Switching ("comping") FF mile program
Aug 24, 2004 | 10:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Upstate New York, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, US Air Gold, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 247
Switching ("comping") FF mile program
I'm a USAir Chairman's Preferred member who usually travels on "B" level fares or better, in order to get immediate upgrades.
At last I have (reluctantly) accepted the fact that the end may be near for USAir. So I called United Airlines today to request that they "comp" my elite status (not my 300,000+ miles, which I will find a way to "burn"--soon!).
The agent told me that United does not "comp" elite membership for members of the Star Alliance. This seems odd, given my more-than-100,000 mile plus elite travel over the past four years-- often (though not always) at premier prices.
Should I take this agent's word for it? Or should I seek a "higher authority?" at United? Or is there another airline that I should be considering? (from the East Coast, I travel mostly to Europe, the West Coast, and Florida). Surely there must be another airline that would want my consistent "B" fare FF business?
Would REALLY appreciate the in-the-know-advice of the wonderful experts on this forum!
At last I have (reluctantly) accepted the fact that the end may be near for USAir. So I called United Airlines today to request that they "comp" my elite status (not my 300,000+ miles, which I will find a way to "burn"--soon!).
The agent told me that United does not "comp" elite membership for members of the Star Alliance. This seems odd, given my more-than-100,000 mile plus elite travel over the past four years-- often (though not always) at premier prices.
Should I take this agent's word for it? Or should I seek a "higher authority?" at United? Or is there another airline that I should be considering? (from the East Coast, I travel mostly to Europe, the West Coast, and Florida). Surely there must be another airline that would want my consistent "B" fare FF business?
Would REALLY appreciate the in-the-know-advice of the wonderful experts on this forum!
Aug 24, 2004 | 10:13 am
#2
Join Date: May 2001
Location: is everything...but...
Programs: dont matter anymore...
Posts: 3,019
Its usually part of the alliance agreement not to comp other members customers. I'm sure there's some work around to this though.
Also, this really isn't MilesBuzz-worthy so I'll move it over to United for you.
Regards,
Flipside
Also, this really isn't MilesBuzz-worthy so I'll move it over to United for you.
Regards,
Flipside
Aug 24, 2004 | 10:21 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 894
seeing as how you are probably *G, you are already enjoying some benefits on UA anyways. like has been previously mentioned, its not policy to comp status for partner airlines. the way they see it is that you are already entitled to certain priveleges just by way of the partnership, so its not really necessary. considering the level of revenue you could provide, as well as your reasoning for switching, it might be remotely possible to get comped... but i wouldnt count on it because of said partnership rule.
Aug 24, 2004 | 10:36 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Erie, CO USA
Programs: UA, M&M, AA, AS, Marriott, et al
Posts: 1,565
Check out the thread on status matching
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9558
Query: would get get enough status based on flights from now to the end of the (premier) year if you credited all of your US flights to your UA account?
Also, look into getting comped by a carrier outside of *A and then going back to UA. Don't know if they will consider a challenge.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9558
Query: would get get enough status based on flights from now to the end of the (premier) year if you credited all of your US flights to your UA account?
Also, look into getting comped by a carrier outside of *A and then going back to UA. Don't know if they will consider a challenge.
Aug 25, 2004 | 4:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by woolfcross
I'm a USAir Chairman's Preferred member who usually travels on "B" level fares or better, in order to get immediate upgrades.
At last I have (reluctantly) accepted the fact that the end may be near for USAir. So I called United Airlines today to request that they "comp" my elite status (not my 300,000+ miles, which I will find a way to "burn"--soon!).
The agent told me that United does not "comp" elite membership for members of the Star Alliance. This seems odd, given my more-than-100,000 mile plus elite travel over the past four years-- often (though not always) at premier prices.
Should I take this agent's word for it? Or should I seek a "higher authority?" at United? Or is there another airline that I should be considering? (from the East Coast, I travel mostly to Europe, the West Coast, and Florida). Surely there must be another airline that would want my consistent "B" fare FF business?
I have matched Continental with United Star Alliance status. Continental will require that you summit a copy, last months statement, and also will give you one grade lower than what you have with United.
Would REALLY appreciate the in-the-know-advice of the wonderful experts on this forum!
At last I have (reluctantly) accepted the fact that the end may be near for USAir. So I called United Airlines today to request that they "comp" my elite status (not my 300,000+ miles, which I will find a way to "burn"--soon!).
The agent told me that United does not "comp" elite membership for members of the Star Alliance. This seems odd, given my more-than-100,000 mile plus elite travel over the past four years-- often (though not always) at premier prices.
Should I take this agent's word for it? Or should I seek a "higher authority?" at United? Or is there another airline that I should be considering? (from the East Coast, I travel mostly to Europe, the West Coast, and Florida). Surely there must be another airline that would want my consistent "B" fare FF business?
I have matched Continental with United Star Alliance status. Continental will require that you summit a copy, last months statement, and also will give you one grade lower than what you have with United.
Would REALLY appreciate the in-the-know-advice of the wonderful experts on this forum!