United Tweaks MileagePlus for 2012

Oh, and the worst is that United tells us only now. The new United cannot be trusted.

As a 1 MM I had life time executive gold status, just below !-K and Global, this new system put us behind Global, ! K and now the new Platinum Gold, I believe all 1MM should be at Platinum gold,
This new tier now puts us behind anyone who reaches 75,000. Originally we were just behind I K and Global, that means our ability to get up graded is reduced from 74 hours to 48 hours. I don’t believe this fair, I am disappointed that the original policy was not grand fathered in for those of us who are accustomed to getting our up grade with in 74 hours. I spoke to customer service and they said if enough elite members complain they will change the policy like they did when we complained about loosing the regional up grades

The reduced bonus for Gold (Premier Executive) is a big screwing by United. Reducing the mileage bonus benefit from 100% to 50% is a major betrayal by United. This is one of the most significant downgrades of benefits ever and already has me looking at shifting to Delta or American. Tim, you are the expert here. What do you say? This is much more that “tweak”.

Here is the response I received from United when I raised the issue of there no longer being confirmed at booking economy plus seats for the 25,000 mile level (I’ll be flying more often next year on Virgin America, American and Delta as a result of this change as I have many options from SFO).

Thank you for contacting United Continental Holdings, Inc.

We understand that securing Economy Plus seat assignments is an important added bonus for our Premier members.

We expect that Premier Silver members will still be able to enjoy Economy Plus seating, even though the change in request windows effectively provides greater access to our Premier Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members.

In the 2012 program, MileagePlus members will have progressively greater
rewards as they move through the Premier levels.

Many customers appreciate the convenience of subscribing to United’s Economy Plus Annual Option. For one annual fee, customers are able to enjoy five extra inches of legroom in Economy Plus seating for the entire year. Complete details are available on our website:
http://www.united.com/economyplus.

For more merger updates, please visit us online:
http://www.mileageplusmergerupdates.com.

We are building an airline that will earn your confidence and approval.
We appreciate your patience and want you to know your loyalty does not go unnoticed.

P.S. Your dissatisfaction with the upcoming policy change has been noted and forwarded to the appropriate management.

The other change that is not a tweak is that lifetime lounge access at 2MM was eliminated. At the current annual charge of $450, this is a really big downgrade, in exchange for virtually no increased benefit

I TOLD YOU SO!

Unless your a 1K flyer, your nothing than a low-life. They want the high-flyers for the revenue it brings, all others cover their surplus costs….

The ONE reason I switched to United a few years ago was to be able to book their Economy Plus seating as a Silver Member. Now it is gone. I think I’ll switch back to American, or even better–Southwest so I can actually use my reward points I build!

As a long time silver elite, I expressed my disappointment over the seating issue to Jeff Smisek, CEO (got his email from the Continental website). Here is his reply:

From: Smisek, Jeff [mailto:Jeff.Smisek@united.com]
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 5:50 PM
To: Al C……….
Subject: Re: 2012 MileagePlus Program

“Al understand and hope not to lose you. As we transition to a program that better differentiates among our frequent travelers, and better rewards those who provide more value to the airline, there will be some adjustments. Just get to Gold and things will be better!

Best regards,

Jeff”

I replied “Your statement “…those who provide more value to the airline” says it all and certainly sets the tone. My takeaway is Bigger is not better.”

Posted by: AC |

I also am very disappointed in United’s policies. I am a gold medallion member on Delta, as well as United. I will now fly exclusively on delta. Also find that redeeming reward tickets on United is impossible. Never have that problem with Delta. Plus 80% of the time I get upgraded on Delta. Only once did I ever get upgraded on United in 20 years.
Hello Delta; goodbye United!!

Perhaps Tim Winship has been taking a little too much COol-aid. Most Mileage Plus elites (anyone below 1K) will be greatly disadvantaged, not least by the reduction in bonus RDM’s. As a 2MM flyer, I was previously Premier Executive for life, which gave me 100% bonus RDM’s when flying economy. Under the new scheme I will become Premier Platinum, but only receive 75% bonus RDM’s. So is that a change we’re going to like? I don’t think I’ll be buying a UA ticket anytime soon.

This is classic United deceptive practice. They are preparing to screw each and every Million Mile Flyer with this “new United”. If you earned Million mile status you will no longer be Premier Executive for life as contracted, you will be Premier Gold. You go from 100% bonus for all miles flown to 50%! No more Regional Upgrades yearly…zip! Upgrade times reduced from 74 hours in advance to 48 hours. That’s how much they value our “extraordinary loyalty”, as they put it. Call and email them and register your complaint. If they don’t change it there’s always the option of a Class Action Lawsuit.

More and more US busines no longer rewards loyalty, United is only one example. Even buying american goods does you no good. Screw the customer seems to be the slogan

Ditto all comments above. As a 10 year Premier member and loyal United customer I will be moving to South West and Delta. No middle crowded seats for me. Good bye and good luck United!

I have flown 1.8 MM on UAL and 2.24 MM on AA It looks like AA will see a lot more of me again UA thanks for nothing

A big boo on these changes, I have been Premier Exec for some time and this is a significant devaluation for me. I hope the other airlines dont follow UAL’s race to the bottom because thats where I will channel my future business.

As a MM I had life time executive gold status, just below !-K and Global, this new system put us behind Global, ! K and now the new Platinum Gold, I believe all 1MM should be at Platinum gold,
This new tier now puts us behind anyone who reaches 75,000. Originally we were just behind I K and Global, that means our ability to get up graded is reduced from 74 hours to 48 hours. I don’t believe this fair, the original policy should be grand fathered in for those of us who are accustomed to getting our up grade with in 74 hours.
United did change their position when we voiced our opposition to the removal of regional upgrades, If they hear from us again they might again listen and change this.

Maybe the stock holders would like to re-consider Jeff Smisek as the United CEO. Maybe they like the money the new United is making but this could disappear quickly as “loyalty to frequent flyers” is replaced by greed and indifference. Penny wise and pound foolish.

Did anyone notice that the systemwide upgrades no longer can be applied to the least expensive ticket? As a 100K flyer, my FF status has been devalued as well as everyone else’s.

I have had a life affair with UA, and flown almost all my revenue miles with them since 1987. Have made Premier every year and Prem. Exec. many years. But am livid at their late-in-the-year sudden takeback of Economy Plus access from Premiers. Within 24 hrs. means all-middles, if at all. Am not willing to spend weeks or months worrying about the seat I’ll end up in (most of my travel is now leisure, so booked well ahead) — i.e. cramped pitch or cramped middle.

Please note: Southwest’s useable seat pitch (i.e. leg/knee room) is 2″ greater THROUGHOUT THEIR FLEET than UA normal Economy (757). Plus: no Change Fees, free Checked Baggage, Leather seats, excellent on-time performance, same meals (i.e. none).

Very sad to leave this lifelong relationship, but have not even had the respect of a reply to two thoughtfully-composed letters expressing my concern. So I’m turning to AA, and evaluating others’ seat pitches too. UA and smiley but back-stabbing Smisek have disearned my loyalty. Would like to join any group seeking to organize a collective 2012 market response built around how anyone below Prem. Exec. must feel right now. Only market reaction will get UA’s attention it seems. Please advise if you know of such, or share that interest.

The lifetime UA Premier Exec should have been grandfathered to not lose earned benefits – decreased benefits will certainly result in decreased loyalty. Paraphrasing Marshall McLuhan: “A happy customer tells two or three people; an unhappy customer tells 15 or 20 people!” Hope the M+ executives know this.

United’s respect for Continental Elite members seemz to be zero. Continental answered its telephones; since the merger, I have waited in vain for more than 2 hours to reach someone from United! With a Chase Continental credit card agreement that had the benefit of one free checked bag, and with Silver Elite Status that also had this benefit, I had a second free checked bag. Now, I’m told that I can only have one free checked bag. But, I’ve been unable to reach anyone at United (by phone or email) to speak to about this. Does anyone have a phone number for United’s Premier that is answered? How can an airline (or any business) be successful without any way of reaching the business by telephone? Did they fire all their customer service personnel? I “trusted” Jeff Smisek as he did a good job at Continental, but can’t understand how they don’t even have telephone customer service, or customer service representatives who respond to emails beyond sending a case number.

i have always been premier executive, but now with only 50% more miles I don’t really care anymore about reaching that level. I will start flying other airlines than double the miles for those flying 50K a year. It seems they really put customers first with their changes! well, they will lose in the long term. You cannot take from your customers once you already given to them.