Elite Choice program?
 

I'm pretty much new to frequent flying, so forgive me if this question is too basic. This morning I got an email from United telling me that this is my last chance to register for the Elite Choice program. This program sounded nice, so I went ahead and registered, but it looks like it is for Elite members. I am going to cross the first tier status on my next flight, but I am not even Premier right now. Did they go ahead and grant me status because I am booked to achieve it next week, or is Elite Choice open to everyone, and I just missed it in my email before? I saw a recent thread about asking for status with the booked flight and experiences seemed to range. I would be excited to have it so I can be assured of an E+ seat when I fly across the country next week.

I doubt they gave you 2P status early, but you can check when you login - does it say General Member or Premier?

As far as the Elite Choice program goes, sign up before the deadline no matter what your status is. What's the worst that can happen?

Elite Choice is open to everyone. You need to hit 35,000 EQM to get any benefit.

Okay. Thanks all for the information. I should hit 35K by the end of the year and get something out of it. :)

Correct, but last year you had to be 2P or higher to participate.

The web site is a bit unclear. The link from the main Choices page is for "Premier®, Premier Associate® and General member[s]" as of March 1, 2007. But the next page lists the "2007 Rewards for U.S. Members who hold Premier status on March 1, 2007."

Finally, the T&C states "Promotion is open only to ... United Mileage Plus® Premier®, Premier Executive® or 1K® Members (“Members”) as of January 23, 2008."

This link spefically lists GM's, but if you click on the link for 2P, 3P & GM, the next page says "2007 Rewards for U.S. Members who hold Premier status on March 1, 2007". My guess would be that anyone can register, and as others have pointed out, it doesn't hurt to give it a shot and see if it works out for you.

Edited to add: Looks like FBKSan beat me to the punch. :)

Just got the mail on the Q4 Elite Chioces sweepstakes. Looks like it's a trip to Beijing in C (with some other perks). Still not worth choosing, though...

Got these for my 125EQS choices

30 chances to win our Sights and Sounds of Beijing Sweepstakes, Courtesy of United Vacations®
Two Confirmed Regional Upgrades
Save up to $800 on China, Japan, Singapore and other Asia packages from United Vacations®
Carry forward 2,500 EQM/2.5 EQS into 2008, plus triple flight miles in September 2008
Mileage Plus® Platinum Visa® Card – First Year Free (save $140)
Plus, you also have the opportunity to nominate a friend to Premier® status.

So when do you get to make your choice? And can you change your choice once you've made it?

You have 30 days from receiving the email (or from when they claim to have sent it) to make your choice.

To quote Gozer: "Choose and perish!" Once you choose, it's locked in.

And if I forget what I chose? :)

Post here about it (in one of the many threads) and someone else can then later search for you :)

Hahah good point.

I should have said... and if I forgot what I chose?

Subject: 35,000 EQM/40 EQS reward choice confirmation
 

I received my choices message today and only had two choices, neither of which were listed on the promo/reg page. One for $50 off something useless and the choice I made below. I wonder why but I'm happy to get the 2.5k EQM for next year!

Subject: 35,000 EQM/40 EQS reward choice confirmation



United®


================================================== =
Thank you
================================================== =

Dear Mr Woodbert,

This confirms your choice to carry forward 2,500 EQM and 2.5 EQS into 2008. Your Mileage Plus® account will be credited between January 1, 2008, through February 29, 2008. These miles are not redeemable toward award travel, but do count toward earning or retaining elite status for 2009.

You can call and ask. It also should be included in your snail-mail statement.

Actually, those two choices are the only two choices for int'l 1Ps. I think you were looking at the domestic 1P choices. Make sure to look at the right page. :)

Thanks for the info.

$50 off e-certificate
 

I reached 35,000 miles as a 1P in July, and selected a $50 off e-certificate as my choice, but I never received anything. Has anyone who selected this certificate received it? If so, in what form? Should I get email with a promo code, a paper certificate in the mail, or what?

You should have gotten it in an email within seconds of choosing it.

Well, that's a bummer, because I didn't. Not only that, but after crossing the 75,000 mile mark I didn't receive an email, either. I called Mileage plus, who transfered me to tech support, who transfered me to reservations, who is in the process of transferring me back to Mileage plus. The phone call has lasted well over an hour with very long hold times at each step.

Any suggestions on how to get this straightened out? I know I registered for the promotion because I got an email at 35,000 miles, and when I try to register again it tells me I'm already registered.

Doesn't really matter, since none of the choices have much value whatsoever, anyway.

Last year they had two good choices: 2 F tickets to ORD and a dinner in a 3-star restaurant with an exec, and 2 F tickets to DEN and a flight simulator experience. This year, even at 225,000 EQM, yawn.

How long ago did you cross 75,000 miles? It took a good 10 days for me to get my email recently.

Just last Friday, so I guess there's no problem with that. I finally got the $50 e-certificate, after about two hours on the phone. Not an effective use of my time, but I wanted to make sure there's nothing wrong so that I get my 2,500 EQM carry forward for next year.