ms_go

Just posted this morning:

http://www.mileageplusmergerupdates....rogramOverview

mrwunrfl

The reduced rates for bonus award miles sucks.

Interesting about the million miler (MM) program. It has me thinking about the CO option where you can pay a fee to get RDMs and EQMs (Elite Maximizer).

If I understand the CO MM program then the EQMs (or PQMs) purchased today thru Elite Maximizer would count towards lifetime MM status.

In 2012, though, only flight miles will count towards lifetime miles. After Jan 1 the Elite Mazimizer EQMs won't count towards MM status? Only flight EQMs will count, like on today's MP?

rkkwan

The reduced bonus miles is not good, but for those leisure travelers, it could have been much worse if they'd gone to a revenue-based system. For a gold flying 50K miles, one would accumulate 75K spendable miles a year with the new plan, compared to 100K previously. Really, it's NOT that bad, and I always believe the main plus of being elites are the bonus stuff - E+ seating, priority access, bags, etc - and not the miles per se.

ms_go

Not a lot of good news below Gold level. One of the most significant changes would have to be Premier Silver (25k level) not getting to select E+ until check in.

The one-time re-calibration of UA FFs to be in line with CO's MM approach to date is interesting. I haven't been keeping very good track, but it should give me a pretty good bump (currently at around 600k under United rules). mrwunrfl--"only flight EQMs after Jan 1" is the way I read it, but I've only really skimmed everything at this point.

I always pay much more attention to EQMs than RDMs (we always seem to have plenty of those), so I'm not too bothered about the cuts there.

I'll hit 75K a few weeks and will likely end the year in that range. It looks like there are a few nice things there that are not available as a current Premier Exec, including multiple (8) E+ companions and waived phone fees.

qwovadis

I am moving my 150K Amex miles to Delta.com

which also sucks but less than this

which at first blush truly sucks

qwovadis

Amex FF miles can only be xferred to CO till 9/31 a heads up...

Does not appear to be worth it to me

misterfuss

I am very disappointed out about losing access to E+ until checkin for the Premier Silver level. I am a tall guy and I have stayed loyal to United because of having this benefit at the time of reserving seats. Unfortunately I fly just a little over 25k miles annually. I don't foresee paying the $425 for the annual access to E+ either.

yestravel

The benefit for me of having access to E+ when buying a tix is huge. Doesnt seem worth remaining loyal to UA with that benefit being taken away.

rkkwan

I agree, if your travel pattern only gets you silver, and there are other options for you, then it's time to look elsewhere. Many have commented that it's easier to get those reduced silver benefits by just getting a UA credit card.

kuranosuke

aloha bill, can you provide a link so i can learn about the CO option where you can pay a fee to get RDMs and EQMs (Elite Maximizer

i assume this option is not available with united flyers or through the mileage plus program.

thanks.

rkkwan

kuranosuke - After you purchase a ticket, you'll see the option whenever you pull up your itinerary on continental.com.

mrwunrfl

hi ken. If you have a reservation at continental.com then you click on the View option for the res. Scroll down and click the Get Extra Miles button.

Put your OP number into the box under your name d click Add.

To the right you will see (I see) two options. Click the checkbox next to one of the options and another option will appear below to Add Elite Maximizer.

The first option I see is 7500 extra miles (RDMs) for $225. Click that and see Add Elite Maximizer for $338.

The second option is 20,000 extra miles for $600. The Elite Maximizer option is $900 more. In this case, your choices are to pay $600 for 20,000 RDMs or $1500 for 20,000 RDMs and 20,000 EQMs.

My ticket with these options is an award ticket. I can buy those miles and as a 1K/Plat cancel and refund the ticket with no charge, keeping the purchased RDMs and EQMs.

IIRC, I think that you can book a ticket, purchase those miles, then cancel/refund the ticket within the 24-hour no-penalty window after purchase.

mrwunrfl

You can click on Ask Alex on the continental homepage for a brief explanation: you get the option to buy with your reservation (as explained above), at check-in, or at a kiosk.

Instead of Alex they should have named her Connie.

kuranosuke

aloha rk and bill, much mahalos for the info. i will ck it out when i have a cal res.

i haven't flown cal in years, so the only status i have with them is through ual.