Airtrainer From Belgium, joined Aug 2003, 1369 posts, RR: 15 Posted (6 years 8 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 3096 times:
Hi all, I just need 1500 miles to reach premier status with UA... I will try to fly again before the end of the year anyway but just wanted your opinions, is it really worth it ?
Thanks.
UALophile From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 42 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 8 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 3091 times:
Yes, it's definitely worth it!!
You can board whenever you want, and you almost always will get Economy Plus seating. Also, every once in awhile, you can get bumped up to First Class for a very minimal fee.
Brokenrecord From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 765 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (6 years 8 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3075 times:
It is definitely worth it to get a status on just about any airline.
The fee for upgrade depends on the length of the flight. I would suggest buying a bunch of upgrade certificates as soon as you get Premier so that you can get a discount on them.
UN_B732 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 4286 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (6 years 8 months 3 weeks 1 day ago) and read 3071 times:
I agree, I mean tkae LH somewhere if you are from Belguim. Pre-Boarding, Shorter Lines, E+, better service, your own phone line, waitlist (*cough* upgrade *cough) priority helps.
-Mr. X
Daron4000 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 710 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (6 years 8 months 3 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 3059 times:
BRAVO7E7 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1840 posts, RR: 23 Reply 7, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 3035 times:
Let me tell you some of your real benefits:
- Pre boarding with seating Area One
-Premier Phone Line (which is not a whole lot better than the regular)
-Economy Plus
-25% bonus miles
-Star Alliance Silver (which is very minimal)
-You receive four 500 mile upgrades for every 10,000 miles you fly. They automatically are depostited into your account when you do this. This is onl for every 10,000 after reaching Premier status. Otherwise you can buy four 500 mile upgrades for $200. All upgrades clear in your 48 hour window.
To be honest, it is definitely worth it if you are that close. Don't epect too much extra service wise, because you will be utterly dissapointed. United is a great airline, but that is regardless. Good luck!
"To find fault is easy: To do better may be difficult." -Plutarch
UN_B732 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 4286 posts, RR: 5 Reply 8, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 3031 times:
I disagree, the Premier line is DEFINITELY an improvement over the regular line, the check-in lines are shorter, and at times service is improved (ground moreso than in the air, well other than meal priority on the manifest in intl J) and at times it gives a small nudge as far as the operational upgrades go.
BRAVO7E7 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1840 posts, RR: 23 Reply 9, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 3030 times:
Quoting UN_B732 (Reply 8): I disagree, the Premier line is DEFINITELY an improvement over the regular line, the check-in lines are shorter,
Right, it is the elite line which is very useful. Did I say otherwise anywhere?
Quoting UN_B732 (Reply 8): small nudge as far as the operational upgrades go
SMALL!
[Edited 2005-09-07 02:27:59]
"To find fault is easy: To do better may be difficult." -Plutarch
Airtrainer From Belgium, joined Aug 2003, 1369 posts, RR: 15 Reply 10, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3015 times:
Quoting BRAVO7E7 (Reply 7): Let me tell you some of your real benefits:
- Pre boarding with seating Area One
-Premier Phone Line (which is not a whole lot better than the regular)
-Economy Plus
-25% bonus miles
-Star Alliance Silver (which is very minimal)
-You receive four 500 mile upgrades for every 10,000 miles you fly. They automatically are depostited into your account when you do this. This is onl for every 10,000 after reaching Premier status. Otherwise you can buy four 500 mile upgrades for $200. All upgrades clear in your 48 hour window.
To be honest, it is definitely worth it if you are that close. Don't epect too much extra service wise, because you will be utterly dissapointed. United is a great airline, but that is regardless. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I think the 25% bonus miles is really nice, especially because I'm planning to fly long haul for next year ! Also, sorry for being so ignorant, but could you explain me what Star Alliance Silver is ?
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 7614 posts, RR: 51 Reply 11, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3012 times:
I highly recommend that you try to get Premier. I am a premier executive on United (one level above premier) and it is very nice. As far as what Star Silver is, it is a mileage status that all Star Alliance partners recognize. It gives you some of the same features that United gives when flying on any airline within the alliance. Star Gold is the next higher up level and that provides you with extras like free lounge access on certain flights. Check out United's website for more information. http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6823,1160,00.html
Here are the features I most like and why.
Economy Plus Seating- this is very nice as you get more legroom but also you are first served with beverage and buy on board services as well as first on and first off the plane and the passengers around you will likely be business travelers instead of large families with kids going on vacation. Overall it is the best economy can get on any airline unless you pay more for first class. Also you can bring a companion or friend up to Economy Plus as well free of charge.
Preboarding - You are always given priority and board before the mad rush in economy gets there so that you have no trouble storing your items in the overhead bin
Upgrades - As previously said you get four 500 mile upgrade coupons for every ten thousand that you fly with United which means that you can upgrade for free on about 20% of your flights with United and on top of that you can buy them at $200 for four more.
Priority Check In - The priority line for checkin can be very nice. We have all seen hour long security lines that stretch out the door for economy during busy travel times. Even though there will still be a line for premiers, it will be far less.
Priority Security Screening - At some airports you can skip past the security line and go through priority screening lines which save a lot of time, especially when you are travelling at peak times near the holidays
Priority Standby - This one is huge. There have been multiple times that I have been saved by being able to get an earlier flight or have had priority standby for when my original flight was cancelled. This makes things much easier when bad weather strikes.
Mileage Bonus - 25% for premiers but 100% for premier executives and 1Ks which goes a long way to racking up those miles which can be nice for upgrades or free flights.
Discounted Red Carpet Club - You get discounted membership on lounge access if you want it.
Priority Phone Line - You get through quicker. Usually it is not a big deal, but if weather or cancellations are happening, you can make a quick phone call rather than wait for 20-30 minutes in a customer service line.
These benefits are all very nice to have. It may not shorten your flight up, but it will make your experience better as you will deal with shorter lines and have a better seat. United is one of the best airlines to have status on because of Economy Plus which gives you priorty seating.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
UAalltheway From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 3008 times:
Quoting Airtrainer (Reply 10): Also, sorry for being so ignorant, but could you explain me what Star Alliance Silver is ?
In addition to everything UA gives you, star alliance "silver" status will pretty much just get you priority check in at star alliance member-airlines.
Here's the equivalency chart:
UA 1K = Star Alliance Gold
UA Premier Exec. = Star Alliance Gold
UA Premier = Star Alliance Silver
Go to www.staralliance.com and at the top click on "Loyalty Benifits" in the upper left and you can read some more there.
BRAVO7E7 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1840 posts, RR: 23 Reply 13, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 3008 times:
Quoting RoseFlyer (Reply 11): Priority Security Screening - At some airports you can skip past the security line and go through priority screening lines which save a lot of time, especially when you are travelling at peak times near the holidays
Actually priority screening is only for Premier Executives and up.
"To find fault is easy: To do better may be difficult." -Plutarch
BRAVO7E7 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1840 posts, RR: 23 Reply 14, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days ago) and read 3007 times:
Quoting UAalltheway (Reply 12): In addition to everything UA gives you, star alliance "silver" status will pretty much just get you priority check in at star alliance member-airlines.
Sorry Joe! Star Allaince Silver does NOT give you priority check-in with Star Alliance partners!
"To find fault is easy: To do better may be difficult." -Plutarch
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 7614 posts, RR: 51 Reply 15, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2990 times:
Quoting BRAVO7E7 (Reply 13): Actually priority screening is only for Premier Executives and up.
I know usually it is for only premier executives and up but I have seen plenty of airports where they allow premiers to go through the express security lane like ORD and LAX for examples (based on experience).
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
UAalltheway From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 16, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 2978 times:
Quoting BRAVO7E7 (Reply 14): Sorry Joe! Star Allaince Silver does NOT give you priority check-in with Star Alliance partners!
Mental Note to Self: Stop making an ass of self.
Sorry! ..was looking at Star Gold instead of Silver benifits.. looks like being Star Silver dosen't get you much other than priority waitlisting, standby on an earlier flight, etc. If you think you can do it definitly go for Premier Exec. (= Star Alliance Gold), worth it.
Airtrainer From Belgium, joined Aug 2003, 1369 posts, RR: 15 Reply 17, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2976 times:
Quoting UAalltheway (Reply 16): If you think you can do it definitly go for Premier Exec. (= Star Alliance Gold), worth it.
Don't think I will be able to reach Premier Executive unless I fly to Australia again The bad thing is that I flew EK DUS-DXB-BKK return in june, received around 12000 miles for the trip but no EQMs. At that time I wasn't really looking for status but now I feel different...
UAalltheway From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 2975 times:
Quoting Airtrainer (Reply 17): Don't think I will be able to reach Premier Executive unless I fly to Australia again Wink The bad thing is that I flew EK DUS-DXB-BKK return in june, received around 12000 miles for the trip but no EQMs. At that time I wasn't really looking for status but now I feel different...
Oh okay. Well... some status is better than no status.
Christao17 From Thailand, joined Apr 2005, 804 posts, RR: 10 Reply 19, posted (6 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 2955 times:
I'll agree with the general consensus: if you're close to Premier it is probably worth it to take that extra flight and gain the status.
This is assuming you'll be flying on UA enough next year to actually take advantage of the benefits. If you won't be flying on UA next year, don't bother spending your money.
Star Alliance Silver (UA Premier) doesn't really offer you any advantages when flying on partner airlines, just when flying UA. Nonetheless, the advantages of the Economy Plus seating and boarding with seating group 1 remove what - IMHO - are some of the biggest frustrations with flying: no leg room and no overhead bin space.
From my experience as a Premier (before I became a Premier Exec and eventually a 1K) you'll be low person on the totem pole for upgrades - even as a Premier Exec you'll often get passed over, so don't let the thought of lots of upgrades be a deciding factor for you.
727EMflyer From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 547 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (6 years 8 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 2930 times:
Another benefit that no one mentioned yet is the baggage allowance! As a premier and higer with UA they allow you 60 lbs (domestic U.S. at least) or to check three instead of 50 and 2. That comes in very handy. Know your benefits, though. I just got back from a trip HNL-DEN-BIL_MSO-DEN-SFO-HNL but the skywest (UA express) agent that I got in MSO wasn't aware of the baggage benefit! It only took a raised eyebrow from me and a worried look by her to her supervisor to clear it up, but if you don't know and they don't know you could loose out!
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Didn't know it would be possible to upgrade to F, how much would be the fee ?
From Thailand, joined Apr 2005, 804 posts, 
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