The granting Premier Associate status option isn't just for 1Ks this year; 1Ps (who signed up for the elite choice promotion) also got to do the same after hitting 75k. I actually had a hard time finding someone I know who wanted it and/or could benefit from it I ended up giving it to my mother, who doesn't really understand what it means. Hopefully she'll travel next year and get some benefit. IIRC, I got to do that last year, too.

I'll have that option, right after BOS trip. I'll give the status to my DH. Brad doesn't need it.

I did mouse over "flight details" and all it said was that there was availability in first, business, and economy. There were no codes! What am I missing? But I'm still hopeful that the upgrade will go through...

I did a search for the platinum card on UAs site. The only one available now is the business platinum (for which I do qualify). I called to ask about upgrading my current card, but due to new gov't regulations, I cannot do that! I must reapply for a new card. I looked at the application on line, and it asks for ss# which I hate to give, plus some other info that I thought should be private.......

The regular platinum UA visa card (NOT a bus cd) doesn't seem to be an option anymore...?

OK, sorry to bounce back anc forth here, but I tried again, after logging into UA, to check "standard award" flights. The details for my flts were there, and there are no NC or XC seats available. But I'm still hopeful.......

Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Carol

<i>I did mouse over "flight details" and all it said was that there was availability in first, business, and economy. There were no codes! What am I missing?</i>

That sounds like what you'd see if you're not logged in. You have to log into the site first and have your online profile set to "expert" mode. Since you were seeing codes when you bought the ticket, I assume you've already done the latter.

It's not the most user-friendly system, but it's the only way to look at United award inventory online. This was all much easier to do using ExpertFlyer...until United asked that site remove all the award inventory information.

We were posting at the same time. I'm glad you found it.

Fingers crossed! It seems like they're releasing upgrades later, but my experience of late has been pretty good. I've only missed on one upgrade attempt in the last year--and that was on a Friday evening ORD-SFO flight, which is never a good bet (the monitor was showing business checked in full and I was #18 on the waiting list).

ms-go
I have had the same good luck w/upgrades in the past. Only once, in many years, did an upgradeable fare NOT get upgraded, and then only for a portion of the flt.. not the whole distance.

Now... on to finding out about that platinum UA card!!

Carol

Persistance pays off. I found the form for the plat cd and have applied! I really appreciate that tip, Bill. You have to go thru hoops to get to the application on the UA site. My first search did not show the plat cd as an option, other than a business plat (for which I do qualify.. but prefer NOT to apply for).

Anyway... DONE!

Like you, I just purchased my last ticket needed for 1K within the last week. Now, I see that AAmerican has just announced a DEQM promotion through Dec 15, and I'm guessing United won't be far behind. Oh well...

No longer guessing...United has followed:

http://www.united.com/page/article/1..._500bonusmiles

Thanks for that! I registered. I did not read the fine print, but I hope that all my flights qualify for this!

Now you only have to fly 9,000 miles, Carole. The DEQMs won't post until 4-6 weeks after flying, so you won't earn them on your outbound trip, unless you are staying a month or more.

Let's see. Fly Sept 3 thru Dec 15. <b><u>E-ticket purchase required</b></u>. No ticketing date restrictions like the DEQM offer in the spring. Not combineable with MPW029 (I don't know what that offer is, but ok).

I registered for the new DEQM tho I don't need it. When the spring offer was announced I already had LAX-DME and LAX-PIT booked. Those flights and DEQM, and previous flights, got me just over 50,000. Then I got some <u>cheap</U> tickets and flew: LAX-BOS-LAX staying 1 night, LAX-SFO-BOS-LAX same day, LAX-IAD-MCO-LAX same day, and LAX-IAD-LAX same day. Will make 1K-lite with almost 46K of the necessary 100K earned as bonus EQMs.

If you are flying to BKK and will earn the EQMs you need, then you don't need the Platinum Visa this year. The sign-up EQMs will post this year. You'd want to get it next year to have a head start on 2010 EQMs. But, if you get it and use it this year, then you would only need about 6,500 miles, doubled.

I've already applied for the platinum card. Once I get it, I'll use it rather than my regular UA visa card. I'll cancel the regular one.

I buy gas using credit card all the time, so why not earn 2 miles per $1... rather than 1 to 1 with the regular card.

What's 1K lite?

Here is my list of confirmed flights:
Sep PIA-HNL-PIA
Oct PIA-MHT-PIA
Oct ORD-BKK-Ord
Nov ORD-ZRH (on Swiss, so only actual miles, no DEQMs)
Dec ORD-BKK (but after the 15th, so no DEQMs)

It puts me way over 1K. I need to figure out exactly where I'll be when all is said and done.

Is there something extra for 125? 150?

Carol

DS... who was going to make 50k, not problem, can now get 1K

I believe there are benefits for 125 and 150 miles but it has to be flown miles, not flown miles and DEQM miles.

mztery
In that case, I'm at just over 1K. I look forward to the benefits of that status, since I've never gotten there before.

1K-lite is a flyertalk term for 1Ks who earn their status by lots of bonus EQMs. Some of the 1Ks that actually fly 100,000 miles moan that these promos cheapen the 1K status (too many 1Ks in the checkin line, etc) and there will be too many 1Ks.

Now, as a 1K-lite, I can complain that there will be too many 1Ks next year. Having TWO DEQM offers cheapens the 1K-lite experience! Lots of gate lice on the red carpet!

gate lice... tsk tsk

DS and I were joking around just today about how long the 1K lines are going to be, when boarding UA flights next year. Instead of walking right up to the check-in counter, we'll have to stand in a long line! haha We'll get used to it though.

I made it to 1K. It's official!! I just logged into UA site and I'm listed as 1K at log in. I reached that goal after arrival in BKK, but only because of dbl eqms. I'll be a "real" 1K-er though, by year end.

I didn't visit the special 1k site yet, but plan to take a look soon.

Bill (mrwunrfl) or ms_go, what are my chances of upgrades on my Dec BKK trip, now that I'm 1k? Will that be taken into consideration when they hand out those left over business class seats? Hope so!

Carol

Congrats, Carol! I finally hit 1K, as well, on Wednesday--consolation, I guess, after getting downgraded at the gate that morning due to a last minute switch of plane to Ted (yes, he's still around). I've already registered for early deposit of four SWUs. The family voted and wants to use a few for part of a trip in March (currently showing NC9).

I'm not too good at predicting upgrade chances, but as a 1K you should be on the priority A list (I'd call and confirm). Are you taking the ORD-NRT-BKK flight? The tricky issue with that clearing in advance is it's now one flight number, so there has to be upgrade (NC) inventory available on both segments. It may take longer, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.