United has updated its page on 2011 elite program changes to add the following:
1K members: During 2011, if you are a 1K member based on 2010 activity, you will still be eligible to earn two Regional Upgrades per quarter as you did before. In addition, under the new program changes announced on Nov. 17, you will also receive two more Regional Upgrades when you reach 75,000 EQM/90 EQS and two at every 25,000 EQM/30EQS after that. The quarterly earning process will end on December 31, 2011, and then the new rules will be in effect for 2012.
This change means that a 1K who earns 100,000 to 124,999 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) during 2011 will receive 12 Regional Upgrades instead of 4 under the rules announced by United earlier this week. 1Ks who earn at least 125,000 EQMs will receive 2 more Regional Upgrades for each additional 25,000 EQMs earned during 2011. In 2010 and previous years, 1Ks could earn up to 8 Regional Upgrades per year, so this change turns a take-away into windfall for all 1Ks. Thanks United!
However, given the wording at the end, I expect this give-back will definitely be gone for 2012, so enjoy it while you can!
Comments
I am pleasantly surprised. Two big thumbs up to UA for doing this.
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