second response, if they don't travel much, and wouldn't "earn" 1K.... they are really not flying enough to "impact" the system too much... other then giving UA a big stack of cash.
Third, if similar to my second response, if they don't travel much, and wouldn't "earn" 1K.... they are really not flying enough to "impact" the system too much... other then giving UA a big stack of cash.
That said, I wouldn't buy it unless I knew I was going to be flying a lot the next year.
Jul 14, 2011, 6:17 am
#47
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: UA GS, Hilton Diamond, Sheraton Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 47
Frankly I wouldn't pay for any status on UA.
Jul 14, 2011, 7:38 am
#48
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 1,478
The fastest and most comfortable way I'd suggest international first class from east coast to SIN. Three R/Ts and you will be well within reach of 1K with the first class EQM bouns.
Jul 14, 2011, 7:59 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: Newly minted AA EXP Plat., disatisfied UA 1K, Marriott Silver & Hilton Gold
Posts: 704
Ditto - I'd buy GS. United: Please consider selling GS status. It's a great way to make some money and us non-GS would love it. Don't worry about existing GS, they are already locked into your program, they'll be a little upset, but what do you have to worry about? Do it! Make a change we'd like!
Jul 14, 2011, 8:24 am
#50
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Ditto - I'd buy GS. United: Please consider selling GS status. It's a great way to make some money and us non-GS would love it. Don't worry about existing GS, they are already locked into your program, they'll be a little upset, but what do you have to worry about? Do it! Make a change we'd like!
I don't think they would ever sell GS -- I wouldn't be too surprised if they turned around and did though (since it does involve green stuff).
Jul 14, 2011, 8:35 am
#51
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,145
Jul 14, 2011, 8:52 am
#52
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: TUS and any place close to a lav
Programs: UA 1.6MM
Posts: 5,423
Jul 14, 2011, 9:57 am
#53
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
I realize you just pulled a number out of the air (in response to reddirt), but lets be realistic:
If 1K was $20K on a prepaid card 5 years ago, GS certainly would not warrant a lower price today.
How about we throw the number out there of $75K (150% of the *rumored* spend for GS).
If 1K was $20K on a prepaid card 5 years ago, GS certainly would not warrant a lower price today.
How about we throw the number out there of $75K (150% of the *rumored* spend for GS).
Jul 14, 2011, 10:06 am
#54
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
I realize you just pulled a number out of the air (in response to reddirt), but lets be realistic:
If 1K was $20K on a prepaid card 5 years ago, GS certainly would not warrant a lower price today.
How about we throw the number out there of $75K (150% of the *rumored* spend for GS).
If 1K was $20K on a prepaid card 5 years ago, GS certainly would not warrant a lower price today.
How about we throw the number out there of $75K (150% of the *rumored* spend for GS).
http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...lplatinum.aspx
Earnings will be based on a calendar year, starting Jan. 1, 2011. The spending qualification will be $30,000.
Jul 14, 2011, 2:22 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
Mr. Smisek might really want to give this as an option too considering if Y/B trumps all the elites UDU migrate from CO to COUA, then the 1K UDU rate would go down, but the airline itself is making $$ out of people who want status even without stepping into the plane.
This is a great business strategy, similar as Elite Maximizer, to maximize the profit without virtually taking any kind of financial risks (IRROPS, layover/hotel comp vouchers, VDBs, rebookings etc.)
This is a great business strategy, similar as Elite Maximizer, to maximize the profit without virtually taking any kind of financial risks (IRROPS, layover/hotel comp vouchers, VDBs, rebookings etc.)
Sat for 10 hours today EZE-IAD in B non upgraded, and am now looking at 14 hours tonight LAX-SYD non-upgraded, also in B class.
My worse track record in 11 years as a million miler 1K, whch seems to mean zero these days to Smisek, even when you buy top of tree fare buckets.
Really can't see why I bother to get 1K - may as well spend my 2 million miles on awards, and give them zero bucks.
Jul 14, 2011, 2:30 pm
#56
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PIT
Programs: Starbucks Gold
Posts: 74
To these hypotheticals, it should be added that a large upfront payment to companies that seem to revolve through bankruptcy court every few years may be ill-advised...
Jul 14, 2011, 2:39 pm
#57
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: Recovering after 7 years of UA 1K, Still UA Silver (Which means nothing), Marriott Lifetime Plat Pre
Posts: 1,950
They do sell GS. Its just not direct to consumer. My Corporate travel agent told me the company gets to appoint 5 people to GS each year because we give them a certain amount of business. The GS always goes to the top execs, who always get to fly in C/F anyway, and who fly much less than us poor minions who have to buy discount economy.
Jul 14, 2011, 4:59 pm
#58
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
Well the faster Smisek kicks some butts in UA to pay some attention to pre-clearing Y/B upgrades 3 days out long haul, the better.
Sat for 10 hours today EZE-IAD in B non upgraded, and am now looking at 14 hours tonight LAX-SYD non-upgraded, also in B class.
My worse track record in 11 years as a million miler 1K, whch seems to mean zero these days to Smisek, even when you buy top of tree fare buckets.
Really can't see why I bother to get 1K - may as well spend my 2 million miles on awards, and give them zero bucks.
Sat for 10 hours today EZE-IAD in B non upgraded, and am now looking at 14 hours tonight LAX-SYD non-upgraded, also in B class.
My worse track record in 11 years as a million miler 1K, whch seems to mean zero these days to Smisek, even when you buy top of tree fare buckets.
Really can't see why I bother to get 1K - may as well spend my 2 million miles on awards, and give them zero bucks.
Jul 14, 2011, 5:10 pm
#59
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Premier 1K 1MM; AA Plat Pro; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Platinum; Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,529
HELL NO! As many have already stated, you should earn your status!
Selling of status is why I left US Worstways
Selling of status is why I left US Worstways
Jul 15, 2011, 11:02 am
#60
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
Right, but that $20k comes with $20k of flying. If you're talking a la carte, presumably it would be less. You'd have to calculate the "breakage" rate on that $20k expected by United to get the actual price--it's probably more in the $5-8k range.