ExtonUS

Well add me to the happy 1k camp...but it doesn't match what the pre-merger US CP level had for service. That is one thing I miss. Agents who spoke english, answered the phones quick even with irregular ops at a major airport, and could help with any issue - no hassles. That was great. 1kall is a step up from the old number, but nowhere near the CP desk.

goalie

and add me to the happy 1k camp as well. in the 3 yers that i have been a 1k, i have never missed an u/g (even on 319's) and only once did i have to sweat it out at the gate. irrops for me have been few and far between but goalie-parents have had their share and being a 1k and calling on their behalf has worked wonders along with being able to find saver award seats for them, goalie-sis, and goalie-aunt (and not having the $100 change fee has been a godsend). i too have been thanked by not only the phone staff but airport and onboard folks as well but i also simply say that loyalty goes both ways...ua has been very very good to me so the least i can do is put my goalie-butt in a ua seat.

now next year is gonna be culture shock as i've made 2p but it looks like that's gonna be it as being out of work has really put a dent in my flying.

mahasamatman

We're very happy to be 1Ks. We often think we get treated even better than we deserve to be.

We're probably going to drop next year too (for 2009), but for the opposite reason. In my case, having a job is putting a damper on travel, because I just don't get enough vacation time to do all the travel I want...

bseller

Just for clarification - 1K was not introduced in 1994. It was actually incorporated as a unpublished benefit in the mid/late 1980s. I know this because my extensive biz travel at that time got me the designation: "Premier Exec 100K". Initially, there was not even a new MP card associated with the designation, IIRC.
Then, as now, it required 100K BIS or 100 EQS. I earned it on the EQS. Yikes!!

As for me, I'm in the happy camper camp. SWU's are extraordinarily valuable to me for TransPac's, I haven't had 'poor' service from GA's, CSR's or CSD's, and I wouldn't want to start over somewhere else. Face it: some of us are GONNA fly (cause we love to travel) - why start as a plebe on AA??

Best, Dave

goalie

$ucks doesn't it tho for me it's gonna be in 2008.

dulcamara

I'm happy. I'm treated as well as (or better than) a flyer with $10K annual spend should be. I have never sat in Y on a transpac. My calls are not routed to India.

I'll probably stay with UA until (1) I can't upgrade on transpacs, even with a 6+ month advance
booking or (2) my calls start to wind up in India. I can't imagine getting a better deal from anyone else that I get from UA right now.

If I begin to fly less, I'll have to rethink it. If I have to pay for C, then LCC C products like Oasis don't look that bad.

Garrett Choi

Heh! I take back every bad thing I've ever said about 1K.

Today's experience:

1. Called the 1K desk with a problem with the web site related to upgrades.

2. The 1K desk gives me the number of "web support" and says to call back if they can't fix the problem.

3. I call "web support" and they are extremely difficult to understand, had significant trouble comprehending what I was asking for (twice misquoting something back to me that I just said to them), and ended up giving me completely incorrect information (citing it as "UA Policy").

4. I call the 1K desk back in frustration (I am SURE, as a FT Reader, that "web support" was not in fact quoting "UA Policy"). So, the woman at the 1K desk calls "web support" for me, and argues with them (at length) until they do exactly what I wanted!

5. AND THEN she says, "Hmmm... just a second..." and after a pause tells me she's figured out an even better way to do what I wanted, explains it to me, and then cheerfully proceeds to undo everything she just did with "web support" in order to get me the even better solution!!

GS can take all the upgrades away from me that they want now; 1K Rocks.

PhlyingRPh

I must admit, the thought of starting over at an AA or CO is a bit mortifying. That reaction in itself is a good indicator of just how valuable being a 1K member is.

jef7

I feel blessed!

1K and single

ButIsItArt

Flying alot allows me to drink and work simultaneously without the worry of phone or email interuptions...now that for me is a damm good escape from reality ^

Garrett Choi

Plus, how often do you get to work (or play Civ IV or watch BSG) sitting in a comfy chair where someone BRINGS you diet cokes and snacks??

MGL

No doubt! I miss the days when I could quickly check-in and get through security via the 1K line. Unfortunately, 1K's have been lumped in with most other status levels for some time. (Ex: the "priority" screening line going through SFO on Wednesday morning was l-o-n-g.)

flyrad

Yeah, often @ SFO (my home airport), there isn't even a priority check-in line upon opening in the early AM. There is always the UGS/Intl F red carpet escort service, which really doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that there is no other real priority line.

I haven't seen this as often at other airports. SFO is generally a pretty good airport except in regard to the above.

goalie

the elite check-in @ sfo does have separate lines for g/s 1k f & c. also, if you only have one carry-on bag, take a quick look to see if the "middle checkpoint" is open (between the 2 main ticket counters to the left of the gm security line) as it is generally not crowded along with taking a quick look at the checkpoint near the conencting walkway to the i/t.
the entire area to the right of the elevator banks as you face the terminal is elite check-in and security and s/b open around 4:45 am (2p, 1p, 1k, gs, f (dom & int'l) and c [not sure about 3p tho]). i've used it many times at that ungodly hour

KMHT FF

There have been times that I've been treated better and worse relative to the "1K" expectation norm.

But all in all I would rather be 1K than not.