Continental and United’s first major mileage-program change since the merger of the two airlines will affect its most important customers, elites. There is good and bad news and, depending on your elite status, no news at all.
For United Elites
The Good
New four-tier elite hierarchy: Currently United has a three-tier cake: 25,000 EQMs (elite qualifying miles) for the bottom layer, 50,000EQMs for the middle, and then a big jump to top status, which requires 100,000EQMs. Now United has inserted a level between the mid and top tiers of 75,000EQMs, which you could characterize as middle with a cherry on top. You get regional but not system-wide upgrades, which remain a top-tier privilege. But it’s great for those of you who can’t quite get over the top.
The Bad
1K regional upgrades: United is meddling once again with regional upgrades for top-tier elites. The last time it eliminated them, then shortly thereafter reversed course, glossing the change with the phrase, “Sometimes no change is good news….” Now United wants more EQMs for the same number of upgrades, 10,000 to be exact.
1K Elite Qualifying Segments (EQS): Currently United top elites who get their status through numerous short flights have to fly 100 EQSs. In 2011 they’ll have to get 20 more (120) EQSs to keep their status for 2012.
For Continental Elites
The Good
More system-wide upgrades: Onepass members who earn more than 100,000 EQMs will now receive six system-wide upgrades instead of four.
Regional upgrades, a new benefit: They rain down once you complete 75,000 EQMs or 90 EQPs. You get two regional upgrades, plus two more for every additional 25,000 EQMs or 30 EQPs.
The Bad
Higher upgradeable fares for system-wide upgrades: Now no longer valid with S, T, K, L and G fares. On a NYC to London route for example, that raises the lowest upgradeable fares to $287 from $190.
Platinum elites (75,000 EQMs or 90EQPs) demoted: Now you fall between top-tier and mid-tier (tier elite names to be advised at a later date).
[aside]
System-wide Upgrade Discrepancy
Continental does not allow system-wide upgrades on all fares, but United does. So much for program alignment.[/aside]
New top-tier elites: You have your work cut out for you. To retain your status, you will have to earn 100,000 EQMs or 120 EQPs, 25,000 EQMs and 30 more EQPs than are required now.
The unaffected
Bottom and mid-tier elites (Premier and Premier Executive at United; Silver and Gold at Continental) are not in for major increases or decreases in benefits.