Fair question with a simple answer: I didn't notice the conversion program. Perhaps because at that time I was flying domestically in the US more. Oh well, too late now.

Either way, thanks for all the suggestions.

Cheers,

1Ken (soon to be 1MMKen...)

Not to divert off of the original thread, but a question:

If you signed up for the conversion program (I did as my flights are 99%international so I cannot redeem practically any of them for those), how long does it go for? I remember something about it staying active as long as you are 1P or higher, correct?

Thanks and advance.

Correct, and I vaguely remember (and I very well could be wrong) but I think it was only on "comp" (earned) 500's.. no conversion for purchased.

As long as you don't fall out of qualification (domestic 1P or higher, or int'l of any status), your e500s will continue to convert. If you fail to qualify at any time, for any reason, conversion will stop for good. Of course, UA may change the rules at any time; the above is just what's currently true.

Thanks - that is what I thought.

Hi, krvw. You're DCA/IAD, and I'm DCA/IAD (more the latter than the former, though not by preference, and often times BWI). Want to do some transcon MRs together, the two of us using your e-500s to sit upfront? The drinks will be on me.

BTW, strictly speaking, those e-500s are not limited in use to "domestic" flights. They are good anywhere in Region One, which includes Canada (North America, I think), the Caribean, and Central America. Too bad that UA's service is so limited in those parts of Region One outside the US, and of course it is truly minimal in South America.

Sorry, I have to chime in and say simply "That is utterly brilliant."

You 1) avoid "wasting" the upgrade 2) make someone's day and 3) gain brownie points with the G/As - which can't ever hurt

I don't have those kinds of problems (huge numbers of expiring certificates) but I've filed the idea away for some possible future use!

Richard

Hence the reason FT should sell Technicolor Dreamcoats to FT members so we can Identify each other at the airport and be able to pay this stuff forward^^

I think that's what the baggage tags at the store here are for, though I've never seen any in use...

How is it people have excessive e500s? I just made 2P and haven't yet earned any, so I am broadly reading about them tonight. For every 10,000 miles you fly you earn 4 * 500 = 2,000 miles of upgrade.

So I guess if >80% of your travel is international then you generate them faster than you can use them?

Yes, but also, 1Ks have SWUs and CR-1s which they usually use to upgrade further in advance than e500s work (and for SWUs, on international routes where e500s can't be used, but the SWU when redeemed also gives a "free" upgrade on any domestic segments that connect to the international flight). This typically results in a large number of leftover e500s.

And some people who live in UX/Ted cities, or who live outside of Region 1, have very few opportunities to use e500s, resulting in more surplus.

they do work...

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...d-threads.html

I knew about the CR-1s, but these two things I hadn't pondered. Most of my travel is transcon so I may be a lousy candidate for having a surplus.

^ to the idea of giving upgrades to random strangers, esp. people in uniform. I am don't know that I would even want to upgrade myself if I knew a person in uniform was sitting back in coach. For their service I think downgrading myself to E- wouldn't begin to even balance out the sacrifices they so humbly make for us. I was once on a plane that had a flag draped casket loaded aboard in cargo. The family met the casket on the tarmac upon our arrival and were collapsed on the ramp in grief. The comments some made about "the war" (it was actually coast guard death it turned out) and worse yet the "delay" this unloading was causing made me want to vomit.

Nice offer, thanks. :-) But MRs aren't something I need to do. I'll log somewhere between 200-250k this year, all on biz travel. Sorry to disappoint.

Cheers,

1Ken