Will UA restore the 500 mile minimums for elites?
Oct 2, 2008, 2:54 pm
#151
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New York
Programs: UA, Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt. RewardsNetwork dining.
Posts: 210
Thanks for the encouragement to actually do this. I sent an email via the CS form:
Dear United Airline Mileage Plus:
A couple of months ago you eliminated your award of a 500 minimum mileage award for all flights. I wish you would reinstate it.
To the best of my knowledge, only one airline shares your policy on this: US Air. Regarding other major North American airlines:
500-minimum award for all passengers: Alaska, American, Delta, Northwest
500-minimum award for elite frequent flyers: Continental
250-minimum award: Air Canada
actual mileage flown: United, US Air.
United Mileage Plus is out of step with the other airlines with this policy.
I suppose it is seen as a cost cutting measure, but won't it decrease revenue amounting to an opportunity loss of much more than it saves in the future? Surely some passengers, especially elite frequent fliers who travel more often, will consider flying other airlines; some will even choose other modes of transportation.
Not only does this policy subtract from my incentive to fly on United, it actually detracts from my incentive to fly at all. It is a big hassle to pack according to security rules, to get to the airport, to go through security, to deal with delayed flights or luggage, etc. Consider shorter flights such as LA to Las Vegas, San Diego, Tucson, Phoenix, San Francisco. Or even the train for SEA-PDX or SEA-YVR.
Without that "reward" of 500 miles for shorter flights, I start to seriously weigh the benefits of driving or taking the train vs. the cost of the hassle and inconvenience of flying. Or not going at all, which is easy when a trip is for fun and not business.
Knowing I would receive 500 redeemable and elite-qualifying miles got me to take a few extra trips during the year. So this policy is costing you some business. I hope you will reinstate the 500-mile minimum award for all flights.
Sincerely,
A couple of months ago you eliminated your award of a 500 minimum mileage award for all flights. I wish you would reinstate it.
To the best of my knowledge, only one airline shares your policy on this: US Air. Regarding other major North American airlines:
500-minimum award for all passengers: Alaska, American, Delta, Northwest
500-minimum award for elite frequent flyers: Continental
250-minimum award: Air Canada
actual mileage flown: United, US Air.
United Mileage Plus is out of step with the other airlines with this policy.
I suppose it is seen as a cost cutting measure, but won't it decrease revenue amounting to an opportunity loss of much more than it saves in the future? Surely some passengers, especially elite frequent fliers who travel more often, will consider flying other airlines; some will even choose other modes of transportation.
Not only does this policy subtract from my incentive to fly on United, it actually detracts from my incentive to fly at all. It is a big hassle to pack according to security rules, to get to the airport, to go through security, to deal with delayed flights or luggage, etc. Consider shorter flights such as LA to Las Vegas, San Diego, Tucson, Phoenix, San Francisco. Or even the train for SEA-PDX or SEA-YVR.
Without that "reward" of 500 miles for shorter flights, I start to seriously weigh the benefits of driving or taking the train vs. the cost of the hassle and inconvenience of flying. Or not going at all, which is easy when a trip is for fun and not business.
Knowing I would receive 500 redeemable and elite-qualifying miles got me to take a few extra trips during the year. So this policy is costing you some business. I hope you will reinstate the 500-mile minimum award for all flights.
Sincerely,
Oct 2, 2008, 3:29 pm
#152
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,330
Instead of UA responding with saying their canned crap that 'UA's policy is in line with most other carriers', why don't they just say 'Ok, the truth? We're low balling the hell out of you, and only one other s#$t can airline thinks less of you than we do and that's USAirways.'
Quit blowing smoke up my butt United!
Oct 2, 2008, 4:14 pm
#153
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New York
Programs: UA, Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt. RewardsNetwork dining.
Posts: 210
why don't they just say 'Ok, the truth? We're low balling the hell out of you, and only one other s#$t can airline thinks less of you than we do and that's USAirways.'
Oct 2, 2008, 8:10 pm
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,330
And sold to us as:
"This is an exciting program ENHANCEMENT" ..................
"This is an exciting program ENHANCEMENT" ..................
Oct 2, 2008, 8:15 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
AC min miles
For what it's worth - flew an LGA-YUL round trip this past weekend on AC. 324 miles each way...received 500 EQMs for each leg. The 250 mile minimum you referenced seems to imply actual EQMs for any trips between 250 and 500 miles.
I was on an S codeshare fare that mapped to an AC A fare...after a re-fare, final cost was $273. Of course...YMMV.
I was on an S codeshare fare that mapped to an AC A fare...after a re-fare, final cost was $273. Of course...YMMV.
Oct 2, 2008, 11:12 pm
#156
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,330
Kind of off the wall...but do the 500 mile mins effect my UA Lifetime miles? Or is it just flown miles you get credited to that portion? If it does, then this opens up a whole new can of worms!
Oct 2, 2008, 11:17 pm
#157
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Oct 2, 2008, 11:59 pm
#158
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New York
Programs: UA, Starwood, Marriott, Hyatt. RewardsNetwork dining.
Posts: 210
flew an LGA-YUL round trip this past weekend on AC. 324 miles each way...received 500 EQMs for each leg. The 250 mile minimum you referenced seems to imply actual EQMs for any trips between 250 and 500 miles.
Oct 3, 2008, 2:04 am
#159
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 350
By the way, I would rather United not pursue AC route and introduce fares like Tango. It sucks really bad when you can only afford cheap fares and they give you very little miles with 0 EQM.
AC policy:
Mileage Earned:
Flights within Canada and between Canada and the Continental U.S.A. (including Hawaii).
Fare Options/Booking Class, Air Canada Status Miles earned for Distance Flown, Class of Service Bonus
Executive Class:
(J, C, Z) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) 50%
Latitude:
(Y, M, U) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) N/A
Tango Plus:
(B, H, V, Q, L, A, S) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) N/A
Tango*:
(R, G, P, E, N, T, K) 25% of miles flown (minimum 125) N/A
Booking Class:
(X*‡) 25% of miles flown (minimum 125) N/A
Booking Class:
(I) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) N/A
*Aeroplan Miles and Aeroplan Flight Segments accumulated in X booking class and on Tango (R, G, P, E, N, T, K) are not Air Canada Status Miles and do not count towards Air Canada Top Tier status.
AC policy:
Mileage Earned:
Flights within Canada and between Canada and the Continental U.S.A. (including Hawaii).
Fare Options/Booking Class, Air Canada Status Miles earned for Distance Flown, Class of Service Bonus
Executive Class:
(J, C, Z) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) 50%
Latitude:
(Y, M, U) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) N/A
Tango Plus:
(B, H, V, Q, L, A, S) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) N/A
Tango*:
(R, G, P, E, N, T, K) 25% of miles flown (minimum 125) N/A
Booking Class:
(X*‡) 25% of miles flown (minimum 125) N/A
Booking Class:
(I) 100% of miles flown (minimum 500) N/A
*Aeroplan Miles and Aeroplan Flight Segments accumulated in X booking class and on Tango (R, G, P, E, N, T, K) are not Air Canada Status Miles and do not count towards Air Canada Top Tier status.
Last edited by beanex; Oct 3, 2008 at 2:09 am
Oct 3, 2008, 10:02 am
#160
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler
Posts: 34
Here's the response I received very promptly after sending my email to 1Kvoice:
Dear Ms. pinkster:
We appreciate you taking time to express your views about restoring 500-mile minimums for elite qualifying miles and redeemable mileage accrual.
As a 1K valued customer, Ms. pinkster, your interest in United is appreciated and I will share your comments with the appropriate department. Your feedback will make a difference and will help us evaluate our decisions that impact your choice of airline.
Regards,
XXX
United Airlines Customer Relations
In order to serve you better, we would like to collect your feedback on your experience with us today. Please click on the link below to access our short survey. Use the password XXX
<https://www.intelliscaninc.net/united/>
In the survey, you will be asked for a Ref #. That number can be found at the end of the subject line of this email.
Needless to say, I went and filled out the survey - it was not positive.
Dear Ms. pinkster:
We appreciate you taking time to express your views about restoring 500-mile minimums for elite qualifying miles and redeemable mileage accrual.
As a 1K valued customer, Ms. pinkster, your interest in United is appreciated and I will share your comments with the appropriate department. Your feedback will make a difference and will help us evaluate our decisions that impact your choice of airline.
Regards,
XXX
United Airlines Customer Relations
In order to serve you better, we would like to collect your feedback on your experience with us today. Please click on the link below to access our short survey. Use the password XXX
<https://www.intelliscaninc.net/united/>
In the survey, you will be asked for a Ref #. That number can be found at the end of the subject line of this email.
Needless to say, I went and filled out the survey - it was not positive.
Oct 3, 2008, 10:57 am
#161
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,330
Ok then, this means I am getting REALLY screwed. If I stay with UA under the current rules, each year, I will lose between 42,000 and 60,000 BIS miles. Which means I wouldn't hit MM status until 2020 (or beyond!) instead of 2014 like I was on track for.
Is United insane? (I know the answer to that question)
Is United insane? (I know the answer to that question)
Oct 3, 2008, 10:54 pm
#162
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K, SPG
Posts: 1,577
Ok then, this means I am getting REALLY screwed. If I stay with UA under the current rules, each year, I will lose between 42,000 and 60,000 BIS miles. Which means I wouldn't hit MM status until 2020 (or beyond!) instead of 2014 like I was on track for.
Is United insane? (I know the answer to that question)
Is United insane? (I know the answer to that question)
Oct 4, 2008, 5:01 am
#163
Join Date: May 2006
Location: GA
Programs: VA-PLT, QF-GLD, DL-GM, UA-ex1K, AA-exPLT, HH-DM, IHG-PLT, MR-GLD
Posts: 8,242
United is not insane to cut benefits if you keep flying them.
Move your business to someone else for short flights, if you don't you can't blame United, they are actually doing what is best for them if people keep buying tickets.
I have moved to AA for these flights and soon I will be tempted to try EXP if United does not come around.
Move your business to someone else for short flights, if you don't you can't blame United, they are actually doing what is best for them if people keep buying tickets.
I have moved to AA for these flights and soon I will be tempted to try EXP if United does not come around.
Oct 4, 2008, 2:32 pm
#164
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,330
United is not insane to cut benefits if you keep flying them.
Move your business to someone else for short flights, if you don't you can't blame United, they are actually doing what is best for them if people keep buying tickets.
I have moved to AA for these flights and soon I will be tempted to try EXP if United does not come around.
Move your business to someone else for short flights, if you don't you can't blame United, they are actually doing what is best for them if people keep buying tickets.
I have moved to AA for these flights and soon I will be tempted to try EXP if United does not come around.
As of late, UA has a 'you need us more than we need you' attitude. It's a shame, as nothing could be further from the truth.
Oct 5, 2008, 4:22 pm
#165
Join Date: May 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posts: 1,960
I haven't flown UA *anywhere* since the 500-mile minimum was removed. I just have too damned many flights within CA to screw around with their silly game. AA and WN are the beneficiaries; Chevron, too---I drove to a couple of destinations where UA is my only choice left.