SWU on UA... question

As a 1K, you get six SWUs. Normally, they're deposited in January, but you can elect to get four early. Did you by chance register for that? I registered in October and they appeared in my account within a couple of days (I've already used some).

You can earn two more for each 50K EQMs reached above 100K; so, two at 150K, two at 200K, etc. And, if you've registered for this year's elite choice program, you will get two more if you end the year at 125K EQMs or higher.

Elite choice? Where's that one? I'm not sure if I have registered for that one or not. I already have 129,000+ for the year.

I honestly don't remember asking for SWUs "early"... but maybe I did.

I will miss 150,000 by about 1600 miles!!! Drat! If I had the time, I'd fly "somewhere" for a mileage run... but problem is, I leave for Europe on T'giving Day, and am only home from ZRH for one week before flying back to BKK in Dec.

OK, I went into my UA FF acct. I did register for elite choices, but I didn't see anything about the extra benefits at 125,000... although I registered to "move" 5000 EQMs to my acct for 2010. Does that count?

Here's the elite choice link:
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,52918,00.html

If you're at 129k, then you would already have hit two milestones and should have received emails about your 75k and 125k rewards (not much of interest at 75k, IMHO). In addition, you should have been able to nominate someone for Premier Associate at 75k. If none of that sounds familiar, then you can still register (through Dec 15) using the link above.

The 5K bonus EQMs for 2010 is your regular 125K reward (that's what I'll pick, too, when I get there).

The two extra SWUs at 125K was an added benefit that was communicated by email a couple of months ago. I need to find the email, but I think it happens automatically after the end of the year (i.e., you don't get them right away at 125K).

Okay, it's in the Sept. 9 email that announced the DEQM promotion.

New enhancement for the 2009 Elite Choice program: year-end rewards

The program that rewards you all year long has just been enhanced with a set of year-end rewards that will be based on your December 31, 2009, elite status and balance of EQM/EQS, including all those earned through double EQM/EQS.


Elite status as of 12/31: 1K
Year-end EQM/S balance: 125,000 EQM/125 EQS or more

Reward options

*2 Systemwide Upgrades, or
*25,000 redeemable bonus miles, or
*A one-year annual fee waiver ($375 value) on your Mileage Plus® Club Visa® card, the only credit card that includes a full membership to the Red Carpet Club®

I see that there is a choice (not automatic), so you'll probably get an email re: that at some point--probably in January since it's based on year-end balance.

ms-go

Thanks for all that information. I did do the elite choice program, and I chose the 5000 EQMs to move into 2010. I also had the option to nominate someone for premier associate, which I did do.

I will watch for that year end email! I would love 2 more SWUs in my FF acct!

Carol

Those early-deposit SWUs also have an early expiration - 12 months from issue, IIRC. The ones issued at the end of the year are good for 13 months - until January 31, but if you make 1K again some may be extended.

About those needed 1600 EQMs. Does your total EQMs include any EQMs you might earn by purchasing United tix online at ua dot com using your MP Platinum Visa? I remember that you said you got a lower fare for your upcoming BKK trip by calling vs online, but were there any others?

If you buy $1600.00 worth of tix online then that would get you the EQMs you need. Remember that W tix (SWU upgradeable) are available to BKK for under $900 till early May (outbound). Get one of those on dates that have upgrade seats available, apply your SWUs immediately, and then you would be only 700 EQMs short. (I haven't figure out how long it takes for the MP Visa EQMs to post or what would happen if they didn't post till after 12/31).

December 12 you could fly ORD-BOS roundtrip for $179 to earn 1734 EQMs. Early morning departure and same day return.

PIA-ORD-BUF-ORD-PIA for $222.40 all-in, same day or overnight, and available any day of the week before your next BKK trip.

Leave at 6AM and be back by 6PM!!

That would be 2412 EQMs under the DEQM promo.

Another idea would be to change your outbound flight to BKK to be on December 15 so that it would earn DEQMs. That would involve a $250 change fee and a refare might make it too expensive.

mr w
Thanks for all of those suggestions. I wish I could fly over on December 15, but that simply is not possible. That would be the simplest alternative, for sure.

Hmmm, maybe a day trip to BOS or BUF... I do actually have a "free day" (ha ha) on Monday the 14th of December, two days before the BKK flights. I appreciate those suggestions. I'll try to post here with my decision, if I decide to do a mileage run!
Carol

Quick question... how does one come up with cheap fares to "anywhere" quickly? I don't really want to go to BUF in December, but the price is right. Is there somewhere to look at all "cheap" options? I guess I can do an overnight, leaving on the 13th and returning on the 14th. Where would one go for an exciting overnight trip? I'd love to think of a place like LAS or TPA, but those are too expensive (I've already looked).

OK... never mind the questions. I found a fare to TPA from ORD with an overnight stay, for $199.20!!! Booked!!!! I'll be way over 150,000 (well not waaaaaay over, just "over"). Thanks mr w for the suggestion. I really didn't think I'd be able to find the time, but I have two days off from the store (Sunday and Monday) and DH and DS will be in BKK, so why shouldn't I fly off to TPA for an overnight!!!

Color me happy!

Carol

LOL! Two more SWUs for you!

Use up your 500-miler upgrades on those flights, if you have any. They won't be any good next year.

I have about 35 of those 500-milers. Yes, I will use some of them. I am trying to connect with a friend in Tampa, to see if she is possibly available for dinner that Sunday... hope so.

Your outbound flight to BKK is C8 (8 biz class seats available). The return is C2 which is better than the last time I checked (C0).

Bill
I emailed the 1k contact person, and she would not tell me that I was in a good position to be upgraded, but it sounded like the return trip from NRT to ORD was almost certain. BKK to NRT is sold out in biz, so no chance there.

I'm hoping for an upgrade this week. C8 sounds pretty good, right? I've now got 134,716 EQMs (with still 6 more segements to fly) and will end up with over 150k this year!!

Thanks for the current info on my two BKK flights.

Carol

Just called my 1K phone number for UA, and I'm riding in the upper deck (biz class) all the way from ORD to BKK!!! Yippeeee!! I'm still wait listed for the return. But I know for sure I'll ride in comfort on the way to S E Asia.

Carol

Great, hope you are having a comfy flight!

I wouldn't give up hope for BKK-NRT. Some of those biz class booking will be cancelled, some may never check in, and maybe some will be moved up front.

"... moved up front..." nice thought. I'd love that... I know, I know, I'm not the one to be moved up front, with only an economy ticket... lol

Sitting at OHare Red Carpet, ready to board in about 30 minutes. Bangkok, here I come!

Upgrade confirmed for NRT to ORD on my way home in January. BKK to NRT still waitlisted.

I have just over 150K miles with UA for 2009 now!

Bill, my upgrade for BKK to NRT came through at the gate. About 5 minutes before boarding, they called my name, and one more name. You had said that you saw two seats open up. You were right!!! Anyway, I got the first one! I may have been the only 1K waiting, or maybe the "other" guy was also 1K but didn't travel 150,000 miles last year on UA... Anyway, I got my ride in Biz. So glad it cleared for me. But I hate waiting until the last minute like that...

Carol