Maybe those that expire 01/09. There's likely going to be a lot more unused ones expiring 01/08, tho ;)

Seriously, this will be interesting to see the impact of fewer 1Ks and elites in general. Im not convinced that it will be a lot less. Lots of people here maybe, but not lots in terms of the bigger picture I suspect.

Since switching a lot of my flying to AA a couple years ago I clearly detect a qualitative difference in the way Im treated by the airlines. In the last few years, probably since around the introduction of the UGS program, although that may not be the sole cause, I have felt as a 1K that I was treated as someone who flys a lot. On AA as a Platinum even, and especially as an EXP, I have felt I was treated much more like a special, valuable customer. Just little things, lots of waivers of rules and such like on standby, but really a difference. But also things like Platinum and EXP being able to check in with first class on international flights (not business) and being to access the first class lounge as an EXP. The EXP desk has it way over the 1K call in line as well.

So it will be interesting to me to see if this apparent lack of DEQM has any significant impact on numbers of elites and treatment of them.

UA doesn't care about my business so I am liberated
 

After being a 1K for the majority of the last decade and spending several hundred thousand dollars to fly almost exclusively on UA over the last 20 years, I feel liberated by United's indifference to customer's wishes and continuing decline in service. I no longer feel obligated to drive any more of our travel budget towards this airline and will choose travel based on quality of service rather than a sole focus on miles or retaining elite status.

oh well, 1P it is, for me.

Out of curiosity, what makes you feel this? The fact that they don't have double EQM's this year, or...?

I agree. I'd be surprised if more than 2-3% of elites used DEQM to get where they are.

Did I miss your point or did you miss the posters LOL ?

The bitterness is strong in this one! ;)

lol sorry I missed it..and I apologize

Oh well, time to hunt down these Z fares. Any good places to fish for Z fares?
:D

Maybe not jump ship (yet), but this week I'll be canceling some trips and some MR stuff I was going to do - probably cost UA a few thousand $$ in revenue because I can't make 1K without these but without DEQM are not worth it to me. This definitely changes my travel plans and not for the betterment of UA revenue.

And I'll see if other carriers have better fares as there is no reason to insure all my flights across the Pacific go UA, plus I'll soon be a million mile flyer and have 1P for life so then I won't care or need to fly UA at all if it's not the best deal - must be lots of similar folks around who have run up miles in the last few years and will now spread the love around.

I suspect that United has factored the additional revenue gained through DEQM into their decision making process, and have determined that the overall net change is good for their shareholders.

Most of you people are not making sense. You are cancelling trips and switching to other airlines (who might I add have never had DEQM promos and never will) just because UA did not offer the promo this year? The logic you must have doesn't exist. This is like all the PremEx flyers thinking they are entitled to the red carpet and other things. The DEQM promo is not an entitlement. You know what else. You will probably be 1P without the DEQM, and were last year. Just goes to prove the mentality is there.

I can proudly say I did 1K the hard way; flying 106 segments this year.

status
 

For me having 1p/1k is good for its international benefits *G and I was looking forward to DEQM this year to help me keep me at least at 1p as i haven't flown as much this year to the US. All my miles are with United and this used to be no problem but United do have as competitive fares as in recent years, the quality of service is well below other Asian airlines... status, price and my existing miles were what kept me on United, now there are so many reasons nowadays not to fly with United. Especially as according to UAHK there are no miles upgrade seats available between now and the end of 2007. Why earn more miles if i cant even use them?

Here's what I don't get...

Now that everyone assumes that there will not be a DEQM, there seems to be a lot of venom, and people feel like United has screwed them out of a status level. A level which they did not earn by flying. A level which United basically allowed them to pay cash for in years previous.

"I don't fly much, but I really enjoyed the benefits given to people who fly a lot. Now that United isn't going to give me the benefits I didn't earn, I'm taking my money elsewhere. You suck, United."

Does that make sense to anybody?

I'll make 1P this year through flying and COS bonus. I will be well short of 1K, and I think that's just fine. Next year, I'll fly over 100,000 miles BIS, and thanks to COS I'll make 1K some time in the third quarter. I will earn perks given to frequent fliers by flying a lot.

"Every day in the summer the ice cream man gave my sister a free ice cream cone when I bought one. This summer he started charging both of us full price. I'm never buying ice cream from him again!"

Isn't that the same argument? Does it make any more sense?

Edit: to add that I don't have a problem with DEQM per sae, I probably would have shot for 1K if it was offered, but I'm not going to be mad when it is not. ENDS.